Major Events

The Swoop Freestyle FAI World Championships 2018 marks the second year of the innovative and multi-award-winning international sports event, and this year’s series will culminate with a final stop in San Diego’s Embarcadero Marina Park on Sept. 14-15, 2018, as 18 of the world’s elite in the sport will be showcasing highly demanding freestyle moves. Ultimately, the World Champion will be crowned. Spectators will witness firsthand the adrenaline-fueled spectacle, promising a weekend of entertainment suitable for the whole family.

Held at the seaside Del Mar Fairgrounds during Sept. 14-16, 2018, KAABOO features performances on seven stages by more than 100 musical acts including Halsey, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Foo Fighters and more. The festival also includes a dedicated comedy stage, featuring acclaimed comedians Nick Offerman and Iliza Schlesinger, food and beverages from local and celebrity chefs, craft breweries and local wineries and an extensive arts village.

The 24^th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer takes place Sept. 22, 2018, along San Diego’s downtown bayfront at The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. More than 60 breweries serve up samples and tastings of 120 brews alongside live musical performances, vendors and food.

On Sept. 29-30, 2018, CRSSD returns to downtown’s Waterfront Park on San Diego Bay. An electronic music festival that launched in spring 2015, CRSSD features more than 40 top acts; previous performers have included Mike Snow, Jai Wolf and Felix Da Housecat among others. Performers will appear on three stages during this ticketed, paid-admission event for attendees 21 years and older. Craft beer, mixed drinks, local food and a VIP area will be available.

On Oct. 6-7, 2018, the 10th annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival returns with two days of art, fine wine and live entertainment in the heart of La Jolla. This free, family friendly celebration boasts a footprint of over half a mile and an expansive collection of more than 150 incredible juried artists from around the globe. The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival features something for everyone, from dazzling roving entertainment to a gourmet marketplace serving scrumptious bites, a free family art center, silent auction and more.

For the fourth year running, Balboa Park plays host to San Diego Maker Faire on Oct. 6-7, 2018. Part high-tech science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and so much more.

The Spanish Landing West at Waterfront Park will play host to ZIGZAG Art Park, a sand sculpture park with immersive festival activities for adults, from Oct. 7 – Nov. 3, 2018. Multi-sensory scheduled activities include a World Zombie Day event, Alien Invasion event, body art painting, body suspension, and Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations.

The San Diego Int’l Film Festival returns Oct. 10-14, 2018 to downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter and ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla. Now in its 17^th year, the festival will feature more than 100 screenings showcasing some of the best in American and international full-length features, documentaries and shorts. Additional activities include Q&A sessions with directors, workshops, panel discussions, guest appearances by film and video artists and more.

From Oct. 18-21, 2018, Art San Diego, a contemporary art show held at the Wyland Center in the Del Mar Fairgrounds, will celebrate its 10^th anniversary with a showcase of international artists and galleries. The 2018 show's theme is ALLURE, highlighting the power of contemporary and modern art to captivate, seduce, and charm buyers, collectors, and dealers. The four-day fine art experience features a wide array of media on display, including paintings, photography, sculpture and glassworks, and special programming including music and entertainment for guests. Since its inception in 2009, Art San Diego has become one of the leading cultural events in Southern California.

During Oct. 18-21, 2018, professional sailors take to San Diego Bay aboard a fleet of hydro-foiling GC32 catamarans capable of reaching speeds of up to 39 knots for the Extreme Sailing Series. San Diego serves as the penultimate race stop and is the only U.S. destination featured in this international racing series.

The popular “Kids Free San Diego” promotion returns for its 7^th year this October. Major San Diego attractions including SeaWorld San Diego, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park 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 100 offers throughout San Diego County.

The 41^st 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 ever 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 double-header.