Community Corner
Summer Fun Activity Guide: San Diego County 2018
Town-by town listings to best fairs, street festivals, concerts and events that the San Diego region has to offer.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – Ready for some hot fun in the summertime?
Fun events abound this summer in San Diego County for you and your family, and we compiled a list of top activities -- street fairs, festivals, the county fair, outdoor movies and concerts, art shows and more -- going on in your city and nearby.
Bookmark this page as a handy summer reference, as we will update over coming weeks.
Find out what's happening in La Jollafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Happy Summer, from Patch!
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Find out what's happening in La Jollafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
CARLSBAD:
AUG. 10: Museum Of Making Music Event - Herb Alpert & Lani Hall: San Diego. Great night to support the Carlsbad museum.
AUG. 12: 20th Anniversary Art In The Village . New this year are the Family Open Studios, a free art-making workshop, and Teen Art Pavilion.
AUG. 24-26: 15th Annual Music Festival. "Adventurous music by the beach."
SEPT. 22-23: Inaugural ArtWalk & Chalk On Asphalt. Fine art for sale alongside colorful chalk art.
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CHULA VISTA:
AUG. 18: Family-Friendly HarborFest 2018. "Free, family-friendly festival! Of course, it isn’t a summer celebration without amazing FOOD, DRINKS and MUSIC!"
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CORONADO:
AUG. 5, 19: Art In The Park. Features work from selected artists from SD County.
AUG. 26: Full Moon Group Paddle & S’mores. Great evening on the Bay
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DEL MAR/CARMEL VALLEY:
Through SEPT. 3: Horse Racing 'Where Surf Meets The Turf'. Even non-betters love the annual races!
AUG. 15: Day at the Races in a Celebrity Suite. Hosted by San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce.
SEPT. 14-16: KAABOO Del Mar 2018: Fairgrounds. Phenomenal line-up this year of performers, comedians and chefs.
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EL CAJON:
TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS: $1 Summer Movies 2018: Regal & Edwards Theaters. Cheap family fun!
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ENCINITAS:
AUG. 16, SEPT. 20: Cruise Nights & Music - Summer 2018: Downtown. Live tunes & classic cars.
AUG. 5 & 19: Sunday Summer Concert By The Sea 2018: Moonlight Beach. Great bands lined up!
AUG. 5: Summer Culinary Institute: Summer Citrus, Light and Fresh. Citrus salad and lavender-lemon cookies on the menu.
AUG. 6-17: Cooking Round the World Summer Camp. Two weekly sessions for ages 6-13.
AUG. 7: Taste of Encinitas 2018: Downtown. Get your tickets!
AUG. 12: Cardiff Dog Days Of Summer . Pet contests, food trucks & kids' activities.
SEPT. 8: Gala In The Garden 2018: San Diego Botanic Garden. "World-class food, wine and spirits served throughout the winding pathways of the Garden, while enjoying five musical groups and strolling entertainers."
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ESCONDIDO:
FRIDAYS: 'Cruisin’ Grand' - A signature, weekly event held on Grand Avenue.
AUG. 11, SEPT. 8: Free, Historic Walking Tour. A glimpse into history of early Escondido.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAYS through AUG. 8: $1 Summer Movie Express 2018: Regal Theatre. Inexpensive entertainment with the family!
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IMPERIAL BEACH:
JULY 28: Imperial Beach Surf Dog. "It's time for the most adorable surf event of the year."
SEPT. 1: Annual IB Arts & Crafts Expo - Food & Music. Enjoy the day at Veteran's Park.
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LA JOLLA:
AUG. 19, SEPT. 16, OCT. 21, : #SelfCareSunday Series: Estancia Hotel & Spa. Held among Estancia's lush gardens.
AUG. 3-24: Music Society's SummerFest. This is Cho-Liang “Jimmy” Lin’s final Festival as Music Director.
AUG. 19: Luau & Legends of Surfing Invitational. Outstanding event that benefits Moore's Cancer Center at US San Diego Health.
AUG. 25: Free Vegetarian Cooking Class for Kids. For ages 10-18.
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LA MESA:
THURSDAYS through AUG. 23: Classic Car Show & Music - Summer 2018. Great summer evening in the Village.
SUNDAYS THROUGH AUG. 19: StoryTent at Grossmont Center! Do your kids like reading? Prizes? Fun?
AUG. 18: Flick & Swim -Summer Family Event 2018: YMCA. Enjoy a movie & great family time.
AUG. 3 & SEPT. 28: Free Movie In the Park. Evening under the stars.
