With San Diego’s enviably gorgeous weather, it’s little wonder that the theme of August’s events is to take everything outdoors. This month, the best things to do in San Diego include enjoy casual food and beer festivals, outdoor theater, fashion and more.
Edited by Lisa Kelley
Del Mar Horse Races
Through Sept. 5. Catch thoroughbred racing five days a week. Special events include Four O’Clock Fridays concert series, Beer Festival, family weekends and the $1 million Pacific Classic (Aug. 20). Post time most days is 2 p.m., dark Monday and Tuesday, except Labor Day. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
Meteor Shower
Through Sept. 4. Steve Martin’s surprising new comedy takes an offbeat and absurdist look at the comic anxiety lurking just beneath the surface of modern marriage. Contains strong language. White Theatre at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Beautiful-The Carole King Musical
Aug. 2-7. The Tony Award-winning musical tells inspiring true story of musician Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Broadway/San Diego Civic Center, 3666 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619.654.3000. broadwaysd.com
Summerfest
Aug. 3-26. La Jolla Music Society’s 30th annual chamber music festival features more than 80 international artists and ensembles performing concerts. Various locations. 858.459.3728. ljms.org
Kenny Chesney
Aug. 4. Country superstar Kenny Chesney performs at the outdoor Sleep Train Amphitheater as a stop on his Spread The Love Tour. Chesney is joined by special guests Old Dominion. 7:30 p.m. 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. livenation.com
The Fashion of Food and Spirits
Aug. 4-5. This two-day red-carpet event features delicious craft cocktails and food pairings from San Diego’s finest restaurants, alongside runway fashion, rotating mixologists of the hour, live music and entertainment. Seaport Village, 789 W. Harbor Dr., downtown. fashionfoodspirits.com
Vans Warped Tour
Aug. 5. More than 70 punk rock and alternative music artists perform at the Vans Warped Tour. The festival will feature bands such as Young Guns, New Found Glory, Reckless Serenade, Ghost Town and more. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd., Mission Valley. vanswarpedtour.com
Sing Along with Broadway
Aug. 5-6. As part of the San Diego Symphony’s Bayside Summer Nights, musical enthusiasts are invited to Sing Along with Broadway for this fun performance featuring favorite Broadway hits. Attendees can sing along with the orchestra and vocalists with music from Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and more. Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego Embarcadero, 619.686.6200. sandiegosymphony.com
Flogging Molly
Aug. 6. The Irish-American seven-piece Celtic punk band takes the stage with Frank Turner at the Cal Coast Open Air Theatre at SDSU. 5500 Campanile Dr., SDSU, 619.594.0429. sdsu.edu
Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic
Aug. 6. Featuring over 40 food and beverage partners, the seventh annual tasting event brings a diverse crowd of foodies to celebrate San Diego’s unique culinary scene and benefit coastal wildlife. Featured participants include Panama 66, Cataline Offshore Products, True Food Kitchen, Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub and more. 4-7:30 p.m. Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr., Chula Vista, 619.409.5900. thelivingcoast.org
America’s Finest Film Fest
Aug. 6. The film fest feature 20 top short films created by San Diego locals, which highlight the beauty and diversity of America’s Finest City. Also shop the crafts and products at Maker’s Market, enjoy craft brews, food and more. Viewings at 5 and 8 p.m. Irwin Jacobs Hall, 5775 Morehouse Dr., Sorento Valley. americasfinestfilmfest.com
Phil’s Big BBQ at the Ballpark
Aug. 7. Join Phil’s BBQ for the 8th annual Big BBQ at the Ballpark—one of Southern California’s largest tailgate parties. Enjoy live music from the Morgan Leigh Band, a beer garden sponsored by Karl Strauss and Ballast Point Breweries, a kid zone and of course stellar barbecue. Admission includes access to the party, a plate of Phil’s ribs and chickens plus two sides and a ticket to the 1:40 Padres vs. Phillies game. $25/pp. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. North Tailgate Lot on 14th and K St., East Village. sdbigs.org
Chula Vista Lemon Festival
Aug. 7. Pucker up for the sweetest sour event of the year. The 20th annual Chula Vista Lemon Festival brings crates full of fun to Chula Vista with live bands, and hundreds of vendor booths offering everything lemon. Third Ave for E to G Street, Chula Vista. thirdavenuevillage.com
Arsenic and Old Lace
Aug. 12-28. Writer and notorious marriage detractor, Mortimer Brewster, falls for girl-next-door Elaine Harper, and they tie the knot on Halloween. When the newlyweds return to their respective family homes to deliver the news, Brewster finds a corpse hidden in a window seat. With his eccentric aunts, disturbed uncle and homicidal brother, he starts to realize that his family is even crazier than he thought. Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido, 760.749.3000. welkresorts.com
