San Diego’s rural East County boasts a plethora of exciting annual and special events to welcome visitors throughout the year.  From the Annual Julian Fall Apple Days and Harvest to the bloom of the wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert each spring, visitors to East County can find an extraordinary range of colorful street festivals, parades, seasonal celebrations and much more.

Following are highlights of the year-round events that await visitors in San Diego’s East County.  For up-to-the-minute event listings and changes, visit www.sandiego.org/eventcalendar.
 

FEBRUARY

February–April
Wildflowers Bloom in the Desert
Each spring, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park turns into a wonderland of color when wildflowers, nourished by winter rains, burst into bloom. The exact timing of the blossoms varies year-to-year based on precipitation patterns.

 
MARCH

Mar. 17
Tour of Borrego
Cyclists have their choice of 22-, 40-, 62- and 80-mile routes on paved roads through the scenic Borrego Springs valley.  This annual bicycling event is extremely popular and fills up fast; riders enjoy Julian pie and ice cream after their ride.  

Mar. 24-25 
Julian Daffodil Show 
Visitors to Julian can enjoy an annual celebration of spring’s most cheerful blooms. Daffodils are on display from 12 noon to 5 p.m. both days at the Julian Town Hall and Blue Heron Garden Shop, with experts from the National Daffodil Society on hand to answer questions.  

 
APRIL 

Apr. 11-15
Julian Family Fiddle Camp
Fiddlers of all ages are invited for a weekend of expert instruction for all skill levels, master classes in mandolin and fiddle, rousing evening concerts and delicious food in a lovely setting at Julian’s Camp Cedar Glen.  

Apr. 20-22
48th Annual Lakeside Rodeo
Bareback bronco rides, calf roping and other traditional rodeo competitions, along with food and crafts, bring the Wild West to life in the rural town of Lakeside.

Apr. 14
A Taste of Julian 
Visitors can sip and nosh their way through the charming mountain town of Julian during this annual self-guided culinary tour.  During the afternoon of the event, participants simply pick up a map of participating restaurants and show their colored wristband to receive tasty samples of local fare.

 
MAY

May 4-6
Sage & Songbirds Festival
Occurring at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, this annual celebration of Alpine’s recognition by the National Wildlife Federation as “America’s 1st Community Wildlife Habitat” features a plant and art sale, live butterfly exhibit and daily butterfly releases. Admission is free; home garden tours are also offered at $15 per person. 

May 5-6
Ramona Bluegrass Festival
Visitors can enjoy two full days of bluegrass and old fashioned cowboy music, along with jam sessions and workshops for children, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center; overnight camping is available.

May 18-20
Ramona Rodeo
Rustic Ramona embraces its Wild West roots with an annual rodeo that includes barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronco riding, team roping and steer racing. Other activities include a cowgirl fashion show, cowboy and cowgirl mixer and Kid’s Day. 

May 19
Explore Mission Trails Day
This fun free event, showcasing one of the largest urban parks in the United States, features guided nature walks, outdoor recreation demonstrations, pony rides, a climbing wall, educational discovery stations, crafts and face painting, bird watching, raptor encounters and a Star Party at night. 

May 19
Pine Valley Run to the Hills Car Show
View over 300 classic cars on display along historic Highway 80 in the quaint rural town of Pine Valley.

May 26
Santee Street Fair
Hundreds of vendor booths, live entertainment, food stations, arts and crafts and an expanded beer and wine garden are all part of Santee’s largest outdoor event.  

May 28–Sept. 3
Concerts on the Green 
Downtown El Cajon transforms into a dynamic live concert scene 6 - 8 p.m. every Friday night during the summer with free rock, country, big band and R&B performances.

May 28–Sept. 3
Cajon Classic Cruise
Southern California’s largest weekly classic car show features classic and specialty cars on display every Wednesday night in downtown El Cajon. 

