Summer in San Diego is where you want to be. With seventy miles of salty coastline, friendly locals, and a wealth of things to see and do – this California coastal city was made for summer. What’s more? This sensational season brings with it a nearly endless number of outdoor fairs, festivals, events, and cultural celebrations. San Diego’s calendar is full of memory-making opportunities. This can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand you’ll never be at a loss for things to do, but on the other hand it’s easy to miss out on something you didn’t even know existed. So, to make your summer a little easier, we picked six of the top summer events in San Diego you won’t want to miss.

Three of San Diego’s Best June Events

San Diego County Fair

A month-long celebration, the San Diego County Fair is the perfect kick-off to a summer of fun in the sun. It caters to people of all ages with everything from special entertainment for kids to wine and beer gardens for adults. With a wide range of food, beverages, rides, music, contests, and an ever-changing lineup of intriguing entertainment throughout June it should come as no surprise that over one million people flock to the fair each year.    

Date: June 1^st – July 4^th
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA

San Diego Festival of the Arts

An annual event since 1986, the San Diego Festival of the Arts is one of the most prestigious art shows in the city. The works of more than 200 of the nation’s top artists are showcased. Visitors will find a wide range of media such as jewelry, oil, watercolor, and sculpture. In addition, the event includes several children’s activities, performances from local musicians, and an array of food and beverage vendors.

Date: June 9-10
Location: Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA

San Diego International Beer Festival

Celebrate all things water, wheat, hops, and barley at the annual San Diego International Beer Festival. It’s an outstanding two-day event catering to craft beer enthusiasts, beer nerds, home brewers, and hopheads. Located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the festival hosts more than 200 breweries from more than 15 countries serving over 400 different beers at five tasting sessions. Established and new breweries come together to showcase their most incredible brews while surrounded by the magic of the fair.

Date: June 15^th-17^th
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA

Honorable Mention: June also kicks off Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, El Cajon Dinner and a Concert, Balboa Park Twilight in the Park, and Carlsbad TGIF Jazz in the Parks. These four events are held at least once a week throughout the summer months. Check here to see their list of dates.

Three of San Diego’s Best July Events

Escondido Independence Day Celebration

While there are hundreds of festivities happening on July 4^th in San Diego, including the annual Big Bay Boom celebration on San Diego Bay, here’s an option you may not have thought of – the annual Escondido Independence Day Celebration. If you’ve never spent the holiday at this event, make 2018 your year to try it out. Starting at 4 p.m., this free community festival features tons of food vendors, an array of kid’s activities, a variety of special performances, and rockin’ live music from Finnegan Blue, Moonlight Trio, and Casey Hensley. A dazzling firework display finishes off the fun in spectacular fashion.

Date: July 4^th
Location: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 North Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA

San Diego Pride

There is no July without San Diego Pride. This annual four-day LGBT festival is one of city’s largest celebrations, attracting a massive and diverse crowd with one goal in mind – coming together in a celebration of life. The festivities can be easily broken down into three parts to better help you navigate the long weekend. First up is the block party, a kickoff to PRIDE which features DJs and dance stages. Next is the 1.1-mile wildly popular float-filled parade, which leads to a grand two-day concert that showcases more than 200 musicians, comedians, dancers, drag performers, and art exhibits in Balboa Park.

Date: July 13^th-15^th
Location: Several Locations in San Diego, San Diego, CA

Comic-Con International 2018

It goes without saying that Comic-Con International is one of the biggest annual events in San Diego. Its four days of immersion in comics, science fiction/fantasy literature, and film alongside creators, authors, directors, producers, and writers. Meet the industry’s biggest stars at this world renowned comic convention, all while exploring Downtown, San Diego. Most conventioneers show up in their favorite costumes, and the convention center is packed with events from film screenings and costume contests to celebrity interview panels and autograph signings. Comic-Con has it all.

Date: July 19^th – 22^nd
Location: San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA

GSD Tip: If you can’t get your hands on Comic-Con tickets, fear not. You can still enjoy a mini-Con at The Heroes Brew Craft Beer Fest. Put on your favorite superhero costume and take a beer break at Downtown’s, Waterfront Park. The festival features 40 breweries, a costume contest, and live music.

