Sunday Summer Concerts by the Sea
July 1, 15
3 – 5 PM
Location: Encinitas, Moonlight Beach, 400 B St
This summer, Encinitas Parks and Recreation brings more fun to our beach concert experience. Each concert date features cool, hands-on exhibits, demos, concerts and free stuff! All you need to do is show up, how cool is that? There are two concert dates in July and two in August. July 1 features Fan Halen. July 15 features Betamaxx.
Summer Concerts are held right on the sand at beautiful Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. Come enjoy fun at the beach. Remember that glass, alcohol, smoking and dogs are prohibited on our beaches.
San Diego County Fair
June 1 – July 4
Location: Del Mar, Del Mar Fair Grounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
How Sweet It Is! Get ready for treats that will tempt all of your senses at the 2018 San Diego County Fair.
What sweet things are at the fair this year? There are so many! See concerts, exhibits, attractions and festivals. Don’t miss the entertainment, animals and contests too.
This year the Fair opens at 4:00 PM on Friday, June 1 and continues through Wednesday, July 4. The Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in June. The Fair’s season pass, the Best Pass Ever, is on sale now! Attend all 26 days of the Fair for just $28.
Oceanside Fireworks Show
July 3
6 – 10 PM
Location: Oceanside, El Corazon Park, 3302 Senior Center Dr
July 3
The public is invited to the City of Oceanside Fireworks Show on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. The fireworks will be staged at El Corazon in celebration of Oceanside’s 130th anniversary. Rancho Del Oro Boulevard will be closed from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The fireworks display will be at 9:00 p.m. Recommended viewing area is on Rancho del Oro Drive. There will be music, entertainment and food trucks from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free parking is at Martin Luther King Middle School and Ivey Ranch Elementary School. Please bring a beach chair/blanket to sit on. No alcohol or dogs are permitted at this free, family-friendly event.
Fourth of July Fireworks Displays, Parades and Festivals
Below are most of the North County fireworks displays, parades and festivals along with several big ones in San Diego. I’ve listed them alphabetically by city.
Camp Pendleton Beach Bash
Time: 8 AM – 10 PM
Location: Camp Pendleton, Del Mar Beach
This event is for authorized military personnel with valid DOD ID card (active duty, retirees, reservists, and family members) and their sponsored guest.
The day includes DJ Mike and lots of great giveaways. There will be a Family Fun Zone, Margaritaville, food vendors and La Casa retail open for you. Fireworks are at 9 pm.
Red, White and BOOM!
Time: 1 – 9 PM
Location: Carlsbad, One LEGOLAND Dr
The summer heats up at LEGOLAND® with a star-spangled Fourth of July celebration, “Red, White and BOOM!.” The awe-inspiring fireworks show begins at 8:30 PM and blends patriotic music with dazzling pyrotechnics. All Red, White and BOOM! activities are included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California.
San Diego County Fair Fireworks Display
Time: 9:30 AM – 12 AM
Location: Del Mar, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
What better place is there to spend Independence Day than at the San Diego County Fair? Highlighting the day will be the traditional fireworks display, which will happen at approximately 9:00 PM at the Corona Grandstand Stage. The fireworks display is visible from many areas in the Fairgrounds, with favorite viewing areas including reserved Terrace seating and 2nd and 4th levels of the Grandstand, Family Funville, and the Fun Zone.
Fireworks Spectacular
The show includes more than 3,600 aerial display counts, with 500 shells in the Grand Finale alone! These aren’t wimpy fireworks either — shells are up to 8 inches and include titanium flash salutes, color changing aerial displays, distinctive and unique display shells, and the popular streaking comets and tiger tails! Come blast off with us as we celebrate America!
Escondido Independence Day Festival & Fireworks
Time: 4 – 9:30 PM
Location: Escondido, Great Green, California Center for the Arts
Join 25,000 patriotic festival-goers for the 55th Annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks. This free community event features rockin’ live music, fabulous food vendors, and a wealth of children’s activities and games for everyone to enjoy. The day’s festivities will conclude with a special performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and, of course, a dazzling fireworks display starting at 9 pm. You won’t want to miss this annual North County tradition!
Join us from 4:00-9:00 pm for our all-ages VIP area! Entrance is $5 and grants you access to preferred stage viewing, shaded and air-conditioned areas, private restrooms, giant games, and the best seat in the house for fireworks viewing.
Beer Tasting & Food Bank Donations
For our 21+ guests, enjoy a beer tasting experience with Stone Brewing Co., Karl Strauss Brewing Co., and Jacked Up Brewery! This year we are also partnering with the San Diego Food Bank. Donate items from this list to receive a ticket for one free 4 oz. taster per item donated (limit of 3 free tasters)!
