Welcome to August in San Diego! The city is alive with vibrant energy and an array of exciting events, offering something for everyone to enjoy. From the exhilarating concerts and outdoor movie nights to the spectacular art exhibits and lively beach parties, August in San Diego is brimming with adventure and entertainment. This is your ultimate guide to experiencing the best events, uncovering hidden gems, and diving into all the amazing activities that August in San Diego has to offer. Get ready to soak up the sun and make the most of your summer in this incredible city!
The Ecology Center: Community Table Summer Series (August 2, 9, 16, 30)
Join The Ecology Center for an unforgettable experience as the Community Table series returns this Summer. They’re bringing together a new lineup of world-class chefs to create an edible conversation between a farm, a chef, and the community. This series celebrates a seasonal palette of fruits, vegetables, herbs, berries, and flowers, all grown on their 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified™ farm.
ArtWalk Liberty Station (August 2 – 4)
ArtWalk Liberty Station invites you to immerse yourself in the art world. The event kicks off with a ticketed preview pARTy on Friday from 4pm-7:30pm and continues with free entry on Saturday and Sunday. Featuring over 175 various states and Mexico, featuring a wide range of artistic mediums such as paintings, photography, glass and ceramic art, jewelry, and sculpture. It celebrates both local and international talent, highlighting the cultural diversity of the region.
Sweet Petite Confections invites you to indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience at their exclusive ‘All Things Chocolate!’ Baking Night Series on August 9th at 6:00pm, as they delve into the art of creating a decadent Dark Chocolate Passion Fruit Soufflé. This demo-style series is perfect for couples looking to add a touch of sweetness to their date night or a girl’s night out.
Toro Nagashi Festival (August 9 – 10)
Experience the Toro Nagashi Festival on August 9-10, 2024, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Toro Nagashi is a ceremony to honor those who have passed, where floating lanterns commemorate loved ones and wish them peace. Guests will be able to float their candle-lit lanterns (LED candles) in the lower garden stream during the festival. Starting at 10:00am on Friday, August 9th, a limited number of lanterns will be available for purchase at the festival to decorate in the lower garden’s Inamori Pavilion. Lantern presale is now available.
Solare: Cooking Classes (August 10, 24, 31)
Solare Cooking Classes offer a truly hands-on experience, not just a “demonstration,” allowing each student to create Italian cuisine themselves to make at home.
The classes are held pretty much every other Saturday, and the fun typically starts at 10:30am at Solare (10am for some classes) with an Italian-style coffee of your choice. Italian wine is served for students interested in “cooking with wine”.
Aug 10 – Seafood Italian-style
Aug 24 – Pizza from Scratch!
Aug 31 – Osso buco and Risotto
Classes do sell out fast due to the limited size. Typically $95+ per student. Includes the hands-on cooking class, wine, and a full lunch. Limit is usually 10 students per class.
The Desmond: On the Roof Winemaker Dinner featuring Justin Vineyards (August 15)
The Desmond on the Roof Winemaker Dinner featuring Justin Vineyards pairs limited-release and exclusive wines with five courses of seasonal cuisine masterfully prepared by Chef Aldo Negrete. Held on the 4th floor rooftop of the Kimpton Alma San Diego, this event features vintages from Justin Vineyards and Special Guest Speaker Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman. In 1996, Joseph became the 29th American to earn the highly-acclaimed Master Sommelier Diploma and is the only American to have earned the honor “Best Sommelier in the World in French Wines and Spirits”. He has since become a certified instructor and examiner in the Court of Master Sommeliers and has traveled to numerous countries, leading wine seminars and educational conferences.
The dinner will be followed by a raffle with a grand prize of two GA tickets ($430 value, incl. tax) to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival Grand Tasting on November 9, 2024. Book today!
Lemon Festival (August 17)
See how downtown Chula Vista transforms into a lemon-filled oasis at the 27th Annual Lemon Festival. Celebrating the city’s rich agricultural history as the “Lemon Capital of the World,” the festival features live music, a lemon cook-off competition, a kids’ zone, delicious food options, arts and crafts vendors, and a wine and beer garden. Expect a day of zesty fun and citrus-themed activities.
Liberty Station Summer Music Series – Nosotros (August 25)
The NTC Foundation is partnering with Zia Productions to present the 2024 ARTS DISTRICT Summer Music Series! Enjoy FREE outdoor musical performances on the North Promenade in Liberty Station.
Guests, friends, and family members of all ages are welcome to bring a blanket and lawn chairs to set up on the North Promenade and enjoy live music from 4:00 – 7:00pm.
