Held in early January
Location: De Anza Cove in Mission Bay
858-270-0840
Hours: 9am – noon
Brave the cold water at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay and water-ski without a wetsuit to earn a Penguin Patch.
Mainly Mozart Spotlight
Location: Neuro Science Institute La Jolla
Held January – April
619-239-0100
The annual spotlight concert series highlights chamber music.
San Diego New Year’s Day Race
Held on New Year’s Day
Location: Shelter Island Yacht Club
619-221-8400
Traditional regatta with all classes and multi-hull boats.
February
Mainly Mozart Spotlight Series
Held thru April
Location: Neuro Science Institute La Jolla
619-239-0100
The annual spotlight concert series highlights chamber music.
Whale Watching
Season is mid December – mid March
Location: Cabrillo Nation Monument or on special whale-watching cruises
619-557-5450
Annual migration of California gray whales to the warm breeding grounds off the coast of Baja California.
Buick Invitational
Held in early February
Location: Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla
800-888-BUICK
Annual PGA Tour men’s golf tournament. Buick Invitational Pro-Am with local and national professionals.
Wildflowers Bloom
Takes place in February, depending on weather conditions
760-767-4684
Call for additional information
In the desert depending on rainfall in winter, the natural beauty of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park is enhanced by the almost magical appearance of desert wildflowers in the spring.
Kumba Fest
Held in early February
Location: Lyceum Theatre, Horton Plaza, downtown San Diego
619-544-1000
A black history month celebration of African-American arts, creativity and cultural heritage. Co-produced with the San Diego Repertory Theatre’s African-American Council. Showcases African American art and cultural heritage, with a variety of drama, song and poetry.
San Diego Brazil Carnival
Held in February
Location: Downtown San Diego
619-224-4684
The annual Gala Event will be held at a downtown location. The Brazilian ‘Mardi Gras’ Ball features a samba show, Mardi Gras Beads, Cappeira (exhibit of dance with martial arts), carnival bands, parades and a costume contest with the first prize winner receiving a trip to Brazil.
San Diego International Auto Show
Held in mid February
Location: San Diego Convention Center
619-525-5000
Features foreign and domestic cars, futuristic concept cars, never-before seen models and many others.
World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship
Held in late February
Location: La Costa Resort
800-918-GOLF
The Accenture Match Play Championship returns to the La Costa Resort and Spa. The prestigious event features the world’s top 64 players from the Official World Golf ranking in dramatic head-to-head, single elimination match play competition. Mon and Tues: practice rounds, Wed-Sat am: competition rounds, Sat pm: Semifinal Match and Sun: Championship
March
Annual America’s Schooner Cup Charity Regatta
Held most of March and April
Location: San Diego Harbor
619-223-3138
Schooners compete in San Diego Harbor.
San Diego International Film Festival
Held most of March
Location: Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD, La Jolla and Hazard Center
858-459-8707
Premieres of feature films from around the world. Also includes “Celebrating Animating” and the “The Short Night” featuring short subject films.
April
Butterflies & Orchids
Held early – mid April
Location: San Diego Wild Animal Park’s Hidden Jungle exhibit
619-234-6541
Thousands of butterflies from around the world swarm the San Diego Wild Animal Park’s Hidden Jungle exhibit. The Crevasse, adjacent to Hidden Jungle, features stick insects, leaf bugs and leaf cutters ants. More than 300 orchids are displayed during this two week spring fling and the horticulture staff gives daily presentations on orchid care and cultivation during park hours.
Annual Jewish Film Festival
Held the first two weeks of April
Location: AMC Theaters at La Jolla and Hazard Center
858-457-3161
Annual presentation of American and International features, documentaries and short subjects that explore the Jewish experience.
Annual Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair/Parade
Held in late April
Location: San Diego
858-560-0871
Call for exact location and further information
Parade route travels from Levant to Comstock on Linda Vista Road. Fair is located at Linda Vista Road, between Comstock and Ulrich Streets, and features ethnic food and entertainment.
