From Baseball Games to Concerts, Add These San Diego Happenings to Your Summer Calendar!

The San Diego sunshine is calling, and we must go. Though the city is a sun-soaked destination year-round, there’s nothing quite like a perfect summer day in San Diego. The weather speaks for itself, but the happenings sure don’t hurt as an added bonus. Get your dose of summer fun at these epic San Diego events—from music festivals and movie nights to art showcases and horse races. Whether you’re looking for something free and easy or want to make sure you have tickets to the hottest shows in advance, we’ve got you covered. If you think you don’t have plans, think again—or better yet, think ahead with these seven summer events in San Diego to look forward to!

 

SummerFest at The Conrad

Dates: Weekends from July 28-Aug. 26

Classic never goes out of style. Immerse yourself among the greats with renditions of Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin and other legendary composers this summer at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, which is presenting the 37th annual SummerFest! This renowned La Jolla festival spans four jam-packed weeks with 21 dynamic performances and 75 international musicians covering every section of the chamber orchestra. This year’s program, titled “Journey into the Great Unknown,” is centered around the joy of discovery and rediscovery, the delight in the unexpected and the mystery that accompanies everything exotic–all through the magic of music. Director Inon Barnatan is bringing in talented acts to take over the venue all summer long, featuring renowned artists like Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, cellist Alisa Weilerstein and dance star Wendy Whelan, just to name a few. Rumor has it, you may even catch a spectacular arrangement of Queen’s hit “Bohemian Rhapsody!” Check the full schedule for details and join them for another year of enchanting musical performances.

 

Botanica in Bloom

Date: July 29

A place where visual and experiential art intersect, Botanica is San Diego’s first NFT bar, and it’s causing quite the stir. Women-owned with a focus on gin and genever cocktails, this sexy hideaway showcases all kinds of immersive digital art (that’s actually for sale!). And this summer, Botanica is hosting monthly day parties featuring garden grooves and summer sips in the Art Produce Garden! On Saturday, July 29, from 3-6 p.m., guests can enjoy refreshing cocktails created by the women-led bar staff at this North Park nook while listening to some vinyl beats by DJ Tykes. Botanica in Bloom will also feature tarot card readings by Ancestral Mama! This bloomin’ event is free to the public, so come soak up the sunshine and enjoy botanical cocktails infused with items from the beautiful community garden!

 

The Blank Table x Be Saha Dinner

Date: July 27

We love a pop-up dining experience, and nobody does it quite like The Blank Table. Founded by two middle school besties with hearts for fostering connections and building community, The Blank Table brings people together through cuisine, cocktails and creativity. Each pop-up dinner is a sensory-filled experience featuring a five-course menu with pairings from San Diego’s top mixologists. 

This July, Chef Ruffo Ibarra (Chef and Owner of Oryx Restaurante and Nórtico and President of Bocuse d’Or team Mexico) is taking the culinary lead on The Blank Table‘s July 27 dinner with an exclusive preview of his forthcoming concept with Be Saha Hospitality (who will be taking over the restaurant space at The Guild Hotel). This will be the first time anyone in San Diego will be able to preview one of Baja’s most celebrated chefs! Immerse yourself in a sensorial evening of delicious cuisine, beautifully paired cocktails, art, music and more.

 

Padres vs. Dodgers at Petco Park

Dates: Aug. 4 -7

If you’re ever at a loss for how to spend a summer evening, Petco Park is most certainly the answer. Crowned the No. 1 ballpark in the nation, a day at a San Diego Padres game is centered around high-quality food vendors like Pizza Port, Puesto and Seaside Market, all washed down with a refreshing beer from local breweries like Ballast Point and Coronado Brewing. It’s always a home run, but take it a step further this year and catch the buzz of rivalry when the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 4-7.

Local Insight: Never been to a game at Petco Park before? Check out this insider ballpark guide for an out-of-the-park game day experience!

 

Del Mar Horse Racing Season

Dates: July 21-Sept. 10

On your mark, get set, go! Race to the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Thursdays through Sundays from July 21 through Sept. 10 to see the jockeys do their thing! The Del Mar horse races make for the perfect place to kick back and place a couple bets, or you can snag tickets to any of the racetrack’s events throughout the season! Come with your best creative topper on July 21 and enter the hat contest, or start the season off on the right foot with a ticket to Volo Sports San Diego’s famous Opening Day Party. However you choose to attend, delicious food and drink options and edge-of-your-seat horse races await!

 

Summer Movies in the Park

Dates: Weekends from June-October

Set the scene under the stars (literally) with a night out at Summer Movies in the Park, happening weekend nights from June through October all across San Diego County. Projectors will be set up in parks from North Clairemont Community Park to Spring Valley County Park to screen family-friendly favorites like “Alice in Wonderland,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Puss in Boots” and more. Just show up before the screening, pick your ideal spot and cozy up with your chairs, pillows and blankets for a night that summer weather was made for. Showtimes vary, so check the schedule of events to plan your outing!

 

18th Annual ArtWalk at Liberty Station

Dates: Aug. 4-6

It’s time to give your standard stroll a splash of creativity. The 18th Annual ArtWalk at Liberty Station will be taking place the first weekend in August at Liberty Station, featuring a new exclusive first-look preview pARTy complete with live music on Friday, Aug. 4! The festival will feature 175 artists from across the US and Mexico, showcasing mediums from paintings and photography to ceramic art, jewelry and sculpture. The ArtWalk is completely free and is set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come celebrate the cultural diversity of San Diego and appreciate original artwork from some of our very own and beyond!

 

Pool House Sundays

Dates: Now through Sept. 10

Lounge poolside with a little side of party at the Pendry San Diego’s Pool House Sundays. Catch DJs like Georgia Sinclair, Lavelle Dupree and more spinning in the sunshine from noon to 6 p.m. each Sunday this summer. Come as you are or reserve a cabana or daybed in advance for the perfect place to post up and order some grub from their extensive poolside food and drink menu (fish tacos and a passion berry mojito, please!). Say hello to the ideal way to amp up your otherwise lazy last day of the week. Let’s get groovy.

 

South Bay Pride Festival

Date: Aug. 26

Bear your best bright colors and show your support for the LGBTQ+ community at the South Bay Pride Festival, taking place in Chula Vista Harbor! Each summer, people of every gender, color, religion and ethnicity come together to celebrate each other with a day full of music, dancing, art and local business vendors. Not only is this yearly tradition a celebration of the community, the event assists in creating a bi-national resource center in south San Diego County as a safe haven. Come as you are and live life to the fullest with a day of good vibes at this 15th annual Pride celebration!