What's New and Exciting in San Diego for Summer 2026

San Diego is gearing up for Summer 2026 with a season full of can’t-miss moments, from major sporting events to top concerts and cultural experiences to standout dining. This summer, San Diego invites visitors to soak up the sunshine and the feel-good-energy and come to the bright side.  

NASCAR Comes to Town

The first-ever NASCAR San Diego Weekend will be held Father’s Day Weekend at Naval Base Coronado, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and of our nation. NASCAR San Diego will be three days of races headlined by the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series on June 21, along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In addition to being San Diego’s first NASCAR event, it will also be the first race to take place on a military base.
When: June 19-21, 2026

World Cup Soccer Preview

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Snapdragon Stadium will host “Countdown to ‘26” international soccer matches, in partnership with Sports San Diego, San Diego FC and Lions Sports & Media. The two matches will be Switzerland vs. Australia on June 6 and Colombia vs. Jordan on June 7. San Diego will also serve as basecamp for the national teams of Switzerland and New Zealand as they prepare for the World Cup this summer.
When: June 6-7, 2026

Rady Shell Season Unveiled

The San Diego Symphony has announced its 2026 Conrad Prebys Summer Season at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The iconic waterfront venue is home to the Symphony’s summer season and will feature performances by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, genre-spanning touring and guest artists, blockbuster films in concert and more. The summer season officially kicks off with a performance led by SDSO Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare.
When: Starting June 26, 2026

SummerFest Returns to La Jolla

La Jolla Music Society is preparing to celebrate the 40th annual SummerFest. This renowned chamber music festival brings the greatest classical musicians and more from around the world to The Conrad in La Jolla for four weeks of concerts planned by Music Director and acclaimed concert pianist Inon Barnatan. SummerFest 2026 takes on the theme “Making History.”
When: July 31 to Aug. 29, 2026

Opera Premiere at the Balboa Theatre

San Diego Opera presents the Southern California premiere of "Fellow Travelers," set to debut at the Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego. Based on Thomas Mallon’s novel, the opera follows two men as they navigate a secret, heated romance amid political paranoia and fear in the McCarthy Era. The debut coincides with San Diego Pride Month.
When: July 31 to Aug. 29, 2026 

Mingei opens 'To Catch a Fish"

On view at the Mingei International Museum, "To Catch a Fish" explores the global relationship between people and the sea through more than 60 works of craft and art — from handwoven fishing tools to ceremonial objects and contemporary works, including pieces by Indigenous artist Marianne Nicolson. Elevating the experience, the museum’s Michelin-recognized, award-winning restaurant ARTIFACT will host a special edition of its ARTIFACT at Night dinner series on May 21, inspired by coastal cuisines and seafood traditions from around the world.
When: May 2 to Nov. 1, 2026

USS Midway exhibition tells POWs' story

A new exhibition at the USS Midway Museum tells the story of the Midway 11, USS Midway aviators who were captured during the Vietnam War and endured captivity as prisoners of war in North Vietnam. Through personal accounts and historic artifacts, "Captive Warriors: The Story of the Midway 11" honors their resilience and their return home with honor in 1973.
When: Summer 2026

A New Home for SeaWorld's Sharks

SeaWorld San Diego has announced that the much-anticipated, newly re-envisioned Shark Encounter exhibit will open May 22. Park guests can get a more immersive, up-close view of the new shark species. At the surface level, guests can observe sharks from above while discovering fun and informative facts. Educational signage and photo opportunities provide insights into shark behavior, habitats, and conservation. As visitors move deeper into the winding exhibit, the environment transforms into a breathtaking underwater perspective where sharks glide overhead.
When: Opens May 22

Another new addition is coming to SeaWorld San Diego this summer: a nightly drone show lasting through the summer season. "Ocean of Dreams," featuring 600 fully synchronized drones with a soaring soundtrack, celebrates the beauty of the ocean, inspired by marine life and ocean conservation. The 12-minute immersive drone show transforms the night sky into a living ocean, taking guests on a journey beneath the waves.
When: Opens May 22

This summer, visitors to Balboa Park can see the park’s newly restored historic pergola in the Central Gardens. Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition alongside the Botanical Building, the pergola was one of 12 that once graced the grounds. Lost during World War II when Balboa Park served as a military training site, this cherished feature has now been thoughtfully revived, preserving the park’s history while creating a renewed space for visitors to gather and connect. The unveiling of this restoration marked the completion of the larger Botanical Building restoration project that began in 2019
When: Summer 2026

Zuma opening at The Guild

This summer, international restaurant-lifestyle concept Zuma will open its first California location within Downtown San Diego’s historic The Guild Hotel. Zuma is known for its high-energy izakaya-style experience and the menu is shaped by three distinct culinary experiences — the sushi counter, the robata grill, and the main kitchen. The space will span approximately 12,000 square feet with capacity to seat about 270 guests.
When: Summer 2026

Petco Park's Diamond Room Debuts

The San Diego Padres’ newly named events and hospitality business, Finest Collective, has opened the Diamond Room, a late-1970s-inspired cocktail bar just outside Gallagher Square at Petco Park. The Diamond Room offers specialty cocktails and small bites amid velvet and leather décor, complete with mirrors, turntables, a disco ball, and dark tones. This new premium space is open for fans to enjoy before or after Padres games and events.
When: Summer 2026

Little Italy Welcomes Le Méridien Pinnacle

Le Méridien Pinnacle San Diego will open in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood this summer. The sleek, 39-story hotel will offer 231 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar, outdoor fitness center and modern European-style decor. Situated in one of San Diego’s most walkable neighborhoods, the hotel will give guests seamless access to the waterfront and Broadway Pier, the Santa Fe Depot train station and Little Italy’s bustling restaurants and shops.
When: Summer 2026

Manchester Grand Hyatt's Rooftop Refresh

The Manchester Grand Hyatt has unveiled the refresh of their Top of the Hyatt cocktail bar and dining space with a limited-time pop-up, The Hidden Forty. This speakeasy-inspired experience (running through May 29, 2026) transforms the newly renovated rooftop into a clandestine hideaway inspired by Art Deco glamour and a Prohibition-era cocktail culture.
When: Summer 2026