That wraps up our list of upcoming summer events to keep on your radar. We’d like to leave you with one final thought from author and naturalist, Hal Borland.

“Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January.”

In other words, get out there and enjoy your summer, because all too soon, it will be winter once more.

Summer is long over and fall has taken center stage, bringing with it salted caramel, pumpkin spice everything, the reviled or revered (depending on perspective) Ugg boots, and the approaching holiday spirit. This is a favorite time of year for many, but none love it more than San Diego beer enthusiasts.

Beer Festivals dominate San Diego’s fall and winter calendars with themed events showcasing an array of craft ales, IPA’s, and lagers. Kicking off the festivities is San Diego Beer Week, which hosts numerous events from November 3^rd to the 12^th. We’ve short-listed a few fall and winter must-do beer events so you don’t miss a thing.

San Diego Beer Week 2017

San Diego Beer Week is an annual event. This 10-day celebration is devoted to promoting San Diego’s thriving brew culture featuring local craft beers at numerous events throughout the city. With over 150 breweries, San Diego has gained international acclaim for brewing award-winning beers in recent years. In 2010’s World Beer Cup alone the city’s breweries won more medals than any of the traditional beer brewing countries combined, beating out Belgium, England, and Germany.

America’s Finest City remained at the top of the craft brew pyramid during 2015’s Great American Beer Festival with an astounding 19 medals won. With craft beer’s success on the rise in San Diego, the city is poised to become the United States capital of craft beer tourism. San Diego Beer Week features a whopping 250 beer events over ten days.

The week kicks off with the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival on November 4^th and ends with eight beer events on the 12^th, the most prominent of which is The Beer Garden. While you’ll want to search the San Diego Beer Week event calendar for your own personal favorites, we encourage you to add these three to your list.

Beer & Donut Pairing With Nomad Donuts

C’mon, who doesn’t love a scrumptious donut? And of course, we all love craft beer. But together? It makes complete sense to the geniuses at Nomad Donuts and Council Brewing Company to bring the two together in one truly incredible event. For the third anniversary of their Biere De Miel, Council Brewing head brewer, Liz Chism decided to pair their Tropical Vibes IPA, Separate Haze IPA, and champagne inspired Farmhouse Ale with three distinct donuts courtesy of Nomad Donuts head pastry chef Kristianna Zabala. What they’ve created is absolute perfection, three mini donuts paired with three four-ounce beer tasters. You know you want to try them.

Date: November 9^th
Where: Convoy Court, San Diego
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: $17

SDBW Glow Beer & 9 – Battle for the Capital

A beer event like no other, the SDBW Glow Beer & 9 – Battle for the Capital is an exciting celebration that combines two other San Diego favorites – golf and beer. The event challenges teams of two to play nine holes of glow golf where the esteemed winners not only walk away with bragging rights, but also two special Championship Blazers. Those who would rather cheer on the matches than play will enjoy a collection of premier tastings including a Blind IPA tasting competition between the Ironfire Brewing Company, Modern Times Beer, and Thorn Brewing.

Date: November 10^th
Where: By the Loma Club
Time: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $35

The Beer Garden

Closing San Diego Beer Week on November 12^th is The Beer Garden on the Arroyo Terrace of The Lodge at Torrey Pines. The event, hosted by the San Diego Brewers’ Guild, brings together San Diego breweries and local chefs in a grand finale of San Diego Beer Week, and a hat tip to the local craft beer movement. There will be 14 locally renowned chefs and 28 local breweries at this event providing a truly one-of-a-kind beer and food pairing affair. A few of the participants include Urban Solace with Monkey Paw Brewing Company, Carnitas’ Snack Shack with Eppig Brewing, and Trust with Coronado Brewing Company. Each ticket includes unlimited tasters of food and beer.

Date: November 12^th
Where: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Price: $85 

But Wait! The Beer Fun Isn’t Over Yet!

The Beer Garden may close out San Diego Beer Week, but it’s just the kickoff to fall and winter brew events. December manages to squeeze in a couple more popular beer events before the New Year. Two notable December craft beer events you’ll want to mark on your calendar and grab your tickets for are Island Food and Beer Festival on December 2^nd at Waterfront Park and Ales and Rails Ugly Sweater Beer Tasting extravaganza on December 15^th at San Diego Model Railroad Museum.

