JULY
July–September
San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Season
Summer performances are held under the stars in downtown San Diego along San Diego Bay; fireworks occur on some nights. www.sandiegosymphony.com


Jul. 21–Sep. 8
Del Mar Racing
Horses and fans alike meet for live thoroughbred racing five days a week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in oceanfront Del Mar. www.dmtc.com

July TBA
SummerFest2011
The La Jolla Music Society presents classical and new compositions with renowned artists and ensembles from around the world, held at various locations in La Jolla and San Diego. www.la-jolla-music-society.com

CULTURAL EVENTS

SEPTEMBER
September 10 – 12
21st Annual Sycuan Pow-Wow
The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation presents the 21st Annual Sycuan Pow-Wow, September 10 – 12.  This traditional celebration features Indian song, dance, arts and crafts, games and food. The free event is open to the public and takes place on the Sycuan Indian Reservation in San Diego’s East County. www.sycuan.com

• September 25 – 26
  Cabrillo Festival
  Visitors become a part of history and celebrate the discovery of San Diego during the 47th annual Cabrillo Festival, September 25 – 26.  Guests enjoy cultural festivities, educational activities, music, food, dancing and a reenactment of the landing by explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on the shores of San Diego Bay in 1542. www.cabrillofestival.org
  
  September 25 – 26
  16th Annual Pacific Islander Festival
  The 16th Annual Pacific Islander Festival, September 25 – 26, is a free event that showcases the cultures and customs of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia with continuous entertainment throughout the day.  Held at Mission Bay’s Ski Beach, the event also features food, music and specialty crafts unique to each culture.  www.pifasandiego.com
  
• OCTOBER
  October 1 – 3
  Oktoberfest in La Mesa
  Bratwurst, beer gardens and oompapa bands can only mean one thing—Oktoberfest!  A number of communities throughout San Diego County celebrate this traditional German holiday, but Oktoberfest in La Mesa, October 1 – 3, is the largest festival of its kind on the U.S. West Coast.  Visitors enjoy dancing, food, Bavarian bands and 300 crafts and commercial booths along La Mesa Boulevard.  www.lmvma.com
  
  October 10
  16th Annual Little Italy Festa
  Little Italy in downtown San Diego presents the 16th Annual Little Italy Festa on October 10.  A grand celebration of Italian culture, this traditional street festival offers music, fine foods, specialty crafts and Gesso Italiano, a classic Italian street chalk painting exhibition.  www.littleitalysd.com
  
  October 31
  10th Annual Dia del los Muertos
  On October 31, the city of Oceanside hosts the 10th Annual Dia del los Muertos celebration at Mission San Luis Rey when the mission grounds transform into a Mexican plaza with thousands of marigolds that create ‘ofrendas’ or altars as memorials. Guests enjoy music, dancing, food booths, a retail mercado and the Chalk Cemetery, an interactive area that allows guests to use flowers, candles and chalk to create a memorial for lost loved ones. www.sanluisrey.org
  

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND PARADES

SEPTEMBER
September 15 – November 15
Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest
A San Diego tradition “as American as apple pie” is the popular Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest, September 15 – November 15, celebrating this historic mountain town’s famous homemade apple pies and ciders. Visitors can also enjoy acres of colorful fall foliage, charming bed and breakfast inns, art shows, quaint antique shops and live entertainment.  www.julianca.com

OCTOBER
October 22 – 24
The 34th annual Harvest Festival
The 34th annual Harvest Festival, October 22 – 24 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, is one of the largest art and gift shows on the U.S. West Coast. The event includes gourmet food samplings, live music, a pumpkin patch and more than 300 artists and craftspeople featuring unique handmade works. www.harvestfestival.com

October 28 – 31
Borrego Springs 45th Annual Desert Festival
The cool desert breeze and vast landscape welcome visitors to the Borrego Springs 45th Annual Desert Festival, October 28 – 31.  The celebration, themed “Art & Soul,” includes a parade, the Miss Borrego pageant, dance parties, live music, art and craft exhibitions and more. www.borregospringschamber.com

NOVEMBER
November 7
Carlsbad Village Street Fair
On November 7, the 10th annual Gaslamp Quarter Fall Back Festival brings alive the history and culture of downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The event features entertainment, food, demonstrations and lots of fun for children and families and occurs 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Island Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Street.   www.gaslampquarter.org

