US Sand Sculpting Challenge Dimensional Art Exposition

Well, look no more! It’s a 4-day extravaganza for the whole family! We’re changing the name of America’s 8th largest city between September 2nd and 5th, 2016. We’re calling it SANDiegoTM. Not only that, we’re building a beach high above the water, bringing 300 tons of sand to the ‘B’ Street cruise ship terminal pier, with our Big Bay on the West and downtown’s castles in the sky on the East. It’s been called the most creative atmosphere in the world.

Date: September 2 – 5, 2016

Time: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Price: $6-$35

Location: 1140 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info. visit Sculpting Challenge and Dimensional Art Exposition

Festival of Sail – Tall Ship Parade

Join the celebration as part of the flotilla of ships that sails into San Diego Bay to kick off Festival of Sail! Sail aboard the official tall ship of California, the Californian, as she leads the parade of ships down San Diego Bay and to their docking spaces at the Maritime Museum.

Date: September 2, 2016

Time: 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM

Price: Viewing From Shore – Free

Location: 1492 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info. call 619.234.9153 or visit Tall Ship Parade

Julian Grape Stomp Festa

Every September the Julian Chamber of Commerce celebrates the harvest of the grapes with a real, olde-world style grape stomp and festa at the Menghini Winery. This grape stomp out-does all others by providing two barrels for stomping – one for adults and one for children.

Date: September 3, 2016

Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Price: $15-$50

Location: 1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036

For more info. call 760.765.1857 or visit Grape Stomp Festival

San Diego Bacon Fest

Limited bacon and beer samples? What is this sorcery you speak of? Bacon Fest is an all-inclusive event, granting you unlimited samples from all our beverage and food vendors.

Date: September 3, 2016

Time: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Price: $50-$100

Location: 2600 Cushing Road, San Diego, CA 92106

For more info. visit Bacon Fest

Labor Day Lunch Cruise on San Diego Bay

Red, white and cruise! Get out on the Bay during the first day of the summer season.

Date: September 5, 2016

Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Price: Adults Starting at – $64.95

Location: 1800 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info. call 619.686.8715 or visit Labor Day Cruise

Horrible Imaginings Film Festival

The horror genre has long been a staple of film & literature, boasting a significant number of fans and devoted connoisseurs who dedicate much time & money to its exploration.

Date: September 7 – 11, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: $10-$80

Location: 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info. visit Film Festival

Cardiff Greek Festival

Be Greek for the day and enjoy authentic food, music, live entertainment, dancing, children’s activities and more for the entire family at the Annual Greek Festival held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Date: September 10 – 11, 2016

Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Price: Adults – $3, Children 12 and Under – Free

Location: 3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff by-the-Sea

For more info. call 760.942.0920 or visit Greek Festival

Coronado Art Walk

Coronado Ferry Landing celebrating Coronado Art Walks 11th Anniversary.

Date: September 10 – 11, 2016

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: Free

Location: 1100 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118

For more info. call 619.435.7242 or visit Art Walk

San Diego Brazilian Day Festival

With over 60,000 attendees expected, this is touted as the largest Brazilian festival on the West Coast. A free, fun and family friendly festival, activities include a street fair with more than 150 vendors, food court, kids zone and carnival parade complete with floats.

Date: September 10, 2016

Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Price: Free

Location: One block from the beach on Garnet Ave.

For more info. call 619.867.3231 or visit Brazilian Festival

3rd Annual Carlsbad Brewfest

Celebrating craft beer with tastings from more than 30 local & national breweries, music, entertainment, games & food vendors.

Date: September 10, 2016

Time: 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Price: $10-$40

Location: 3400 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

For more info. visit Carlsbad Brewfest

South Bay Pride Art & Musical Festival

South Bay Pride Art and Music Festival will be a day (and night) of fun for all. The fun starts at noon at the Bayfront Park in Chula Vista.

Date: September 10, 2016

Time: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Price: Free

Location: 999 Bayside Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91910

For more info. visit Art and Music Festival

Burgers & Beers

Join the search to find the best burger at the 1st Annual Reader Burgers & Beer at Golden Hill Park. Try gourmet burgers from more than 30 of the best restaurants as they compete to win the “Best Burger” award.