Thanks so much to our generous sponsors! Parking is extremely limited. Please carpool or plan accordingly.
Julian 4th of July Parade
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
Location: Julian, Main Street, from Julian High School to Frank Lane Park
This year Julian salutes July Fourth with the theme, “Julian’s Star Spangled 4th”. Julian honors our nation’s birthday with a salute to the men and women who made our country great, both domestically and militarily.
For more than twenty years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers from all over have lined up at on the town’s main street to wave their flags, cheer the marching bands, salute the Marine Color Guard, and carry a giant American flag down the thoroughfare.
There will be events before and after the parade including flyovers, a gunfight, musical presentations, and a barbecue. The parade will start at noon and last about an hour. This home town parade includes marching bands, antique cars, vintage tractors, belly dancers, World War II submariners, several comedy entries and local dignitaries.
Fireworks at La Jolla Cove
Time: cancelled
Location: La Jolla, 1133 Coast Blvd
Cancelled
There will be no 4th of July fireworks at The Cove this year.
Oceanside Fireworks Show
July 3
Time: 6 – 10 PM
Location: Oceanside, El Corazon Park, 3302 Senior Center Dr
The public is invited to the City of Oceanside Fireworks Show on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. The fireworks will be staged at El Corazon in celebration of Oceanside’s 130th anniversary. Rancho Del Oro Boulevard will be closed from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The fireworks display will be at 9:00 p.m. Recommended viewing area is on Rancho del Oro Drive. There will be music, entertainment and food trucks from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free parking is at Martin Luther King Middle School and Ivey Ranch Elementary School. Please bring a beach chair/blanket to sit on. No alcohol or dogs are permitted at this free, family-friendly event.
Poway Old Fashioned Fourth of July
& Fireworks
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM, 6 – 10 PM
Location: Poway, 14134 Midland Rd and 15500 Espola Rd
Festival
Bring your family and friends to Old Poway Park and celebrate our country’s independence turn-of-the-20th-century-style. This event will feature patriotic entertainment, gun fighting re-enactments, free children’s crafts, train displays, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee. The festival runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is free.
Fireworks
Gates open at 6:00 PM at Poway High School Stadium, 15500 Espola Road, for the fireworks celebration. There will be DJ music, games and activities. Fireworks will start at 9:00 PM. $5 per person at the gate. Children 11 and under are FREE.
Rancho Bernardo The Spirit of the Fourth Fair, Parade and Fireworks
Time: 9 AM – 9:30 PM
Location: Rancho Bernardo, Webb Park at 16826 Bernardo Center Dr and Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido
The Spirit of the Fourth festivities include a community fair, parade, evening entertainment and fireworks. The community fair will have a patriotic pet contest, motor show, magic show, rubber ducky race, a veterans’ memorial service, and a parade.
The parade will start at 3:30 pm. The evening will open at 6:00 pm at the athletic field of Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido with live music. The lavish fireworks display begins at 9 pm.
Rancho Santa Fe’s Annual 4th of July Parade & Picnic
Time: 1 – 5 PM
Location: Rancho Santa Fe, 16948 Avenida De Acacias
The parade starts at 1:00 pm and includes floats, fire trucks, vintage cars, equestians and parade princesses. There is a picnic and live concert at 1:30 pm with a barbecue and live music by the Harmony Grove Band.
SeaWorld Star-Spangled Fireworks Spectacular
Time: TBD
Location: San Diego, 500 Sea World Dr
Don’t miss this spectacular display of sparkle and excitement. Fireworks will start at 9:40 PM. Reserved seating is available. Fireworks shows will be held July 4 through July 7.
Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom!
Time: 9 PM
Location: San Diego, San Diego Bay
The Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show is back, promising another spectacular display over San Diego Bay.
Four Locations
Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from four different barges placed strategically around the Bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District, Seaport Village/South Embarcadero and Coronado Ferry Landing. Listen to the musical simulcast on The MIGHTY 1090 AM and MAX FM 105.7.
San Marcos Fireworks Extravaganza
Time: 6 – 10 PM
Location: San Marcos, Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Dr
Bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Children’s activities and food sales will be available on-site. Live music by Liquid Blue at 6 pm. Fireworks at 9 pm. Funded entirely by donations from the businesses and citizens of San Marcos.
Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade and Festivities
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM
Location: Scripps Ranch, Hoyt Park, 10158 Aviary Dr, San Diego
Come and enjoy a fun filled day for family and friends at the annual Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade and Festivities. As a spectator you can cheer on your neighbors and friends who are in the parade. But, why not dress up as well and join in the fun? This year’s theme is Stars, Stripes & Dreams.
The parade starts at Red Cedar Drive and Ironwood Road and ends at Hoyt Park where the after-parade festivities will be held.
Vista Independence Day Celebration
Time: 5 – 9:30 PM
Location: Vista, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive
The City of Vista is proud to present the 4th of July celebration every year held at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park. We honor those that serve and have served our country and thank them for their sacrifice.
Schedule
The Independence Day Celebration schedule at the Moonlight Amphitheatre includes the military salute at 7:15 p.m., the Mar Dels’ performance at 7:30 p.m., and the fireworks display at 9 p.m. The Amphitheatre opens at 5 p.m. Admission to the Moonlight Amphitheatre is $5 per person. Admission for children five and under, active and retired military members and their immediate families is free. Parking in Brengle Terrace Park is $15 per car and $30 per recreational vehicle.
TGIF Concerts in the Parks
July 6, 13, 20, 27
6 – 8 PM
Location: Carlsbad, various parks
For over 30 years, the City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office has presented live music events throughout the city. When summer rolls around in Carlsbad, everyone gears up for TGIF Concerts in the Parks! The 2018 season runs Friday nights through August 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. It features great music, food and a chance to dance the night away with friends and neighbors in a beautiful outdoor setting. All fields open at 4 p.m.
Music for Everyone
This year’s band lineup offers a music genre for everyone, and includes rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, Latin, country and swing. Concerts are free. They are open to the public and will take place in four beautiful Carlsbad community parks. As onsite parking is limited, a free shuttle service is available at most concert locations.
The music at TGIF is just the beginning. A variety of food vendors are onsite at the events, or you can bring your own feast from home. Family Open Studios is back with free, hands-on art making activities for all ages.
Fallbrook Summer Carnival
July 6 – 8
Location: Fallbrook, Community Parking Lot, Alvarado St
The carnival is coming back to downtown Fallbrook!
Come enjoy the carnival with food, beer and wine, and live music.
San Diego LGBT Pride Rally, Festival and Parade
July 7 & 13 – 15
Location: San Diego, North Park, Community Park, Hillcrest and Balboa Park
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
SheFest
SheFest is on July 7 from 11 am to 6 pm. It is a woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of women while fostering meaningful connections within the LGBT and larger San Diego community.It features workshops, games and mobile pet adoption through the Humane Society. SheFest will be held at North Park Community Park at 4044 Idaho Street.
Hillcrest Block Party
The Pride of Hillcrest Block Party returns to Pride Plaza, Friday, July 13th – celebrating the culture, history, diversity and LGBTQ+ community that lives, works and plays in San Diego’s most colorful and vibrant community. Presented by iHeart Media and SDCCU the party features a diverse line up of local and international talent, including some of the hottest stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race! The festival also features a Stoli cocktail bar and Miller-Coors beer garden, food trucks, a laser-light show, go-go dances, a DJ dance party, and YOU aboard our giant Ferris-Wheel as your take in the views of Hillcrest’s giant 65 foot high Rainbow Pride Flag!
Spirit of Stonewall Rally
The Spirit of Stonewall Rally is part of PBP and will start at 6:00 PM on July 13 at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at 1500 University Avenue. It will celebrate the eventful evening of June 28, 1969 when patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City said, “No more!” to the harassing tactics of the New York Police. That protest has grown to annual events held in major cities throughout the world. In San Diego, our first rally was held in 1975.
Music Festival
San Diego Pride’s famous music festival will be held at Marston Point in Balboa Park at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street on July 14 and 15 and includes multiple stages of entertainment, more than 100 musicians, bands, comedians and dancers, marvelous shopping at dozens of vendor booths, exhibits, cultural presentations, and great food!
Parade
On July 14, the parade begins at 11:00 AM at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, proceeds west on University Avenue, turns south on 6th Avenue, turns left onto Balboa Drive, and ends at Quince Drive. The San Diego Pride Parade is among the largest in the United States, attracting over 100,000 cheering spectators.
Vista BBQ Classic
July 14
Location: Vista, Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N Santa Fe Ave
The Vista BBQ Classic is an official Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned event now in its ninth year in Vista. Teams will travel from all over the state to compete for prize money, trophies, points and bragging rights.
New Location
This year the BBQ Classic will be even better with its move to the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum. There will be plenty of parking with wagon ride parking shuttles. There will also be a country music festival, Old West style entertainment, and a beer and spritis garden. And, of course, there will be plenty of barbeque, mac and cheese and chili.
