Summer is here and there’s no better way to celebrate than with food festivals, outdoor theater, concerts and summer sports. Here’s your guide of 50+ June events in San Diego so you can be part of the fun.
Edited by Lisa Kelley
EVENTS
Sip the City
June 2. Kick off San Diego Urban Wine Week at Sip the City, featuring wines from more than 12 San Diego urban wineries, plus live entertainment. $20/pp. 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Headquarters at Seaport Village, 789 West Harbor Dr., downtown. sdurbanwineries.com
North Park After Dark
June 2. Wander through North Park for an evening urban shopping experience. Businesses will feature free raffle prizes, live entertainment and bites from local restaurants. Various locations. explorenorthpark.com
Craft Beers + Bites
June 3. Enjoy craft beer from more than 20 local breweries, food truck fare for purchase and games of giant Jenga, bean-bag toss and giant beer pong. $35/pp. 5-9 p.m. SILO in Makers Quarter, 753 15th St., East Village. eventbrite.com
Wine & Craft Beer Tasting at Cruisin’ Grand
June. 3. Eight local wineries (plus Stone Brewing Co.) take over Maple Street Plaza during the weekly Crusin’ Grand event. Sample their award-winning wines, rock to live music and browse through the classic hot rods lining Grand Avenue. $20/pp. 5-8 p.m. Maple Street Plaza, Escondido, 760.839.4587. constantcontact.com
San Diego County Fair
June 3-July 4. San Diego’s largest annual event is “Mad About the Fair”—in celebration of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland—and features car shows, animals, games, exhibits, carnival rides, arts and crafts, food vendors, concerts and more. Closed Mondays, except July 4, and June 7 and 14. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. sdfair.com
Brew & Food Festival
June 4. Enjoy craft beer from over 70 breweries in addition to beer-inspired bites from local chefs. Festivities also include live music performances, chef demonstrations and a Silent Disco Dome. $40/pp. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego Marina. brewandfoodfest.com
Art Around Adams
June 4. Adams Avenue comes alive with live music, performances, galleries, live art demonstrations and more. Local businesses and storefronts transform into galleries and stages for artists. Jump aboard the free “Comedy Trolley” to ride up and down the avenue. Various locations. artaroundadams.org
Mud Run at Camp Pendleton
June 4-5. Participate in the 5K or 10K (1K for kids 6-12) and overcome multiple boot-camp inspired obstacles to finish at the muddiest pit in the world. Camp Pendleton. mccscp.com
Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon
June 5. The Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon celebrates 19 years of running through San Diego. This year, the route winds through Balboa Park, Old Town, Uptown neighborhoods and downtown San Diego. The course will be packed with live entertainment all the way to the finish line. runrocknroll.com
Opening Day of Polo
June 5. The 30th anniversary of the event features a celebration with two action-packed matches at 1 and 3 p.m. After the trophy presentation, stay for the highly-anticipated Chukker After Party. 14555 El Camino Real, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.481.9217. sandiegopolo.com
Chef Throwdown
June 9. The historic Hotel del Coronado and Executive Chef James Montejano host the highly anticipated Chef Throwdown event on the hotel’s expansive Windsor Lawn. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and desserts from 30 of the best chefs in San Diego and Mexico, including Tim Kolanko of Blue Bridge Hospitality, Danilo Tangalin of JRDN, Miguel Valdez of the Red Door, Claudette Wilkins and more. $150/pp. 6 p.m. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com
San Diego Greek Festival
June 10-12. Opa! Head over to San Diego’s original Greek Festival and experience a weekend filled with Greek food, imported wine and beer, live Greek music and dancing, a kids fun zone and more. 3655 Park Blvd., North Park, 619.297.4165. sdgreekfestival.com
Summer Block Party
June 11. Liberty Station unleashes the block party of the summer and invites you to explore the neighborhood’s newest eateries, dance along to live entertainment, participate in an outdoor yoga class and shop through the Arts District. Sample complimentary bites at Mess Hall, Soda & Swine, Officine Buona Forchetta, Solare Ristorante, Dirty Birds and The LOT. 6-9 p.m. 2640 Historic Decatur Rd., Liberty Station. libertystation.com
Margarita Month Grand Tasting Party
June 11. Taste dozens of margaritas crafted by the city’s top bartenders at this annual grand tasting event. Choose from 24 mini margaritas, a taco bar, and a whiskey tasting from the Palace Bar. The Horton Grand Hotel, 311 Island Ave., downtown, 619.544.1886. pacificticketing.com
San Diego Festival of the Arts
June 11-12. Formerly known as the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, the 30th annual arts festival hosts nearly 200 award-winning local and national artists. Waterfront Park, Embarcadero, 619.744.0534. sdfestivalofthearts.org
Tacos & Tequila Festival
June 11. Sample signature tacos from 12 local restaurants, sip tequila and craft beer and sway to live music performances. The best part? It’s all unlimited. $40/pp. 1-5 p.m. SILO in Makers Quarter, 753 15th St., East Village. tacostequilafestival.com
Taste of Little Italy
June 15. Tour Little Italy with your taste buds (and Taste passport) as your guide during this annual foodie event. The neighborhood’s unique eateries serve up some small bites of their most popular dishes. Choose either the North or South route, and enjoy live music scattered throughout the neighborhood. $36/pp. 5-9 p.m. Various locations. littleitalysd.com
