MAY

 

May 3-4
Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo
A celebration of Mexican spirit and culture, the Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is held in Old Town, the birthplace of San Diego, and features music, food and entertainment for the entire family. www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com

 

May 4

Carlsbad Spring Village Faire

One of the largest one-day street fairs in California features hundreds of exhibitors, international food and children's rides in the coastal city of Carlsbad. www.carlsbad.org

May 8-11

Gator by the Bay, Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival
Knee-slapping good times abound at Spanish Landing on Harbor Island.  The event features 25 bands on five stages, dance lessons, Cajun cooking demonstrations and delicious crawfish. www.sandiegofestival.com

May 18

21st Annual Sicilian Festival

The music, dance, culture and cuisine of Sicily come to the streets of downtown San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood with four performance stages, a parade of costumed dancers, musicians and more. www.sicilianfesta.com

JUNE

Jun. 6-8

Air Show San Diego

San Diego's biggest civilian air show, formerly known as, Wings Over Gillespie,” includes re-enactments of WWII and Vietnam War aerial battles with pyrotechnic and aircraft displays, along with live entertainment, a Kidz Zone, food and more. www.ag1caf.org

 

Jun. – Sept.

The Old Globe Theatre's Summer Shakespeare Festival

Three dynamic Shakespeare productions are performed in nightly rotation in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre of the Tony Award ®-winning Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park. www.oldglobe.org

Jun. 1

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

It's a 26.2-mile race and block party all in one! The marathon begins at Balboa Park and finishes at SeaWorld San Diego on Mission Bay. Live music and cheer squads line the route, while a killer post-race party and headliner concert celebrates everyone's victory.  runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego

Jun. 7 – Jul. 6

San Diego County Fair

The annual county fair features outlandish foods, garden shows, livestock tents and a midway complete with carnival rides and concerts, held at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in oceanfront Del Mar. www.sdfair.com

 

Jun. TBD

8th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition
Dozens of dogs take to the waves at Imperial Beach to compete in small dog, large dog and tandem surfing heats. www.loewssurfdog.blogspot.com 

 

Jun. 21-22
Annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts

Held on the University of California, San Diego campus in La Jolla, the event includes award-winning artists, gourmet cuisine, contemporary music and entertainment.  www.lajollaartfestival.org

 

June 28 – September 1

San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Season

Summer performances are held under the stars in downtown San Diego along San Diego Bay; fireworks occur on some nights. www.sandiegosymphony.com

 

JULY

 

Jul. 4 

Fourth of July Celebrations

Fireworks, festivals and patriotic parades are held in numerous communities throughout San Diego County.  Coronado's popular Independence Day celebration features a two-hour parade followed by a family concert in Spreckels Park. The Port of San Diego celebrates with its Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza over San Diego Bay, the largest fireworks display in the county.  www.sandiego.org

Jul. 18-20

Festival of the Bells

The festival celebrates the anniversary of the founding of Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first mission in California. www.festivalofbells.com

 

Jul. 19-20

San Diego LGBT Pride Parade, Rally and Festival

One of the city's largest grassroots organizations, San Diego LGBT Pride sponsors a weekend of festivities including a headlining parade through Hillcrest and two-day festival in Balboa Park. www.sdpride.org

 

Jul. 12-13 & 19-20

60th Annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament

A San Diego original, this boisterous, fast-paced beach softball event is played at Fiesta Island on Mission Bay. www.ombac.org/over-the-line

 

Jul. 18 – Sept. 3

Del Mar Racing

Horses and fans alike meet for live thoroughbred racing, held five days a week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in oceanfront Del Mar. www.dmtc.com

 

Jul. 24-27
Comic-Con International

The largest comics and pop culture event in the United States attracts thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture to the San Diego Convention Center in downtown San Diego. www.comic-con.org/cci/

 

July–August

SummerFest 2013

The La Jolla Music Society presents classical and new compositions with renowned artists and ensembles from around the world, held at various locations in La Jolla and San Diego. www.ljms.org

AUGUST

 

Aug. 10 

Hillcrest Cityfest 2014

Arts, crafts, food and entertainment are featured at this popular annual street festival, held along Fifth Avenue in the eclectic neighborhood of Hillcrest. www.fabuloushillcrest.com/events/hillcrest-cityfest/

Aug. 9-10 

Julian Star Fest

Guests can explore the world of astronomy during this four-day festival, the second biggest in California, with exhibition areas, guest speakers, an astronomy equipment swap meet and more, held at Menghini Winery in the San Diego East County town of Julian.  www.julianstarfest.com 

Aug. 16 

38th Annual World Body Surfing Championships

International and U.S. body surfers compete at the Oceanside Pier and Beach in San Diego's North County.  www.worldbodysurfing.org

 

Aug. 29 – Sept. 1

Festival of Sail

The Maritime Museum hosts more than 20 tall ships and other marine vessels from around the world that sail into San Diego Bay for the event. Guest tour the tall ships, enjoy live entertainment, sample food and drink, enjoy a family activity area and petting zoo, and shop for one-of-a-kind items among more than 150 festival vendors. www.sdmaritime.org/festival-of-sail/

 

Aug. 29 – Sept. 1

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition

Guests can watch over 300 tons of sand be carved and molded into beautiful sculptures. Held at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal alongside San Diego Bay, the summer event will feature live entertainment, food trucks and unique rides for kids including a zipline that flies over the show. www.ussandsculpting.com

SEPTEMBER

September–October

Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest

Local residents and guests celebrate autumn with music, art shows, cider and delicious apple pies in the charming San Diego East County mountain town of Julian.  www.julianca.com

 

September–December

San Diego Chargers Season

The San Diego Chargers “bolt” into action during home games at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley, while fans gather in the parking lot for tailgate parties before catching the excitement inside the stadium. www.chargers.com

Sept. 7
La Jolla Rough Water Swim

The largest rough-water swimming competition in the U.S. takes place at picturesque La Jolla Cove in La Jolla.  www.ljrws.com

Sept. TBD

San Diego Bayfair

This thrilling event features thunderboat racing, tunnel hulls, drag boats, hydroplanes, fireworks and concerts, as well as specialty vendors and food, along and on the waters of Mission Bay.   www.sandiegobayfair.org

 

Sept. 12-14

25thAnnual Sycuan Pow-Wow
The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation presents a traditional celebration featuring Indian song, dance, arts and crafts, games and food, held at the Sycuan Reservation in San Diego's East County. http://sycuantribe.org/pow-wow/

 

Sept. 21-26 Tentative

San Diego Restaurant Week
More than 180 of San Diego's finest restaurants participate in a celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixed menus. www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com

 

Sept. TBD               

19th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer

More than 75 San Diego brewers provide samples and tastings alongside live musical performances, vendors and food booths in downtown San Diego.  www.sdbeerfest.org

 

Sept. 27-28

20th Annual Pacific Islander Festival

The cultures, foods, crafts and customs of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia are showcased at Ski Beach on Mission Bay.  www.pifasandiego.com

 

Sept. 28

Cabrillo Festival

The exploration of the U.S. West Coast by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 is commemorated at Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma.  www.cabrillofestival.org

 

Sept. 27-28

33nd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair

One of the largest free music street fairs in California, the event features over 70 live musical acts, held on six stages, along with three beer gardens, giant carnival rides and 300 craft and food vendors. www.adamsavenuebusiness.com

OCTOBER

Oct. TBD
San Diego Film Festival
This annual festival offers a fresh take on film premieres, featuring American and international features, thought-provoking documentaries, short films and music videos.  www.sdff.org

 

Oct. 3-5

Oktoberfest in La Mesa

This traditional German celebration features dancing, food, Bavarian bands, arts and crafts and commercial booths in the San Diego East County city of La Mesa.  www.lmvma.com

Oct. TBD

MCAS Miramar Air Show
This award-winning, world-class air show features the best military and civilian pilots in the world, including the U.S. Navy's famous Blue Angels. www.miramarairshow.com

 

Oct. 4-5
Julian Apple Days Festival
This two-day festival at Menghini Winery in Julian features music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children's games, gold panning demonstrations, apple-related contests and more. www.julianappledays.com

 

Oct. TBD
15th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
The largest exhibition of Asian-American and Asian cinema in North America showcases over 140 premiers from around the world at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinema in Hazard Center in Mission Valley. www.sdaff.org

 

Oct. 11

20th Annual Little Italy FESTA!

