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. 

Jul. 12-14
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. 17 – Sept. 4
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. 18-21
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/

AUGUST

Aug. 9-11 
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. 17-18 
37th 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. 30 – Sept. 2
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

Sept. 13-15
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. 13-15
24thAnnual 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. www.sycuantribe.com/html/pow-wow.html

Sept. 29
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

OCTOBER

Oct. 4-6
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. 13
19th 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. 25-27
48th 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. 1-10
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. 20-24
10th 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. 27 – Dec. 1
San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland 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.dixielandjazzfestival.org

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. 6-7
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. 8 & 15
42nd 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

Happiness is calling in San Diego.  For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.