Downtown at Sundown: Museum of Contemporary Art
June 16. Enjoy free museum admission, exhibition tours, music by The Roots Factory Art Collective, free entry at SDSU downtown Gallery, drink specials, food offerings and more at the monthly downtown event. 1100 Kettner Blvd., 858.454.3541. mcasd.org
US Open of Flowboarding and Night Flight
June 16. Professional flow boarders from around the world compete in the 2nd annual US Open Flowboarding. Viewers can watch from the sand the acrobatics while swaying to beach tunes. WaveHouse at Belmont Park, 3125 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9317. belmontpark.com
Baseball
Ongoing. Catch a San Diego Padres home game at Petco Park. The Padres play the Rockies (June 3-5), the Braves (June 6-8), the Marlins (June 13-15), the Nationals (June 16-19) and the Orioles (June 28-29). 100 Park Blvd., East Village, 619.795.5000. sandiego.padres.mlb.com
Balboa Park After Dark
Ongoing through Sept. 2. On Friday nights through Labor Day weekend, wander through Balboa Park with extended evening hours (until 8 p.m.) at ten museums, as well as catching food trucks and entertainment throughout the park. balboapark.org
Shore Thing
June 16-Sept. 1. On Thursday nights, enjoy extended hours and free admission (from 5-8 p.m.) at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s La Jolla campus. Tour the galleries, hear DJs and bring your own picnic to enjoy as you watch the sun set from the ocean-view terrace. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.3541. mcasd.org
San Diego International Boat Show
June 16-19. Browse and board dozens of docked boats at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, from sailing yachts to family cruisers, plus boating lessons and stand-up paddle-boarding. 1380 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island, 714.633.7581. sandiegointernationalboatshow.com
San Diego International Beer Festival
June 17-19. Taste hundreds of beers from all over the globe—including many hard-to-find specialty craft beers—alongside local favorites at this 10th annual event. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. sandiegobeerfestival.com
San Diego Oysterfest
June 17-18. Top San Diego restaurants provide fresh, succulent oysters from all along the western seaboard, paired with craft brews, cocktails, wines and bubbles. Participate in the oyster shucking competition or just take in the great music acts including Thievery Corporation, Boombox, Rebelution and Through the Roots. $39/pp, for a one-day pass. Marina Embarcadero Park North, 400 Kettner Blvd., San Diego Marina. oysterfestsd.com
Culture & Cocktails: Quilts and Color
June 23. Art comes to life as the San Diego Museum of Art invites guests to get an exclusive look at the newest exhibit, Quilts & Color, with DJ spinning beats, craft cocktails, and tasty bites. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org
Del Mar Summer Solstice
June 23. Annual culinary event features samples from top Del Mar eateries—including Jake’s Del Mar, Poseidon, Pacifica Del Mar, Il Fornaio and Prepkitchen—tastings from premier wineries and breweries, and live music. 21+. $85/pp. 5-8 p.m. Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, 858.735.3650. visitdelmarvillage.com
Wine & Music Festival
June 24. The Women’s Museum of California is hosting the 9th annual Wine and Music Festival featuring summer sips, culinary delights and live musical performances by Southern California artists. Attendees will enjoy a seat in the concert area and six tastings from local wineries. $35/pp. 6-10 p.m. North Promenade Lawn at NTC Liberty Station, 2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Liberty Station, 619.233.7963. womensmuseumca.org
Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off
June 25. Enjoy a day of live music across five stages, artists’ alley, children’s activities, a beach-side beer garden and a chili cook-off featuring more than two dozen amateur entrants at this 37th annual event. Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach, 619.224.4906. oceanbeachsandiego.com
Distilled: San Diego Spirit & Cocktail Festival
June 25. The San Diego County Fairgrounds celebrates spirits with an exclusive event featuring local distillers and mixologists. Guests receive a 10-tab wristband for sampling distilled spirits and mixed cocktails while listening to to bluesy, folk music. $38/pp includes admission to the fair. 1-5 p.m. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. distilledsandiego.com
Taste of Adams Avenue
June 26. Sample eats from 30 restaurants along Adams Avenue, serving everything from Thai to Mexican to dessert. Adams Avenue, Normal Heights, 619.282.7329. adamsavenuebusiness.com
North Eats
June 26. Savor tasty bites from more than 25 North County restaurants while watching the “Cook or Kook” competition and enjoying live music. $65/pp. 4-7 p.m. Chandlers at Cape Rey Carlsbad, 1 Ponto Rd., Carlsbad. bakerandolive.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Sunset Poolside Jazz Series
June 2-Aug. 25. On Thursday evenings, enjoy live jazz music by the third-floor pool of the Westgate Hotel. Take in the city skyline at sunset and enjoy craft cocktails, wine, beer and appetizers. 1055 Second Ave., downtown, 619.557.3655. westgatehotel.com
Mainly Mozart Festival
Through June 18. The region’s annual music festival celebrates Mozart and other classical masters. Various venues, 619.466.8742. mainlymozart.org
Damon Davis: All Hands on Deck at MCASD
June 4-July 24. Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla showcases an exhibition by photographer Damon Davis. In All Hands On Deck, Davis photographed individuals in Ferguson, Missouri, with their “hands up,” to reflect the importance of collective action. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.3541. mcasd.org