Date: September 10, 2016

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Price: $15-$50

Location: 2590 Golden Hill Drive, San Diego, CA 92102

For more info. visit Burgers & Beers

Santee Bluegrass Festival

The Santee Bluegrass Festival has become an annual fund-raiser in the East County and San Diego Communities. Participants take part in an evening filled with fine wines, a bevy of brews, tasty treats, bidding bazaar & live Bluegrass music.

Date: September 10, 2016

Time: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Price: $35-$125

Location: 550 Park Center Drive, Santee, CA 92071

For more info. visit Bluegrass Festival

Taste of Downtown

Take your taste buds on a tour, your appetite on an adventure, and your palate to paradise at the 24th Annual Taste of Downtown, sponsored by Makers Quarter.

Date: September 15, 2016

Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: $30-$35

Location: refer to website

For more info. visit Taste of Downtown

San Diego Bayfair

San Diego Bayfair’s World Series of Powerboat Racing – a family festival tradition for more than 40 years speeds to the finish line.

Date: September 16 – 18, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: $20-$250

Location: 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109

For more info. call 760.789.8870 or visit S.D. Bayfair

KAABOO Festival

The KAABOO Festival will include performances by more than 100 musical acts on seven stages with internationally known headliners, established favorites and emerging artists.

Date: September 16 – 18, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: $229-$2499

Location: 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014

For more info. visit KAABOO

Carmel Valley Trail 5k and 10k

Welcome to San Diego’s only trail race through beautiful Gonzales Canyon open space and torrey highlands community park.

Date: September 17, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: $30-$55

Location: Del Mar Heights Rd & Lansdale Dr., S.D., CA 92130

For more info. visit Carmel Valley Trail

Old Town San Diego Fiestas Patrias

It’s that time again to head to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to celebrate Mexican Independence!

Date: September 17, 2016

Time: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Price: Free

Location: San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street, S.D., CA 92110

For more info. visit Old Town Fiestas

The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure

Calling all Octo-Cadets! For the first time ever, The Octonauts are bringing their live stage show to the U.S.!

Date: September 22, 2016

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM

Price: Tickets start at $41

Location: 868 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info. call 619.570.1100 or visit Octonauts Deep Sea Adventure

2016 MCAS Miramar Air Show

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is once again hosting the largest military Air Show in the country! This year’s theme is Celebrating 100 Years of the Marine Corps Reserves.

Date: September 23 – 25, 2016

Time: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Price: General Admission and Parking – Free

Location: refer to website

For more info. visit Miramar Air Show

22nd Annual San Diego Festival of Beer

This year we’re excited to celebrate our 22nd year with the biggest and best festival yet! This year’s Festival will return to the Broadway Pier. The indoor/outdoor event will feature live music and nearly 60 different breweries serving up 120 varieties of tasty brews.

Date: September 23, 2016

Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Price: $30-$50

Location: 1000 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info. visit S.D. Festival of Beer

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, where kids can dress up in their Halloween best and go on a trick-or-treating adventure throughout the park (trick or treat bags are provided).Festivities are geared for kids 12 years and under, who are invited to come in costume and enjoy all the festivities on Saturdays and Sundays.

Date: September 24 – October 30, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: Included with park admission.

Location: 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109

For more info. call 800.257.4268 or visit Spooktacular

San Diego Restaurant Week

This September, San Diego Restaurant Week will celebrate local by showcasing the fresh and delicious ingredients that our region is known for.

Date: September 25 – October 2, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: $10-$50

Location: refer to website

For more info. visit S.D. Restaurant Week

San Diego International Film Festival

More and more, film enthusiasts are coming to San Diego to bask in the light of the glitz and glamour, the parties and premieres, the artists and aficionados, celebrities and scene stealers.

Date: September 28 – October 2, 2016

Time: refer to website

Price: $75-$595

Location: refer to website

For more info. call 619.818.2221 or visit S.D. Film Festiva