San Diego's rural East County boasts a variety 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. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

MARCH

• Mar. 16
  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. www.julianactive.com
• Mar. 23-24
  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 4 p.m. both days at the Julian Town Hall, with experts from the National Daffodil Society on hand to answer questions. www.julianca.com

APRIL

• Apr. 10-14
  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. www.familyfiddlecamp.com
• Apr. 13
  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. www.julianca.com
• 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 the rural town of Lakeside. www.lakesiderodeo.com

MAY

• May 3-5
  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. www.chirp.org
• May 4-5
  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. www.ramonabluegrassfest.com
• May 17-19
  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. www.ramonarodeo.net
• May 18
  11th Annual Explore Mission Trails Day
  This fun free event showcases one of the largest urban parks in the United States and 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. www.mtrp.org/events.asp?actiontype=showdate&eidno=251032&the_date=5/18/2013
• May 18
  Pine Valley Run to the Hills Car Show
  Guests view over 300 classic cars on display along historic Highway 80 in the quaint rural town of Pine Valley. www.freewebs.com/mountainempiremensclub
• May 25
  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. www.santeestreetfair.com
• May - September
  Concerts on the Green
  Downtown El Cajon transforms into a dynamic live concert scene during 6-8 p.m. every Friday night during the summer with free rock, country, big band and R&B performances. www.downtownelcajon.com
• May - Sept.
  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. www.downtownelcajon.com
• 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. www.julianca.com

JUNE

• June - August
  La Mesa Car Show
  This classic car show revs into gear until 9 p.m. every Thursday night during the summer along La Mesa Boulevard in the Village of La Mesa. Spectators can also enjoy shopping, dining and live music with DJ Jumpin' Jack Flash. www.lmvma.com/lmv_car_show.html
• Jun. TBD
  La Mesa 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. www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Flag-Day-Parade.aspx
• Jun. TBD
  Western Music Jubilee
  Guests spend an evening enjoying a line-up of western music at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. Past performers include Rusty Richards, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders. www.wieghorstmuseum.org
• 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 displays, 40 aircraft (flying and static displays), live entertainment, a Kidz Zone and food and merchandise vendors. www.ag1caf.org
• Jun. 10
  5th Annual Taste of La Mesa
  This popular annual community event celebrates the city of La Mesa with over 25 local restaurants and food providers serving delicious samples of house specialties, as well as beer samples from San Diego local Karl Strauss Brewery and wine from the San Pasqual Winery. www.lamesachamber.com
• Jun. 8-9
  Julian Gold Rush Days
  Guests celebrate the discovery of gold in the historic mountain community of Julian with a full weekend of events including gold panning, gold mine tours, face painting, historic skits and more. www.juliangoldrushdays.com
• Jun. 22
  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 atop scenic Palomar Mountain. www.julianactive.com

JULY

• Jul. 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.
• Jul. 13-14
  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. www.julianclassicmotoringshow.com
• Jul. TBD
  Pine Valley Days
  Celebrating 41 years of fun in the backcountry, this two-day annual community festival in Pine Valley includes a parade along Historic Highway 80, a barbeque, blue ribbon bake-off, live music and dancing, children's carnival, horseshoe and volleyball tournaments and more. www.pinevalleydays.com
• Jul. TBD
  Arts Alley Cat 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. www.downtownelcajon.com

AUGUST

• Aug. 9-11
  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. www.julianstarfest.com
• Aug. TBD
  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. www.orfila.com

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. www.julianca.com
• Sept. 7
  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. www.julianca.com
• Sept. TBD
  24th Annual Sycuan Pow-Wow
  The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in El Cajon presents a traditional celebration featuring Indian song, dance, arts and crafts, games and food. sycuantribe.org/pow-wow/2013-pow-wow
• Sept. 21
  Julian Music Festival
  This popular music festival features performances by blues, bluegrass, country, western and mountain bands, plus lively banjo and fiddle playing contests, held at Menghini Winery in Julian. www.julianca.com
• Sept. 27-29 & Oct. 4-6
  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. http://www.germanclubsandiego.org/events/oktoberfest

OCTOBER

• Oct. 4-26
  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. www.julianmelodrama.com
• Oct. 4-6
  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. www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Oktoberfest.aspx
• 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 and activities, gold panning demonstrations, a beer and wine garden, food, shopping, apple-related contests and, of course, Julian's famous apple pies. www.julianappledays.com or www.julianca.com
• Oct. TBD.
  Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival
  Weekend activities include a parade, arts and crafts and the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant in the desert town of Borrego Springs. www.borregospringschamber.com/BorregoDays
• Oct. TBD
  Alpine Viejas Western Days Parade
  This popular annual community parade features fun for the whole family, including a kids and craft fair. www.alpinedaysparade.com
• Oct. 19
  8th 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. www.historichighway80.org

NOVEMBER

• November - December
  North Pole Limited at Campo Depot
  On Fridays and Saturdays during the holidays, 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. www.sdrm.org
• November - January
  Holiday Tree 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. www.shopviejas.com
• Nov. 24
  67th Annual Mother Goose Parade
  East County's annual holiday kick-off celebration features celebrities, whimsical floats, clowns, bands and equestrians marching through the streets of downtown El Cajon. www.mothergooseparade.org
• Nov. 30
  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 town's festive tree lighting ceremony. www.julianca.com

DECEMBER

• Dec. TBD
  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 in the Village of La Mesa. Guests can also enjoy an outdoor market, food and special appearances by Santa Claus. www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Christmas-In-The-Village.aspx
• Dec. TBD
  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. www.mthelixpark.org
• Dec. TBD
  18th Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival
  The charming village of Alpine celebrates the holidays with a popular parade, a visit from Santa and his helpers, Christmas caroling and a snow mountain for sledding at the Alpine Community Center. www.alpinechamber.com/events.html
• Dec. 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. www.julianca.com

Happiness is calling in East County. For more information on activities and events in East County and the entire San Diego region, visit the San Diego Tourism Authory's website, www.sandiego.org and www.sandiego.org/eastcounty, or call 619.236.1212.

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