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Awesome Autumn Activities

Festivals, Fleet Week, parades and more

When autumn arrives and the summer beach crowds subside, visitors to San Diego can revel in the region's sunny, mild weather and enjoy a bounty of fun-filled fall activities to enhance a vacation getaway. Discover a wealth of annual festivals, fairs and diverse cultural entertainment during San Diego’s shoulder season!

This page is updated as soon as event details are available. Events are subject to change or cancellation, so please check with event organizers for the most up-to-date information.

Festivals, Parades and More

When autumn arrives and the summer beach crowds diminish, visitors to San Diego can relish in the region's sunny mild weather and enjoy a number of fun-filled fall activities to enhance their vacation getaway. During San Diego's shoulder season, visitors can find a variety of annual festivals, fairs and diverse cultural entertainment.

CRSSD Festival

September

Beachside Fall Fest

When: September 9 - October 31, 2022
The magic of the season will transform the 97-year-old seaside Belmont Park into a vibrant taste of fall! Get into the festive spirit with FREE Trick-or-Treating every Sunday in October, live acoustic performances and festive beer garden Friday nights, specialty treats from your favorite stops, iconic rides and attractions and MORE!

San Diego Blues Festival

When: September 10, 2022
This must-attend event for blues fans returns in-person at 100% capacity with the 2022 lineup featuring returning headliner Billy F Gibbons with amazing national and local acts including: Southern Avenue, Phantom Blues Band with Curtis Salgado, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Eddie 9v, Memphissippi Sounds, Ben Powell and the Taryn Donath Duo. 

San Diego Festival of the Arts

When: September 10-11, 2022
The 35th annual San Diego Festival of the Arts is a juried festival showcasing the painting, sculpture, photography, glass, jewelry, ceramics, wood, fiber, and mixed media art from nearly 150 world-renowned artists.

Oceanside Harbor Days

When: September 18-19, 2022
Two event filled days of sun, sand, and surf provide an outstanding opportunity for residents and neighbors to experience fun activities such as a costume party for kids 12 and under (accompanied by parents) at Capt'n Junebug's Kids Zone where they'll meet local pirates and mermaids.

MCAS Miramar Air Show

When: September 23-25, 2022
See the Marine Corps' F-35B demonstration, the unique Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration, the Air Force's F-22 Raptor demonstration team, Aaron Fitzgerald flying the Red Bull Helicopter, a 5G Technology Expo and much more.

San Diego Spirits Festival

When: September 24-25, 2022
It's a Cocktail Extravaganza with THIRTEEN years of exhilarating entertainment! Its beginning to look a lot like cocktails at the 13th San Diego Spirits Festival we promise to open your eyes to new and unique cocktails, introduce you to great liquor purveyors and talented mixologists.

Adams Avenue Street Fair

When: September 24-25, 2022
Adams Avenue Street Fair is SoCal's largest free two-day music festival held each year during the last weekend in September in the community of Normal Heights.

CRSSD Festival

When: September 24-25, 2022
CRSSD Festival is a two-day electronic music festival at the 12-acre San Diego Waterfront Park featuring three stages and 36+ performers. In addition to the music, the festival will offer craft beer, mixed drinks, food, and more.

Gaslight Steampunk Expo

When: September 29 - October 2, 2022
Gaslight Steampunk Expo is an three and a half day event held annually in San Diego, California by a group of dedicated enthusiasts and volunteers who have a passion for science fiction, the Victorian era, Maker ingenuity, and a flair for costumes.

SDIFF

October

Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

When: October 1-31, 2022
Come and join in all the autumn festive fun as the San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrates the season of color with special activities, entertainment, and culinary comforts.

Pacific Beachfest

When: October 1, 2022
Pacific BeachFest has something for everyone including a fish taco contest, beach volleyball, craft beer, 5K run, kids activities and music!

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show

When: October 7-9, 2022
Each Harvest Festival features hundreds of artisans exhibiting American handmade items, strolling entertainment, festival food and a Kidzone. 

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

When: October 8-9, 2022
Just steps from the beautiful Pacific Ocean on Girard Avenue, bask in beautiful San Diego sun while meandering through over 150 handpicked artist booths, for a weekend of fine art, along with delectable wines, craft beers, scrumptious food, and live music.

Blended Festival

When: October 8-9, 2022
The country’s fastest-growing music, food, and wine event! This two-day social experience delivers live music, culinary stations, full bars, and unique activations.

Taste of North Park

When: October 9, 2022
Take a self guided tour of North Park and sample food from over 35 restaurants and sip beverages from over 12 breweries.

San Diego Italian Film Festival

When: October 12-22, 2022
The San Diego Italian Film Festival showcases the best of new Italian film with a series of premieres ranging from dramas and comedies to documentaries.