Latin Food Fest
Aug. 12-15. Enjoy four days of Latin food, wine and spirits featuring cooking demos, wine workshops, the Spirits of the Americas Expo, VIP tent, music and more. The Grande Tasting is the main event with two days of all-inclusive sipping and dining at 100 food, wine and spirit stations. Embarcadero Marina Park North, San Diego Embarcadero. latinfoodfest.com
Summer in Pink
Aug. 13. Enjoy the crisp flavors of summer at CUCINA enoteca Del Mar’s Summer in Pink party featuring five rosé samples from their curated wine collection. The sips are perfectly paired with an antipasti spread created by Executive chef Joe Magnanelli, and served on the garden patio. $48/pp. 2-4 p.m. 2730 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, 858.704.4500. urbankitchengroup.com
Mira Mesa Festival of Beers
Aug. 13. More than 30 breweries will feature over 50 beers at the fifth annual Mira Mesa Festival of Beers. Ticket holders will enjoy unlimited samples of beer, food vendors, live music and more. $40/pp. 2-5 p.m. Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem St., Mira Mesa. miramesabeerfest.com
Jason Aldean & Thomas Rhett
Aug. 13. Country superstar, Jason Aldean, brings his Six Strings Circus Tour to the San Diego stage, joined by Thomas Rhett, A Thousand Horses and Dee Jay Silver. Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. jasonaldean.com
ArtWalk NTC
Aug. 13-14. Wander through Liberty Station for a cultural experience during this free, weekend-long event. Along with every medium of art, enjoy live music, interactive art, street food options and a beer and wine pavilion. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2645 Historic Decatur Rd., Liberty Station, artwalksandiego.org
Hillcrest CityFest Street Fair
Aug. 14. CityFest is an annual free celebration of community spirit and attracts over 150,000 attendees to enjoy music, arts, crafts, food and more. Guests can participate in games and activities, sip local brews in the beer garden and shop from local pop-up vendors. Noon-11 p.m. Fifth and University Avenues, Hillcrest, 619299.3330. fabuloushillcrest.com
Love’s Labor’s Lost
Aug. 14-Sept. 18. The King of Navarre and his three schoolmates vow to embrace their studies—and not to embrace girls—for three whole years. But the instant they take that vow, the Princess of France arrives with her three beautiful attendants, and all bets are off. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre at the Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas
Aug. 14. As a stop on their Future Now: The Tour, pop stars Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas perform at San Diego’s Sleep Train Amphitheater. Mike Posner will also join as an opener for the performance. 7 p.m. 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, 619.671.3500. ticketmaster.com
Titanic the Musical
Aug. 17-Sept. 3. Maury Yeston’s riveting and haunting musical based on the worst nautical disaster in history (and not the movie), depicts the final hours of the real-life people who set sail on the “unsinkable” Titanic. 1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista, 760.724.2110. moonlightstage.com
Downtown at Sundown
Aug. 18. Enjoy free admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art downtown, and wander through its current exhibitions. Also enjoy music by The Roots Factory Art Collective, dine at The Flight Path Wine Bar & Bistro or The Book Truck and take in the current exhibit, Party Lines: The History, Art and Politics of Editorial Cartoons. 1100 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 858.454.3541. mcasd.org
Old Crow Medicine Show & Brandi Carlile
Aug. 19. The Nashville-based Americana string band takes the stage in San Diego with alternative country and folk rock singer Brandi Carlile. Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. 5500 Campanile Dr., SDSU, 619.594.0429. crowmedicine.com
Raiders of the Lost Ark with the San Diego Symphony
Aug. 19. See the iconic Steven Spielberg and George Lucas action-adventure film like never before—on the big screen, with John Williams’ score performed live by the San Diego Symphony. Embarcadero Marina Park South, Embarcadero, 619.235.0804. sandiegosymphony.org
Stone 20th Anniversary Celebration & Invitational Beer Festival
Aug. 19-20. One of San Diego’s original craft breweries celebrates its 20 year anniversary with a weekend-long bash. Enjoy the Stone Anniversary IPAs, over 100 craft beers from more than 60 guest breweries, live music and more. CSU San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos. anniv.stonebrewing.com
Twainfest
