Things to Do this Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day weekend gives you three full days to squeeze in one last round of summer fun before fall takes over. I always treat this holiday like a mini bucket list weekend. A backyard barbecue is the classic move, but I like to mix it up with a trip to the zoo or aquarium if the weather cooperates.
Community events pop up everywhere this time of year. Many towns host a Labor Day parade in the morning, followed by a fireworks show once it gets dark. If you’ve got kids, a cookout with a game of giant Jenga keeps everyone entertained between meals.
Catching a ball game is another easy win, whether it’s a local Little League match or a pro team’s last home stand of summer. For a quieter evening, set up an outdoor movie night in the backyard with blankets and popcorn.
My favorite low-key activity is pulling out an ice cream maker and churning homemade ice cream with whatever fruit is still in season. It’s a small thing, but it makes the weekend feel special.
A few easy ideas to build your weekend around:
- Backyard barbecue with neighbors or family
- Local Long Beach Labor Day events and fireworks show
- Zoo or aquarium visit for the family
- Cookout paired with lawn games like giant Jenga
- Outdoor movie night under the stars
- Homemade ice cream with an ice cream maker
Best Labor Day Events 2026 in Long Beach
Long Beach turns Labor Day weekend 2026 into one of the busiest stretches on its event calendar. Between waterfront parties, community races, and cultural festivals, there’s rarely a quiet hour anywhere near the coast.
Long Beach Greek Festival
The Long Beach Greek Festival takes over the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church from September 5 through 7, 2026, with doors opening at noon each day, according to the festival’s own event page. Admission runs about $5, which makes it one of the more affordable ways to spend an afternoon.
I love this event for the food alone. You’ll find souvlaki, gyros, and baklava served fresh, plus live folk dancing that pulls in the whole crowd. Kids get their own play area, and vendors sell imported goods if you want to bring home a souvenir.
Long Beach Liberty Run
The Long Beach Liberty Run is set for September 7, 2026, along the city’s waterfront, offering a mix of 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. It’s a solid option if you want to earn your holiday cookout with a morning workout first.
The course runs along scenic harbor paths, so you get skyline and water views while you move. Families and walkers are welcome in the shorter distances, and everyone finishes with a bib and medal to show for it.
Long Beach Greek Festival Highlights
The Long Beach Greek Festival delivers food, dancing, and shopping in one packed weekend. It’s been a Long Beach tradition since 1949, and the church community behind it has kept the event’s history and roots going strong for over seven decades.
Authentic Greek Cuisine and Drinks
Fresh Greek food is the heart of this festival. Grilled souvlaki, spanakopita, and roasted chicken keep the food lines moving, while baklava and loukoumades cover dessert.
Drinks include Greek wine, imported beer, and Greek coffee if you want something lighter. Portions are generous, and prices stay reasonable compared to a lot of other festivals I’ve been to.
Waterfront Restaurants
Shoreline Village and Parker’s Lighthouse both serve seafood with a direct view of the Queen Mary. Ballast Point Brewing sits right on the harbor if you want tacos and a cold beer while watching boats pass by.
Hotel Maya brings a festive outdoor setup with firepits and Latin-inspired dishes. Plenty of waterfront spots also roll out holiday brunch menus with bottomless mimosas.
Craft Bars and Breweries in Long Beach for Labor Day Weekend
Beachwood Brewing and Ambitious Ales lead Long Beach’s craft beer scene with small-batch IPAs and experimental brews. Most taprooms keep a relaxed, no-pressure vibe, which makes them easy to fold into a longer day of festival hopping.
Tips for Planning Your Labor Day Weekend
Planning ahead saves you the most time on Labor Day weekend, especially around traffic and parking near festivals. Visitors flooding into Long Beach for the holiday can make the waterfront and Downtown feel packed by early afternoon.
If you’re staying local, camping or glamping near the coast is a fun way to stretch the holiday into an overnight trip. A fire pit and a quiet campsite make a nice contrast to a day spent in festival crowds, and it’s an easy way to add family fun without much extra planning.