May TBD
Julian MayFest 
Each year, the town of Julian turns out for a traditional Austrian-style May Festival to celebrate the coming of spring with authentic oom-pah bands, a festive beer garden and lots of tasty bratwurst.

 
JUNE 

June–August
La Mesa Car Show
This classic car show revs into gear until 9 p.m. every Thursday night along La Mesa Boulevard in the Village of La Mesa. Spectators can also enjoy shopping, dining and live music with DJ Jumpin' Jack Flash.

June 2
La Mesa Centennial Flag Day Parade 
Visitors can don red, white and blue for La Mesa’s annual “Salute to Old Glory.” The parade’s 70 plus entries include marching bands, floats and the U.S. Marine Corps Ensemble.

June 2
Western Music Jubilee
Guests spend an evening enjoying a line-up of western music at Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Center. Past performers include Rusty Richards, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders. 

June 2-3
17th Annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show
San Diego’s biggest civilian air show includes re-enactments of WWII and Vietnam War aerial battles with pyrotechnic displays, 40 aircraft (flying and static displays), live entertainment, a Kidz Zone and food and merchandise vendors. 

June 11
4th Annual Taste of La Mesa - “Taste of the Century”
This popular annual community event is celebrating the 100th anniversary of La Mesa with over 25 local restaurants and food providers serving delicious samples of house specialties, as well as beer from Karl Strauss Brewery and wine from San Pasqual Winery. 

June 16-17
Julian Gold Rush Days
Guests celebrate the discovery of gold in the mountain community of Julian with a full weekend of events including gold panning, gold mine tours, face painting, historic skits and more.  

June 23
Palomar Challenge
Bicyclists climb one of the highest paved roads in San Diego County with 24-, 35- and 62-mile road rides and end at the world-famous Palomar Observatory.

 
JULY

July 4
Independence Day Celebrations
Fireworks, festivals and patriotic parades are held in numerous communities throughout East County including Alpine, El Cajon, Julian, La Mesa and Santee.

July 14-15
Julian Classic Motoring Show
Held at the Menghini Winery in Julian, this annual event features vintage motor racing and concourse vehicles on display, along with wine and food tastings and live music.  

July 27-28
Pine Valley Days
Celebrating 41 years of fun in the backcountry, this two-day annual community festival includes a parade along Historic Highway 80, barbeque, blue ribbon bake-off, live music and dancing, children’s carnival, horseshoe and volleyball tournaments and more. 

July TBD
Arts Alley Ca Summer Fest
Artists, live music, tasty food booths, a beer garden and classic car show are all part of this popular two-day street festival in El Cajon. 

 
AUGUST

Aug. 16-19
Julian Star Fest
Professionals and amateur enthusiasts explore the world of astronomy during this four-day festival, which is the second biggest in California, at Julian’s Menghini Winery; also featured are exhibition areas, guest speakers and an astronomy equipment swap meet.   

Aug. 25
Orfila Grape Stomp 
When their fruit is harvested in late August, Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido hosts this fun-filled event so guests can help stomp the grapes and enjoy great food, live music and tractor rides through the vineyards. 

 
SEPTEMBER

September–October
Annual Julian Fall Apple Days and Harvest
Local residents and guests celebrate autumn with music, art shows, cider and delicious apple pies in the charming mountain town of Julian. 

Sept. 1
Julian Grape Stomp Festa
Menghini Winery in Julian celebrates the harvest of its grapes with a real, Old World-style grape stomp and festa with festive music, food and wine.

Sept. 8-10
23rd Annual Sycuan Pow-Wow
The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation presents a traditional celebration featuring Indian song, dance, arts and crafts, games and food.

Sept. 15-16
Julian Mountain Music Jamboree & Banjo Fiddle Contest
This two-day music festival features performances by blues, bluegrass, country, western and mountain bands, plus lively banjo and fiddle playing contests, held at Frank Lane Park in Julian.

Sept. 28-30 & Oct. 5-7
Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Hosted by the German-American Societies of San Diego, this popular annual festival features authentic German food, pastries and a beer garden along with traditional German musicians and dancers, games, contests, vendor and craft booths and a Kids’ Zone.  

Sept. 30
Alpine Viejas Days Parade
This popular annual community parade features fun for the whole family, including a kids and craft fair.

 
OCTOBER

Oct. 1-30
55th Annual Julian Melodrama
Loosely based on the history of Julian, this comedy-melodrama set in the 1890s is presented every weekend throughout October in the center of town.  Audience members are highly encouraged to interact with the actors by cheering the hero and singing along.    

Oct. 5-7
Oktoberfest in La Mesa
This annual, traditional German celebration features dancing, food, Bavarian bands, arts and crafts and commercial booths in the city of La Mesa.

Oct. 7-8
Julian Apple Days Festival 
This two-day festival at Menghini Winery in Julian features music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, gold panning demonstrations, a beer and wine garden, food, shopping, apple-related contests and, of course, Julian’s famous apple pies.

Oct. 26-28
Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival
Weekend activities include arts and crafts, a parade and the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant in the desert town of Borrego Springs.  

Oct. 20
7th Annual Passport Through Time Road Trip
Car drivers and motorcyclists embark on a fun and nostalgic ride through San Diego’s backcountry on Historic Highways 80 and 94, stopping at quaint towns and unique points of interest along the way.

 
NOVEMBER

November–December
North Pole Limited at Campo Depot
On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can embark on a one-hour train ride through East County’s rustic backcountry and enjoy holiday stories, sweet treats and an appearance by Santa Claus.  

November–January
Holiday Lighting and Ice Skating Rink 
Occurring in early November, Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine kicks off the holidays with its annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony and the opening of its ice skating rink.  The ice skating rink, the largest outdoor rink in Southern California, lasts through early January.

Nov. 10-11
El Cajon Centennial Celebration
Incorporated in 1912, the city of El Cajon celebrates its centennial with a yearlong celebration of exciting public events, including a Big Birthday Bash the weekend of Nov. 10-11.

Nov. 18
66th Annual Mother Goose Parade 
East County’s annual holiday kick-off celebration features celebrities, whimsical floats, clowns, bands and equestrians all marching through the streets of downtown El Cajon.   

Nov. 24
Julian Country Christmas and Tree Lighting
Julian comes alive during this annual holiday celebration with costumed strolling carolers, the scent of freshly baked apple pie and Santa Claus arriving aboard a fire engine for the festive tree lighting ceremony.

 
DECEMBER

Dec. 7-8 
La Mesa Christmas in the Village
This popular holiday event features horse-drawn carriages, carolers, marching bands and entertainers, all lined up along La Mesa Boulevard. Guests can also enjoy an outdoor market, food and special appearances by Santa Claus.  

Dec. 16
Sing-a-long Caroling at Mt. Helix
A popular holiday tradition, this annual show features several choir and concert bands, performed at La Mesa’s majestic Mt. Helix with its 35-foot cross, 5,000-seat amphitheatre and spectacular 360-degree views of the San Diego region.  

December TBD
17th Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival
The charming village of Alpine celebrates the season with a popular parade, a visit from Santa and his helpers, Christmas caroling and a snow mountain for sledding at the Alpine Community Center. 

December TBD
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Presented by the Julian Stage Company, this charming holiday classic sells out every year at the Julian Town Hall. 

 
JANUARY 2013

Jan. 12
La Mesa Party of the Century
Incorporated in 1912, the charming city of La Mesa commemorates its centennial with a big Party of the Century community celebration.

 
Happiness is calling in San Diego’s exciting East County. For more information on East County and the entire San Diego region, visit the California Welcome Center, located at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine or call 619-445-0180.  Also visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website, www.sandiego.org/eastcounty, or call (619) 236-1212. 

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