Let’s get these fiestas started 🎉

Hispanic Heritage Month events in San Diego, California

Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15-Oct. 15. | Photo via Monica Garske

Feliz Hispanic Heritage Month, San Diego. The observance starts today and runs through Sat., Oct. 15 — spotlighting the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central + South America. 🎊

You see, Sept. 15 coincides with the date when five Latin American countries declared independence from Spain 1821 — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras + Nicaragua. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, while Chile’s is Sept. 18.

In San Diego, Hispanic Heritage Month events will get rolling today + this weekend; here’s a sampling of the many fiestas around town. Vamos, amigos y amigas.

Grito de Independencia | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Chicano Park | Free | Entertainment, speakers + culture in the heart of Barrio Logan. 🎶
Tinker Thursday: Latinx Heritage Month Celebration | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Free | Partake in special crafts inspired by Latinx traditions. 🧵
“Selena” | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero | $17.50+ | Rewatch the flick all about the legacy of the “Queen of Tejano Music.” 👑
Mexican Independence Day Celebration | Fri., Sept. 16-Sun., Sept. 18 | Times vary | La Americas Premium Outlets, San Ysidro | Enjoy special live entertainment as you shop — including a Sept. 16 performance by Mariachi Real De San San Diego. 🎺

Otay Ranch Hispanic Heritage Month celebration — The celebration at Otay Ranch Town Center is on Sat., Sept. 17.

Mexican Independence Day | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-3 p.m. | La Casa de Estudillo, Old Town State Historic Park | Free | Make 19th century crafts like paper flowers and “cascarones” — colorful eggs filled with confetti. 🌸
Hispanic Heritage Celebration | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-3 p.m. | Otay Ranch Town Center | Free | Live music, food, art demos, Catrinas, cultural performances + fun activities for the little ones — plus, info booths related to local Hispanic civic organizations. 🎊
El Grito Celebration | Sat., Sept. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Memorial Park, downtown Chula Vista | Free | Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with live music, dance, food, baile folclórico + more. 🇲🇽

14 MORE LOCAL CELEBRATIONS

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Today

Lemon Grove Farmers Market | Thursdays | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | 2885 Lemon Grove Ave. | Free | An East County gathering highlighting locally-grown produce. 🍋
Morgan Wallen | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 7 p.m | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre | $306+ | “The Dangerous Tour” comes to the Chula Vista arena. 🎶

Friday

Alley Cat Art Walk | Fri., Sept. 16 | 4-8 p.m. | Downtown El Cajon | Free | An evening of fine art, crafts, live music, vendors, food, wine + beer in the heart of this East County community. 🎨
Jerry Seinfeld | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. + 9:30 p.m. | San Diego Civic Theatre | $134+ | What is the deal with this show? The renowned comic headlines the downtown venue. 🎤
Broadway Sings… and Swings | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park | $41+ | A collection of show tunes performed by Broadway conductor Rob Fisher + vocalist Bryonha Marie. 🎼

Saturday

Bates Nut Farm: Pumpkin Patch | Sat., Sept. 17 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center | Free admission; price of activities varies | The beloved fall staple opens for the season with gourds aplenty, tractor rides, pony rides + more. 🎃
Oceanside Harbor Days | Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oceanside Harbor (Beach Side) | Free | Entertainment, vendors, local foods + family fun. ☀️
Amps & Ales | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-4 p.m. | Downtown Chula Vista | $50+ | Fun beats + craft sips at this upgraded festival. 🍻
Taste of the Gaslamp | Sat., Sept. 17 | 1-4 p.m. | The Gaslamp Quarter | $45+ | Sip + sample your way through one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods. 🍽️
Zoo Food Wine + Brew Celebration | Sat., Sept. 17 | 7:30-10 p.m. | San Diego Zoo | $100+ | Specialty bites, local sips + music, accompanied by games and special animal encounters. 🦁

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

75º | Mostly cloudy, with some sunshine | 0% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:32 a.m.
Set: 6:55 p.m.