Annual San Diego Adams Avenue Roots Festival
Held in late April
Location: San Diego
619-282-7329
Free vintage blues, folk, jazz, country and international music on 6 stages.
Annual Union-Tribune San Diego A La Carte Festival
Held in late April
Location: Presidents Way & Park Blvd, Balboa Park
619-338-1726
Food from San Diego’s best restaurants, unique micro beers, live music, entertainment, special activities for kids and celebrity chef demonstrations.
Art Walk
Held in late April
Location: Little Italy, downtown San Diego
619-615-1090
The two day festival showcases visual and performing artists in their work environment and in stage areas.
May
Buds ‘n Blooms
Held all of May
Location: Balboa Park
619-235-1100
The magnificent horticulture of Balboa Park is the centerpiece for this annual spring celebration. Features floral-themed activities, museum exhibits, tours, performances and free outdoor family activities.
June
Score Baja 500
Usually held in early May
Location: Ensenada
818-225-8402
Admission Free
Annual off-road car, motorcycle, truck loop race in Baja California, Mexico. Starts and ends in Ensenada.
Annual Fiesta Del Sol
Held in June
Location: Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach
858-755-4775
Celebrate the beginning of summer with music, entertainment, children’s games, arts and crafts.
Del Mar Fair
Usually held in mid June
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds
858-755-1161
San Diego’s annual county fair.
Annual Mainly Mozart Festival
Usually held in June
Locations: San Diego Baja California, Mexico
619-239-0100
An all-star orchestra performs the works of Mozart and other baroque, classical and romantic composers.
Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival
Usually held in mid – late June
Location: Lake Skinner
909-676-6713
This festival features food, entertainment, wine-tasting, exhibits, kids fair and balloon launches. The balloons are launched at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Lake Skinner, weather permitting.
Old Town State Park Fourth of July Celebration
Held on the fourth of July
Location: Old Town State Park Plaza
619-220-5422
Free old fashioned 4th of July celebration with flag raising event, pony rides, hay rides, stage entertainment and family games.
San Diego Balloon Association Hot Air Balloon Classic
Held on the fourth of July
Location: Del Mar Racetrack Grandstand
858-481-6800
Balloon Race begins at 6 p.m. Viewing is included in Del Mar Fair admission.
Annual San Diego Lesbian and Gay Parade, Rally and Festival
Held in late July
Location: Balboa Park
619-297-7683
Annual San Diego Lesbian and Gay Parade, Rally and Festival include a rally, parade, 5k run, and a 1.5 mile walk.
Annual US Open Sandcastle Competition
Usually held in mid July
Location: Imperial Beach Pier
619-424-6663
Saturday events include parade at 10am and children’s sandcastle contest at 2pm with a fireworks display at dusk. Sandcastle competition is Sunday starting at 7:30am-12:30pm, with awards following the contest.
Annual World Championship Over-The-Line Tournament
Held in mid July
Location: Fiesta Island, Mission Bay
Over-the-line softball is played on a small field and is unique to San Diego. There is free viewing of San Diego’s original beach softball event at Fiesta Island, Mission Bay.
California State Summer Games
Held in mid July
Location: Vary throughout San Diego County including Qualcomm Stadium, Balboa Stadium and University of San Diego
619-682-3436
California State Games create an Olympic style competition for amateur athletes of all age ranges and abilities to challenge themselves and excel their individual past performances. The athletes, from youth to adult will participate in twenty different sports ranging from archery to track & field.
August
Acura Classic
Held in early August
Location: La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad
A WTA Tour event featuring world famous tennis.
Annual World Body Surfing Championships
Held the entire month of August
Location: Oceanside Pier and Beach
International and U.S. bodysurfers, equipped with swim fins, ride and perform on ocean waves. Open to all ages 12 and up.
November
San Diego Historical Society Holiday Home Tours
Held November – early January
Location: Varies
619-232-6203
View the period style decorations that adorn the ornate, historic Villa Montezuma & the historic Marston House. Tours are given Thursday through Sunday.
