Living in a place with perfect year-round climate is nothing short of fantastic…but there’s still a certain magic when it comes to the summer months. We’re two down – but one to go! From farmers markets to music festivals and community celebrations, here are some fabulous things to do this August in San Diego.
1. San Diego Soul Food Fest
Make sure to save your appetite for August 9! Delicious food from across the diaspora will tickle your taste buds and hopefully expose you to the vast range of food from local businesses, both large and small. Different black-owned eateries will be highlighted, and we can’t wait to try all the food. The event takes place in the North Park community, and it starts at 11 AM. Tickets start from $7. General admission will give you access to a variety of food vendors, entertainment, an interview with a book author and more. Tasting tickets will provide you with everything above plus three tastings of your choice from any of our participating vendors.
2. ArtWalk @ Liberty Station
ArtWalk Liberty Station returns August 1–3, to celebrate its 20th year at Ingram Plaza in San Diego’s Arts District. Featuring over 200 visual artists, the festival offers a vibrant mix of fine art, live music, and entertainment. Don’t miss the Friday night preview pARTy, where you can enjoy early access to the art, along with music and drinks.
3. Toro Nagashi Festival
This August in San Diego, The Japanese Friendship Garden will host the Toro Nagashi Festival. Take part in the Toro Nagashi tradition by floating a lantern in remembrance of loved ones who have passed. Alongside merchant booths, the festival features diverse performances inside the Inamori Pavilion. In the lower garden, you’ll find food vendors and beer and sake garden to enjoy throughout the event.
4. Bike The Bay
San Diego is a really outdoorsy city – and one of the healthiest in US! However, suppose you haven’t exercised erm.. as much as you should. In that case, this Bike The Bay is a perfect chance to exercise in a fun and different setting. On August 24, the ride will start at Embarcadero Marina Park South. This non-competitive 25-mile bike ride is perfect for all abilities. The mostly flat ride covers the San Diego Bay via the Bayshore Bikeway. It is a one-time chance to ride your bike over the Coronado Bay Bridge! After, there will be festivities to enjoy, such as food, beverage, a beer garden, and entertainment at Embarcadero Marina.
5. Dog Days Of Summer
Dog Days of Summer is the biggest dog-centered event in town! This all-day event brings in over 10,000 attendees from all over San Diego. It takes place on August 3 from 10 AM until 3 PM. You’ll find vendors, pet adoptions from local shelters and rescue organizations, dog and kid zones. We recommend that your dog be dressed to the nines since a doggie photo booth is waiting for them.
6. Summer Spectacular at SeaWorld
Throughout the whole month of August, you can enjoy amazing live music at SeaWorld. It’s all included in your ticket, and it happens every weekend. This series features a lot of R&B and hip-hop, and it brings back beloved hits from the ’90s and 2000s. Stunt shows, fireworks and favorite characters are also on at SeaWorld, to complete the summer vibes.
7. Explore the Farmers Markets
August brings the best produce – fresh vegetables, delicious fruits, and all with perfect weather. We’re lucky to have so many farmers markets around San Diego, which are a joy to explore year-round…we just think August is the best time. Hillcrest Farmers Market has over 175 vendors, Little Italy Mercato has the freshest pasta, while City Heights is perfect for those looking for a cozier vibe. Here’s a list of our favorite spots.
8. Nighttime at San Diego Zoo
Thus month, the fun at the San Diego Zoo starts after the sun goes down. With longer hours (till 8PM), live music, spectacular entertainment, one-of-a-kind moments with wildlife, and unforgettable fun for the whole family…what else could you wish for? You can check out Rock & Roar, Zoolamoves, Amazing Acrobats of Tanzania, and more. Oh, and don’t miss the adorable giant pandas!
9. Del Mar Racing
Here’s an August in San Diego highlight! The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club 2025 summer racing season runs from July 18, and offers eight weeks of racing, concluding on September 7. This highly anticipated event draws big crowds! Known as ‘Where the Turf Meets the Surf’, this is more than racing…it’s a summer social tradition. Expect fashionable crowds, creative hats, and a lively but refined ambiance. In the past years, the event has been seen as a cool destination with upscale food and drinks. Sometimes, you can even spot a celebrity!
