ST. LOUIS — From being immersed in Japanese culture to listening to Blues bands, there are several events happening in the St. Louis area this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

The 47th annual Japanese Festival returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden Saturday through Monday.

The weekend will include fan-favorite demonstrations, new performances and the festival’s largest array of authentic cuisine.

Opening ceremonies on Saturday will feature live music, remarks from distinguished guests and a Japanese ritual. Hours of the festival are Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information and tickets, visit MoBOT’s website.

As the St. Louis area continues to battle its drug problem, dozens will gather Saturday for an International Overdose Day Awareness event at Concordia Lutheran Church starting at 9 a.m.

The event will offer free, locking prescription bags, safe medication disposal bags, Narcan and fentanyl test strips, in addition to resources for grief support and more.

There also will be a tribute and a remembrance walk. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new or slightly used pair of shoes and a small picture of their loved one for a tribute display. The shoes will be donated to those in need.  

The event is in partnership with H.E.A.L., Surviving Overdose and Understanding Loss (SOUL), PreventEd and MoNetwork.

Westport Plaza’s new outdoor event space will be transformed into a dog’s paradise Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dogs and their humans can participate in activities where there will also be dog-centric vendors. Expert trainers from Kennelwood Pet Resort will operate an agility course, give lessons designed for dogs, young and old, new tricks, and answer questions about pet behaviors, as well as give handling tips.

Adoptable pups also will be available onsite from the Humane Society of Missouri, the Forever Friends Great Dane rescue, the Feral Companion, Stray Paws and All About Paws.

For more information, visit Westport Plaza’s website.

The 107th annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival is Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The free event offers authentic Greek food, live music, dance performances and church tours. Free parking is located at the BJC garage, east of the church.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

The annual Soulard Blues and Roots Festival is Saturday from 1-10:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 10:30 p.m.

The event features live music, art, and culture of the St. Louis region, with an emphasis on the Historic Soulard neighborhood.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs unless they purchased a VIP front row ticket where chairs will be provided.

To see the music line up and to purchase tickets, visit the event’s Facebook page.