There are lots of fun contests and ticket prices that fit every budget.
Summer Fun Fest & Movie in the Park
July 14
5:30 PM
Location: Vista, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr
Summer Fun Fest: Kids’ face painting, crafts, activities, bounce houses, and more from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Free Movie in the Park: Despicable Me 3 (PG). Movie begins at 8 pm.
Annual Over-The-Line-Tournament®
July 14 – 15, July 21 – 22
Location: San Diego, Fiesta Island, Mission Bay Park, 2688 E Mission Bay Dr
The 65th Annual World Championship Over-The-Line Tournament® will be held on Fiesta Island on July 14 – 15 and July 21 -22.
Over-The-Line (OTL) is a bat and ball game played with two teams of three players each. OTL is a public event and requires no ticket or entrance fee to watch the games and enjoy the tournament.
Games start at 7:30 AM promptly and continue until dark on both weekends of OTL. First weekend games are three innings only. 2nd weekend games are four innings.
Rules
Rules will be strictly enforced: No Bottles, No Bicycles, No Bowzers (dogs), No Babies, No Boas, No Bad Attitudes, No Battles (fighting). OTL is a public event. However, it is not appropriate or safe for children due to crowds, bat and ball related games and language.
Moonlight Amphitheatre Disney’s Newsies
July 18 – August 4
Location: Vista, 1250 Vale Terrace Dr
They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines! Newsies is a high-energy explosion of song and dance based on the popular 1992 film which became a hit Broadway musical in 2012. It features an incredible score by Alan Menken and is based on the thrilling true story of the Newsboy strike in 1899, when a bunch of rag tag orphans took on the mighty Joe Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, nearly bringing down the city of New York. The musical features many of the beloved songs from the movie while introducing eight new songs.
Del Mar Racing Season
July 18 – September 3
Location: Del Mar, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
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 through 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.
Concert Series
Don’t miss the Del Mar Summer Concert Series. Concerts are free with racetrack admission purchased prior to the last race.
Comic-Con International San Diego
July 19 – 22
Location: San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr
Comic-Con was founded in 1970 and has become the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture.
Mission Statement
Comic-Con International: San Diego is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.
Insect and Ladybug Festival
July 21 – 22
9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Encinitas, San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Dr
This one-of-a-kind event features thousands of fascinating creepy-crawlies including live insects, lizards, snakes, and the famous “Madagascar hissing cockroaches.” Children can practice bug collecting, hands-on insect arts and crafts, and even taste cooked mealworm larva in various flavors such as mesquite, teriyaki, and barbeque! Entomologists and other bug experts will be available for questions and more than 20 informational booths will teach and entertain children and adults alike.
Free for members and children 12 and under. Included with paid admission for non-members.
Supergirl Pro
July 27 – 29
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Pier, 300 The Strand N
The Supergirl Pro is the only 6-star WSL sanctioned Women’s Surf Contest in the world, with more than 100 of the planet’s top pros expected to compete.
In addition to the best surfing talent in the world, the Supergirl Pro features an action-packed Festival Village with 20 top musical artists performing live on the Supergirl Music Stage. There will also be autograph signings, various vendors and activities, give-aways, contests, celebrities, skateboarding, DJ’s, art, hair styling, fashion, live music, fitness, dance, yoga, sustainability, seminars, speakers, great food, a beer and wine garden and so much more! Admission to the event is free.
Cause Partners
Since the beginning, the Supergirl Pro has been partnered with Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC), a youth-focused breast cancer education and prevention foundation. B4BC will be present at the event to promote early detection and a healthy, active lifestyle as the best means of breast cancer prevention. Supergirl is also partnered with Earth’s Oceans Foundation the ADL’s No Place For Hate.
The event will be filmed and turned into docu-drama style programming to be aired on FOX Sports. Tune into the event’s live webcast on July 28th and 29th!
Solana Beach Triathlon & Duathlon
July 29
9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Solana Beach, Fletcher Cove, 111 S Sierra Ave
The surf-entry ocean swim is supported by lifeguards and swim buddies. The bike and run courses cruise down the world famous Pacific Coast Highway. Finally, a tunnel of high-fives awaits you at the finish line – a gauntlet of excitement. This sprint triathlon/duathlon/aquabike is an event that will be remembered forever.
This is a USAT sanctioned event. There will be a contingental breakfast, beer garden, commemorative tech t-shirt and entertaiment. The expo is located at the corner of Plaza and Acacia streets.