Driving in early helps you beat the worst of the parking crunch. Public transit, including the Metro A Line and Long Beach Bus, reaches most major spots without the parking headache. Bikes and scooters work well for short hops between the beach and Downtown.
Quick planning tips:
- Check parking apps before you leave
- Use park-and-ride lots when available
- Avoid driving during late afternoon peak hours
Family Travel Advice for Labor Day Weekend
Bring snacks, water, and sunscreen since food lines get long and shade is limited at most outdoor events. A small cooler and refillable water bottles go a long way.
Pack a lightweight stroller since some festivals restrict larger ones. Pick a family meeting spot ahead of time in case the crowd gets overwhelming, and keep your day’s plans loose so kids don’t wear out too fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Labor Day Weekend Events in Long Beach 2026: 10 Things to Do
Long Beach packs its Labor Day weekend, running September 5 through 7, 2026, with everything from Greek folk dancing to yacht parties and comic book panels. It’s a good stretch to explore the city if you’re weighing a move, and pairing a weekend of events with local neighborhood guidance from Long Beach relocation resources gives you a clearer read on where you’d actually want to live, whether that’s near Downtown’s nightlife or the quieter streets of Belmont Heights.
2. Long Beach Greek Festival at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
The Long Beach Greek Festival stands out as the weekend’s top cultural event, running September 5 through 7, 2026 at 5761 E Colorado Street. Admission costs $5 per person, with doors opening at noon daily.
Expect souvlaki, roasted chicken, and gyros from the food vendors, plus dancers of all ages performing traditional Greek folk routines. Self-guided tours through the church give you a look at its architecture and history.
Families do well here since carnival-style attractions keep kids busy while adults browse the food tables. Parking near Colorado Street fills up fast once the crowds arrive, so getting there early helps.
3. Summer Concert Series at Shoreline Village
The Summer Concert Series closes out its season with four free shows at Shoreline Village over Labor Day weekend. Every performance is free, according to Shoreline Village’s event listing, which makes this one of the easiest events to plan a day around.
The lineup includes As IF playing 90s hits Saturday afternoon, followed by Pop Vision in the evening. Sunday brings DJ Impeccable Styles, and the series wraps Monday with So Rad.
Shoreline Village sits along Rainbow Harbor, so the music pairs naturally with boat traffic and harbor views. Bring a blanket or chair since seating is limited.
4. Long Beach Comic Con at the Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach Comic Con brings pop culture fans together September 5 and 6, 2026, with the Saturday exhibit hall running from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tickets start at $38.95 per person.
The convention features an artist floor, panels, workshops, and celebrity meet-and-greets. Since it runs two full days, mapping out which panels or guests you want to catch ahead of time helps you avoid missing anything.
This event works well if the weekend heat gets to be too much, since it’s indoors and centered on fandom rather than food or music. Parking downtown fills up fast on event weekends, so arriving early or using a rideshare saves time.
5. Golden Hour LBC With Dove Shack at Gaslamp Music + Bar + Kitchen
Golden Hour LBC brings a laid-back live music set to Gaslamp Long Beach + Music + Bar + Kitchen, with Long Beach group Dove Shack headlining on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The event runs from 4 PM into the evening, mixing West Coast sounds with a full DJ lineup.
Gaslamp sits in Downtown Long Beach, an area known for its bars and live entertainment. This crowd leans toward good music over a high-energy club scene.
Cover charges and set times can shift close to the date, so checking the venue’s page before heading out saves a wasted trip. It’s a solid way to wind down after a busier festival day.
6. Rendezvu Entertainment’s 6th Annual All White Yacht Party
Rendezvu Entertainment’s All White Yacht Party marks its sixth year as one of the weekend’s dressier nightlife options, set for Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 555 Pico Ave. Tickets range from $108.55 to $257.94, and the event includes a four-hour cruise with catered food and an open bar.
The all-white dress code sets an upscale tone for an evening on Long Beach’s harbor. Expect a DJ, dance floor, and open-air deck space for guests moving between dancing and harbor views.
This suits guests looking for polish over a casual bar night. Checking the dress code and ticket tiers ahead of time helps avoid surprises at the dock.
7. R&B Loveboat Poppin’ on the Sea Labor Day Weekend Celebration
R&B Loveboat Poppin’ on the Sea offers a music-focused boat party built around R&B classics, running Sunday, September 6, 2026 from 6 PM to 9:30 PM at the Port of Long Beach. The playlist leans nostalgic and pairs naturally with a slow cruise along the coast.
Boat parties like this tend to sell out closer to the holiday, so booking early is worth it if this style appeals to you. Expect a DJ, dance floor space, and open deck areas between songs.
This event fits a crowd wanting music and dancing without the higher price tag of a formal yacht event. Checking boarding times ahead helps you avoid a last-minute scramble.
8. Labor Day Party at Gallagher’s Irish Pub & Grill
Gallagher’s Irish Pub & Grill hosts a Labor Day party with classic pub energy, drink specials, and casual food. It runs Friday, September 4, 2026, starting around 6 PM, giving you an easy way to kick off the weekend before the bigger festivals start.
Expect a relaxed atmosphere with bar seating, TVs, and a mix of locals and visitors. It’s a straightforward stop before or after Comic Con or a waterfront concert.
Holiday hours can shift from the usual schedule, so checking with the pub directly is worth the extra minute. Its Downtown location makes it an easy meeting point for groups splitting off to other events.
9. Soul Invasion Weekender 20th Anniversary Weekender
Soul Invasion Weekender celebrates its 20th anniversary this Labor Day, marking two decades of soul and funk music events around Long Beach. The celebration spans multiple nights, including a meet-and-greet and DJ party at Di Piazza‘s starting September 3.
Anniversary events like this draw a loyal following, so expect a crowd genuinely invested in the music. Expect a mix of DJ sets and live performances spread across different venues over the weekend.
This celebration suits music lovers who lean toward soul, funk, and classic grooves over current pop hits. Confirming venue details ahead of time is smart given how much this year’s lineup has expanded for the milestone.
10. Dame Más: Long Weekend Kickoff at The Copper Door
Dame Más kicks off the long weekend at The Copper Door with a dance party built around reggaeton and Latin hits. It runs Friday, September 4, 2026, starting at 9 PM, positioning itself as the weekend’s opening night event.
Copper Door events draw a younger crowd looking for dancing and a lively bar scene. Expect a DJ set that keeps the energy high, with drink specials tied to the kickoff.
This event suits nightlife-focused visitors who want to start strong before easing into a lighter Saturday. Confirming the cover charge and start time directly with the venue is worth doing since demand can shift the details.
Frequently Asked Questions: Labor Day
What are some fun things to do over Labor Day weekend?
Backyard barbecues, community parades, and fireworks shows are classic picks for Labor Day weekend. Zoo visits, ball games, and outdoor movie nights round out a solid family-friendly lineup.
What free events are happening near me this Labor Day weekend?
Many cities host free concerts and community festivals over Labor Day weekend, like the Summer Concert Series at Shoreline Village in Long Beach. Check your city’s parks and recreation department or local event listings for free options near you.
What’s open and closed on Labor Day?
Most banks, post offices, and government offices close for Labor Day since it’s a federal holiday. Grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers generally stay open, though hours can shift, so it’s worth calling ahead.
What are the best places to visit for a Labor Day weekend getaway?
Coastal towns like Long Beach offer a strong mix of festivals, waterfront dining, and outdoor activities for a Labor Day getaway. Mountain towns and lake destinations are also popular if you want cooler weather and quieter scenery.
What are some easy Labor Day games and activities for adults?
Giant Jenga, cornhole, and horseshoes are easy backyard games for a Labor Day cookout. A trivia game or a simple card tournament also works well for smaller gatherings.
Where can I find the best Labor Day food deals?
Grocery stores often run sales on barbecue staples like meat, buns, and condiments in the days leading up to Labor Day. Restaurants near festival areas, like Long Beach’s waterfront spots, also tend to offer holiday brunch specials worth checking out.