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Awesome Autumn Arts

Concerts, Film Festivals & More

Fall for the arts this autumn in San Diego! Thanks to the balmy fall weather, the arts and culture scene takes to the streets in San Diego. Stay outside and enjoy art fairs, outdoor concerts, dancing in the streets and much more. End the day by heading inside to enjoy a film festival or two.

Below are just a few of the great annual arts and culture events happening in San Diego this fall.

This page is updated as soon as event details are available. Events are subject to change or cancellation, so please check with event organizers for the most up-to-date information.

Music Festival

September

Conrad Prebys 2024 Season at The Rady Shell @ Jacobs Park

When: Now - Nov. 12, 2024
Enjoy an exciting season of music, movies and more at San Diego's picturesque waterfront concert venue, the Rady Shell @ Jacobs Park.

Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

When: Now - Nov. 14, 2024
The popular Humphreys Concerts by the Bay features top name entertainers performing on an outdoor stage adjacent to a picturesque marina at Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island.

Henry 6 One: Flowers and France

When: Now - Sept. 14, 2024
At The Old Globe experience this world premiere adaption of the first part by William Shakespeare adapted and directed by Barry Edelstein.

Henry 6 Two: Riot and Reckoning

When: Now - Sept. 15, 2024
At The Old Globe experience this world premiere adaption of the second part by William Shakespeare adapted and directed by Barry Edelstein.

Annual Barona Pow Wow

When: Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, 2024
Join the Barona Band of Mission Indians for a weekend of contest dancing in all categories, camping, drums and cultural immersion.

Annual Sycuan Pow Wow

When: Sept. 6-8, 2024
The Sycuan Pow-Wow is a time for people to get together, sing, dance, renew old friendships and make new ones, and a time for young people to meet and court.

FILMOUT San Diego LGBT Film Festival

When: Sept. 12-15, 2024
FilmOut San Diego is one of the longest-running film festivals in Southern California and the only LGBTQ film festival in the San Diego area bringing the best in LGBTQ+ and cult genre films to San Diego!

Adams Avenue Street Fair

When: Sept. 21-22, 2024
Adams Avenue Street Fair is SoCal's largest free two-day music festival held each year during the last weekend in September in the community of Normal Heights.

ArtWalk Carlsbad

When: Sept. 21-22, 2024
Attendees can explore different facets of art from local, regional and international professional artists while enjoying street food, wine and beer, live entertainment, and the surrounding breathtaking views.

Primary Trust

When: Sept. 24 - Oct. 20, 2024
When Primary Trust by Eboni Booth premiered in New York in 2023, The Observer said, “it will restore your faith in theatre’s elemental storytelling powers.” The Daily Beast said it’s “pretty darn near to perfect.” Don’t miss the La Jolla Playhouse West Coast premiere of this award-winning New York Times Critic’s Pick play that will surprise you, and fill you with hope.

Trolley Dances

When: Sept. 28-29, 2024
Each fall, tour guides lead groups of audience members on and off the trolley to view original pieces of site-specific choreography. More than 50 community and company dancers perform at various sites. 

CRSSD Festival

When: Sept. 28-29, 2024
CRSSD Festival is a two-day electronic music festival at the 12-acre San Diego Waterfront Park featuring three stages and 36+ performers. In addition to the music, the festival will offer craft beer, mixed drinks, food, and more.

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

When: September 28-29, 2024
Just steps from the beautiful Pacific Ocean on Girard Avenue, bask in beautiful San Diego sun while meandering through over 150 handpicked artist booths, for a weekend of fine art, along with delectable wines, craft beers, scrumptious food, and live music.

SDIFF

October

San Diego Italian Film Festival

When: Oct. 1-12, 2024
The San Diego Italian Film Festival showcases the best of new Italian film with a series of premieres ranging from dramas and comedies to documentaries.

San Diego Filipino Film Festival

When: Oct. 1-6, 2024
SDFFF aims to not only be a platform to amplify Filipinx visions, voices and stories but also foster new interest in filmmaking and cinema as art throughout the local and global Filipinx community.

San Diego International Film Festival

When: October 16-20, 2024
SDiFF offers world premieres, never before seen studio releases, the best in independent filmmaking and a full schedule of glamorous parties and intimate events with filmmakers.

Grinch at Old Globe

November

Coronado Island Film Festival

When: Nov. 6-10, 2024
The Coronado Island Film Festival is planning for a return to our traditional festival format with in person screenings, special engagements, panels, culinary cinema series, and of course red carpet moments! Additionally, the festival plans to curate a select number of films that will screen online as part of our virtual fest.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

When: Nov. 6 - Dec. 31, 2024
Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Who-ville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

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Fall Fun and Excitement in San Diego

When autumn arrives, a crisp soothing breeze sweeps over San Diego complementing the region's warm temperatures and welcoming vibe.

Make San Diego your awesome autumn escape and activate smile mode with a variety of festivals, haunting Halloween celebrations, plenty of outdoor activities, and diverse cultural entertainment.

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What's On|

December Nights

Dec 6 - Dec 7, 2024

Join us Dec. 6 and 7 in beautiful Balboa Park for the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival. The family-friendly December Nights celebration brings visitors and locals together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and, of course, the amazing food.

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San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

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Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Nov 6 - Dec 31, 2024

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for another incredible year, the family favorite features the songs “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze),” the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Who-ville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

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Indigenous Ocean Day at Birch Aquarium

Nov 23, 2024

On November 23, Birch Aquarium at Scripps hosts Indigenous Ocean Day centering Indigenous people and Indigenous ocean culture. The aquarium welcomes Intertribal Native community members and the general public to experience this day of cultural sharing. Participate in a community tule boat build, listen to storytellers and Birdsinging, learn more about culturally significant ocean animals, interact with hands-on activity stations, a resource fair with Indigenous organizations and more. This intercultural exchange coincides with the exhibition Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen and the Getty PST ART: Art & Science Collide and celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the aquarium website. aquarium.ucsd.edu

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What's On

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December Nights

Dec 6 - Dec 7, 2024
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San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025
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Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Nov 6 - Dec 31, 2024
Discover

Indigenous Ocean Day at Birch Aquarium

Nov 23, 2024
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Offers

Associations & Organizations

SHOW YOUR BADGE AND SAVE AT COMIC-CON MUSEUM

Comic-Con Museum
Valid: Sep 4, 2024 - ongoing

As part of San Diego Comic Convention, the world renowned comics and popular arts convention, Comic-Con Museum is a participatory space focused on bringing together diverse audiences for shared...

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