10. Cheer for the Padres
It’s still Padres season, which means we still got time to catch a game, pre-party, or one of the famous theme nights. Go to Petco Park for a great night out – due to its location, adjacent to the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, the stadium brings all the excitement of a Major League Baseball game into a bustling downtown setting. Looking for a more chill experience? Head to a sports bar, such as barleymash or Nason’s Beer Hall.
11. Free concerts @ Rady Shell
This stunning open-air concert venue, located on the San Diego Bay waterfront is the perfect location for summer concerts. It serves as the San Diego Symphony’s first permanent outdoor home. This unique setup offers a blend of phenomenal acoustics and classic SD scenic beauty. These shows are taking place this August in San Diego:
- Mr. Symphonic: Shaggy with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra – August 1
- Simply The Best: The Music of Tina Turner – August 2
- Miles Davis: Porgy and Bess with Gilbert Castellanos – August 3
- Chicago the Musical in Concert – August 8
- THE BEACH BOYS: The Sounds of Summer Tour – August 9
- GIPSY KINGS Featuring Nicolas Reyes – August 10
- KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD – Phantom Island Tour 2025 – August 11
- Smokey Robinson: Legacy Tour – August 16
- Cynthia Erivo with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra – August 17
- Barbie the Movie: In Concert – August 22
- Jurassic Park in Concert – August 23
- Boyz II Men with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra – August 24
- Mt. Joy: 2025 HOPE WE HAVE FUN Tour – August 26
- “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour – August 29
- TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR – August 30
- SNAP! Best of the ’90s with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra – August 31
12. Tiki Oasis
Step into a vibrant celebration of vintage island vibes at Tiki Oasis! This is the world’s largest and longest-running tiki festival. It blends retro flair with a tropical twist, features live music, dance shows, art displays, craft cocktails, and more. With over 4,000 guests annually, it’s a weekend-long immersion into the playful, colorful world of tiki culture. The event takes place between August 6 – 10.
13. La Jolla Music Society SummerFest
Get ready for 4 full weeks of dynamic performances! Dozens of international musicians participate in La Jolla’s SummerFest – think of it as ‘Coachella for classical music lovers’. This August, each concert highlights a key turning point or life stage, illuminating the spark of youthful experimentation, the mid-career breakthroughs that redefined boundaries, and the final reflections that cemented legendary legacies.
14. Hillcrest CityFest
August in San Diego once again brings the city’s largest art and music street festival! This amazing event spans across 9 blocks with bands, DJs, crafts, food, and beer gardens. Each year, the festival takes place in the heart of Hillcrest under the Hillcrest Sign and is a huge celebration of community spirit. It takes place on August 10 – don’t miss it!
15. Chula Vista Lemon Festival
Ready for one of the cutest August celebrations in San Diego? Downtown Chula Vista’s Third Avenue transforms into a lemon-filled oasis! Chula Vista was once known as ‘Lemon Capitol of the World’ . We don’t have the lemon groves anymore, but many of the homes in the area have their own lemon trees nowadays. At this celebration, you’ll find a pie eating competition, live music, a kids’ zone, and even pups in lemon outfits. Don’t forget to wear your best citrusy outfit, too. It takes place on August 16.
16. Holo Holo Festival
San Diego truly has it all – the water, the nearby State Parks…but we were just missing the island vibes. Holo Holo San Diego is back on August 30 and 31 to fix that. Wear your best island outfit, grab your lei, and get ready for this much-awaited reggae experience. This year, it takes place at Gallagher Square at Petco Park. It promises to be the biggest edition yet, with a stellar line-up, and a new culinary feature, called The Great Island Cook Out. Check out this article for the line-up and more info.
17. Dockside Night Market
This night market is San Diego summer at its best. Held for one night only, on August 7 at the Tuna Dockside Pier, this waterfront event showcases top local chefs, fresh-caught seafood, craft cocktails, and live music…all just steps from the fishing boats! Wander the pier, enjoy a drink, and take in the coastal energy as you sample some of the city’s finest flavors. The organizers encourage you to ‘come hungry, stay late‘ – sounds great to us!