Happy New Year, San Diego. Many of our city’s most popular events will return in 2023, so it’s time to bust out that fresh, new calendar and pencil in the local fun.
From Padres baseball and San Diego Pride, to Comic-Con and holiday traditions, we’ve got a lot to look forward to this year in America’s Finest City. 🌆
⛳ Farmers Insurance Open
Wednesday, Jan. 25-Saturday, Jan. 28 | Torrey Pines Golf Course
The prestigious PGA Tour competition returns to one of the most scenic courses in our city (those views, though) with a range of ticket options depending on the experience you’re into. And locals know, this tourney is as much about the mingling as it is about the golf.
🌸 The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Wednesday, March 1-Early May
North County’s beloved springtime tradition — running 60+ years strong — features an annual burst of colorful Giant Tecolote Ranunculus blooms blanketing nearly 55 acres. It is truly a sight to behold. Start planning your trip.
⚽ San Diego Wave FC Home Opener
Saturday, March 25 | Snapdragon Stadium
Alex Morgan. Abby Dahlkemper. Naomi Girma. Those are a few of the soccer superstars leading the NWSL team in its second season in San Diego. Last year’s inaugural season was one for the books — catch the Wave in 14 home games at Snapdragon Stadium in 2023.
🍔 San Diego Restaurant Week
Sunday, March 26-Sunday, April 2 | Locations vary
The longtime foodie event returns for its 2023 edition with select restaurants across the county offering special, prix fixe menus for eight delicious days. No ticket required — getting in on this event is easy as pie.
⚾ San Diego Padres Home Opener
Thursday, March 30 | Petco Park
We’re still smiling from the incredible 2022 Padres postseason (and the power of the “Rally Goose”). May this year’s Opening Day game against the Colorado Rockies be the beginning of another beautiful, historic season for the Friar Faithful. Peep the full regular season schedule.
🐊 Gator by the Bay
Thursday, May 11-Sunday, May 14 | Spanish Landing Park
The lively, Louisiana-themed festival takes over the waterfront with 100+ musical acts across seven stages. Bring your appetite, too: 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked into SD from Louisiana await — plus lots of food vendors. Keep an eye on tickets.
🎡 San Diego County Fair
Wednesday, June 7-Tuesday, July 4 | Del Mar Fairgrounds
This summertime staple began as an agricultural fair in 1880 before moving to its current location in Del Mar in 1936. Today, the 22-day fair season features 2,000+ attractions, 1,700+ performers, and a highly-anticipated concert lineup. Tickets go on sale in March.
🥍 World Lacrosse: Men’s World Championship 2023
Wednesday, June 21-Saturday, July 1 | Locations vary
The first world championship in the sport to take place in California, the competition will showcase 30 teams and 100+ games played at San Diego State University and University of San Diego. The opening ceremony, semi-finals, and medal games will be played at Snapdragon Stadium. Start checking out tickets.
🏐 World Championship Over-The-Line
Saturday, July 15-Sunday, July 16, and Saturday, July 22-Sunday, July 23 | Fiesta Island
OTL — ball + bat sport invented on South Mission Beach in the 1950s — is synonymous with San Diego beach culture and returns each summer with a championship tournament on Fiesta Island. Sign-ups are scheduled for Saturday, May 6, at the Beachcomber on Mission Boulevard, so start scouting your squad and brainstorming wacky team names.
🏳️🌈 San Diego Pride
Saturday, July 8-Sunday, July 16 | Hillcrest
A major source of pride in San Diego, annual celebrations include The Rally and raising of the Pride flag, the Pride 5K, and the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday, July 15, in the heart of Hillcrest. The Pride Festival at Marston Point in Balboa Park rounds out the festivities on Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 16.
🦸 San Diego Comic-Con International
Thursday, July 20-Sunday, July 23 | San Diego Convention Center
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the biggest pop culture event of the year. The iconic Con descends on the streets of downtown San Diego — transforming both the convention center and the Gaslamp Quarter into a metropolis straight out of the pages of fantasy. See you there.
San Diego Beer Week — and the Guild Fest — is in November.
Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
🍻 San Diego Beer Week
Friday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Locations vary
As the Capital of Craft, of course we have an entire 10 days dedicated to our local craft brewing industry. The countywide, fall celebration is organized by the San Diego Brewers Guild and includes the collaborative brewing and release of the Capital of Craft IPA, beer release parties at local breweries, and the beloved Guild Fest.
December Nights signifies the start of the holiday season in San Diego.
Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
🎄 December Nights
Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2 | Balboa Park
The city’s biggest holiday celebration brings live performances, festive entertainment, twinkling lights, free admission to select museums, and food galore to the landmark. After pandemic-era modifications, the 2022 event returned to its full glory, and we were so happy to experience it once more.
This festive parade along the waterfront is just so San Diego.
Photo via Marv Sloben Photography
🚤 San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Mid-December | San Diego Bay
The holiday tradition — chugging along for 53 years — is expected to return to our waterfront during two Sundays in December, and you can count on us to share all the pro tips for navigating the event. A storm canceled the first round of the parade in 2022, so think dry thoughts for the parade’s normal schedule in 2023.
🏈 SDCCU Holiday Bowl
Late December | Petco Park
The annual college football game’s first-ever appearance at Petco Park touched down in December 2022, and it’ll return to the venue for the next few years. Tickets for the 2023 game haven’t gone on sale yet, but keep an eye on the Holiday Bowl website for updates. The event also brings the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade to the streets of downtown — billed as America’s largest balloon parade — featuring floats, marching bands, and more.
