Here are some ways to make the most of the final stretch of summer.
Aug 7, 2026 10:04 AM PDT | Updated Aug 7, 2026 10:28 AM PDT
School starts soon in Southern California, leaving little time to check off items from the summer bucket list.
Several events are coming up before SoCal students head back to class.
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Here are some ways to make the most of the final stretch of summer:
Cinespia
When: Through Sept. 12 Where: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles What: Hollywood Forever has teamed up with film organization Cinespia to produce outdoor classic film screenings this summer. CityFest
When: Aug. 9 Where: Hillcrest, San Diego What: The event features two stages of live music and DJs, local vendors, community booths, food and drinks, a wine garden, kids' zone and family activities. Classic Car Show
When: Aug. 22 Where: Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park & Mortuary, Costa Mesa What: The car show will feature a full parking lot of classic cars, hot rods and custom builds. Dine LA
When: Aug. 14-28 Where: Various locations, across Los Angeles County What: Enjoy two weeks of dining experiences across Los Angeles. Endless Summer Market
When: Aug. 15-16 Where: Ingram Plaza, San Diego What: The market will more than 120 local artists, makers and small businesses offering handmade goods. Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
When: Through Sept. 3 Where: Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach What: The festival features fine art, live entertainment and workshops. Pageant of the Masters is a famous outdoor production featuring living recreations of classic artworks. Fiesta Music Festival
When: Aug. 8 Where: Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente What: The festival features live music, food, an arts and crafts show, and a kids' zone. Knott's Summer Nights
When: Through Aug. 30 Where: Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park What: The theme park's summertime event features live music, summer food offerings, photo opportunities, interactive experiences and family-friendly games. Lego Festival
When: Through Aug. 30 Where: Legoland California Resort, Carlsbad What: The festival features interactive play zones, live entertainment and hands-on building activities to the theme park. This year's festival features Music, Creative, Chill-Out, Thrill and Play zones. Lemon Festival
When: Aug. 15 Where: Third Avenue, Downtown Chula Vista What: The festival will offer two stages of live music, a kids zone, arts and crafts vendors, and food options. Margaritaville Run
When: Aug. 8 Where: Downtown San Diego What: The inaugural event will feature live music, costumes, photo opportunities and a post-race expo and beer garden for participants 21 and older. Nighttime Zoo
When: Through Aug. 9 Where: San Diego Zoo, San Diego What: During Nighttime Zoo, the San Diego Zoo is open until 8 p.m. The event features live music, entertainment and wildlife. OC Fair
When: July 17-Aug. 16 Where: OC Fair and Event Center, Costa Mesa What: The fair will feature headline concerts, exhibits, carnival rides and food vendors. RiverFest
When: Aug. 9 Where: LA State Historic Park, Los Angeles What: The open-air environmental arts and community festival celebrated the culture, history and people that shape the LA River. Rooftop Screenings
When: Aug. 14, Aug. 21 Where: The Montalbán, Los Angeles What: Watch iconic films under the stars. See "The Big Lebowski" on Aug. 14 and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" on Aug. 21. 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. Sawdust Art Festival
When: Through Sept. 6 Where: Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach What: The festival features handmade works by local artists, live music, and interactive craft workshops Sesame Summer Splash
When: Through Sept. 7 Where: Sesame Place San Diego, Chula Vista What: The theme park offers over 18 rides and attractions, live entertainment and more. Star Party at the Monument
When: Aug. 8 Where: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Palm Desert What: Join members of the Astronomical Society of the Desert for sky tours and direct observations of the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. Summer Spectacular
When: Through Sept. 7 Where: Bayside Amphitheater, SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego What: The theme park's Summer Spectacular features an all‑new summer drone show, Ocean of Dreams, as well as evening entertainment. Summer Spectacular Concert Series
When: Every Saturday night through Aug. 29 Where: SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego What: The remaining SeaWorld Summer Spectacular Concert series lineup includes Too $hort & Warren G, Saliva, Uncle Kracker and Skillet. Tiki Oasis
When: Through Aug. 9 Where: Catamaran Resort Hotel and Town and Country Resort, San Diego What: The five-night, four-day event includes a concert, tropical cocktails, sunset luau dinner, fashion parades, seminars and marketplace. Turf & Surf Festival
When: Aug. 8 Where: Seaside Cabana, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar What: Enjoy fresh Maine lobster at the inaugural Turf & Surf Festival. Are you planning an event yet this summer or fall? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!