Major Events

The San Diego County Fair, the largest annual event in the county, takes place June 1–July 4, 2018, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. With this year’s theme, “How Sweet It Is,” guests will feel like kids in a candy store, featuring candy-themed décor and sweet treats to indulge in at every turn. The fair features top performing artists and popular attractions like the International Beer Festival, deep-fried food novelties, livestock exhibits, home and hobby displays, woodworking and an award-winning flower show. The fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in June, but remains open Monday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 3.

San Diego celebrates Independence Day with a variety of Fourth of July celebrations throughout the county. Coronado's popular Independence Day Celebration features a two-hour parade followed by a family concert in Spreckels Park and spectacular fireworks over Glorietta Bay. The Port of San Diego celebrates with its Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza over San Diego Bay, the largest fireworks display in the county. LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad celebrates July 4th with Red, White and BOOM! Special family activities are available throughout the day, including a NEW patriotic costume parade kicking off this year, with the fireworks starting at 8:30 p.m.

During the weekends of July 14 and 21, Fiesta Island on Mission Bay plays host to the annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament. A San Diego original celebrating its 65th anniversary, this boisterous, rowdy, fast-paced beach softball tradition is played by adults ages 21 to 80-plus.

On July 25, 2018, San Diego’s SDCCU stadium is hosting an International Champions Cup game that brings together two of the best soccer clubs in the world, Italy’s AS Roma vs. England’s Tottenham Hotspur. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m., is part of an 18-team event spread across six countries and three continents that features most of the planet’s top pro clubs.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is again planning two racing seasons in 2018: the traditional summer season kicks off with the annual hat contest on opening day of the season, July 18 and runs through Sept. 3. The summer meet will offer racing Wed.-Sun. with an additional race day on Labor Day.

Residents and visitors alike celebrate with pride during the annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, July 14 and 15, 2018. The second largest event of its kind on the West Coast, San Diego’s Pride Festival includes a mile-long parade through Hillcrest and two-day music festival in Balboa Park. The celebration begins the evening of July 13 with a Spirit of Stonewall Rally.

On July 28, 2018, dozens of dogs take to the waves during the annual Surf Dog Competition in Imperial Beach. Visitors can take in the fun as more than 60 dogs compete in surfing and paddle boarding challenges. The family friendly event raises funds for the San Diego Humane Society.

During July 19-22, 2018, San Diego becomes the center of the pop culture universe during Comic-Con International, America’s longest continuously-run comics and popular arts convention.

On Aug. 8-12, 2018, the largest and longest-running tiki gathering in the world, Tiki Oasis, returns to Mission Valley. Each year, about 3,500 attendees enjoy a tiki-tastic art and fashion marketplace, live tropical-jazz music, go-go dancers, a classic car show, pool parties and more. This year’s theme is “South Seas Cinema,” and the event has been extended an extra day, now starting on Wednesday.

During Aug. 31–Sept. 4, 2018, more than 300 tons of sand will be carved and molded into beautiful sculptures for the annual U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition. Held at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal alongside San Diego Bay, the event features live entertainment, food trucks and unique experiences for kids.