Family-Friendly Labor Day Activities in San Diego

Labor Day Weekend is a great time to close out the summer by spending time with your closest friends and family. For some, Labor Day is an excuse to barbecue or to go on a long weekend trip before the summer ends. No matter how you spend your holiday, take the time to de-stress, rejuvenate, and relax. If you’re planning to keep your celebration low-key and avoid the travel headache, San Diego hosts a variety of Labor Day activities that are fun for the whole family.

Celebrate your contribution to the American economy with your family at one of these local events!

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

This impressive four-day event will entertain all ages! World master sand sculptors from Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, Latvia, and Russia will attend in order to challenge the best in the U.S.  Expect to see sand sculptures full of detail and character, some that weigh over 10 tons. There will be live entertainment, a sandbox for kids, rides, gourmet food trucks, and art for you to purchase. To purchase tickets for the event, visit the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge website.

When: Friday – Monday, August 31 – September 3, 2018

Where: Broadway Pier and Pavilion

1000 North Harbor Drive

San Diego, CA 92101

 

1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular

Bayside Summer Nights comes to an end with an extravagant presentation of booming cannons and fireworks while listening to the music of Tchaikovsky! This year’s concert will also feature live music by Piotr Tchaikovsky’s fellow Russian composers Modest Mussorgsky, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and Serge Prokofiev. To purchase tickets, visit the San Diego Symphony website.

When: Friday, August 31 – Sunday, September 2, 2018, concerts start at 7:30pm

Where: Embarcadero Marina Park South

200 Marina Park Way

San Diego, CA 92101

 

48th Annual Barona Powwow

Join the Barona Band of Mission Indians as they celebrate their 48th annual powwow. This powwow aims to preserve Native American culture for generations to come. The jam-packed Labor Day weekend will include dancing contests, drum contests, singing, authentic Native American food, and handcrafted jewelry. People from across the country come to this event to compete and showcase traditional Tribal dancing. To make it even more exciting, dancers will be competing for thousands of dollars in prize money!

When: Friday, August 31 – Sunday, September 2, 2018; times vary

Where: Barona Sports Park

1095 Barona Road

Lakeside, CA 92040

 

Labor Day Stickball Tournament

Bring the whole family to share in everyone’s favorite childhood game during the Labor Day Stickball Tournament in Little Italy.  The neighborhood streets will be closed to traffic as fans cheer on their favorite teams, each competing for their chance to win the Jillie Trophy.

When: Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2, 2018; 9am – 5pm

Where: Little Italy, State St & W Ash St

San Diego, CA 92101

 

Big SoCal Euro 2018

Come join the largest all European car event on the west coast at the Big SoCal Euro this Labor Day! There will be drag racing, raffle prizes to be won, amazing food, automotive vendors, and much more. Admission and parking are FREE. For outdoor events, remember to keep your family’s skin safe and comfortable in the summer sun. 

When: Sunday, September 2, 2018; 12pm – 7pm

Where: SDCCU Stadium

9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

 

Of course, for a low-key hangout, nothing beats a BBQ with loved ones, an evening picnic on the beach, or a bonfire. Before lighting up your grill or cozying up by a bonfire, check out our article for summer fire safety tips. We hope that our list of Labor Day weekend 2018 events brings your family many memories and maybe even spark a new tradition. For more local happenings, check out Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups’ articles.