San Diego Filipino Film Festival

When: October 13-18, 2022
SDFFF aims to not only be a platform to amplify Filipinx visions, voices and stories but also foster new interest in filmmaking and cinema as art throughout the local and global Filipinx community.

San Diego International Film Festival

When: October 19-23, 2022
SDiFF offers world premieres, never before seen studio releases, the best in independent filmmaking and a full schedule of glamorous parties and intimate events with filmmakers.  

Great Pumpkin Beer Festival

When: October 22, 2022
For one day only, the streets of Downtown San Diego will be transformed into a gourd-geous mecca of all things nonsensical as misfits unite to celebrate brews, boos and beats.

San Diego Veteran's Day Parade

November

Fleet Week San Diego

When: November 1-13, 2022
Fleet Week San Diego honors and celebrates the men and women of the military through events that entertain and alliances that thank and support these heroes.

Carlsbad Fall Village Faire

When: November 6, 2022
Take in the beauty of the seaside city while browsing through unique booths, indulging in delectable eats and enjoying family entertainment at the Carlsbad Village Faire.

San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

When: November 9-13, 2022
Featuring dozens of events, hundreds of domestic and international wineries, the celebration of craft beer and spirits, local culinary legends and nationally recognized celebrities, and a Grand Tasting Finale on the stunning Embarcadero.

Coronado Island Film Festival

When: November 9-13, 2022
The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) cordially invites makers and lovers of film everywhere to join us in this unique historic seaside village.

Veterans Day

When: November 11, 2022
Take the time to honor and thank those who have served in the United States armed forces at one of the many Veterans Day events, parades, memorials and museums throughout San Diego.

Wonderfront Festival

When: November 18-20, 2022
A highly-anticipated 7+ stage, 80+ bands, 3-day music, culinary and arts festival will descend upon the stunning waterfront of downtown San Diego all along the Embarcadero.

Encinitas Holiday Street Fair

When: November 20, 2022
In the Holiday Street Fair, continuous since 1989, children’s rides, two stages of live entertainment and food and drink refreshments provide an attractive setting for the public and a great boon to our vendors. 

Jazz Fest and Swing Extravaganza

When: November 23-27, 2022
Since 1980, this event has been held during Thanksgiving weekend in San Diego, California, and features a variety of musical artists performing traditional jazz, swing, blues, ragtime, boogie woogie, gospel, and rhythm and blues.

*Please note, events are subject to change and cancellation. Please confirm the event information by visiting the event website.

Fall Fun and Excitement in San Diego

When autumn arrives, a crisp soothing breeze sweeps over San Diego complementing the region's warm temperatures and welcoming vibe.

Make San Diego your awesome autumn escape and activate smile mode with a variety of festivals, haunting Halloween celebrations, plenty of outdoor activities, and diverse cultural entertainment.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Fall Fun and Sun

What's On|

2023 San Diego County Fair

Jun 7 - Jul 4, 2023

Adventure awaits at the 2023 San Diego County Fair – "Get Out There!" to explore the great outdoors and get s'more of what life has to offer Wednesday, June 7 through Tuesday, July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Scout out Best-of-Show winners in the Fair's competitive exhibitions. Reach new heights as you spin upside-down in the FunZone. Hike around San Diego Grown to learn all about local agriculture from food to fiber to flowers. Be prepared for an unsurpassed line-up of entertainment on the fair's featured stages. Summer camp has never been so much fun!

All Fair Admission & Parking tickets must be purchased online in advance.

To better serve Fair guests, the San Diego County Fair is moving to a cashless payment experience. Cashless payments are safer and faster, too–avoid wait times at the gate and spend more time enjoying the Fair!

Discover

Uncorked Wine Festival

Aug 19, 2023

Ladies grab your hats and gents pull out your bow ties and savor all that Uncorked has to offer.

Sample from over 100 wines and champagnes from around the globe, plus enjoy top local food trucks and music all while trackside watching the races from the Stretch Run.

Discover

The Spirit of the Fourth

Jul 4, 2023

The board of Rancho Bernardo’s Spirit of the Fourth has decided to proceed with all our usual July 4th events for 2023.

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Tiki Oasis - Trip to the Tropics

Aug 2 - Aug 6, 2023

Tiki Oasis is the original and largest Tiki event in the world. The weekend Marketplace and art show is FREE and open to the public. Visit the website for more info.

Discover

What's On

View All

2023 San Diego County Fair

Jun 7 - Jul 4, 2023
Discover

Uncorked Wine Festival

Aug 19, 2023
Discover

The Spirit of the Fourth

Jul 4, 2023
Discover

Tiki Oasis - Trip to the Tropics

Aug 2 - Aug 6, 2023
Discover

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