Labor Day Weekend is the last weekend of summer, many are traveling, planning BBQ's, and relax! However, if you don't have plans yet but want to get out of the house, take a look at the list below of things to do this weekend in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas!
1.) LA Fleet Week in San Pedro
Los Angeles Fleet Week is a celebration of the US Armed Forces that takes place for four days over Labor Day Weekend at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. It features public ship tours of active Navy and Coast Guard ships (reservations available online), aerial demos, military equipment demos, resource village for active military and veterans, STEM Expo, live music, food trucks and other festivities.
When: Friday to Monday of Labor Day Weekend with a Thursday night kickoff party
Where: LA Waterfront. The main event is near the LA World Cruise Terminal, but ships will also be at Downtown Harbor; and at the end of Miner Street in San Pedro.
Cost: Mostly free, reduced admission to SS Lane Victory and USS Iowa Battleship Museum
Parking: At the Waterfront, 1 hour free, then $2/hour; Satellite lots at Miner and 22nd St and at the end of Miner St are a $5 flat rate, free shuttle.
Allow plenty of time to park.
Info: www.lafleetweek.com
2.) Los Angeles County Fair
The LA County Fair kicks off Labor Day weekend and runs for a full month. Live music, rides, livestock, gardening and gadgets galore.
When: Fri-Mon Sept 1-24, 2017, Fri noon - midnight, Sat-Sun 10 am to midnight, Mon 10 am - 10 pm
Where: The Fairplex in Pomona, 1101 W.
McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768, off the 10 Freeway, exit Fairplex Drive or White Ave.
Cost (Labor Day Weekend): $20 adult, $12 child 6-12, $15 senior, Free 5 and under. Season pass $29.99.
Parking: $15 General, $25 VIP/Gate 17, 9, $30 Valet at gate 3
Info: LA County Fair Guide
3.) The Taste
This food and wine extravaganza, sponsored by the LA Times and Food & Wine, includes 5 different culinary events. This year all 5 events are at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood.
When: Friday to Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, Opening Friday, 2 events each Sat & Sun
Where: Paramount Pictures Studios, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cost: Advance $100-$150 per event, discount with LA Times Membership, weekend pass $300.
Parking: $13, cash only, at Paramount , Van Ness entrance recommended.
Info: http://events.latimes.com/taste/
Note: If you are being dropped off or walking, enter at Van Ness or Gower gates. There's no pedestrian entry at the Melrose gates.
4.) Fiesta Hermosa
Three-day arts and crafts festival with 270 vendors, live music, and a kiddie carnival.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Sat-Mon, 10 am - 6 pm
Where: Hermosa Beach Pier, Hermosa Beach
Cost: Free
Info: fiestahermosa.net
5.) Orange International Street Fair Four city streets are blocked off around the traffic circle in Old Town Orange.
A craft fair is arranged around the circle and street segments are converted into streets of the world with appropriate food and entertainment. Nine stages include an Irish Stage with some of the best local Irish bands, a Greek Stage, German Stage, Mexican Stage, Polynesian Stage, English Stage and All American Stage as well as a Children's Stage and activities. There's also food and fun from other parts of the world including Japan, Denmark, Holland, Australia and more.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Fri-Sun, Fri 5-10 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am - 10 pm. Alcohol sales start at noon Saturday and Sunday and end at 9 nightly.
Where: Plaza Square, Chapman and Glassel in the City of Orange, 92855
Cost: Free
Parking: Street parking. Lots are available for a fee. Everyone in the neighborhood rents out parking spaces for the festival, so look around for the lowest rates.
Info: www.orangestreetfair.org
Note: This is a very family friendly festival during the day, but it gets very crowded in the evening and a lot of people who have been drinking all day are sloppy drunk and obnoxious by dusk.
