Plan your trip around one of San Diego’s signature happenings
SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego's vibrant landscape offers a plethora of year-round activities for all ages and interests. Whether you're seeking artistic inspiration, family fun, culinary delights, sporting events or outdoor adventure, San Diego promises an unforgettable experience year-round.
"San Diego is known for its sunny weather, 70 miles of coastline and iconic summer fun, but there are exciting things to do all year long,” Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, said. “Spring and fall are amazing for arts and culture, and winter is packed with sports. I’m very excited to see our sports ecosystem grow, with the addition of the MLS expansion team — the San Diego FC — and the San Diego Mojo professional volleyball team.”
Explore San Diego’s list of annual events, organized below by season.
San Diego is celebrating the arts, architecture, design and much more in a big way throughout the year, as the city and its neighboring metropolis of Tijuana, Mexico, mark their prestigious joint designation as World Design Capital 2024. San Diego is the first U.S. city to be named a World Design Capital, and San Diego/Tijuana is also the first cross-border region to be so honored. Look for special exhibits and happenings all year long — including seven signature events in partnership with the World Design Organization.
When: December to April
There are few experiences more thrilling than the sight of a massive gray whale breaching the waters of the glittering Pacific off San Diego's coastline. Book a whale watch tour and get up close to these gentle giants as they migrate toward Baja California in early winter.
When: February
The San Diego Museum Council invites you to enjoy more than 60 area museums at 50% off regular admission during the entire month of February. Just pick up your free passes for Museum Month at any one of 80-plus libraries around the county and start exploring San Diego's incredible wealth of historic sites, gardens, zoos/aquariums and much more!
When: February-March
Part of the Women's Tennis Association 500 series of tournaments, the Cymbiotika San Diego Open draws many of the top players on the planet to San Diego for a full week of rousing tennis action, and offers programming aimed to educate, inspire and empower girls and women.
When: February-May
Excitement for women's professional volleyball is spiking in San Diego with the debut of the Mojo, a Pro Volleyball Federation club owned by Olympian and beach-volleyball star Kerri Walsh Jennings. Home court is Viejas Arena on the San Diego State University campus.
When: March
San Diego's beautiful Snapdragon Stadium hosts the final of the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, one of the premier global events in women's soccer.
When: Regular season March-September
The Padres, San Diego's Major League Baseball club since 1969, are a huge part of the city's history and identity. They also are a superstar-packed team with a beautiful home base: Petco Park, deemed the best MLB ballpark in the nation by USA Today.
When: Regular season March-October
An expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League, the San Diego Wave Futbol Club plays its home games at Snapdragon Stadium and is already among the league's most competitive sides.
When: March/April
A San Diego tradition since 1973, the Crew Classic brings top rowing teams from universities, high schools and clubs to the waters of Mission Bay for one of the nation's most renowned regattas.
When: March
Spring brings the year's first edition of the twice-annual Restaurant Week, a San Diego culinary celebration that spotlights delicious creations at more than 100 local restaurants.
When: April
The art of exquisite automotive design gets a world-class showcase against the breathtaking setting of La Jolla Cove with the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance, featuring 170-plus classic vehicles on display.
When: April
Creativity takes center stage with ArtWalk, a showcase for visual and performing arts that takes over the streets of Little Italy for a lively two-day happening.
When: May
The sprawling Wonderfront fest unfolds along San Diego's sparkling Embarcadero with top musical headliners for three days of tunes, food and fun.
When: May
Step into Southwest Louisiana for a day (or four) with Gator by the Bay, a celebration of all things Cajun and Creole, from gumbo to beignets to zydeco tunes.
When: June/July
San Diego's annual county fair is the largest in California, offering a huge range of food, entertainment, exhibits, rides and games throughout the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in the oceanfront community of Del Mar.
When: June-September
Summer brings a breathtaking sight to San Diego’s offshore waters: Pods of blue whales — the world’s largest animal — passing through on their way to North Pacific feeding grounds.
When: June-October
Top names in pop music and more converge on the San Diego Symphony’s stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park come summertime for an exciting series of outdoor concerts alongside.
When: July 4
Celebrate Independence Day in San Diego with the spectacular Big Bay Boom, the largest fireworks display in Southern California.
When: July
Comic-Con is the yearly epicenter of pop culture in the United States, attracting tens of thousands of artists, celebrities and fans to the San Diego Convention Center for an epic celebration of creativity.
When: July
A joyous summer celebration, San Diego Pride takes in a popular parade, a vibrant festival, music and much more, all centered in the historic community of Hillcrest.
When: July-September
The famous track where "the turf meets the surf" hosts its renowned summer meet, featuring some of the top Thoroughbred racehorses in the nation.
When: September
The thunderboats of the World Series of Powerboat Racing hit the waters of Mission Bay for Bayfair, a beloved fall classic.
When: September
Waterfront Park along San Diego's sparkling Embarcadero hosts the CRSSD Festival, a two-day celebration of electronic music and more.
When: September
San Diego Restaurant Week is back to kick off your fall with food, fun and memories, showcasing scores of top local restaurants.
When: September
Experience an amazing lineup of more than 100 military and civilian aeronautical performers, including the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels, during this three-day event, the largest military air show in the United States.
When: September
The sprawling KAABOO Music Festival returns to Del Mar with big-name musical performers and much more.
When: October
San Diego is paradise for families in October, with free admission, meals and more for kids at dozens of great places around town all month long during Kids Free San Diego!
When: October
Things get weirdly wonderful in San Diego when October rolls around, with ghostly tours, spooky happenings and lots of Halloween fun at the region's world-class attractions and more.
When: October
Witness the power of film with the San Diego International Film Festival, a multi-day happening that includes screenings, parties, networking events and celebrity appearances.
When: October
A nearly weeklong, culinary-fueled experience, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival brings a wealth of beverages and bites to the beautiful Surf Sports Park in coastal North County.
San Diego Beer Week is a 10-day celebration saluting local craft beer and promoting San Diego's thriving brewing culture, with multiple events happening across the county.
When: October/November
Fall in San Diego brings the distinctive and colorful traditions of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a multi-day commemoration of those who have passed on.
When: November
Sailboats and sandy beaches serve as backdrop to the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, which brings together hundreds of domestic and international wineries, craft brewers, culinary legends and more on the stunning Embarcadero.
When: November
One of the signature events in international horse racing, the Breeders' Cup returns to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for a much-watched series of Grade I Thoroughbred races.
When: November-December
When fall arrives, the Del Mar Racetrack offers four weeks of elite Thoroughbred racing, fun events and musical performances to keep the good times rolling during the track's Bing Crosby Season.
Holidays
When: November
The Thanksgiving season is a great time to be in San Diego, with typically sunny weather and plenty of ways to celebrate, from apple-picking in the local mountains to enjoying wide-open sandy beaches.
When: November
Showcasing college basketball at its finest, the Rady Invitational brings top squads to UC San Diego's LionTree Arena for two days of exciting hoops action.
When: December
Activate holiday mode and turn up the good cheer with a winter trip to San Diego. Enjoy warm weather and good vibes at special San Diego-style holiday events, from beachside ice skating to an illuminated boat parade on San Diego Bay to the festive December Nights celebration in Balboa Park.
When: December
Don't miss America's Finest Bowl Experience! The Holiday Bowl annually showcases a thrilling matchup between some of college football's most competitive teams.
When: December
From grand and glamorous to intimate and romantic to family-friendly, there is a New Year's Eve event in San Diego just for you!
For more events, please see our San Diego Calendar of Events.
