Spend the upcoming Labor Day weekend in San Diego enjoying everything California’s Beach City has to offer including these top things to do.
US Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Expo
This will be the sixth year that one of the world’s most important sand-sculpting competitions will be held on this built-for-the-occasion beach, with over 300 tons of sand dumped on the pier on San Diego’s Big Bay. In addition to witnessing one of the most important sand sculpture competitions in the world, patrons will see and be able to buy over 1,000 one-of-a-kind works of art, enjoy live entertainment from bands paying tribute to the Beatles, Beach Boys, Dylan, Journey and other greats – even a special appearance by Elvis.
Where: Broadway Pier and Landing – 1000 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
When: September 1-4, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To 7:00 PM on Saturday & Sunday.
Cost: $7-$10
> Find out more about US Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Expo
Festival of Sail
Celebrate the largest Tall Ship Festival on the West Coast over Labor Day Weekend with live entertainment, cannon battles and 100+ food, art and craft vendors. Daily Activities during Festival of Sail: enjoy the visiting ships and crew, kids petting zoo, kids craft activities, face painting, Tall ship cannon battles, a special 30 minute Festival of Sail bay cruise, beer garden, on stage entertainment, Naval reinactors, photo ops with Captain Sunny and Pirates, and 100’s of arts and craft vendors, plus a multitude of food options, and so much more…
Where: Maritime Museum of San Diego – 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
When: September 1-4, 2017
Cost: $5-$11
> Find out more about the Festival of Sail
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Catch the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park! Game day promotions and events include: Friday – Party in the Park, Saturday – Postgame Fireworks & Commemorative Wil Myers “The Cycle” Bobblehead, Sunday – KidsFest.
Where: Petco Park, San Diego, CA 92101
When: September 1-3, 2017
Cost: Check website for seat pricing.
> Find out more about the Padres vs. Dodgers
Beach Polo Cup
An elegant weekend of activities are planned including four polo matches, a lavish multi-terraced VIP tent, stylish informal fashion modeling, boutiques selling everything from jewelry to designer clothing to yachts, the Porsche Million Dollar Road Rally and much more.
Where: Hotel del Coronado – 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
When: September 1-3, 2017
Cost: $35-$250
> Find out more about the Beach Polo Cup
47th Annual Barona Powwow
Join the Barona Band of Mission Indians for a weekend of contest dancing in all categories, camping, drums and cultural immersion.
Where: Barona Sports Park – 1095 Barona Road, Lakeside, CA 92040
When: September 1-3, 2017
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the 47th Annual Barona Powwow
Labor Day Stickball Tournament
Columbia Street erupts with yelling and cheering for the stick ball teams, stirring up childhood memories. Come out and see these teams grab a broom stick, table leg or any other kind of bat-like stick that will send a rubber Wilson ball flying!
Where: Little Italy – State St & W Ash St, San Diego, CA 92101
When: September 2-3, 2017
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Free to Watch
> Find out more about the Labor Day Stickball Tournament
21st Annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa
Julian’s Grape Stomp Festa is a great way to spend a Saturday and this year’s is shaping up to be one of our best. With ten local wineries offering sips to sample, a wide variety of food and shopping opportunities, great Italian music provided by Roman Holiday, Bocce Ball Court, a “Lucy Look-Alike” contest and undoubtedly, a little extemporaneous dancing here and there, this will be a party to remember!
Where: Menghini Winery – 1150 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian, CA 92036
When: September 2, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: $15-$50
> Find out more about the 21st Annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa
San Diego Bacon Fest
Limited bacon and beer samples? What is this sorcery you speak of? We want you to be double fisted throughout the entire day. Bacon in one hand. Beer in the other. It’s hard to maintain a level of double fistedness (we made that word up) when you have to reach for your wallet every couple of minutes. Yeah, we know what you’re thinking. “They thought of everything!” Yes. Yes we did. Oh, water is free too.
Where: Preble Field, NTC Park – Liberty Station – 2600 Cushing Rd., San Diego, CA 92106
When: September 2, 2017
Time: 1:30 to 5:00 PM
Cost: $55-$90
> Find out more about San Diego Bacon Fest
KGB Sky Show
KGB Sky Show is a beautiful production blending lighting, video and special effects to enhance the fireworks display following an exciting SDSU football game against UC Davis.
Where: Qualcomm Stadium – 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108
When: September 2, 2017
Kick Off: 5:30 PM
Cost: $18-$62
> Find out more about the KGB Sky Show
Big SoCal Euro
Big SoCal Euro is one of the largest all European car events on the west coast. The event features more than 3,000 European cars from throughout the region. Bring your family to meet other car enthusiasts, raffles, drag racing, great food, automotive vendors, swap meet, afterparty and more. Where what you bring is part of the show!
Where: Qualcomm Stadium – 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108
When: September 3, 2017
Time: 12:00 to 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about Big SoCal Euro
Tacotopia at the Track
Join Del Mar in our search to find the best taco in Southern California at Tacotopia at the Track. Eat your weight in a variety of tacos from more than 40 of the best restaurants and food trucks from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Tijuana plus live music. Each attendee will be given a token to place in the voting box of their favorite vendor.
Where: Del Mar Racetrack – 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014
When: September 3, 2017
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Cost: $40-$50
> Find out more about Tacotopia at the Track
SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean
Celebrate summer with nine amazing experiences, including two shows, Cirque Electrique and Illuminight, and an end-of-night laser light spectacular. Give yourself permission to voyage into exotic underwater worlds that come alive as the sun sets with brilliant energy, electrifying dance music, and dazzling light. Join live performers inspired by playful sea creatures at the party along the shore where world-class DJs transform the night into an all-ages club beneath the waves.
Where: SeaWorld San Diego – 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
When: Thru September 4, 2017
Cost: Included with park admission
> Find out more about SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean
Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
Stay after dark and help us celebrate summer during Nighttime Zoo, brought to you by your San Diego County Toyota Dealers. Come “rock and roar” every day this summer with live music, a variety of surprise encounters and the opening of the Zoo’s newest experience, Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks.
Where: San Diego Zoo – 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
When: Thru September 4, 2017
Cost: Included with park admission
> Find out more about Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
El Universal, 100 Years of Life Mexico & the World
This exhibition displays the historic front pages of the famed “Gran Diario” or Grand Daily Newspaper of Mexico, which are currently being exhibited at Tijuana City Hall’s Central Patio. The San Diego exhibit will include nearly 50 panels on display in the “Arcade of the Arts.” Visitors can begin at the Liberty Public Market and take a walk through history as they travel through the Barracks arcade in the ARTS DISTRICT.
Where: 2770 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, CA 92106
When: Thru September 28, 2017
Cost: Free
> Find out more about El Universal, 100 Years of Life Mexico & the World
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Movies on the Beach – Thru September 16, 2017
- Pump Up The Volume: A 90’s Palooza! – Thru September 10, 2017
- Hamlet – Thru September 10, 2017
- Del Mar Summer Twilight Summer Concerts – Thru September 10, 2017
- Mermaid Experience – Thru September 3, 2017
- Hornblower’s City Lights Fireworks Dinner Cruises – Thru September 3, 2017
- Flagship’s Fireworks Dinner Cruise – Thru September 3, 2017
- Rock the Yacht! Cruise – Thru September 2, 2017
- Sunset Luaus on Mission Bay – Thru September 1, 2017
- Balboa Park After Dark – Thru September 1, 2017
- California Dreaming Beach Party – Thru August 31, 2017
- Twilight in the Park Summer Concerts – Thru August 31, 2017
- Sunset Poolside Jazz Series – Thru August 31, 2017
- Screen on the Green – Thru August 31, 2017
- Flicks on the Bricks – Thru August 31, 2017
- Summer of Innovation – Thru August 31, 2017
- Liberty Station Movie Nights – Thru August 29, 2017
- San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants – August 28-29, 2017
- Cinema Under the Stars – Anchor Man – August 30, 2017
- A.J. Froman – August 30, 2017
- FOMO at OMNIA San Diego – August 31, 2017
- David Cook – August 31, 2017
- Justin Frose Unplugged at Table 509 – August 31, 2017
- Billy Bonnell – August 31 – September 2, 2017
- Scholarshare’s Toddler Time: Story Time – September 1, 2017
- Led Zepagain – September 1, 2017
- Armin Van Burren at OMINA San Diego – September 1, 2017
- Summer of Sculpin Beer Pairing Dinner – September 1, 2017
- Tequila Tasting Featuring Don Abraham at Galaxy Taco – September 1, 2017
- Tacos & Tequila Festival San Diego – September 2, 2017
- Oceanside Harbor Wine Cruise – September 2, 2017
- Vice at OMNIA San Diego – September 2, 2017
- Pato Banton – September 2, 2017
- Labor Day Sunday Club Crawl San Diego – September 3, 2017
- Dada Life at Omnia San Diego – September 3, 2017
- Chicago – September 3, 2017
- BETAMAXX – September 3, 2017
- Little Learners Club: Little Maestros – September 4, 2017
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
