10 Things to Do Labor Day Weekend in Santa Clara County: Your 2026 Local Guide
Labor Day weekend is almost here, and Santa Clara County is ready to send summer out in style.
With Labor Day falling on Monday, September 7, 2026, the long weekend brings four days of opportunities to enjoy everything that makes living in Silicon Valley special — outdoor concerts, professional sports, family attractions, arts and culture, local festivals and some of our beautiful open spaces.
Whether you're looking for something fun to do with the kids, an evening out with friends or simply an excuse to get outside and enjoy the South Bay, here are 10 ideas for Labor Day weekend in Santa Clara County.
1. Browse the Santa Clara Arts & Craft Faire
September 4–6 | Santa Clara Central Park
Start the holiday weekend with a little shopping and local creativity at the 2026 Santa Clara 1st Saturday Arts & Craft Faire.
The free three-day event brings local artisans to Central Park with handcrafted jewelry, artwork, home décor, clothing, candles, ceramics, woodworking and more. Food and refreshments, demonstrations and family-friendly activities make this an easy outing for just about any age.
It's also a great opportunity to support local makers while enjoying one of Santa Clara's favorite community gathering spaces.
Local tip: Admission is free, so this is an especially good choice if you're looking for an inexpensive Labor Day weekend activity.
2. See Monster Jam Take Over Downtown San Jose
September 4–6 | SAP Center, San Jose
Looking for something a little louder?
Monster Jam rolls into SAP Center for four performances over Labor Day weekend, bringing its enormous trucks and high-energy arena action to downtown San Jose.
Performances are scheduled for Friday evening, twice on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
This is likely to be one of the weekend's most popular choices for families with truck-loving kids — and plenty of adults who haven't outgrown the excitement either.
Consider making a day of it with lunch or dinner in downtown San Jose before the show.
3. Cheer on Bay FC at PayPal Park
Friday, September 4 | 7:00 p.m. | PayPal Park, San Jose
Kick off Labor Day weekend with professional soccer as Bay FC takes on the Kansas City Current.
The evening begins before kickoff with FanFest activities, games, giveaways and food trucks, making this much more than just a soccer match.
For sports fans, it's a fantastic way to start the long weekend and support one of the Bay Area's professional teams right here in San Jose.
4. Enjoy a Free Outdoor Concert in Mountain View
Friday, September 4 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Civic Center Plaza
There's something about live music outdoors on a warm September evening that feels like the perfect farewell to summer.
Mountain View's Concerts on the Plaza series continues Friday night with One Man Gone, a Grateful Dead tribute band.
The free concert takes place at Civic Center Plaza on Castro Street, so you can easily combine the show with dinner, drinks or dessert in downtown Mountain View.
Bring some friends and make an evening of it.
5. Experience First Friday at the San José Museum of Art
Friday, September 4 | 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Downtown San Jose
For an arts-and-culture option, head to the San José Museum of Art for its September First Friday.
The museum is presenting “Rhinestone Skies,” a family-friendly evening featuring poetry, music, performance and hands-on activities.
Even better, museum admission is free after 6 p.m. during First Fridays.
Pair the museum with dinner downtown and you have an easy Friday night date or outing with friends.
6. Take the Kids to the New TapeScape at Children's Discovery Museum
Opening Saturday, September 5 | Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
One of the weekend's most unusual family attractions opens just in time for Labor Day.
TapeScape transforms more than 10 miles of ordinary packing tape into an enormous interactive environment filled with tunnels, bridges and slides that children can climb, crawl through and explore.
The new exhibit opens September 5 and is designed around art, architecture, creativity and hands-on STEAM learning.
The museum is also hosting Kristi Yamaguchi's Family Literacy Festival on Saturday, September 5, making Saturday an especially good day to visit.
And if Monday is your free day, the museum has announced special Labor Day hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
7. Catch the Final Levitt Pavilion Concert of the Summer
Sunday, September 6 | St. James Park, San Jose
Here's another free event worth putting on your calendar.
The 2026 Levitt Pavilion concert series wraps up its summer season Sunday with Peach Tree Rascals at historic St. James Park.
The Levitt series is designed as an all-ages community event and typically includes food trucks, children's activities and a beer and wine garden for adults.
It's a fun, relaxed way to spend Sunday afternoon and evening without leaving downtown San Jose.
8. Meet the Sharks Around the Bay
Saturday & Sunday | San Jose and Gilroy
Hockey season may not have started yet, but Sharks fans can get an early dose of teal during the San Jose Sharks' “Sharks Around the Bay” tour.
Players from the Sharks organization are scheduled to make appearances around Santa Clara County during Labor Day weekend.
On Saturday, September 5, a player appearance is scheduled from 2–3 p.m. at Kristi Yamaguchi's Family Literacy Festival at Children's Discovery Museum.
On Sunday, September 6, the tour heads to Gilroy from 2–3 p.m., followed by another appearance at Sharks Ice at San Jose from 4–5 p.m.
Participating players are subject to change, so check the Sharks' schedule before heading out.
9. Spend a Day at California's Great America
Santa Clara
Labor Day weekend is also a great excuse for one more classic summer day at California's Great America.
The Santa Clara amusement park is celebrating its 50th season in 2026, with more than 50 rides and attractions ranging from major roller coasters to kid-friendly Planet Snoopy.
South Bay Shores adds a waterpark option for families looking to squeeze in some pool-and-slide time before summer winds down.
Because the park is operating on select dates as it moves into its extended 2026 season, check the official park calendar and hours before you go.
10. Escape to Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Almaden Valley | San Jose
Not every Labor Day weekend activity needs a ticket or a crowd.
For something completely different, spend a morning exploring Almaden Quicksilver County Park in the foothills of Almaden Valley.
The park combines miles of scenic trails with fascinating remnants of the area's historic quicksilver mining industry. Depending on your route, you'll find rolling hills, oak-covered landscapes and beautiful views across the South Bay.
You can also pair your hike with a visit to the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum at historic Casa Grande in New Almaden. The museum is typically open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
It's one of my favorite reminders that some of Santa Clara County's best experiences are right in our own backyard.
A Long Weekend That Shows Off the Best of Santa Clara County
One of the things I love about living and working in Santa Clara County is the incredible variety of experiences available within a relatively short drive.
You can hike through the Almaden foothills in the morning, attend a professional sporting event that evening, visit a museum the next day and finish the weekend listening to live music in a downtown park.
That combination of outdoor recreation, entertainment, culture, restaurants and neighborhood experiences is also an important part of what attracts people to communities throughout Silicon Valley.
And Almaden Valley is an especially good example.
Residents can enjoy the quieter, scenic setting of South San Jose and access to parks and trails while remaining close to downtown San Jose, entertainment venues, shopping, restaurants and the employment centers of Silicon Valley.
That's the lifestyle component of real estate that numbers alone can't always capture.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Whether you're cheering from the stands, listening to live music, shopping from local artists, exploring a museum or hiking through Almaden Valley, I hope you find a little time this Labor Day weekend to enjoy the community we get to call home.
Please remember that event schedules, admission policies and availability can change. Check directly with each venue or event organizer before heading out.
Have a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend!