From surfing dogs to South Seas fun, spend the weekend in San Diego enjoying everything the city has to offer including these top things to do.
Tiki Oasis 2019 – South Seas Cinema
When: August 7-11, 2019
The largest and longest-running tiki gathering in the world, Tiki Oasis attendees enjoy a tiki-tastic art and fashion marketplace, live tropical-jazz music, go-go dancers, a classic car show, pool parties and more. This year’s theme is “South Seas Cinema.”
Oceanside International Film Festival
When: August 7-11, 2019
The Oceanside International Film Festival showcases features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and student works along with workshops and after-parties.
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies
When: August 8-11, 2019
Catch the San Diego Padres take on the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park! Game day promotions and events include: Thursday – Friar Family Days, Theme Game: Grateful Dead Tribute Night; Friday – WineFest, Theme Game: Italian Heritage Night; Saturday – All-fan giveaway Beach Bag, all-kid giveaway Topps National Trading Cards, Theme Game: Filipino Heritage Night ; Sunday – KidsFest, Kids Run the Bases, Friar Family Days, Theme Game: Boy Scout & Girl Scout Day.
Heiva San Diego
When: August 9-11, 2019
Heiva San Diego, a Polynesian celebration representing Tahiti as the bridge between French Polynesia and the US and sharing our culture with the community.
The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
When: August 9-10, 2019
Sgt. Pepper is 50 years old! Experience the groundbreaking Sgt. Pepper album with a ‘note for note – cut for cut’ performance with the San Diego Symphony featuring hits like “When I’m Sixty Four”, “A Day in the Life” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.” From the sitars and orchestra to the guitars and kazoos, this performance brings The Lonely Hearts Club Band back to life.
ArtWalk @ Liberty Station
When: August 10-11, 2019
ArtWalk brings fine art outside under San Diego’s sunny skies to create the perfect viewing art under natural light and purchase artwork directly from the finest artists in the region.
Imperial Beach Surf Dog Competition
When: August 10, 2019
Get stoked! It’s time for the most adorable surf event of the year . . .The Imperial Beach Surf Dog Competition, where fearless surFUR dogs will jump on their boards and hang 20! The Imperial Beach event is the original surf dog competition. Check out the action adjacent to the Imperial Beach Pier, where more than 60 dogs are expected to participate in this family friendly event, which raises funds for the San Diego Humane Society.
National City Automobile Heritage Day Festival & Car Show
When: August 10, 2019
This 28th Annual event, hosted by the National City Chamber of Commerce, will return to Kimball Park in National City. Join us for live music, food from a variety of National City’s popular eateries, entertainment for children and specialty booths. A drive-by awards ceremony at 2:00 PM will showcase first-place winners for each of the classes as well as second- and third-place winners.
Romeo and Juliet
When: August 11 – September 15, 2019
“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow. That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
Spirit of 45 Day Remembrance Celebration
When: August 11, 2019
Spirit of ’45 Day honors the legacy of service of America’s “Greatest Generation” with music, entertainment, and you will get to meet WWII Veterans and share their stories from that time in our history.
Hillcrest CityFest Street Fair
When: August 11, 2019
CityFest takes place in the heart of Hillcrest under the Hillcrest Sign and is a huge celebration of community spirit through music, arts, crafts, and food.
Cardiff Dog Days of Summer
When: August 11, 2019
Cardiff-by-the-Sea is ready to celebrate man’s best friend! Set in a beautiful beach community, Cardiff Dog Days of Summer is a fair for dogs and dog lovers.
Summer Safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
When: Thru September 1, 2019
Go wild at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this summer! Summer Safari presented by Groupon brings later hours and more fun. On Saturdays and Sundays through September 1, you can stay until 7:00 PM for evening safari adventures. Walk among kangaroos and wallabies at the newest habitat, Walkbout Australia, and hear a didgeridoo played. Enjoy guitar music, roaming jugglers and magicians, and summer food and drink specials throughout the Park.
Sesame Street Party Parade
When: Thru September 1, 2019
The Sesame Street Party Parade is marching Sesame Street excitement throughout SeaWorld San Diego. This colorful, musical, show-stopping parade is fun enough to get the whole family dancing. This event features 10 larger-than-life themed floats including Sesame Street favorites such as Mr. Hooper’s Store and Count’s Castle. The whole family will be singing and dancing along with Elmo and his furry cast of friends as they join more than 20 dancers along the parade route.
Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
When: Thru September 2, 2019
Stay after dark and celebrate summer during Nighttime Zoo presented by One Medical. Enjoy live music, fun shows, animal encounters, food, and more!
SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean
When: Thru September 2, 2019
Surf beyond your expectations as the sea comes alive at night and dive into Electric Ocean, SeaWorld’s fantastic summer nighttime celebration.
Del Mar Racing Season
When: Thru September 2, 2019
San Diego horse racing takes place where the “turf meets the surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack. Fans flock to the track each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, mid-July – early-September. Be part of the magic and nostalgia of this long-time horse race tradition dating back to 1937 when Bing Crosby greeted the first guests, and Seabiscuit won by a nose in the infamous race in 1938. This season features the nation’s top race horses, trainers and jockeys, and plenty of fun in the sun.
Summer in Balboa Park
When: Thru September 27, 2019
Summer is a time to relax, explore and enjoy – and there’s no better place to perfect the art of summer than in Balboa Park. From evening concerts to extended museum hours to food truck feasts to gardens and picnics and more, Balboa Park is the destination for summer fun – all day and into the night.
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Cajon Classic Cruise – Thru October 30, 2019
- Educational Wine Classes with Orfila – Thru September 23, 2019
- Legendary Drag Queens of San Diego – Thru September 8, 2019
- Summertime Sailor Days – Thru September 2, 2019
- Coronado Summer Concert Series – Thru September 1, 2019
- All Shook Up at San Diego Musical Theatre – Thru September 1, 2019
- Wonderspaces San Diego – Thru September 1, 2019
- International Summer Organ Festival – Thru August 31, 2019
- Sunset Luau on the Bay – Thru August 31, 2019
- Borrowing from the Past, An Art Exhibition – Thru August 31, 2019
- Movie Nights at Jim Watkins Amphitheater – Thru August 30, 2019
- California Dreaming Beach Party – Thru August 29, 2019
- Twilight in the Park Summer Concerts – Thru August 29, 2019
- Rock of Ages at Cygnet Theatre – Thru August 25, 2019
- The Underpants at The Old Globe – Thru August 25, 2019
- Little Italy Summer Film Festival – Thru August 24, 2019
- La Jolla Music Summerfest – Thru August 23, 2019
- Santee Summer Concert Series – Thru August 22, 2019
- Del Mar Summer Twilight Concerts – Thru August 20, 2019
- Stagecoach Days – Thru August 18, 2019
- TGIF Concerts in the Park – Thru August 17, 2019
- Bird Park Summer Concerts – Thru August 17, 2019
- Mission Hills Summer Concerts in the Park – Thru August 16, 2019
- Stone Liberty Station Movie Nights – Thru August 13, 2019
- The Tale of Desperaux at The Old Globe – Thru August 11, 2019
- Another Roll of the Dice at North Coast Repertory – Thru August 11, 2019
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame at San Diego Junior Theatre – Thru August 11, 2019
- Point Loma Summer Concerts – Thru August 9, 2019
- Taste of Encinitas – August 6, 2019
- Cooking Class and Dinner at the Marine Room – August 7, 2019
- JRDN Simmer Wine Series with Diatom Wineries – August 7, 2019
- Blink-182 with Lil Wayne & Neck Deep – August 7, 2019
- The Original Wailers – August 7, 2019
- Pure Project Bottle Sale – August 8-11, 2019
- Artisan Table Guest Chef Series with Cucina Urbana – August 8, 2019
- A Nancy William Tribute – August 8, 2019
- Sunset Poolside Jazz Series with Holly Hofmann Tri – August 8, 2019
- Leonid & Friends Performing the Music of Chicago – August 8, 2019
- Night Fishing at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve – August 8, 2019
- Yannis Pappas at The American Comedy Company – August 9-10, 2019
- Scholarshare 529 Toddler Time: Sound + Color – August 9, 2019
- Film & Float: The Sandlot – August 9, 2019
- Chris Young with Chris Janson and Jimmie Allen – August 9, 2019
- The Paladins with The Tighten Ups at the Belly Up – August 9, 2019
- Summer Pool Party Featuring DJ Noel – August 10, 2019
- A Perfect Pairing – August 10, 2019
- Plan Nite: Planter Mashup – August 10, 2019
- One Drop with Hazmatt & Sensi Trails – August 10, 2019
- Chula Vista Challenge Half Thriathlon – August 11, 2019
- Sip & Swim: Sharka-Pool-Ooza – August 11, 2019
- Dirty Heads + 311 – August 11, 2019
- Billy Bob Thorton & The Boxmasters at the Belly Up – August 11, 2019
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
