San Diego County’s summer calendar is filled with international stars, annual events and activities for all ages.
Some of the longer-running annual events to expect in San Diego County include San Diego Pride Festival, Comic-Con International and Chula Vista’s Lemon Festival.
But there are also some first-time, can’t-miss events, such as NASCAR racing events and the North American premiere of the play “North by Northwest.”
Here is our lineup of top events this summer, listed in chronological order.
El Cajon native Jimmie Johnson moves to the pit during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Johnson is among the participants of an upcoming race in Coronado. (AP Photo/Nigel Cook)
June
San Diego County Fair: This year’s fair theme is “Once Upon A Fair,” and attendees can expect the usual classic activities, such as carnival games, amusement park rides, livestock shows and various concerts. Some of the new food items include a Korean churro, a cinnamon crunch cheesecake rice crispy cone and a crispy chicken shawarma wrap. There will also be a variety of cultural events, like the fair’s first Black and Brown Festival Showcase. Plus, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is scheduled to perform a special stand-up comedy show. June 10 through July 5. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com
Balboa Park twilight concert series: The public can watch over 30 free concerts this summer at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. This year’s Twilight in the Park outdoor concert series will feature musical performances by the American Flyboys Band, the San Diego Jazz Orchestra, a Carlos Santana tribute band, Charlie Chavez y su Afrotruko, the Bayou Brothers and more. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. June 16 through Aug. 27. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American East Road, San Diego. Free. balboapark.org/twilight-concerts
NASCAR San Diego weekend: Stock car auto racing enthusiasts can witness history at the inaugural NASCAR San Diego race on Naval Base Coronado. The 3.4-mile, 16-turn circuit will be NASCAR’s first competition on an active military base. There will also be other events such as a truck series race, autograph sessions and question and answer sessions with drivers. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19-21. 300 Alameda Blvd., Coronado. Prices vary. nascarsandiego.com/events/nascar-cup-series
San Diego Scottish Highland Games: The Mission Valley River Park will be home to the San Diego Scottish Highland Games. The event consists of live music, competition events such as highland dancing and sheepdog trials, food vendors and educational classes on what Scottish clans are. The musical lineup includes Highland Way and Wicked Tinkers, both playing in the beer garden on both days of the event. June 20-21. Mission Valley River Park, 2025 River Park Road, San Diego. $5-$20. sdhighlandgames.org
Belmont Park car show: Belmont Park is hosting its annual Father’s Day car show. Guests can expect to see classic cars and custom cars, motorcycles, trucks and more. There will also be live music, family-friendly activities and food available for sale. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Belmont Park’s north parking lot, June 21. 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. Free to attend. belmontpark.com
Fireworks explode over San Diego Bay during the Big Bay Boom fireworks show in San Diego on Friday, July 04, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
July
“North by Northwest” premiere: The Old Globe is hosting the North American premiere of “North by Northwest.” The play is English director Emma Rice’s interpretation of Alfred Hitchcock’s film “North by Northwest.” The story takes place in the 1950s and is about Roger Thornhill, who works in the advertising industry, and is mistaken for a Cold War spy. Rice’s version is a funnier, high-speed theatrical thriller with 1950s swing music and is shown via the Mount Rushmore backdrop, according to The Old Globe. July 3 through Aug. 2. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Escondido’s Independence Day Festival: The 60th edition of Escondido’s Independence Day Festival takes place at Grape Park. The free event will host live music on the main stage, an artisan market with local vendors, free face painting and airbrush tattoos, food trucks and a beer garden. The all-ages festival will conclude with a fireworks display. 4 to 9:30 p.m. July 4. Grape Park, 321 North Broadway, Escondido. Free admission. artcenter.org/independence-day-festival
Big Bay Boom: One of California’s largest fireworks shows takes place at the annual Big Bay Boom. This fireworks display takes place over the San Diego Bay and can be seen from Coronado, Harbor Island, North and South Embarcadero, Shelter Island and downtown San Diego. The public can bring lawn chairs and boats to designated watch areas. 9:15 p.m. July 4. bigbayboom.com
Nate Bargatze hosts the 77th Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. He performs in San Diego this summer on July 16. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services)
Nate Bargatze: Comedian Nate Bargatze is bringing his Big Dumb Eyes World Tour to San Diego this summer. He won a Grammy for his comedy album in 2026 and has been nominated for an Emmy Award for his Netflix special “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze.” 7 p.m. July 16. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. pechangaarenasd.com/event/nate-bargatze
Del Mar opening day: Horse racing, over-the-top hats and stylish blazers are all the buzz at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s opening day festivities. Besides the horse racing, there is a hat contest, signature drinks and an after-party. For those who cannot make it to opening day, the summer racing season goes until Labor Day. 11:30 a.m. July 17. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. dmtc.com/racing
San Diego Pride week: This year’s Pride week festivities kick off with the San Diego Pride Dyke March on July 11, starting at Urban MO’s at 11 a.m. The annual Light Up the Cathedral event and LGBTQIA+ faith leaders’ service at at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral happens July 15 at 7 p.m. The Spirit of Stonewall Rally will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on July 17. On July 18, the Pride 5k Run & Walk fundraising event starts at 8 a.m. and leads into the Pride Parade at 10 a.m. Pride week culminates with the Pride Festival, a two-day event filled with four stages of music and entertainment, community resources and vendor booths on July 18 and 19. sdpride.org/pride
Into the Horizon: Tiesto and Martin Garrix headline this year’s Into the Horizon, an electronic dance music festival. Other DJs and music producers performing include ZHU, James Hype, Lost Frequencies, Laszewo and Al Tamar. The concert will also include a paratrooper ride, a silent disco area, a puppy petting zoo, activations, food trucks and water stations. The event is for those 21 years and older. 3 to 11 p.m. June 27. 3 to 10 p.m. June 28. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. $119-$427. intothehorizon.com
Alyssa Retz cosplaying Anxiety from “Inside Out 2” at Comic-Con on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Diego, CA. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Comic-Con: Comics, superheroes, Japanese animation, vintage toys and cosplay fans will assemble in the San Diego Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter for the 2026 Comic-Con International. The yearly convention includes panel discussions, movie and television showings, an exhibitor hall, outdoor activations, a masquerade ball and more. July 22-26. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. comic-con.org
August
“Hell’s Kitchen:” The music of Alicia Keys comes alive in the musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” performing for one week at the San Diego Civic Center. The musical follows the 17-year-old Ali, who has a passion for music but feels lost in the world. She starts to find herself when her neighbor and new mentor introduces Ali to the piano. The coming-of-age story is set in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, and the musical introduces new songs written by Keys. The performers also sing some of the biggest hits. “Hell’s Kitchen” is directed by Michael Grief and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, both by Tony Award nominees. Aug. 11-16. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego, 619-615-4000, sandiegotheatres.org
Mariachi dancers from Damza Academy perform during the Chula Vista Lemon Festival along 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Chula Vista Lemon Festival: The 29th annual Lemon Festival in downtown Chula Vista carries more than just the oval-shaped yellow fruit. This street festival is a mix of live entertainment and music on two stages, along with food vendors, artists showcasing and selling their work, a lemon cook-off competition, a children’s area at Memorial Park and lemon-inspired food, beverages and treats. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 15. Along Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista. Free to attend. downtownchulavista.com/events/lemon-festival
The Nights Like This Tour: R&B singers, songwriters and music producers Ne-Yo and Akon are teaming up on a multi-city tour and landing in Chula Vista for one night. Ne-Yo is a three-time Grammy Award winner and has released eight studio albums and many singles over the past 20 years, such as “So Sick” and “Miss Independent.” Akon has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has collaborated with and procured songs for Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani. 8 p.m. Aug. 18. North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. $54.50-$822. northislandcreditunionamp.com
Harry Potter in concert: The first Harry Potter movie will be shown during a special concert event at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The audience will have two chances to see and hear the San Diego Symphony Orchestra perform John Williams’ score of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” while the film is playing. 7 p.m. Aug. 21 and 22. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $51-$173. theshell.org
Taste of Encinitas: Sample some of what Encinitas has to offer in the food and beverage industry at the Taste of Encinitas. In previous years, there have been meet-and-greets with chefs and restaurateurs, along with tastings from over 40 restaurants and bars. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26. encinitas101.com/events/taste-of-encinitas-2025
September
Julian Grape Stomp Festa: The Julian Grape Stomp Festa returns for the 28th time with an all-day event. Guests are invited to partake in the tradition of stomping grapes with their bare feet to get the juice out for creating wine. Admission to the event includes wine tasting and family-friendly activities. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5. Menghini Winery, 1150 Julian Orchards Drive. $8-$25. visitjulian.com/to-see-do/special-events/grape-stomp