From bubbly brunches to music and cultural festivals, here are the top Orange County Labor Day weekend events.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
45th Annual Orange International Street Fair
Sept. 1-3. Inspired by the Street Fair of 1910, the Orange International Street Fair has become an annual tradition during Labor Day weekend due to its huge success in previous years. The Fair is located near Plaza Park in the historic downtown district. Please be prepared to walk several blocks to get into the event. Parking can be found at several public parking lots in the surrounding area for a fee. Additional parking can be found on residential streets. F 5-10 p.m. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. See website for alcohol sale hours. Old Towne Orange Plaza, 112 E Chapman Ave, Orange, 714.633.4816. orangestreetfair.org
35th Anniversary Great Labor Day Cruise
Sept. 1-3. As one of the largest and longest running events in the nation, the Great Labor Day Cruise offers non-stop cruising around a 1.25 mile cruise route and will feature more than 1,200 Classics, Street Rods and Muscle Cars. Join fellow car enthusiasts as you celebrate this auto show all weekend long, plus food and family fun. Purchase tickets at the OC Fair. General 1-day admission $15, 3-day pass $30, children 11 and under are free, parking $8. F noon-6 p.m. Sa 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Su 8 a.m.-4 p.m. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 702.534.0294, ocfair.com
Adiós Summer Labor Day Sidewalk Sale
Sept. 1-4. With summer coming to a close, Outlets at San Clemente invites shoppers to peruse thousands of deals during Southern California’s largest sidewalk sale. Nearly 35 Outlets at San Clemente stores are participating in the in this weekend sale. From Friday to Monday, the Labor Day Sidewalk Sale features endless summer styles, back-to-school essentials and fall fashions with savings of up to 75 percent off. Weekend highlights will include giant outdoor displays, as well as the grand opening of the new Hurley Factory Store on Friday. Listen to guest DJs and live music throughout the weekend, and stick around for there a KROQ ticket giveaway for Ohana Festival. See website for outletsatsanclemente.com
Rock the Bay with The Steely Damned 2
Sept. 2. Boots on the Beach is returning to Newport Dunes Labor Day weekend with a free concert from Southern California’s premier country cover band PIckleback Shine followed by the Kelly Rae Band performing today’s hottest country hits and classics. The Kelly Boys will be on the dance floor for line dancing and instruction. The Spurs and Suds Beer Tasting, full bar and country BBQ concessions are available throughout the festival. No outside alcohol or food is permitted. 5-10 p.m. Free. $10 parking. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 800.765.7661. newportdunes.com
World Famous Drag Brunch
Sept. 2. Actress, author, YouTuber and former RuPaul’s Drag Racer, Willam will dazzle and entertain you with music, moves and comedy. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet of Southern-inspired brunch favorites. Before doors open at 11 a.m., stop in the atrium an hour before for drink specials, a complimentary photo op and Drag Brunch cornhole. After the show, stick around for a meet-and-greet with Willam and the queens and pick up some merch from your favorite drag queens. Parking is available in the GardenWalk parking structure off Katella Avenue or Disney Way. Bring parking ticket for validation. 18+. 11 a.m. $45. House of Blues Anaheim, 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
New Blues Festival
Sept. 2-3. Spend your Labor Day weekend listening to a lineup of performers for the fourth annual New Blues Festival. The festival will feature more than 30 bands on two stages, including performances by 2017 Grammy nominee Janiva Magness, the award-winning Ana Popovic, the legendary Guitar Shorty, plus Chris Cain, Zac Harmon, The King Brothers and many more. Come hungry so you can enjoy food trucks, beer and wine Vendor Village; blankets encouraged. Use ‘LBBS’ to save 20% on your ticket purchase. Single Day $40, Weekend Pass $70, $8 for parking. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-8 p.m. El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E Spring Street, Long Beach. newbluesfestival.com
The Bungalow Huntington Beach
Sept. 2-4. Sip on The Bungalow’s new specialty cocktail this Labor Day weekend. Inspired by the film The Endless Summer, they will be rolling out The Endless Summer Cocktail: Deleon Tequila Blanco, strawberry puree, muddled kiwi, lemon juice and a splash of soda water. Sa-Su noon-2 a.m. M noon-10 p.m. The Bungalow Huntington Beach, 21058 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, 714.374.0399. thebungalow.com
Live @ Descanso Beach Club with Shaggy
Sept. 3. Sail on over to Catalina for an all-day island-style reggae party at SoCal’s favorite island entertainment destination with a concert featuring Grammy award-winning artist Shaggy and special guest Pato Banton. Noon-6 p.m. DJs and dance party. 6-9:30 p.m. live music (ticket required). $45 General Admission, $65 Side Stage Lounge, $85 Terrace Lounge Experience. visitcatalinaisland.com
Labor Day Beer & Bubbly Brunch Cruise
Sept. 4. Enjoy beer and bubbly and set off on a morning cruise for your Labor Day. The Wild Goose boasts three decks of gorgeous woodwork, priceless paintings, intricate carvings making the Wild Goose a one-of-a-kind experience. In addition to salty breezes and abundant sunshine, Hornblower’s Beer and Bubbly Brunch Cruise includes live music, free-flowing champagne and a delicious brunch buffet. Boarding 11:30 a.m.; Cruising noon-2 p.m. Brunch for adults: $68.95 per person (tax, service charge and landing fee are additional), 2431 W Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. hornblower.com
Rance’s Chicago Pizza’s ‘Help for Hurricane Harvey’
Sept. 4. To help aid victims of Hurricane Harvey, Rance’s Chicago Pizza in Long Beach and Costa Mesa are launching ‘Help For Hurricane Harvey’ victims by setting up donation centers in both locations and are offering anyone who brings in a bag of nonperishable food and/or clothes and blankets a $10 gift card and anyone who donates $100 or more to the American Red Cross will receive a free large pizza. Su-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 5258 East Second Street, Long Beach, 562.786.5566. Su-Th 11 a.m.-9 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 1420 Baker Street, Costa Mesa, 714.708.2143. rancespizza.com
Long Beach Greek Festival
Sept. 4-6. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach is celebrating their milestone 61st annual Greek Festival by the Sea on Labor Day weekend with food, entertainment, activities and a kids carnival. Enjoy Greek cooking classes, dancing lessons, live music and dance, as well as various specialty shops. See website for entertainment schedule. Doors open at noon. $5 adults; Children under 12 free. Free parking at the VA Hospital. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 5761 E. Colorado St., Long Beach, 562-494-8929. lbgreekfest.org
