The best things to do on Labor Day weekend 2023 in San Diego

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Thursday, Aug. 31 to Sunday, Sept. 3.

Bourbon and Blues: Arlo restaurant at the Town and Country Resort and Elijah Craig Bourbon will host a mingling event featuring tastings stations serving bourbon and tapas items prepared by chef Josh Mouzakes (pictured) including smoked white stone sea bass and 48-hour Wagyu coulotte. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. $120. towncountry.com/activities#!

Stranahan’s Whiskey dinner: The Desmond restaurant in downtown San Diego will host a five-course pairings dinner featuring dishes by chef Jason Neroni that showcase the versatility of Stranahans whiskeys. 6:30 p.m. ThursdayAug. 31. 1047 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $185. sandiegowineclassic.com/

Barona Powwow: The Barona Band of Mission Indians will gather to hold its 51st annual powwow throughout the weekend. The event is open for the public to watch dance and drumming performances, shop from a variety of vendors and enjoy traditional foods. Friday through Sunday. Barona Sports Complex, Barona Indian Reservation, 1095 Barona Road, Lakeside. Free. facebook.com/BaronaPowwow

Music at the Marston: This month, the Save our Heritage Organisation will host concerts on Sept. 1, 15 and 29 to raise funds for historic preservation. Bring a blanket or chair to listen to Americana, folk, country and blues music in a historic rose garden. 3 to 5 p.m. Friday. Marston House Museum & Gardens, 3525 Seventh Ave., San Diego. $12 general admission, $10 for members. sohosandiego.org/main/event_musicatthemarston2023.htm

“Mugre”: OnStage Playhouse presents the world premiere of Salomón Maya’s play about three Latino men from different generations whose lives intersect while working at a South San Diego car wash. Opens Friday and runs through Sept. 24. Showtimes, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 5 p.m. Sundays. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $20 suggested donation. (619) 422-7787. onstageplayhouse.org

“A Weekend With Pablo Picasso”: New Village Arts presents the final weekend of Herbert Siguenza in his solo play about the famed Spanish painter reflecting on his life as he paints six canvases. 8 p.m. Friday. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday. The Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $28-$48. (760) 284-4393. newvillagearts.org

First Friday at Arts District: Throughout the day Friday, Arts District will host events for kids and adults. At Songbirds Music, children and their families can join in an hour of storytelling, dancing, musical instruments and more from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Lauren LeVieux will a free candle-making workshop from 5 to 8 p.m. in her studio. Other events include painting, drawing and a poetry reading. Times vary on Friday. Liberty Station. Free. libertystation.com/events/calendar#9-1-2023

Bouchercon 2023: This convention celebrates writing in the crime and mystery fiction genres. Registration is closed, but an event about Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys is open to the public. Fans can learn more about the history of these series and hear from modern authors who have been inspired by them. The lineup of authors includes Jenn Fisher, Charlaine Harris, actress and author Harley Jane Kozak, James Keeline, Linda Joy Singleton and Teresa Inge. 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/sites/default/files/2023-08/Bouchercon%202023%20Flyer.pdf

Labor Day Stickball Tournament: Stickball, a game similar to baseball that is played with a stick and a rubber ball, is a popular activity from the Northeast part of the U.S. that is celebrated with an annual tournament in Little Italy. Teams will compete for a coveted trophy and the public is invited to attend and cheer them on. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Games can be found on Columbia Street between West Cedar and West Beech streets; State Street between West Ash and West Beech streets and India Street between West A and West Ash streets. littleitalysd.com/do/labor-day-stickball-tournament

‘August: Osage County’: Backyard Renaissance Theatre presents Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a dysfunctional family’s problems coming home to roost when the father goes on a walk and never returns. Opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 16. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. 3 p.m. Sundays. Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown. $18-$40. (760) 975-7189. backyardrenaissance.com

‘Remembrances of California Ballet Repertoire’: Betzi Roe and Grand American Ballet will present seven pieces from the repertory of California Ballet by San Diego contemporary choreographers from 1978-1993. The event, featuring dancers from five local companies, will honor the life and work of 82-year-old California Ballet founder Maxine Mahon. 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 2:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday. City Heights Performance Annex, 3975 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. $40. grandamericanballet.org/events.

“Listening to the Unheard / Drawing the Unseen: Meditations on Presence and Absence in Native Lands”: Oceanside Museum of Art presents a solo exhibition by local illustrator John Halaka that focuses on people who have suffered forced displacement and colonial erasure. Opens Saturday and runs through Feb. 18. Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside. (760) 435-3720, oma-online.org

Art of Elan at ENVZN23: San Diego’s Art of Elan will present two performances of Elliot Cole’s 30-minute “Flowerpot Music No.1” at the ENVZN23: Urban Art Takeover in Logan Heights. 9 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. LoHi Courtyard, Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego. $20 and up. artofelan.org

Roller skating at Mavericks Beach Club: Craft cocktail brand Kove will host a skate party at Mavericks Beach Club with funk and disco DJs, live screen printing and Mavericks’ own roller rink in the side yard. Skates will be able to rent. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Mavericks Beach Club, 860 Garnet Ave., San Diego. maverickssd.com

KIDZ BOP: The KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour will arrive in San Diego on Sunday. Jackson, Kiya, Shila and Tyler will hit the stage to perform popular music such as “As It Was,” “Anti-Hero” and “About That Time” for kids and families to sing and dance along. 4 p.m. Sunday . CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at San Diego State University. 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego. Tickets start at $25. ticketmaster.com/event/0A005E32D93B5201.

Garden Party at Grand Del Mar: Find live music, lawn games, culinary treats for adults and kids and a selection of wine, cocktails and craft beers in an outdoor lounge at this garden party. Cabanas and fire pit tables will be available for rent. 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand Del Mar Court. $20 general admission. granddelmar.com/labor-day-weekend-garden-party

“Nunsense”: Coronado Playhouse presents this comic farce about a group of nuns hosting a fundraiser to bury their fellow sisters who died in a toxic soup poisoning. Opens tonight and runs through Sept. 9. 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Through Sept. 9. 1835 Strand Way, Coronado. $24-$30. (619) 435-4856, coronadoplayhouse.org.

“Cry It Out”: Moxie Theatre presents Molly Smith Metzler’s play about two women facing the challenges and celebrations of new motherhood. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 10. 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, San Diego. $25-$50. (858) 598-7620. moxietheatre.com

“Evita”: Cygnet Theatre presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about the life story of Argentinean first lady Eva Peron. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 1. Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town State Historic Park. $37 and up. (619) 337-1525, cygnettheatre.com