Tide

Low: 6:24 a.m. + 8:18 p.m.
High: 1:16 a.m. + 12:57 p.m.
Water Temperature: 70.7º

Development

It’s showtime. San Diego State University + Chula Vista are partnering to build an $89 million, 168,000-sqft Cinematic Arts Academic Center & Library at 1775 Millenia Ave. that’ll house a film and television production facility. The site — designed to inspire new generations of film students — will break ground in 2023. 🎥 (SDSU NewsCenter)

Civic

County Emergency Services opened an assistance center this week to support locals impacted by the Border 32 Fire between Dulzura + Potrero that scorched 4,400 acres and destroyed homes. Families were offered services like debris removal, medical care, and help with pets. Here are more recovery resources. 🚒 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Transit

Students + parents, if you have questions about the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Youth Opportunity Pass program, you can get answers PRONTO. MTS will host a virtual seminar today from 5-6:30 p.m. — in English and Spanish — to give tips on using the pass. 🚆

Traffic

On Mon., Sept. 17, SANDAG will fully close southbound Pershing Drive between Upas Street and Florida Drive + 26th Street for ongoing construction of the Pershing Bikeway. Crews will use the one-day closure to pour concrete for a curb that’ll separate the raised biking and walking paths from vehicle lanes. 🚧

Announced

The San Diego Brewers Guild says tickets are now on sale for its Beer Garden on Sun., Nov. 13 — the closing event of San Diego Beer Week 2022. It runs from 12-3 p.m. at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and will feature unlimited samples from 28 local craft breweries + 14 chefs. 🍻

Family

With the splashy summer season ending, Sesame Place San Diego has closed its big slides — for now. A few other water attractions remain open through October — like “Big Bird’s Rambling River” — and the dry rides are always available. The park is also preparing for Halloween. 🎢

Arts

ArtWalk Carlsbad will return to Armada Drive (above the Flower Fields) on Sat., Sept. 24, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sun., Sept. 25, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The free fine arts festival will showcase works across mediums, and attendees can browse booths, speak with artists + buy pieces on the spot. 🎨

Pets

The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) is waiving adoption fees for all adult dogs (7 months and older) through Sun., Sept. 18. SDHS currently has 172 adult pooches waiting to find their forever homes. 🐕‍🦺

Environment

The Living Coast Discovery Center will host a clean-up event at D Street this Sat., Sept. 17, from 8:30-11 a.m. Sign up to help tidy up a local refuge; wear closed-toed shoes, sunscreen + bring water. 🚯

Seasonal

Original 40 Brewing, Mike Hess Brewing, Rouleur Brewing + Second Chance Beer will come together for the North Park Oktoberfest Beer Crawl on Thurs., Sept. 22, from 5-9 p.m. Each taproom will feature an Oktoberfest special that’s $10 or under — and if you visit all four locations and try the deals, you could win a $600 prize package. 🍺
Liberty Public Market’s annual Craftoberfest will return from Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Oct. 2 — an event highlighting German beer and Oktoberfest-themed specials. Oh, and don’t miss the fun on the patio on Sat., Sept. 24 + Sat., Oct. 1, from 2-4 p.m., featuring games, yodeling duels, and a costume contest. 🥨

Real Estate

Anaheim, CA + Cambridge, MA are a few of the cities and towns that made the list of “Best Cities for Families.” Opendoor’s list is based on the top family-friendly features, including parks, picnic sites, swimming pools, and proximity to schools. 📚 *

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Viva Chile 🇨🇱

Monica Garske childhood photo — City Editor Monica (right), celebrating Chilean Independence Day in style in Santiago, Chile.

City Editor Monica here, wanting to share why Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me.

While I am a proud, nearly-lifelong San Diegan through and through, I am also a proud Chilean. I was born in Santiago, Chile (say it out loud, it’s weirdly close to the pronunciation of San Diego) and part of my heart will always be there. ❤️

On September 18, my family celebrates Chile’s Independence Day with our own mini version of “Fiestas Patrias” — usually with traditional empanadas + music.

When I was living in Chile, my school would host a patriotic celebration where we’d dress up as little “huasos” + “huasas” — the equivalent of the cowboy in the US — and we’d perform Chile’s national dance, the “Cueca.” 🇨🇱

This is a fond memory, so here’s a childhood photo of myself dressed as a huasa — with my cute, unsuspecting partner who likely had to take dancing orders from tiny, bossy Monica.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Monica.

Editor’s pick: Hi, friends. If you’re looking for a place to grab a casual lunch — but with absolutely epic views of San Diego Bay — try Carnitas Snack Shack on N. Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero. 🌊

The menu features pork-centric dishes, but also all kinds of tacos + burgers. There’s lots of outdoor seating, a nice bar, and sometimes a DJ spinning. 🍔

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out our Pacific Beach neighborhood guide.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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