San Diego is well known for its diversity, and it shows in its annual events calendar. Residents get to enjoy a variety of festivities that celebrate the city’s natural beauty, its history and its culture. Offering everything from flower festivals to comic conventions, expats will be spoilt for choice when it comes to events in San Diego.
Annual events in San Diego
San Diego Museum Month (February)
With a 50 percent discount on entry fees at dozens of participating museums throughout San Diego, February is the perfect time for expats to explore the city’s wealth of history and culture. Lovers of art, history and nature will all be in seventh heaven with so many diverse museums to choose from.
San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon (June)
The Rock ‘n Roll Marathon is a running event with a musical twist. On the marathon and half-marathon course, runners are urged along by local bands playing on course-side stages. There is also a finish-line festival running throughout the day, and a free post-race concert to end the day on a high note.
LGBTQ Pride Parade and Festival (July)
More than 200,000 attendees from all walks of life congregate at Balboa Park for the colourful, cultural spectacle that is San Diego Pride. Dozens of musicians, bands and dance troupes can be seen at the city’s premier LGBTQ event.
San Diego Comic-Con (July)
Arguably the city’s most famous event, Comic-Con is the largest pop culture and comic book convention in the world. Participants dressed as superheroes and sci-fi characters attend screenings of new films and video games, watch panel discussions featuring famous actors, directors and writers, and get to meet some of their entertainment heroes.
San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival (November)
Some of San Diego’s best restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries come together with celebrity chefs and thousands of attendees to celebrate all things food and drink at this yearly festival. One of the biggest events of its kind in the country, the Wine and Food Festival is a great warm-up for the festive season.
Balboa Park December Nights (December)
For the past four decades, Balboa Park December Nights has brought together city residents to enjoy the festivities that take place beneath Balboa Park’s Christmas lights. The largest free festival in San Diego, December Nights offers a chance for attendees to enjoy live performances and a winter marketplace while munching on grub from the festival's speciality food stalls.