This colorful Italian celebration features music, fine food and “Gesso Italiano,” a traditional Italian street-painting festival, held in downtown San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. www.littleitalysd.com/events/little-italy-festa

 

Oct. 24-26

49th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival

Weekend activities include arts and crafts, a parade and the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant in the East County desert town of Borrego Springs. www.borregospringschamber.com/BorregoDays

NOVEMBER

 

Nov. 19 – Dec. 31

Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

This annual holiday musical jumps right off the pages of the classic Dr. Seuss book and onto the stage of The Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park. www.oldglobe.org

Nov. 7-16
San Diego Beer Week 
Hundreds of beer-centric events take place throughout the county during this 10-day festival that highlights San Diego's award-winning craft beer, breweries and pubs.  http://sdbw.org

 

Nov. 17-23

11th San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

Wine and food enthusiasts gather for this five-day event, the region's largest wine and culinary extravaganza, held at several venues throughout downtown San Diego. www.worldofwineevents.com

 

Nov. 23

Annual Mother Goose Parade

San Diego East County's annual holiday kick-off celebration features celebrity appearances, whimsical floats, clowns, bands, equestrians and more.  www.mothergooseparade.org

 

Nov. 26 – Nov. 30

San Diego Thanksgiving Jazz Festival

A jazz celebration that lasts throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, the festival features world-class bands at the Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley. www.sdjazzfest.org

November 5–December 7, 2014 Tentative Dates

Del Mar Racing Extended Season

Horses and fans alike meet for live thoroughbred racing, held five days a week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in oceanfront Del Mar. www.dmtc.com

 

January TBD

Holiday of Lights at Del Mar

This event was canceled in 2013 due to a new racetrack installation. Tentatively for 2014, the public is invited to drive their cars around the infield racetrack of the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar to view more than 350 dazzling holiday light displays. www.holidayoflights.com

DECEMBER

 

December–April

Whale Watching

The majestic California gray whales make their annual migration from the Arctic waters to the warm lagoons in the Gulf of California for breeding.  These “peaceful giants of the sea” come within miles of San Diego's coastline and can be viewed on daily whale watching excursions and from Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. www.sandiego.org/what-to-do/tours-sightseeing/whale-watching.aspx

Dec. 7 TBD
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Marching bands, floats, equestrians, vintage automobiles and more parade down the streets of La Jolla.  The parade ends with a holiday festival featuring craft booths, carnival rides, food, entertainment and a tree lighting ceremony. www.ljparade.com

 

Dec. 5-6

Balboa Park December Nights

This celebration of the holiday season is the largest free community festival in San Diego and features foods and crafts from around the world, music and events in Balboa Park's diverse museums. www.balboapark.org

 

Dec. 14 & 21

43rd Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
This colorfully unique San Diego holiday tradition features more than 100 private boats decorated with holiday lights, sailing along the waters of San Diego Bay. www.sdparadeoflights.org

 

Dec. TBD

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego's annual pre-Christmas bowl game is played at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley and matches teams from the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conferences.  The nationally recognized event features all the pomp and circumstance of a major college post-season football game.  www.poinsettiabowl.com

 

Dec. TBD

Big Bay Balloon Parade and National University Education Holiday Bowl
A popular parade along downtown San Diego's waterfront is followed by a major college bowl game at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley, featuring teams from the Pac-10 and Big 12 Conferences.  The exciting gridiron action is augmented by spectacular pregame and halftime pageantry.  www.holidaybowl.com