December
San Diego Historical Society Holiday Home Tours
Held November – early January
Location: Varies
619-232-6203
View the period style decorations that adorn the ornate, historic Villa Montezuma & the historic Marston House. Tours are given Thursday through Sunday.
Whale Watching
Usually the entire month
Location: Cabrillo Nation Monument or on special whale-watching cruises
619-557-5450
Annual migration of California gray whales to the warm breeding grounds off the coast of Baja California. Glimpse these peaceful “giants of the sea” from Cabrillo Nation Monument or on special whale-watching cruises.
Arts and Entertainment:
San Diego Opera
Civic Center Plaza 1200 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
619-232-7636
Call for schedule of performances
San Diego Opera, ranked by Opera America as one of the top 10 opera companies in the United States, is a widely respected member of the international opera community and an invaluable cultural resource to the San Diego community.
San Diego Ballet
5304 Metro Street, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92110
619-294-7378
Call for performance schedule
Each year since 1996, the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture has awarded the San Diego Ballet an arts-organization rating of “excellent”. San Diego Ballet continues to enjoy growth and critical acclaim with original pieces.
San Diego Symphony
1245 Seventh Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-235-0800
Call for schedule of performances
The San Diego Symphony has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of the San Diego Region. The Symphony offers wide range of concert experiences and performs over 100 concerts each season.
Broadway/San Diego
401 B St.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-231-8995
Touring Broadway musicals.
La Jolla Playhouse 2910 La Jolla Village Dr
La Jolla, CA 92093
858-550-1070
This Tony Award-winning San Diego theater presents musicals, comedies, world premieres and classics. Located on UCSD campus, La Jolla.
San Diego Civic Theatre 1100 Third Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 619-615-4000
Premiere venue for productions, presentations of San Diego Opera, California Ballet, La Jolla Music Society and Broadway/San Diego.
San Diego Junior Theatre Casa del Prado, Balboa Park 1650 El Prado, Suite 208 San Diego, CA 92101 619-239-1311
Provides engaging, innovative, high-quality theater education and productions for children of all cultural heritages, ages, abilities and levels of interest.
San Diego Repertory Theatre 79 Horton Plaza San Diego, CA 92101
619-231-3586
An established professional theater presenting a six play season. Dramas, musicals and four annual festivals.
Season run September – June.
Spreckels Theatre 121 Broadway, #600 San Diego, CA 92101
619-234-8397
1,466 seat, historic theater, reminiscent of a London opera house, in the heart of Downtown San Diego.
Starlight Theatre, San Diego Civic Light Opera
1549 el Prado Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
619-544-7827
An established professional musical theater company producing large-scale Broadway- quality musicals at Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park under the stars.
The Old Globe 1363 Old Globe Way San Diego, CA 92101-1696 619-23-GLOBE
This Tony Award(r)-winning Theatre produces 15 works annually, from Shakespeare to Stoppard to Sondheim, at a 3-venue complex in Balboa Park.
Theatre in Old Town 4040 Twiggs St. San Diego, CA 92110 619-688-2494
Operated by Miracle Theatre Productions, intimate theater in the heart of Old Town that offers innovative and award-winning productions year-round.
Triple Espresso…a highly caffeinated comedy 444 Fourth Ave. Horton Grand Theatre San Diego, A 92101 619-234-9583
Every Wednesday through Sunday, this family-friendly comedy keeps audiences of all ages laughing from start to finish. Absolutely hilarious!
Sports
San Diego Padres
Professional Baseball
Games played at PETCO Park, San Diego
San Diego, CA 92112
877- 374-2784
Season runs April – October
San Diego Chargers
Professional Football (NFL)
Games played at Qualcom Stadium
4020 Murphy Canyon Rd. San Diego, CA 92123
858-874-4500
Season runs September – January
San Diego Gulls
Ice Hockey
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard
San Diego, California 92110
619-224-GOAL
Call for schedule and additional information
Games played at the Sports Arena
San Diego Sockers
Indoor MISL soccer team
9606 Aero Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
858-836-GOAL
Call for schedule and additional information
.