Aug. 20. The annual event celebrates the life and writings of Mark Twain and his contemporaries. Enjoy stories read by professional actors, live music, games and more activities for the entire family. Old Town State Historic Park, Old Town, 619.220.5422. writeoutloudsd.com
Symphony at Salk
Aug. 20. Enjoy an evening of world-class symphony under the stars with performances by Kelli O’Hara and the San Diego Symphony led by Maestro Thomas Wilkins. 5:30 p.m. Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla. symphony.salk.edu
World Bodysurfing Championships
Aug. 20-21. The 40th annual competition will play host to nearly 400 body-surfers from across the globe competing for world titles in their respective age and gender divisions. Oceanside Pier, Pier View Way, Oceanside. worldbodysurfing.org
Aloha Sunday Polo Party
Aug. 21. To celebrate the second half of the polo season, take part in the Aloha Sunday Polo Party by wearing Hawaiian attire and enjoying a themed menu by Wild Thyme Catering. Floral leis and enjoy SnoCal shaved ice and creative cocktails are also available for purchase. 14955 El Camino Real, Del Mar. sandiegopolo.ticketleap.com
America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K
Aug. 21. The 39th annual America’s Finest City Half Marathon is a scenic course that starts at the tip of Point Loma, runs along San Diego Bay and Harbor Island through downtown San Diego and finishes up in Balboa Park. afchalf.com
Cabaret
Aug. 23-28. The Tony Award-winning musical celebrates its 50th anniversary and features such memorable songs as “Cabaret,” and “Maybe This Time.” For mature audiences. Broadway/San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. broadwaysd.com
Ramona County Fair
Aug. 25-28. Enjoy the sights, smells and flavors of a good ole fashioned country fair as Ramona welcomes in its 46th season. Attendees can take in the thrilling rides, live entertainment, wild west show, motorcycle rally, contests, shopping and more. Free admission, $5 parking. 421 Aqua Ln., Ramona. ramonachamber.com
Dave Matthews Band
Aug. 26. The American rock band headed up by singer-songwriter Dave Matthews, storms the stage for a performance at Sleep Train Amphitheater. 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, 619.671.3500. davematthewsband.com
Imperial Avenue Street Fair
Aug. 27. Enjoy cuisines ranging from Colombian to Cajun and everything in between at the third annual Imperial Avenue Street Festival. The free festival showcases the unique spirit of the Greater Logan Heights neighborhood with four blocks of local artists, live music and delicious local food options. Imperial Ave., between 28th and 30th St., Logan Heights. imperialavenuestreetfest.com
Uncasked Beer Fest
Aug. 27. Westfield UTC’s Uncasked Beer Fest returns to showcase some of San Diego’s finest breweries. Wander through four beer gardens and enjoy live music from local San Diego artists. Tickets include 12 four oz. beer pours from 12 different breweries and unlimited bites from participating Westfield restaurants. $20/pp. 4-7 p.m. 4545 La Jolla Village Dr., UTC. ticketsauce.com
San Diego Spirits Festival
Aug. 27-28. The annual celebration brings together the region’s top chefs and mixologists. Attendees will enjoy samples of top-shelf cocktails from small-batch and big name distillers as well as tastes from local restaurants. 21+. Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive, downtown, 858.551.1605. sandiegospiritsfestival.com
Bike the Bay
Aug. 28. The 9th annual Bike the Bay event features breathtaking downtown and bay views for more than 3,500 cyclists as they cross the Coronado bridge. The casual 25-mile ride winds through Coronado, National City, Imperial Beach and Chula Vista, ending at Embarcadero Marina Park South for a post-ride festival. Activities include live music and entertainment, food trucks and a New Belgium Brewing Beer Garden. bikethebay.net
LeucadiART Walk
Aug. 28. The gorgeous weather is the perfect backdrop to Leucadia’s annual art walk featuring original art, free open air trolley rides, six stages of live music, a beer garden, a children’s art pavilion and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. West side of N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. leucadia101.com
Sea Chantey Festival
Aug. 28. The Maritime Museum of San Diego hosts a musical lineup of sea chantey performances—songs recounting the adventure, tragedy and romance of life at sea. Included in the admission to the museum, the music will feature The Jackstraws, The Bilge Pump band, Gilman Carver and more. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1492 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego Marina, 619.234.9153. sdmaritime.org
Journey and The Doobie Brothers.
Aug. 30. San Francisco-based rock band, Journey is iconic for ’80s hits “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Wheel in the Sky” and more. They take the stage with The Doobie Brothers opening for the show. Sleep Train Amphitheater, 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, 619.671.3500. sleeptrain.amphitheatrechulavista.com