November 8
Carlsbad Village Street Faire
The largest one-day street fair in California, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place along Grand Avenue in the San Diego North County city of Carlsbad on November 8.  The event occurs 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and features hundreds of exhibitors, international food, live entertainment and children's rides.  www.carlsbad.org

November 21
64th Annual Mother Goose Parade
On November 21, the 64th Annual Mother Goose Parade, the largest parade in San Diego County, brings crowds of spectators to the city streets of El Cajon.  The parade kicks-off the holiday season and features whimsical floats, clowns, bands, equestrians and celebrity appearances. www.mothergooseparade.org

EVENTS FOR FOODIES

SEPTEMBER
September 10
16th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer
The 16th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer goes on tap September 10 in downtown San Diego.  Seventy-five local brewers will be in attendance, providing samples and tastings of their signature and award-winning beers.  The event also features live music, vendors, food booths and more. www.sdbeerfest.org

September 12 – 18
San Diego Restaurant Week
San Diego’s culinary community joins forces during September 12 – 18 for San Diego Restaurant Week. Approximately 180 of the region’s top restaurants offer prix-fixe, three-course dinner menus, at just $20, $30 or $40 per person. Visitors can sample the signature cuisine and sophisticated style that makes San Diego’s dining scene one of the region’s top attractions.   www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com

NOVEMBER
November 5 – 15
San Diego Beer Week
During November 5 – 15, hundreds of beer-centric events will take place during San Diego Beer Week, a countywide festival that highlights San Diego’s award-winning craft beer, breweries and pubs; event dates, times and locations vary throughout the week. http://sdbw.org

• November 17 – 21
  San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
  The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, the region’s largest wine and culinary event, takes place November 17 – 21.  Held at venues throughout downtown San Diego, the festival includes gourmet food, celebrity chefs, wine tasting, cooking demonstrations and more. www.worldofwineevents.com
  

MUSIC, DANCE AND FILM

SEPTEMBER
September 18 – 19
40th Annual Bluegrass Festival
Banjos twang full force in the historic town of Julian during the 40th Annual Bluegrass Festival, September 18 – 19.  The oldest bluegrass festival in California, many of the genre’s stars of today started on this stage.  Festivities include banjo playoffs for all levels and foot-tappin’ fun. www.julianbluegrassfestival.com

September 29 – October 3
The San Diego International Film Festival
The San Diego International Film Festival returns to the Gaslamp Quarter during September 29 – October 3, with a full slate of films showcasing the best in American and International full-length features, documentaries and shorts.  Additional activities include Q&A sessions with the directors, workshops, panel discussions, guest appearances by film and video artists and more. www.sdff.org

• September 25 – 26
  29th Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair
  Southern California's largest free two-day musical festival, the 29th Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair returns to Normal Heights on September 25 – 26 with three beer gardens, six stages and more than 70 musical acts.  Performing rock, country, folk, TexMex and more, the fair offers something for everyone; it also features arts and crafts, carnival rides, food vendor booths and street performances. www.adamsaveonline.com/streetfair
  
  September 25 – 26
  and October 2 – 3
  12th Annual Trolley Dances
  Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System present the 12th Annual Trolley Dances, September 25 – 26 and October 2 – 3.  Guests riding the San Diego Trolley are treated to site-specific choreographed dance performances on and off the trolley at unexpected locations.  Dances will be performed on the fly, taking inspiration from the surroundings and energy at each stop.   This year, dances will be performed en route in downtown San Diego from One American Plaza to the Hilton Bayfront hotel. www.sandiegodancetheater.org
  
  OCTOBER
  October 21 – 28
  11th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
  During October 21 – 28, the 11th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival presents films, videos and workshops that celebrate the work of Asian artists from around the world. Screenings are held at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinema in Hazard Center and showcase feature films, shorts and animation. www.sdaff.org
  
• NOVEMBER
  November 24 – 28
  Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festiva
  Showcasing over 25 bands from throughout the United States and Canada, the 31st Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, held November 24 – 28 at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley, presents nationally acclaimed musical performances to kick-off the holiday season. www.dixielandjazzfestival.org