arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

A Guide to San Diego Music Festivals

From indie favorites to top-tier names

San Diego’s music festival scene has people flocking from all over to jam out with their favorite bands.

Take Your Pick Of These Ear-Pleasing Events

San Diego has a whole lot of music festivals to choose from, each with its own genre and vibe. Festivalgoers will love this list, created with the help of local DJ Ayla Simone, which breaks down all of the annual music festivals — from neighborhood street parties to such major happenings as the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival and the CRSSD Fest.

Live music in San Diego CA

CRSSD FEST

CRSSD Fest is how San Diego does music festivals. It packs 15,000 people into Waterfront Park, with the gleaming downtown skyscrapers on one side and the glistening San Diego Bay on the other. It’s a biannual celebration of bright, daytime vibes with performances by top artists and DJs. Previous acts include Fatboy Slim, Empire of the Sun, Chromeo, TV on the Radio, The Flaming Lips, Jamie XX, Odesza and Chet Faker.

DJ Ayla Simone: “It’s a nice change to see indie electronic artists in a festival setting right in the heart of San Diego.”

People celebrating in front of a stage at the Wonderfront festival.

WONDERFRONT MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

With more than 80 acts, seven-plus stages and three full days of tunes, food and a whole lot more, it's no wonder (pardon the pun) that San Diego's waterfront Embarcadero gets rechristened as the Wonderfront for this sprawling November celebration of music and the arts. It's a festival that's just too big for one venue to contain: Wonderfront unfolds at multiple sites along the gorgeous bayfront, including Embarcadero Marina Park North, Seaport Village, Ruocco Park and the Broadway Port Pier. Among the dozens of acts showcased at Wonderfront are such big-name headliners as Gwen Stefani, Kings of Leon and the Zac Brown Band. And the Tastes of San Diego and Craft Beer Village provide a lineup of bites and beverages from great local restaurants and breweries, helping fuel you up to enjoy the music as well as the art installations spread around the festival grounds.

Live music at Pride in San Diego CA

SAN DIEGO PRIDE MUSIC FESTIVAL

San Diego Pride Weekend is a citywide celebration of diversity, self-expression and the LGBT community. It includes a parade, a 5k run and an awesome music festival. The music festival takes place in iconic Balboa Park over two days and includes over 100 artists on multiple stages, as well as great food vendors and art exhibitions.

DJ Ayla Simone: “I love this festival because everyone comes together to celebrate the love and acceptance of all orientations. It’s a new revolution where everyone is one.”

Live music at the Beer Music Fest in San Diego CA

SAN DIEGO BREW FESTIVAL

The San Diego Brew Festival celebrates two things this town loves: craft beer and live music. And while beer takes center stage at this event, showcasing more than 100 craft brews, the fest also serves up a lineup of awesome cover bands and DJs. It all takes place at the NTC Park at Liberty Station.

Live music at Adams Ave Street Fair in San Diego CA

ADAMS AVENUE STREET FAIR

The Adams Avenue Street Fair takes over the eclectic Normal Heights neighborhood with over 100 musical acts on eight stages. Exotic eats, giant carnival rides, beer gardens and over 350 diverse art booths add to the bright, outdoor excitement.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Accommodation

Stay longer and Save 15%

Western Inn
Valid: May 9 - ongoing

Stay 3 nights and save 15% off on your next stay at the Old Town Western Inn.

Restaurants

HAPPY HOUR AT ALLEGRO

Allegro Restaurant and Bar
Valid: Apr 18, 2024 - ongoing

Join us at Allegro for our Happy Hour Specials! Available Sunday - Thursday from 4-6pm. $6 House Wine by the Glass, $8 Well Drinks, Oysters and more!   See why we've been rated one of Little...

Tours & Sightseeing

Family Friendly- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Amazing Scavenger Hunts by Urban Adventure Quest
Valid: Feb 2, 2024 - ongoing

Enjoy an Amazing Race type adventure with your family and Save 20% when you use Promo Code SDFUN. Only $39.20 for a Team of 2-5 people. Have fun and do something unique! Covid Friendly outdoor...

Events to check out

Event

December Nights

Forever Balboa Park
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...

Event

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.

Event

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Old Globe
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...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish