San Diego is a year-round travel destination offering a plethora of annual events. No matter what time of year, visitors can travel to San Diego and find an extraordinary range of colorful street festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, specialty fairs and much more. For up-to-the-minute event listings and changes, visit www.sandiego.org/eventcalendar.

JANUARY

• Jan. 13-18
  San Diego Restaurant Week
  More than 180 of San Diego's finest restaurants participate in a celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixed menus. www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com
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• Jan. 27
  Carlsbad Marathon and Half-Marathon
  The second-oldest marathon on the U.S. West Coast also features a Kids' Marathon Mile on the day before the big race, as well as a Health and Fitness Expo. www.carlsbadmarathon.com
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• Jan. 21-27
  Farmers Insurance Open
  The annual PGA Tour men's golf tournament is played at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 U.S. Open. www.farmersinsuranceopen.com
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• Jan. 26
  Big Bay Whale Days & Festival
  This free family event offers a wide variety of interactive and hands-on displays to learn about the annual winter migration of the California gray whale along San Diego's coastline. www.whaledays.com

FEBRUARY

• February – April
  Wildflowers Bloom in the Desert
  Depending on the timing and amount of winter rainfall, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego's East County turns into a wonderland of color when the spring wildflowers bloom. parks.ca.gov
                           
• Feb. 12
  Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter
  This is the biggest Fat Tuesday celebration on the U.S. West Coast. Parades, music and beads take over downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. www.gaslamp.org/mardi-gras-info 
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• Feb. 16-17
  31st Annual Chinese New Year and Cultural Fair
  Festivities in downtown San Diego include Asian cuisine, martial arts and cooking demonstrations, cultural exhibits and traditional Lion and Dragon dances. www.sdcny.org

MARCH

• Mar. 1 - May 12
  Flower Fields Ranunculus Season
  Fifty acres of beautiful Tecolote Giant Ranunculus come into bloom every spring at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. www.theflowerfields.com
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• Mar. 7-17
  20th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival
  San Diego's proximity to Mexico makes it a natural venue for this prestigious film festival, focusing on works by Latinos or about the Latino experience, held at the UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center in Mission Valley. www.sdlatinofilm.com
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• Mar. 16
  Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival
  'Tis the luck of the Irish for San Diego when the St. Patrick's Day Parade sets off from Juniper and 6th Street by Balboa Park. An Irish festival with traditional dancers, music, a beer garden and Celtic village follows the parade. www.stpatsparade.org
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• Mar. 17
  ShamROCK 2013
  With 40,000 sq. ft. of Astroturf, downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter turns into the rolling hills of Ireland from 4 p.m. to midnight. This St. Patrick's Day party includes Irish rock bands and pints of green beer; guests must be 21 years or older to attend this ticketed event. www.sandiegoshamrock.com
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• Mar. 23-24
  Spring Busker Festival
  Seaport Village along San Diego Bay comes alive with a celebration of street performers in a battle of entertainment and one-of-a-kind performances by jugglers, sword swallowers, comedic stuntmen and more. www.seaportvillage.com
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• Mar. 30
  Ford California Half-Ironman Triathlon
  Athletes from all over the world swim 1.2 miles in Oceanside Harbor, bike 56 miles through neighboring Camp Pendleton and run 13.1 miles back to the finish line at Oceanside Pier in the San Diego North County city of Oceanside. www.ironmancalifornia.com

APRIL

• April – October
  San Diego Padres Season
  The San Diego Padres step up to the plate and begin another exciting, six-month season of Major League Baseball, played in PETCO Park in downtown San Diego. www.padres.com
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• Apr. 5-7
  La Jolla Concours D'Elegance Motor Car Classic
  Paying tribute to some of the world's finest automobiles, the Motor Car Classic highlights over 30 juried classes of automobiles; vintage auto aficionados and collectors compete against the best vehicles in automotive history. www.lajollaconcours.com
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• Apr. 6-7
  40th Annual San Diego Crew Classic Regatta
  Rowers from across the country come to Crown Point Shores on Mission Bay to participate in one of the most distinguished rowing competitions in the U.S. www.crewclassic.org
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• Apr. 18 - May 5
  Annual Del Mar National Horse Show
  The most prestigious horse show in Southern California offers more than $300,000 in prize money and attracts more than 3,000 horses to the equestrian complex at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in coastal Del Mar. www.delmarnational.com
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• Apr. 19-21
  49th 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 Lakeside in San Diego's East County. www.lakesiderodeo.com
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• Apr. 20-21
  88th Annual Coronado Flower Show
  The nation's largest flower show under a tent takes place in Spreckels Park in Coronado. Flower exhibits are placed around a central gazebo, which becomes the stage for live entertainment and trophy presentations. www.coronadoflowershow.org
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• Apr. 21
  Fallbrook Avocado Festival
  Since the 1960s, tens of thousands of avocado lovers converge in Fallbrook, located in San Diego's North County, to sample avocados, check-out the crazy cooking contest entries, buy funky avocado-themed gifts and enjoy bands, live entertainment and friendly beer gardens. www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
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• Apr. 21
  Annual San Diego Earth Fair
  Set in Balboa Park, the celebration of planet Earth features a children's parade, booths, educational exhibits, music and earth-friendly food. www.earthdayweb.org
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• Apr. 27-28
  Mission Federal ArtWalk
  The free visual and performing arts celebration takes place in downtown San Diego's colorful Little Italy neighborhood and is the largest art event in San Diego. www.missionfederalartwalk.org
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• Apr. 27-28
  40th Annual Adams Avenue Unplugged Festival
  The free, two-day festival features 180 musical performances of acoustic music, held on four outdoor stages and 22 indoor stages along a two-mile expanse along Adams Avenue, from the neighborhoods of Kensington to North Park. www.adamsavenuebusiness.com

MAY

• May 3-5
  Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo
  A celebration of Mexican spirit and culture, the Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is held in Old Town, the birthplace of San Diego, and features music, food and entertainment for the entire family. www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com
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• May 5
  Carlsbad Spring Village Faire
  One of the largest one-day street fairs in California features hundreds of exhibitors, international food and children's rides in the coastal city of Carlsbad. www.carlsbad.org
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• May 10-12
  Gator by the Bay, Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival
  Knee-slapping good times abound at Spanish Landing on Harbor Island. The event features 25 bands on five stages, dance lessons, Cajun cooking demonstrations and delicious crawfish. www.sandiegofestival.com
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• May 19
  20th Annual Sicilian Festival
  The music, dance, culture and cuisine of Sicily come to the streets of downtown San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood with four performance stages, a parade of costumed dancers, musicians and more. www.sicilianfesta.com

JUNE

• Jun. 1-2
  18th 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 and aircraft displays, along with live entertainment, a Kidz Zone, food and more. www.ag1caf.org
                         .
• Jun. 2 - Sept. 29
  The Old Globe Theatre's Summer Shakespeare Festival
  Three dynamic Shakespeare productions are performed in nightly rotation in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre of the Tony Award ®-winning Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park. www.oldglobe.org
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• Jun. 2
  Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
  It's a 26.2-mile race and block party all in one! The marathon begins at Balboa Park and finishes at SeaWorld San Diego on Mission Bay. Live music and cheer squads line the route, while a killer post-race party and headliner concert celebrates everyone's victory. runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego
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• Jun. 8 - Jul. 4
  San Diego County Fair
  The annual county fair features outlandish foods, garden shows, livestock tents and a midway complete with carnival rides and concerts, held at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in oceanfront Del Mar. www.sdfair.com 
     
• Jun. 22
  8th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition
  Dozens of dogs take to the waves at Imperial Beach to compete in small dog, large dog and tandem surfing heats. loewssurfdog.blogspot.com
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• Jun. 22-23
  Annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts
  Held on the University of California, San Diego campus in La Jolla, the event includes award-winning artists, gourmet cuisine, contemporary music and entertainment. www.lajollaartfestival.org

JULY

• July – September
  San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Season
  Summer performances are held under the stars in downtown San Diego along San Diego Bay; fireworks occur on some nights. www.sandiegosymphony.com
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• Jul. 4
  Fourth of July Celebrations
  Fireworks, festivals and patriotic parades are held in numerous communities throughout San Diego County. Coronado's popular Independence Day celebration features a two-hour parade followed by a family concert in Spreckels Park. The Port of San Diego celebrates with its Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza over San Diego Bay, the largest fireworks display in the county. www.sandiego.org
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• Jul. 12-14
  Festival of the Bells
  The festival celebrates the anniversary of the founding of Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first mission in California. www.festivalofbells.com
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• Jul. 12-14
  San Diego LGBT Pride Parade, Rally and Festival
  One of the city's largest grassroots organizations, San Diego LGBT Pride sponsors a weekend of festivities including a headlining parade through Hillcrest and two-day festival in Balboa Park. www.sdpride.org
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• Jul. 13-14 & 20-21
  60th Annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament
  A San Diego original, this boisterous, fast-paced beach softball event is played at Fiesta Island on Mission Bay. www.ombac.org/over-the-line
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• Jul. 17 - Sept. 4
  Del Mar Racing
  Horses and fans alike meet for live thoroughbred racing, held five days a week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in oceanfront Del Mar. www.dmtc.com
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• Jul. 18-21
  Comic-Con International
  The largest comics and pop culture event in the United States attracts thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture to the San Diego Convention Center in downtown San Diego. www.comic-con.org/cci
  .                .
• July – August
  SummerFest 2013
  The La Jolla Music Society presents classical and new compositions with renowned artists and ensembles from around the world, held at various locations in La Jolla and San Diego. www.ljms.org

AUGUST

• Aug. 11
  Hillcrest Cityfest 2013
  Arts, crafts, food and entertainment are featured at this popular annual street festival, held along Fifth Avenue in the eclectic neighborhood of Hillcrest. fabuloushillcrest.com
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• Aug. 9-11
  Julian Star Fest
  Guests can explore the world of astronomy during this four-day festival, the second biggest in California, with exhibition areas, guest speakers, an astronomy equipment swap meet and more, held at Menghini Winery in the San Diego East County town of Julian. www.julianstarfest.com
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• Aug. 17-18 
  37th Annual World Body Surfing Championships
  International and U.S. body surfers compete at the Oceanside Pier and Beach in San Diego's North County. www.worldbodysurfing.org
                    .
• Aug. 30 – Sept. 2
  U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition
  Guests can watch over 300 tons of sand be carved and molded into beautiful sculptures. Held at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal alongside San Diego Bay, the summer event will feature live entertainment, food trucks and unique rides for kids including a zipline that flies over the show. www.ussandsculpting.com 

SEPTEMBER

• September – October
  Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest
  Local residents and guests celebrate autumn with music, art shows, cider and delicious apple pies in the charming San Diego East County mountain town of Julian. www.julianca.com
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• September – December
  San Diego Chargers Season
  The San Diego Chargers "bolt" into action during home games at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley, while fans gather in the parking lot for tailgate parties before catching the excitement inside the stadium. www.chargers.com
                         ..                       .
• Sept. 8
  La Jolla Rough Water Swim
  The largest rough-water swimming competition in the U.S. takes place at picturesque La Jolla Cove in La Jolla. www.ljrws.com
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• Sept. 13-15
  San Diego Bayfair
  This thrilling event features thunderboat racing, tunnel hulls, drag boats, hydroplanes, fireworks and concerts, as well as specialty vendors and food, along and on the waters of Mission Bay. www.sandiegobayfair.org 
                            .
• Sept. 13-15
  24th 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, held at the Sycuan Reservation in San Diego's East County. www.sycuantribe.org/pow-wow/2013-pow-wow
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• Sept. 15-20
  San Diego Restaurant Week
  More than 180 of San Diego's finest restaurants participate in a celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixed menus. www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com 
                    .
• Sept. 20 
  19th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer 
  More than 75 San Diego brewers provide samples and tastings alongside live musical performances, vendors and food booths in downtown San Diego. www.sdbeerfest.org
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• Sept. 21-22
  19th Annual Pacific Islander Festival
  The cultures, foods, crafts and customs of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia are showcased at Ski Beach on Mission Bay. www.pifasandiego.com
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• Sept. 29
  Cabrillo Festival
  The exploration of the U.S. West Coast by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 is commemorated at Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. www.cabrillofestival.org
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• Sept. 28-29
  32nd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair
  One of the largest free music street fairs in California, the event features over 70 live musical acts, held on six stages, along with three beer gardens, giant carnival rides and 300 craft and food vendors. www.adamsavenuebusiness.com

OCTOBER

• Oct. 2-6
  San Diego Film Festival
  This annual festival offers a fresh take on film premieres, featuring American and international features, thought-provoking documentaries, short films and music videos. www.sdff.org 
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• Oct. 4-6
  Oktoberfest in La Mesa
  This traditional German celebration features dancing, food, Bavarian bands, arts and crafts and commercial booths in the San Diego East County city of La Mesa. www.lmvma.com
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• Oct. 4-6
  MCAS Miramar Air Show
  This award-winning, world-class air show features the best military and civilian pilots in the world, including the U.S. Navy's famous Blue Angels. www.miramarairshow.com
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• Oct. 5-6
  Julian Apple Days Festival
  This two-day festival at Menghini Winery in Julian features music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children's games, gold panning demonstrations, apple-related contests and more. www.julianappledays.com
                              .                                 .
• Oct. 13
  19th Annual Little Italy FESTA!
  This colorful Italian celebration features music, fine food and "Gesso Italiano," a traditional Italian street-painting festival, held in downtown San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. littleitalysd.com
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• Oct. (Dates TBA)
  48th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival
  Weekend activities include arts and crafts, a parade and the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant in the East County desert town of Borrego Springs. www.borregospringschamber.com/BorregoDays

NOVEMBER

• November – December
  Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
  This annual holiday musical jumps right off the pages of the classic Dr. Seuss book and onto the stage of The Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park. www.oldglobe.org
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• Nov. 1-10
  San Diego Beer Week
  Hundreds of beer-centric events take place throughout the county during this 10-day festival that highlights San Diego's award-winning craft beer, breweries and pubs. sdbw.org 
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• Nov. 7-15
  14th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
  The largest exhibition of Asian-American and Asian cinema in North America presents films, videos and workshops that celebrate the work of Asian artists from around the world. Screenings are held at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinema in Hazard Center and showcase feature films, shorts and animation. pac-arts.org/exhibitions/film-festival
                .               .
• Nov. 20-24
  10th San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
  Wine and food enthusiasts gather for this five-day event, the region's largest wine and culinary extravaganza, held at several venues throughout downtown San Diego. www.worldofwineevents.com
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• Nov. 24
  Annual Mother Goose Parade
  San Diego East County's annual holiday kick-off celebration features celebrity appearances, whimsical floats, clowns, bands, equestrians and more. www.mothergooseparade.org
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• Nov. 27 – Dec. 1
  San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival
  A jazz celebration that lasts throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, the festival features world-class bands at the Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley. www.dixielandjazzfestival.org
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• November – January
  Holiday of Lights at Del Mar
  The public is invited to drive their cars around the infield racetrack of the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar to view more than 350 dazzling holiday light displays. www.holidayoflights.com

DECEMBER

• December – April
  Whale Watching
  The majestic California gray whales make their annual migration from the Arctic waters to the warm lagoons in the Gulf of California for breeding. These "peaceful giants of the sea" come within miles of San Diego's coastline and can be viewed on daily whale watching excursions and from Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. sandiego.org/whale-watching
                  .
• Dec. (Dates TBA)
  La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
  Marching bands, floats, equestrians, vintage automobiles and more parade down the streets of La Jolla. The parade ends with a holiday festival featuring craft booths, carnival rides, food, entertainment and a tree lighting ceremony. www.ljparade.com
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• Dec. 6-7
  Balboa Park December Nights
  This celebration of the holiday season is the largest free community festival in San Diego and features foods and crafts from around the world, music and events in Balboa Park's diverse museums. www.balboapark.org 
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• Dec. 8 & 15
  42nd Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
  This colorfully unique San Diego holiday tradition features more than 100 private boats decorated with holiday lights, sailing along the waters of San Diego Bay. www.sdparadeoflights.org
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• Dec. 26
  San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
  San Diego's annual pre-Christmas bowl game is played at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley and matches teams from the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conferences. The nationally recognized event features all the pomp and circumstance of a major college post-season football game. www.poinsettiabowl.com
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• Dec. 30
  Big Bay Balloon Parade and National University Holiday Bowl
  A popular parade along downtown San Diego's waterfront is followed by a major college bowl game at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley, featuring teams from the Pac-10 and Big 12 Conferences. The exciting gridiron action is augmented by spectacular pregame and halftime pageantry. www.holidaybowl.com
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Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.

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