San Diego Events & Festivals 2026
From Comic-Con's cosplay takeover to December Nights' luminarias in Balboa Park — time your visit to the events that make America's Finest City unforgettable.
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San Diego has something going on every single month. The weather makes it possible — you can be outside in February or November and it feels like the rest of the country's summer. We've lived here long enough to know which events are worth planning around and which ones you stumble into by accident (those are sometimes the best ones). Comic-Con is the headline, but December Nights, the Del Mar races, and the Adams Avenue Street Fair are the ones that feel most like San Diego to us.
— Scott
Events by Month
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San Diego Comic-Con (July) is the world's largest pop culture convention and the city's marquee event. Del Mar Racing Season (July-September) is a Southern California tradition. December Nights in Balboa Park draws 350,000+ visitors over two evenings. The Miramar Air Show (September) is the largest military air show in the country. San Diego Pride (July) is one of the biggest on the West Coast.
Comic-Con International is held in late July (typically the third or fourth weekend) at the San Diego Convention Center. Badges sell out within minutes of going on sale months in advance. Even without a badge, the Gaslamp Quarter becomes a massive party with free off-site events, activations, and cosplayers everywhere. Book hotels 6-12 months ahead — the entire downtown sells out.
December Nights is San Diego's most beloved holiday tradition, held the first Friday and Saturday of December. Balboa Park's museums open for free in the evening, El Prado is lined with luminarias and food vendors, and carolers and performers fill every corner. Over 350,000 people attend. Arrive by 3 PM to find parking, or take the free shuttle from City College.
Many of San Diego's best events are free — December Nights, the Miramar Air Show, the Adams Avenue Street Fair, the US Open Sandcastle Competition, and the Parade of Lights all have free admission. The San Diego County Fair, KAABOO, and Comic-Con require tickets. Del Mar Racing has affordable general admission ($6-10). Street festivals like FESTA! and Cinco de Mayo in Old Town are free.
Summer is peak event season. July alone has Comic-Con, San Diego Pride, Del Mar Racing Season opening, the Over-the-Line Tournament, and the US Open Sandcastle Competition. June brings the County Fair and Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. August has the Surf Film Festival and Taste of Hillcrest. September features KAABOO, the Miramar Air Show, and the Adams Avenue Street Fair.
July is the most event-packed month with Comic-Con, Pride, Del Mar, OTL, and sandcastle competitions. December is magical with December Nights and the Parade of Lights. September offers KAABOO, the Air Show, and street fairs with smaller crowds than summer. October has Beer Week and Little Italy FESTA! Really, every month has something worth attending — that's the beauty of San Diego's year-round climate.