Newsies
Through June 5. The smash-hit, Tony Award-winning musical based on the popular Disney movie is a high-energy explosion of song and dance. Broadway/San Diego, Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. broadwaysd.com
Lady Antebellum
June 5. American Country music group, Lady Antebellum, joins San Diego County Fair as part of the Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Heineken Grandstand stage. Tickets include admission to the fairgrounds for the day. 7:30 p.m. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., 858.755.1161. delmarfairgrounds.com
Iration
June 5. Reggae-influenced alternative rock band, Iration headlines the “Hotting Up Tour 2016” that makes a stop at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. The new album Hotting Up features radio singles “Reelin,” “Hotting Up,” and “867.” Joining them onstage for the 91X X-Fest will be Cheap Trick, The Offspring with Kongos, Wolfmother, Chevy Metal and more. 2050 Entertainment Cir., Chula Vista, 619.671.3500. livenation.com
CountryFest
June 11. Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre heats up with the summer CountryFest concert hosted by KSON radio. The concert includes openers Jordan Rager, Drew Baldridge and Runaway June and headliner Jennifer Nettles, formerly of Sugarland. 3 p.m. 100 Mission Ave., Oceanside. kson.com
Hollywood
Through June 12. Based on the true story of famed director William Desmond Taylor’s unsolved murder, this world-premiere play is a noir thriller set in the Golden Age of movies. Mandell Weiss Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
The Boy Who Danced on Air
Through June 12. Set in Afghanistan, this new musical reveals a country teetering on collapse—torn between the past and the future—and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. #101, University Heights, 619.220.0097. diversionary.org
Atlas Genius + Grizzly Business
June 15. As part of Birch Aquarium’s Green Flash concert series, Atlas Genius and Grizzly Business take the stage at the outdoor Tide-Pool plaza. Both bands are known for their indie, alternative rock style. Enjoy the music with the gorgeous sunset views overlooking the Pacific. $36/pp. 6:30-9 p.m. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu
Sister Act
June 15-July 2. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won’t be found—a convent! Disguised as a nun. She finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her fabulous disco-ness and killer voice to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon, it’s nun-on-the-run time, but she finds salvation in the heavenly power of her newly found sisterhood. Moonlight Amphitheater, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista. moonlightstage.com
Camp David
Through June 19. Based on the historic Camp David Accords signed between Israel and Egypt in 1978, this new play by Pulitzer Prize-winner Lawrence Wright is a riveting and moving story filled with humor, insight and surprises. Shiley Stage at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Stupid F**king Bird
Through June 19. This irreverent, contemporary and funny remix of Chekhov’s The Seagull wages a timeless battle between young and old, past and present, in search of the true meaning of it all. Cygnet Theatre in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525. cygnettheatre.com
Woody Guthrie’s American Song
Through June 19. The Intrepid Theatre Group presents this musical celebration of the U.S. and the life of rambling folk singer Woody Guthrie through his words and music, and features more than two dozen songs. Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619.437.6000. lambsplayers.org
Cage The Elephant
June 22. Rock band, Cage the Elephant performs for San Diego at the Valley View Casino Center. Enjoy hits such as “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Shake Me Down,” “Come a Little Closer” and hits from their new album Tell Me I’m Pretty. 7:00 p.m. Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway District. valleyviewcasinocenter.com
tokyo fish story
Through June 26. This portrait of the sushi-chef-as-artist brings to life the thrill of creating bite-sized masterpieces, and provides a beautiful meditation on the art of perfection. Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Hedda Gabler
June 1-26. A world-premiere adaptation and new translation of Ibsen’s classic. Arguably one of the most complex and intriguing female characters ever written, Hedda Gabler weaves a mesmerizing tale of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and driven by a need for power and freedom. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
American Rhythm
June 10-Aug. 7. A vibrant cast of actor/singer/dancers—and one amazing band—takes audiences on an exhilarating journey into the heart of the U.S. through 100 years of great music. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.437.6000. lambsplayers.org
Macbeth
June 19-July 24. Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece is filled with gruesome battles, supernatural horrors, famous poetry and vivid characters. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
International Summer Organ Festival
June 27-Aug. 29. The weekly music series showcases free concerts by internationally renowned organists performing on the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, 619.702.8138. spreckelsorgan.org
The Last Tiger in Haiti
June 28-July 24. This world-premiere play weaves Haitian lore into a contemporary narrative of survival and betrayal. Mandell Weiss Forum at the La Jolla Playhouse, UC San Diego, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
