Explore the Fall Arts Scene in San Diego
Fall for the arts this autumn in San Diego! Thanks to the balmy fall weather, the arts and culture scene takes to the streets in San Diego. Stay outside and enjoy art fairs, outdoor concerts, dancing in the streets and much more. End the day by heading inside to enjoy a film festival or two. Below are just a few of the great annual arts and culture events happening in San Diego this fall.
Event listings are updated as soon as details are available. Events are subject to change or cancellation, so please check with event organizers for the most up-to-date information. This guide to San Diego fall arts events is updated annually, so some listings may be out of date, but they still provide valuable insight into San Diego’s yearly offerings and are refreshed as new information becomes available.
September
Conrad Prebys Season at The Rady Shell @ Jacobs Park
When: Now - Oct. 27, 2026
Enjoy an exciting season of music, movies and more at San Diego's picturesque waterfront concert venue, the Rady Shell @ Jacobs Park.
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
When: Now - Nov. 10, 2026
The popular Humphreys Concerts by the Bay features top name entertainers performing on an outdoor stage adjacent to a picturesque marina at Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island.
Daniel Ketelhut at Andaz San Diego
When: Beginning Sept. 2026
Andaz San Diego is continuing its partnership with Sparks Gallery by welcoming local artist Daniel Ketelhut as its newest featured artist. A San Diego-based painter, Ketelhut creates abstract works inspired by nature, imagination and the idea that life is constantly changing. His colorful, organic paintings will be displayed in the lobby for guests to enjoy.
Begin Again at the Old Globe
When: Sept. 6 - Oct. 18, 2026
Experience the world premiere of Begin Again, a new musical inspired by the Academy Award-nominated film, featuring an original score by Grammy Award-winning pop-rock band Train. Set in New York City, the heartfelt story follows two musicians who form an unexpected collaboration and rediscover passion, purpose and the courage to start over.
Dear Evan Hansen at Cygnet Theatre
When: Sept. 9 - Oct. 4, 2026
The Tony Award-winning production of Dear Evan Hansen is coming to Cygnet Theatre in Liberty Station in the Joseph Clays III Theater. Dear Evan Hansen, winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, follows high school senior, Evan, who becomes involved in an unfortunate misunderstanding that evolves into a web of lies he did not intend to create. The powerful musical explores themes of mental health, family dynamics, and human connection in the era of social media.
Alley Cat Art Fest
When: Sept. 12, 2026
The Downtown El Cajon Association introduces Alley Cat Art Fest this fall, a newly unified arts celebration that brings together Downtown El Cajon's two signature creative events — Artivál and the beloved Alley Cat Art Walk — into one exciting festival. The free, open-air event will showcase local artists, public art, live music, and food and beverage vendors, creating a larger event to connect the community with East County's thriving creative scene.
A Black-Billed Cuckoo at La Jolla Playhouse
When: Sept. 15 – Oct. 11, 2026
Over the course of 24 hours in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a close-knit birding group is thrown into chaos when some members glimpse a rare bird and others don’t. Written by Mat Smart and directed by Shelley Butler, A Black-Billed Cuckoo introduces audiences to a fascinating community united by the thrill that any given day might bring something they’ve never seen before at La Jolla Playhouse.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
When: Sept. 19 - Jan. 2027
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego's fall exhibition, Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art, will be on display. The exhibit explores the intersection of queer nightlife and contemporary art through works that explore physicality of these spaces — dance clubs, dive bars, backyards and bathhouses — as critical sites of queer collectivity, transcendence, and resilience.
Adams Avenue Street Fair
When: Sept. 19-20, 2026
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.
ArtWalk Carlsbad
When: Sept. 19-20, 2026
Attendees can explore different facets of art from local, regional and international professional artists while enjoying street food, wine and beer, live entertainment, and the surrounding breathtaking views.
MCAS Miramar Air Show
When: Sept. 25-27, 2026
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.
Topdog/Underdog at the Old Globe
When: Sept. 25 - Oct. 18, 2026
Experience a powerful new staging of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning modern classic Topdog/Underdog. Funny, provocative and charged, the play follows brothers Lincoln and Booth as rivalry, resentment and the promise of the American Dream test their bond.
Pacific Islander Festival
When: Sept. 26-27, 2026
Celebrate the culture and tradition of the Melanesian, Micronesian & Pacific Islander people with food from the islands, a cultural village, arts & craft booths and so much more!
CRSSD Festival
When: Sept. 26-27, 2026
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.
San Diego Italian Film Festival
When: Sept. 30 - Oct. 10, 2026
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.
October
Trolley Dances
When: Oct. 3-4, 2026
Each fall, tour guides lead groups of audience members on and off the trolley to view original pieces of site-specific choreography. More than 50 community and company dancers perform at various sites.
JOB at the Cygnet Theatre
When: Oct. 7 - Nov. 1, 2026
The riveting psychological thriller JOB is coming to Cygnet Theatre in Liberty Station's Dottie Studio Theater. After a viral video forces ambitious tech employee Jane to take leave, a routine evaluation with crisis therapist Loyd quickly becomes a tense psychological duel exploring power, privilege and digital-age morality, and what it means to be a citizen of the internet.
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
When: October 10-11, 2026
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.
San Diego International Film Festival
When: October 13-18, 2026
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.
GRIM at La Jolla Playhouse
When: Oct. 27 – Nov. 29, 2026
An irreverent, hilarious and heartfelt world-premiere musical comes to La Jolla Playhouse with GRIM, a celebration of life — and death. After 300,000 years of collecting souls, the Grim Reaper is ready to retire, but his daughter Diana must first pass a seemingly simple test to take over the family business in this new musical featuring an infectious score and sharp humor.
November
Carlsbad Fall Village Faire
When: Nov. 1, 2026
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.
Coronado Island Film Festival
When: Nov. 4-8, 2026
The Coronado Island Film Festival is planning for a return to our traditional festival format with in person screenings, special engagements, panels, culinary cinema series, and of course red carpet moments! Additionally, the festival plans to curate a select number of films that will screen online as part of our virtual fest.
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
When: Nov. 4 - Dec. 31, 2026
Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Who-ville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.
A Christmas Carol
When: Nov. 24 - Dec. 24, 2026
The Cygnet Theatre’s annual production of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption brings a visually stunning and heartwarming experience to the stage. With captivating storytelling and festive magic, this cherished holiday tradition is perfect for audiences of all ages.
Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show
When: Nov. 20 - Dec. 27, 2026
Celebrate the season with Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show, a fast, funny and highly theatrical reimagining of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. The holiday favorite brings Scrooge, the iconic Christmas ghosts, music and plenty of laughter together with a uniquely San Diego twist.