Major Events

Maritime Museum of San Diego, home to one of the world’s finest collections of vintage vessels, will sail the historic Star of India on Nov. 17-18, 2018, for the first time in five years. Built in 1863, Star of India is the world’s oldest active sailing ship and has circumnavigated the globe 21 times. The museum will be offering “companion sails” alongside Star of India aboard three legendary sailing vessels. Guests can reserve tickets aboard Californian, the official tall ship of the state, San Salvador, the 1542 Spanish galleon replica built in San Diego, or America, a replica of the historic yacht that won the America’s Cup in 1851. Tickets are $249 per person and include breakfast, lunch, drinks and champagne, as well as an on-board historian. Space is limited.

Nov. 2-11, 2018, marks the 10^th anniversary of San Diego Beer Week, bringing together craft brewers for events both large and intimate to celebrate local suds. From a kick-off Brewer’s Guild Festival featuring more than 60 independent breweries to a VIP beer-centered cruise on San Diego Bay to the exclusive culinary closing event at the Lodge at Torrey Pines featuring 14 chefs and decadent food and beer pairings, Beer Week celebrates San Diego as the Capital of Craft for 10 days of tasting opportunities throughout the county.

On Dec. 7-8, 2018, Balboa Park December Nights celebrates the holiday season as the largest free community festival in San Diego. The event offers foods and crafts from around the world for sale, free music and dance performances, and free admission to Balboa Park's diverse museums.

On Dec. 9 and 16, 2018, the Port of San Diego hosts a free San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This colorfully unique San Diego holiday tradition features more than 100 private boats decorated with holiday lights, sailing along the waters of San Diego Bay.

The annual San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl will be played at SDCCU Stadium on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at 4 p.m., marking the first time the San Diego bowl game has been played on New Year’s Eve. The game will feature powerhouse teams from the Pac-12 Conference and the Big Ten Conference and will be featured as the anchor event of FOX Sports’ New Year’s Eve bowl game coverage. The Big Bay Balloon Parade along downtown San Diego's waterfront will be held the morning of the game.

During Jan. 20-27, 2019, more than 180 of San Diego's finest restaurants participate in a celebration of the local dining scene with special prix fixed menus for San Diego Restaurant Week.

On Jan. 24-27, 2019, the Farmers Insurance Open annual PGA Tour men’s tournament hosts golf’s biggest stars on the green at the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2021 U.S. Open.

After successfully hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the first time in 2017, the prestigious horse race  returns to San Diego’s Del Mar Thoroughbred Club again in 2021. The championship will be held in Santa Anita Park in 2019, Keeneland in 2020 and Del Mar in 2021.