Throughout the year, San Diego offers an exciting mix of special events ranging from neighborhood street festivals and specialty fairs to thrilling sporting events, topline concerts and cultural exhibitions. However, the true character and dynamic spirit of the nations’ eighth largest city reveals itself through a handful of events found only in San Diego.
The following nine uniquely San Diego events are guaranteed to make a visitor act and feel like a true San Diego local.
Sing along to “El Mariachi Loco”: Featuring a variety of entertaining mariachi groups from the United States and Mexico, the annual International Mariachi Festival is a San Diego celebration of the Mexican arts, culture and culinary delights that infuse San Diego’s lifestyle. Held March 8, 2020, in Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, the community event brings together toe-tapping mariachi music, traditional ballet folkloric dancing, food booths, an adult beverage garden and a family area with a kids’ stage, face painting, large inflatable rock climbing wall and more.
Tall Tales to Tell: Every spring, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego’s rural East County attracts storytellers from around the globe to compete in the Peg Leg Smith Liar's Contest. The annual event honors Thomas L. Smith, better known as “Peg Leg” Smith (1801-1866), a mountain man, prospector and spinner of tall tales–particularly about his lost gold mine during the Southern California gold rush of the 1800s. With separate adult and children divisions, contest judges award points for originality, props, costumes, presentation, and whether Peg Leg or lost gold is included in the tall tale.
More Than Avocado Toast: Since the 1960s, tens of thousands of avocado lovers have converged in Fallbrook, located in San Diego’s inland North County, to sample avocados, check-out crazy cooking contest entries, buy funky avocado-themed gifts and enjoy bands, live entertainment and friendly beer gardens during the Annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival. Held April 19, 2020, highlights include the amateur and professional Guacamole Contest and the crowning of Little Miss Avocado and Little Mister Avocado.
Celebrate Mexican and Chicano Heritage: Set in Barrio Logan’s colorful Chicano Park, home of the world’s largest collection of Chicano murals, Chicano Park Day celebrates the art and culture of San Diego’s Mexican and Chicano residents. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020, the free annual event, held April 25, 2020, features traditional music and dance, including one of the largest groups of Aztec Indigenous dance, vendor booths, kids’ arts workshops, community speakers and a popular lowrider car show.
Awesome, Dude: Every May, the annual San Diego Surf Film Festival catches a wave with film screenings and events occurring at various locations around San Diego. Highlights of the hometown festival include 15 of the finest international surf films, a meet-the-filmmakers and artists luncheon, surfing “expression sessions” and an opening night event featuring live art, music and local beers.
Cruisin’ in a Lowrider: San Diego’s colorful cruising culture is on display during the annual La Vuelta Car Cruise, held every other Wednesday beginning April 29 through August 5, 2020 along Logan Avenue in historic Barrio Logan. Hundreds of classic cars line the iconic street framed by two outdoor stages with live music and many local Mexican and Chicano art exhibitors, food booths and merchandise vendors. Held August 22, 2020 along Logan Avenue, the La Vuelta Summer Festival is a free community event featuring a classic car show, numerous local vendors and exhibits, food courts and trucks, craft beer gardens and live music. Guests are guaranteed to feel the sense of pride and love for Mexican and Chicano culture, unity, art and cruising.
Hang 20, Fido: Every August, dozens of fearless surFUR dogs jump on their boards and take to the waves during the annual Imperial Beach Surf Dog Competition. Visitors can also take in the fun as more than 60 dogs compete in three heats: Weight (small, medium, large and extra-large dogs), Shredder (dogs of all weights competing) and Tandem (dog/dog surfing and dog/human surfing). Proceeds benefit the San Diego Humane Society.
Another Singapore Sling Please: Lovers of the island lifestyle convene every August at Tiki Oasis, the largest and longest-running tiki gathering in the world. Guests enjoy live music, DJs, dance, vendors, a fashion show, car show, kids’ activities, art exhibit and top experts giving educational presentations on everything from cocktails, art, architecture and food to tiki carving. Highlights of the five-day event are the Hanalei Luau and Miss Tiki Oasis pageant.
Dancing in the Streets: Featuring an international team of choreographers and dancers, Trolley Dances is the most popular dance event in San Diego. Presented by the San Diego Dance Theater and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), audiences hop on and off MTS Trolleys to view world premiere, site-specific dances performed at designated trolley stops by some of the city’s most talented dancers. Dates for the 2020 Trolley Dances are Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4.
Find your smile in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including events, vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at www.sandiego.org.