6.) Long Beach Greek Festival
Live music by the Olympians, exhibit dancing and social dancing, Greek food and product booths, children's games.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Sat-Mon, noon - 9 pm
Where: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 5761 E. Colorado St, Long Beach 90814
Cost: $3, children 11 and under free
Info: (562) 494-8929, www.lbgreekfest.org
More: Southern California Greek Festivals and Greek Dance Etiquette
7.) Cinecon Classic Film Festival
A 5-day celebration of movies, specializing in rare, unusual and unjustly forgotten movies from the silent and early sound era. It features screenings of over 30 classic films, celebrity guests and film book and movie memorabilia shows. Most films are screened in 35mm and silent films include live piano accompaniment.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Thursday - Monday
Where: The Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd, LA 90028; Banquet and film book and Memorabilia Shows are at the Loews Hollywood (formerly Hollywood Renaissance) Hotel.
Cost: Day Passes (including all films that day) are $30 Thursday, $40 Friday through Monday, $150 Festival Pass
.Info: www.cinecon.org
8.) E Hula Mau Polynesian Festival
A celebration of Hawaiian culture including hula and chant competitions, arts and crafts workshops and island cuisine in Long Beach.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Friday - Sunday
Where: Terrace Theatre and Plaza at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.
Cost: Cultural Fair is Free, individual performances, competitions and workshops range from $25-$35.20, check Goldstar for discount tickets
Info: www.ehulamau.org
9.) Long Beach New Blues Festival
The New Blues Festival brings 30 blues bands to two stages over two days at El Dorado Park.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Saturday - Sunday, Sept 3-4, 2016, 11 am - 8 pm
Where: El Dorado Park, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Cost: $30 & up 1-day, $50 & up 2-day pass, 10-pack of day passes $250, check Goldstar for discount tickets.
Parking: $8 Park Entry
Info: newbluesfestival.com
10.) Pier Pressure Labor Day Weekend Boat Party
Celebrate the weekend with a Sunday afternyacht party out of Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, Sept 3, 2017, 4 pm boarding
Where: Catalina King Yacht, 1046 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Cost: $20 & up, check Goldstar for discount tickets.
INFO: Tickets and Info
11.) 626 Night MarketOver 200 Asian vendors selling food and merchandise, live entertainment, arts, games and more at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.When: Labor Day Weekend, Sept 1-3, 2017, Friday - Saturday 4 pm - 1 am, Sunday 4-11 pmWhere: Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007, Enter through Gates 3 & 5 on Huntington Drive or Gate 8 on Baldwin Ave.Cost: $3 ages 7 and up Friday and Sunday, $5 Saturday. Many vendors take cash only, so come prepared.Parking: FreeInfo: www.626nightmarket.com
12.) Knott's Berry Farm Labor Day BBQ
Knott's Berry Farm hosts a BBQ in Calico Square with live country music in Wagon Camp all weekend, and Sunday night fireworks at 10 pm. It's also the final weekend of most of the summer shows. Knott's Soak City water park is also having a weekend BBQ. Check for discount tickets to Soak City and Knotts Berry Farm.
13.) Laguna Beach Art Festivals
Labor Day weekend is the final weekend of the three summer-long Laguna Beach Arts Festivals, including Festival of the Arts - Pageant of the Masters, which ends Saturday, and Art-A-Fair and the Sawdust Art Festival, which both end Sunday.
14.) W Hollywood Labor Day Weekend Pool Parties
Multiple day and nighttime pool parties with some of LA's top DJS will take place over Labor Day weekend at the W Hollywood Hotel.
When: Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sept 2-4, 2017
Where: W Hollywood, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles,CA 90028Cost: $0 & up
Info: Tickets and Info
15.) Newport Dunes Free Concert: The Steely Damned 2
SoCal Classic Rock cover band, The Steely Damned 2 will perform with BBQ favorites provided by Back BayBistro, Food Trucks, a beer garden and full bars throughout the Newport dunes Waterfront Resort. Huntington Beach singer-songwriter David Rosales will open the show.
When: Saturday, September 2, 5-10 p.m.
Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
Parking: On-site parking is $10. Guests are welcome to park on the street and walk in for free. As street parking is limited, using a ride sharing service is recommended
.Info: www.NewportDunes.com