Major Events

During Feb. 13-23, 2020, nearly 40 San Diego performing arts organizations will participate in the fourth annual San Diego Theatre Week. This celebration of dramatic arts will offer a variety of promotions including special performances, ticket discounts, concession offers, cast talkbacks and more.

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California open March 1, 2020, and feature 80 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers on coastal farmland overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The fields have theme gardens, fresh strawberries, antique tractor wagon rides, a sweet pea maze and picnic areas, and special events and activities are organized throughout its 10-week season. Events are free with admission and include a kids’ day, wine tasting, yoga, arts and crafts, photography workshop, and Mother’s Day celebration. Concert days include bands playing jazz, bluegrass, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

On March 7-8, 2020, downtown’s scenic Waterfront Park on San Diego Bay will host the twice yearly CRSSD Fest, an electronic music festival featuring top acts like ODESZA, Phantogram, Maetrik, The Martinez Brothers, and Justin Martin & Friends on three stages during this ticketed, paid-admission event for attendees aged 21 and older. Craft beer, mixed drinks, local food and a VIP area will also be available.

San Diego shamROCK will paint downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter green with San Diego’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day block party. Drawing more than 20,000 attendees, this annual celebration on March 14, 2020, is produced by and benefits the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. Six city blocks are covered with over 50,000 square feet of emerald green AstroTurf where guests can watch performances by traditional Irish steppers along with three stages of live music including nationally recognized Irish rock and Celtic bands. Tickets to the age 21+ event start at $39.

A new festival celebrating Champagne and sparkling wine, BBLS debuts March 13-14, 2020, at the new JULEP event venue in downtown San Diego. The festival includes tastings, educational sessions and a Champagne brunch. This new event is produced by the team behind the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival and will be an international showcase of the world’s most celebrated libation.

On April 11, 2020, San Diego hosts California’s first Spartan City obstacle course city competition. This all-new course is located at Spanish Landing Park, just a 10-minute drive from downtown. Competitors will dash across hard top paths and crush obstacles along North San Diego Bay for an intense 5K sprint that offers participants stunning city views.

Held April 17-19, 2020, at Scripps Park overlooking scenic La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance draws vintage car enthusiasts to the luxury seaside village of La Jolla. The sophisticated event includes a cocktail party, VIP Steam Punk party and the signature Concours d’Elegance car show.

Held April 25-26, 2020, the Mission Federal ArtWalk will celebrate its 36th year in the streets of Little Italy. Featuring more than 300 artists filling 17 square blocks of the iconic urban neighborhood with art, craftsmanship and beautiful goods, this annual event attracts artists from across the globe. The festival is a family-friendly opportunity to participate in interactive art installations and features live music and dance performances.

San Diego’s longest running LGBT Film Festival, FilmOut, is moving venues to Balboa Park for its 21st year. The San Diego Natural History Museum will host the opening night movie and after-party gala on April 30. The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) will screen a wide assortment of LGBTQ+ feature-length movies and collections of short films May 1-3, 2020.