Island Food and Beer Festival pairs San Diego’s best Pacific Island cuisine with unlimited locally brewed beer tastings, in a fun afternoon that includes entertainment, games, and raffles. Ales and Rails Ugly Sweater Beer Tasting celebrates National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day December 15^th, and doubles as a fundraiser for the museum. Guests flaunt their ugly Christmas sweaters while enjoying unlimited tastings from local craft breweries.

It’s that time of year again, the weekend many of us have been patiently waiting for, the annual San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade and Music Festival. Not only is this one of the largest events in San Diego it is also one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country drawing over 100,000 people each year. This year’s theme, Allied in Action: United for Justice, could not have come at a better time. With so much uncertainty in the world, this year’s San Diego Pride brings people together to celebrate life, love, peace, and understanding, as it does every year. To make navigating Pride weekend a little easier and to ensure you don’t miss a thing we’ve made a Pride Guide of everything you need to know.

The Friday Night Kickoff: SD Pride 2017

Friday, July 14^th is the official start of San Diego Pride weekend. It begins with the annual Spirit of Stonewall rally that takes place at the Hillcrest Pride Flag on University Avenue. This opening ceremony tradition started at San Diego Pride in 1975 to pay homage to the patrons of Stonewall Inn who on June, 28^th 1969 said, No more to police harassment in New York. Their courage helped pave the way for equality for the LGBT community.

During this event, local LBGTQ San Diegans who have made outstanding contributions to leadership, activism, and fundraising for their community are honored. Once the ceremony is completed, the rainbow flag is raised up the 216-foot flagpole, and the weekend festivities officially begin.

In connection with the Stonewall Rally, the 6^th annual Hillcrest Block Party is also on Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. This is a 21 and up event with all proceeds from the benefit going to Pride Plaza. This year the block party will feature the March for Trans Pride, Spirit of Stonewall Rally, Hillcrest Pride Flag raising, luminescent carnival rides, Gogo dancers, local Hillcrest DJ’s, and a surprise headliner. There will be two giant bars, gourmet food vendors, bottle service, a VIP area, and an official after-party at Rich’s San Diego Night Club.

Advanced General Admission Tickets: $20 and Advanced VIP Tickets: $40

Saturday & Sunday San Diego Pride Events

Pride runners line up for the annual Pride 5K that begins and ends at University Avenue and Center Street. This is a USA Track & Field sanctioned and certified 5K event. After gear check, the race starts at 9:30 a.m. Runners are provided with disposable ChronoTrack UHF RFID tags that record their true time. The flat course runs along the parade route.

The signature event is most certainly the annual Pride Parade on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. The parade leaves from the Hillcrest Pride Flag at the intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street and covers 1.1 miles; it heads west on University Avenue, turns south onto 6th Avenue, and then turns left onto Balboa Drive moving into Balboa Park and ending at Quince Drive where the celebration continues.

This year’s Pride Music Festival will have over 200 musicians, comedians, bands, dancers, art exhibits, vendors, food, and cultural presentations as well as education, support, and health services. Here are some of the things you will find at San Diego Pride.

• Art of Pride, beautiful displays of artwork from local LGBTQ artists.
• Children’s Garden, a place for children 13 and under to participate in fun activities while enjoying snow cones, popcorn, and other snacks.
• Get Tested Cabana, offering free HIV testing.
• An interactive wood sculpture inspired by the double helix to demonstrate the reflective journey throughout life.
• Lamda Archives, a look back on LGBTQ history.
• Medical Tent, providing first aid, ice packs, and sunscreen.
• Rainbow Wellness, a health and wellness area for LGBTQ providing resources and services for creative healing activities.
• Senior Cool Zone, shady areas for people over 55 to cool off.
• The Sobriety Village, providing 12-step meetings, coffee, and energy drinks.
• T Spot, a place where transgender, intersex, and gender-queer communities educate others about gender identity and provide resources while people swap clothes to break down barriers.
• Youth Zone, a place for LBGTQ youths to come together with their friends and make new friends while also gaining youth centered resources.
• Free shuttle from the parking lot to the festival.
• Uber Zone, a convenient pick up and drop off area with awaiting Uber drivers.
• Beverage Gardens, offering delectable cocktails, frothy beers, and wines.

