Major Events

The popular “Kids Free San Diego” promotion returns for its 8th year this October. Major San Diego attractions including SeaWorld San Diego, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and LEGOLAND California Resort, along with more than 30 area museums will offer free admission to kids throughout the month. In addition to free attraction admission, many local hotels and restaurants offer specials throughout October, adding up to more than 130 offers throughout San Diego County.

Hailed as the “Best U.S. Labor Day Event” by CNN Travel, the Port of San Diego’s U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge returns Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2019, to Broadway Pier on San Diego Bay. The pier will be transformed into a giant sandbox with more than 300 tons of sand for 12 Master Class Sculptors from around the world to create spectacular sand sculptures. An accompanying Dimensional Art Exhibition showcases more than 2,000 original works of art including handmade clothing, wall art and jewelry available for purchase.

Held Sept. 13-19, 2019, at the seaside Del Mar Fairgrounds, KAABOO features performances on six stages by more than 60 musical acts including Snoop Dog, Wu-Tang Clan, Kings of Leon, Duran Duran and more. The festival, which draws an estimated 40,000 attendees each year, also includes a dedicated comedy stage featuring acclaimed comedians Tig Notaro and Bob Saget, plus VIP amenities, food from local and celebrity chefs, craft breweries, local wineries and an extensive arts village.

Now in its 5th year, CRSSD Festival, the two-day electronic music and dance fete in San Diego’s Waterfront Park, will return Sept. 28-29, 2019, with performances by Portugal.The Man, Hot Chip, FISHER and more. The twice-a-year extravaganza has previously garnered a daily audience of 15,000 visitors who are undoubtedly drawn by the 21-and-up festival’s craft beer and cocktails, gourmet food, sunsets on the bay, headlining musical acts and DJs performing on three outdoor stages just steps from the water.

San Diego’s culinary community celebrates the 15th Annual San Diego Restaurant Week during Sept. 22-29, 2019. More than 180 of the region’s top restaurants offer prix-fixe, three-course lunch menus at just $10, $15 and $20 or dinner menus at $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person, allowing visitors to sample the signature and diverse cuisines that make San Diego’s dining scene one of the region’s top attractions.

San Diego plays host to Olympic-level weightlifting as USA Weightlifting hosts the IWF Masters World Cup and San Diego Open, a bronze-level qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The event occurs Oct. 3-6, 2019, at the Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley.

La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls Festival(WoW), a ground-breaking, site-specific theater series, returns Oct. 17-20, 2019. This is the first year that the biennial WoW will be held at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station, in partnership with the NTC Foundation. Like previous WoW Festivals, the 2019 event will showcase multiple performances by acclaimed local, national and international artists, along with a selection of family friendly offerings occurring simultaneously throughout the weekend.

San Diego Beer Week returns Nov. 1-10, 2019, for a 10-day celebration of local craft beer and San Diego's thriving brewing culture. The annual event serves as a showcase for San Diego’s breweries, restaurants and pubs. Festivities kick off with a Brewers Guild Festival featuring more than 50 breweries, and conclude with The Beer Garden, a gourmet beer and food pairing event held at the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.

Wonderfront, a new music and arts festival, will debut on Nov. 22-24, 2019, on San Diego Bay. The first annual event plans to integrate the festival into the city’s vibrant waterfront, including ferry and yacht tours of the bay and after-parties in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. Anticipating 70 artists on seven stages, the music lineup will feature new breakout artists as well as career bands including rock, indie, hip hop, rap, EDM, adult alternative, reggae, Americana and Latin artists. Wonderfront will be a celebration of San Diego’s arts, culture and beach lifestyle. Concert-goers are invited to participate in water activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, taking a jet boat ride or playing on the beach.