The 10 Best Summer Festivals In Southern California

The season of summer festivals is upon us in Southern California.

Summer doesn't actually start until Sunday, June 21, when the summer solstice occurs. But Memorial Day Weekend, unofficially the start of summer, pulls people out of their daily routines, and for the next few months, it's game on for shared art, food, music and heritage.

Here are SoCal events to get on the summer fun calendar:

Day Trip Festival

• When: June 27-28
• Where: Long Beach
• What: The two-day festival will feature house and techno music.

Hard Summer Music Festival

• When: Aug. 1-2
• Where: Hollywood Park, Inglewood
• What: The two-day music festival will feature a mix of electronic dance music, techno and hip-hop music.

Into the Horizon Music Festival

• When: June 27-28
• Where: Waterfront Park, San Diego
• What: This two-day music festival will feature multiple stages and electronic music.

Lost In Dreams Festival

• When: July 11-12
• Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park, Los Angeles
• What: The electronic music festival will feature a lineup of future bass, melodic dubstep, and vocal-driven dance music.

Main Street Summer Soulstice

• When: June 20
• Where:Main Street, Santa Monica
• What: The event will feature live music, kid-friendly activities, vendors and more.

San Diego Brew Festival

• When: Aug. 8
• Where: NTC Park, San Diego
• What: The 15th annual festival will feature more than 70 breweries, 200 beers, 10 food trucks, as well as cover bands and lawn games.

San Diego Summer Arts, Crafts and Food Market Fest

• When: June 12-14
• Where: 2688 E Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
• What: The free festival will offer a wide variety of handmade creations, artwork and crafts from local artisans and makers.

Scoop Ice Cream Festival

• When: June 28
• Where: 30th Street and North Park Way, San Diego
• What: The eighth annual festival will bring together more than 30 local ice cream, gelato, paleta and frozen treat makers for an afternoon of sampling, family-friendly fun and giving back.

Summer Arts Fest

• When: June 13
• Where: North Promenade, Liberty Station, San Diego
• What: This one-day festival will feature in-studio workshops, live painting demonstrations, and a curated art market featuring local artists.

The Venice Fest

• When: June 20
• Where: Venice Boulevard, Mar Vista, Los Angeles
• What: The one-day festival will transform the neighborhood into a multi-block open-air experience featuring multiple music stages, curated food offerings, a VIP social garden, a kids and family zone, wellness programming and more.

Are you planning an event this spring or summer? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!