San Diego Pride’s Entertainment Zones

There are five entertainment zones at this year’s Pride, the best summer dance party with over 200 entertainers. Below we’ve listed them in order starting from the entrance to the festival at Laurel Street and Balboa Avenue and ending at Mundo Latino.

• Athlete Alley – Join in the fun with LGBTQ’s athletic organizations to play some active sports like volleyball or low-key games like cornhole.
• The Stonewall Main Stage – This is the Music Fest’s centerpiece where you can watch headliners like En Vogue and Tinashe while relaxing in the beer gardens or Harrah’s Resort VIP lounge.
• The Movement – This Hip Hop stage is where you can enjoy listening to top-notch DJ’s spinning the hottest Hip Hop, R&B, and soul music, equipped with its own dance floor and beverage garden.
• Euphoria Dance Garden – Here’s where the house music is with both local acts and international DJs on hand. Entertainment here is sponsored by SONY, you won’t want to miss it!
• Mundo Latino – Emerging artists perform rock, folkloric dance music, and more in this Latin oasis. The artist line-up begins at noon Saturday, playing until 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

San Diego Pride: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How Much

Who: The loving people of San Diego who want to have a great time celebrating the LGBTQ community.

What: San Diego Pride Parade 2017 – Allied in Action: United For Justice

When: Friday July 14^th, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, July 15^th, 12 p.m. (following the parade) to 10 p.m., and Sunday, July 16^th, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Marston Point, Balboa Park at Laurel Street and 6^th Avenue.

Why: Because love is love, and we’re all in this life together.

How Much: $20 Weekend Pass (Pre-Event), $25 Weekend Pass (Day of or at the Festival Gates), Ages 14 and under (Free), and VIP Admission $120 pre-purchase, $150 day of purchase, (includes 4 free drinks a day, catered food, and VIP area access).

It’s officially fall, and for many parts of the country this means cooler weather, changing leaves, and the promise of a snowy, chilly winter; this is not the case for San Diegans. Sunny skies, roaring waves, and swaying palm trees belie the changing seasons. In a city where time is measured by tide predictions and sunsets, a new San Diego Chargers season ushers in the end of summer each September.

October may be synonymous with Halloween, but if you wait until the end of the month to join in San Diego fall festivities, you’re missing out. Autumn months welcome pumpkin spiced lattes, you pick ‘em apple orchards, and fall festivals, among other fun in the sun activities. From parades to film festivals, and everything in between, here are six fall events you won’t want to miss.

October Fall Fun in San Diego

CRSSD Festival

Kicking off the month of October is the semi-annual two-day electronic music festival in Downtown San Diego’s 12-acre Waterfront Park. Guests will be entertained by more than 35 performers including Zhu, FKJ, Wave Racer, Shiba San, and Charles Murdoch, on three separate stages. Listen to electrifying tunes while sipping on craft beers and cocktails, and chowing down on some delicious eats.

Little Italy FESTA!

Little Italy in Downtown San Diego celebrates its rich Italian history and culture the second week of October at the annual Little Italy FESTA. This free event is the largest Italian cultural festival in the Western United States and draws over 120,000 visitors each year. FESTA spans 12 blocks in the Little Italy neighborhood and features 150 vendors. The lively celebration features all things Italian – food, authentic music, al fresco dining, bocce ball tournaments, street stickball, and more.

San Diego Kids Expo & Fair

Mid-October is all about the kids! A collection of non-profits and child-centric businesses showcase their collective dedication to improving the lives of children at the 2016 San Diego Kids Expo & Fair. Parents can split time between the expo that includes 150 local and national companies catering to children and parents, and the fair featuring kids rule activities, music, and dance. A 300-foot long zip line, a Euro Bungee, face painting, laser tag, human hamster wheels, and exotic animals are a few of the fun fair activities to expect. Live music, dance exhibitions, and a fashion show will light up the various stages. This is a family-friendly event you won’t want to miss.

