Happy Labor Day weekend, San Diego! The long, holiday weekend brings with it many fun events, from an epic sand sculpting competition to a sailing festival, both with unbeatable views of the bay that can only be seen in America’s Finest City.
Thursday, Sept. 3
Beer, Bacon and More Beer
7:30 p.m., Quad AleHouse (Gaslamp Quarter)
This tasting event includes a crisp lineup of Firestone Walker brews paired with a sizzling lineup of bacon-centric courses, including Fig-Basted Pork Belly, Bacon Pate and, believe it or not, Orange Blossom Honey-Infused Goat Cheese Ice Cream with a Bacon Swirl. Buy your ticket ($50) to this early, as space is limited.
Friday, Sept. 4
Musica En La Plaza
7 p.m., California Center for the Arts (Escondido)
Bring your dancing shoes for this free event at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido happening every Friday in September at Lyric Court. This particular installment will feature live music by Los Montaño and the Manny Cepeda Orchestra Quartet. Besides the lively Latin tunes, attendees will also get to enjoy tacos, tequila and, of course, good company, under the stars.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Spartyka Wounded Warrior 5K
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., race begins at 9 a.m., Prebble Field at NTC Park in San Diego
Raise money for a good cause and get in some early morning exercise with this annual 5K. Runners will be raising awareness for the men and women of the U.S. Military and proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. It costs $30 to pre-register and run in the race.
Boardwalk Craft Market
8 a.m., Old Poway Park
Along the tracks of the Poway Midland Railroad, you’ll find this storied craft market. Browse through hand-crafted goods by artists working with traditional arts and crafts. Look through a mix of both beautiful and useful items and talk with the artists that made the work.
International Bacon Day: San Diego BaconFest
1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Liberty Station & NTC Park
So. Much. Bacon. San Diego will celebrate International Bacon Day with BaconFest, a 21+, all-day event featuring the best in bacon bites, beer, spirits and live music. Entry to this pig out party includes unlimited food from more than 30 booths and unlimited beverage tastings. Thanks to the location at Liberty Station and NTC Park (2600 Cushing Rd.), parking is free. So far, local eateries participating in BaconFest 2015 include Cork & Craft, Crazee Burger, Saltbox, Slater’s 50/50 and The Whole Hog, just to namedrop. Craft breweries pouring sudsy sips include Belching Beaver, Alpine Beer Company, Green Flash and Twisted Manzanita, also just to name a few. General admission tickets cost $60 per person, while VIP tickets run for $100.
September Sessions With Saint Archer Brewing Company
7 p.m., Hotel La Jolla’s Hiatus Lounge
Love craft beer? Learn about four brews made by Saint Archer Brewing Company at this tasting event, and how they pair with certain plates. On tap: Saint Archer White, Blonde, Pale Ale and IPA beers, all introduced by a well-versed Saint Archer host who will offer informative insight on the brewing process. Small bites will be whipped up by Chef Donald Lockhart, and at 8 p.m., patrons can also enjoy a surf movie in the Hiatus lounge. This event costs $25 per person.
Sunday, Sept. 6
Road to Rio Tour
11 a.m., B Street Pier on North Harbor Drive
Get excited for next year’s Olympics when the Road to Rio tour comes to America’s Finest City! On this leg of the tour, meet with athletes, including Olympic Gymnastics Champion Nastia Liukin and eight other Team USA athletes, try your skills with the long jump, high jump and high dive in addition to virtual reality experiences. Don’t miss this tour, which only stops in nine cities nationwide. Get more details on the event here.
Labor Day Weekend Pool Party at LOUNGEsix
12 p.m. to 8 p.m., LOUNGEsix
Another way to beat the heat and take in the holiday weekend, this time at the LOUNGEsix pool at downtown San Diego’s Hotel Solamar. This party will include music, fashion and art. Pre-sale tickets are $20 per person, with some proceeds benefitting interBLOK, a non-profit focused on rebuilding orphanages internationally.
Hard Rock Hotel’s Labor Day Bash
5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Celebrate Labor Day weekend poolside at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s Float lounge. The party includes poolside cocktails, music and more. This is definitely not a bad way to relax on a Sunday in sunny San Diego.
Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day 2015
U.S. Sand Sculpting Competition
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sept. 4-7, B Street Cruise Ship Terminal at Big Bay
Each year, this Labor Day event turns San Diego into SAND-iego, bringing masterful sculptors to the bay to compete in arguably the most creative sand sculpting challenge in the land. This 4-day event showcases incredibly detailed 3D art sculpted in sand. This family-friendly event includes live entertainment, a sand box and rides of kids, dozens of gourmet food trucks and, most importantly, a breathtaking view of the bay that only be seen in San Diego. Passes range from $5 to $19, depending on which days you visit. Toddlers in strollers are free.
Festival of Sail
Sept. 5-7, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
Land ho! This festival, the largest of its kind on the West Coast, will come coasting into town for Labor Day weekend, starting Saturday. The San Salvador will be on hand and wil make her grand appeance on Friday during the precursor event, Parade of Sail. Parents and their children can purchase tickets for sails aboard ships and various tours by clicking here. Admission is free for Maritime Museum members with their ID and membership card. Ticket prices vary depending on the package you buy, but start around $14.
That’s a wrap for Labor Day weekend, San Diego. As a reminder, NBC 7 publishes a round-up of fun, local weekend events every week, so keep checking in to add to your social calendar. Get the latest news on what’s happening in San Diego by subscribing to NBC 7’s “The Scene” newsletter here.
Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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