SEPT. 28-30: 45th Annual Oktoberfest & Kinder Karneval. Polka, bier garten, great food, dancing & Dachshund races!
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LAKESIDE:
AUG. 31-SEPT. 2: 48th Annual Barona Powwow. Fantastic weekend with free admission.
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LEMON GROVE:
THURSDAYS through AUG. 16: 2018 Free, Summer Concert Series. Diverse line-up every week.
AUG. 3: 'Coco' Free, Summer Movie In the Park. Food will be available for purchase.
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OCEANSIDE:
SATURDAYS: Trains for Kids: Heritage Park. Children operate model trains.
SEPT. 29: House Concerts. Great fun at Laurel House.
TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS JUNE 12-AUG. 8: $1 Summer Movie Express: Regal Theater. Great deal!
SEPT. 14: Free Concert In The Park. Pack a picnic dinner for a perfect summer evening.
AUG. 25: Movie By The Pier . Free, family night out.
AUG. 3, SEPT. 7: First Friday Art Walk: Downtown. "Vibrant arts, performances, music, poetry, activities, food, and fun for all ages, all free."
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POWAY:
JULY 29, AUG. 5, 12: Outdoor Summer Concert & Food Trucks. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy fine evening outdoors.
AUG. 4-5: Lake Poway Family Campout & Pancake Breakfast . Save your spot!
AUG. 4: Summer Movies in the Park: Cars 3. Great movie that the kids will love.
AUG. 18: Summer Movies in the Park: Robin Hood. Bring a blank and lawn chair.
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RAMONA:
JULY 28: National Day Of The Cowboy & Barn Dance. Chuckwagon food!
AUG. 23-26: Country Fair 2018. Rides, carnival games, delicious "only-at-the-fair-foods," plus fun activities and contests.
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RANCHO BERNARDO:
FRIDAYS: 'Sunset Artwalk' Food & Music: Bernardo Winery. Great start to every summer weekend!
SUNDAYS through SEPT. 23: Live Music On The Patio: Bernardo Winery. Great tunes on Sunday afternoons.
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SAN DIEGO:
AUG. 10: Museum Of Making Music Event - Herb Alpert & Lani Hall: San Diego. Great night to support the Carlsbad museum.
AUG. 11: Second Saturday Cinema. Spend evening under the stars at Liberty Station North Promenade.
SATURDAYS through AUG. 25: Little Italy Summer Film Festival. Great Italian cinema under the stars!
Through SEPT. 3: Nighttime Zoo 2018. After-dark live music, fun shows, and special animal encounters.
JULY 29: Tenth Annual Phil’s Big BBQ at the Ballpark. Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters’ military mentoring program, Operation Bigs.
AUG. 4: Free Marine Band Summer Concert 2018: Little Italy. Free, outdoor event!
AUG. 10: Annual Steel Beach Party & Beer Fest 2018: USS Midway. "A rockin’ summertime party."
AUG. 17-18: 6th Annual ¡Latin Food Fest! 2018. An amazing culinary festival.
AUG. 18: Annual 'TwainFest' 2018: Old Town State Historic Park. "FREE festival celebrating Mark Twain and the literature and culture of 19th Century America. ... Festive old-fashioned gathering at the park."
AUG. 19: Paws FUR Pink Tri.Du.One. Run, Yoga or Stand Up Paddle with your pup!
AUG. 31-SEPT. 3: US Sand Sculpting Challenge. World Master Sand Sculptors come from around the world to compete. A must-see!
SEPT. 20: Little Italy's State Of Neighborhood Community Dinner. A fabulous rooftop event. Space is limited, though, so get tickets soon!
SEPT. 22: Zoo Food, Wine & Brew Celebration. "This tasty night for wildlife benefits the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy."
SEPT. 23-30: Restaurant Week 2018: San Diego. Try out more than 180 eateries throughout the county at special pricing.
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SANTEE:
THURSDAYS JUNE to AUG: Summer Concert, Food Trucks & Kids' Fun. Stellar band line-up each week.
JULY 28: Concert At The Lakes 2018. Master of Ceremonies is radio personality Shotgun Tom Kelly.
AUG. 9: 'Wingstock' Music From 1969 - Summer Concert. Remember the summer of '69?
AUG. 10: Stars At Mission Trails Regional Park. "View the nighttime sky through telescopes."
SEPT. 15: Annual Bluegrass Festival. Tickets on sale.
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TAKING A ROAD TRIP? SEE:
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If we missed your city's or organization's summer events, please email details and links to susan.schena@patch.com.
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Images via Autumn Johnson, Birch Aquarium, Shutterstock, Shutterstock / Kyle Sprague
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