November Fall Fun in San Diego

San Diego Asian Film Festival

The largest Asian film festival on the West Coast sets the tone for November. You’ll enjoy an incredible selection of over 100 films from 15 countries; as an added bonus, you’ll get a chance at meet and greets with the various film casts and crews. There is no genre that goes unfulfilled, ensuring that there will be a film for everyone. This week long event offer a platform for the world’s largest continent to showcase their amazing cinematic talents to a new audience, as well as giving you a sumptuous menu of international cinema.

Union Bank Fallback Festival

Take a step back through time at this free event held in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter during the first week of November. Union Bank Fallback Festival offers fun for the whole family, but will particularly caters to your little ones as they get to experience a taste of life in the olden days. An old-fashioned hayride, pony rides, panning for gold, and even a Wild West Show will have them smiling from ear to ear. Live music on two different stages bring the whole event together. There is no price of admission, but donations are encouraged. All funds raised go back to preserving the beautiful history of the Gaslamp Quarter.

70^th Annual Mother Goose Parade

Just before Thanksgiving approaches the Mother Goose Parade is in full effect in East County, San Diego. The free parade runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and is known as the largest parade west of the Mississippi, attracting thousands of excited spectators to the streets of El Cajon each year. Entrants come from all over the United States to join in the fun with more than 100 colorful and creative motorized floats. In addition to the magical floats, you’ll see performing artists, celebrities, animated clowns, drill units, special characters, specialty vehicles, giant helium balloons, and, of course, Santa Claus! This one parade you don’t want to miss

Put on your party pants and enjoy a wide array of cultural activities, live music, children’s entertainment, history, and holiday spirit with these six San Diego events. Besides these highlights, autumn in San Diego brings Octoberfests, outdoor activities, art fairs, concerts, and San Diego Beer Week to name a few additional festivities. Take the opportunity to enjoy all that this season has to offer!

San Diego’s annual Jazz fest will be celebrating its 35^th year this fall. A favorite of festivalgoers from around the globe, it has been hailed as the crown jewel of jazz festivals, featuring fantastic jazz performances and a diverse blend of talented musicians from all around the globe.

This festival, held over Thanksgiving weekend, offers a little something for everyone, from traditional jazz and ragtime to swing, dixieland and rockabilly styles. One reason this local festival boasts such an incredible vibe is due to its location: the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in Mission Valley. Festivalgoers can soak in the sounds in the larger concert halls with double dance floors or relax in an intimate setting in one of the smaller and cozier listening rooms.

A wide spectrum of artists and bands are featured at Jazz Fest. High Society’s six-member group will open the festival, playing charming fresh twists on a variety of styles and arrangements. Also kicking things off on Wednesday: The Dave Bennett Quartet. From Detroit, this versatile group showcases vocal talents, a rockabilly guitar and modern flares on old classics. Also happening: a Swing Extravaganza with the Gypsy Jazz and Indie Rock inspired Red Skunk band, plus the upbeat sounds of Graystone Monarchs and the fresh, exciting trio, Sweethearts of Swing. The Euphoria Brass Band of San Diego will serve up a mix of old school New Orleans street sounds with a funky edge and bold sounds.

The talented young musicians of the Mission Bay High School Preservationists, one of the nation’s premier traditional youth jazz bands, will also contribute and inspire with a diverse blend of sounds, both old and new. In addition to wonderfully diverse sounds, dance demos by the Swing FX Dance Team will add movement and fun, while Georgia and Hal Myers will also be offering some great dance classes to go along with the melodies. On Sunday, The Night Blooming Jazzmen of Claremont will wrap things up with some lovely Gospel music.

Of course that’s not all. There are over 30 artists/bands in total and a wide range of tunes to be heard!

The Live Music Schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, November 26^th: 7-11 PM
Thursday, November 27^th: 7-11 PM
Friday, November 28^th: 10 AM-11 PM
Saturday, November 29^th: 9 AM-11 PM
Sunday, November 30^th: 8 AM-5 PM

Ticket Prices:

Wednesday: $15
Thursday: $20
Friday: $45
After 6pm on Friday or Saturday: $25
Saturday: $45
Sunday: $25
Multi-day ticket prices range from $95-$105.
Kids 12 and under are free.
Active Duty Military are also admitted for free with proper ID.

For more information:

500 Hotel Cir. North
San Diego, CA 92108
619.297.5277
http://www.sdjazzfest.org