Weekend Planner: Nearby Options for Labor Day Weekend

Thursday-Sunday:

The annual “Art, Wine & Brew Festival” takes place once again in downtown Vacaville with four days of spectacular music, brews and dancing. Thursday, September 1, is the kick-off barbecue with the Singer-Songwriter Competition Showcase at 5 pm.  Django Walker will take the stage at 7 p.m. followed by the legendary troubadour Jerry Jeff Walker at 8 p.m. More than a dozen other bands will perform this weekend so make a nice picnic, bring the family and check out the wonderful tunes. The four day festival continues with music on September 3 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a wine stroll in downtown Vacaville between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.  In addition, the brew tasting takes place in Town Square at the same time. Artists and vendors will sell their wares throughout the event.

If you go:  Check the schedule for performances times and other information by clicking here. The Town Square is in downtown Vacaville.

Saturday: Guided Tour at the Arboretum

A tour centered around abundance and water conservation will take place at the arboretum beginning at 1 am.

Take a walk through the Storer Garden, which is a demonstration garden of drought-tolerant flowering shrubs and perennials, with an emphasis on sustainable, low-maintenance gardening.

Sunday:  (Sacramento)

Join friends and friendly and get moving. Dance the tacuachito (the little possum), so called because of its mellow, shuffling gait that follows the relaxed rhythm of a slowed-down polka to the beat of conjunto music. Eat the tastiest gorditas this side of the Rio Grande, and last but certainly not least, listen and stomp your feet to the music of conjunto and the modern-rock influenced Tejano bands.  Bring your lawn chair, your dancin’ shoes, a good attitude and get into the infectious rhythms of this fantastic music.

If you go: Festival tickets are $25 and can be bought by clicking here. The event is from 2 p.m.to 9:30 p.m. in Cesar Chavez Plaza, 9th and l Street in Sacramento.

Saturday-Monday:

More than 200 tons of dirt will be dumped on the streets of Old Sacramento as the annual festival "turns back the clock," transforming Sacramento’s historic district into a scene straight out of the 1850s. Hundreds of costumed performers take on the roles of celebrities, personalities and just plain folks, bringing history to life while bluegrass pickers and old-time musicians perform on several stages, evoking the vivid tunes of the times.  Activities include a “Tent City” where you can visit saloons, a gambling tent, doctors, dentists, and even an undertaker! Tent City will also offer a variety of tasty treats available for purchase. Additionally, there will be gold panning, pony rides, an artisan alley, and much more. Sounds fun.

If you go: This three day festival is free in Old Sacramento and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  To find out what’s going on and where, click here for the schedule.