Festivals
SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL OF BEER Sept. 10. The 16th annual festival features live music and samples from more than 100 different microbrews. Columbia and B sts., downtown, sdbeerfest.org. Map Q15

ARTWALK ON THE BAY Sept. 18-19. Artists from around the nation and Mexico display their original artworks for exhibition and sale in this open-air gallery with beautiful bay views. The Waterfront Park at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, downtown, 619.615.1090. Map R16

OLD GLOBE Shakespeare Festival Through Sept. 26. The Old Globe presents King Lear, The Madness of George III, The Taming of the Shrew, performed in nightly repertory on the outdoor stage. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. Map Q17

CORONADO ART WALK Sept. 18-19. The open-air arts festival accompanied by performers and live music. More than 90 artists will display their wares in historic downtown Coronado. 1100 Orange Ave., 619.435.7242. Map L11

PACIFIC ISLANDER FESTIVAL Sept. 25-26. The 16th annual event celebrates the food, art and culture of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Ski Beach, Mission Bay, 619.699.8797. Map I8

ADAMS AVENUE STREET FAIR Sept. 25-26. The 29th annual event, SoCal’s largest free two-day music festival, features 70 musical acts on six stages. Adams Ave. between 32nd and 35th streets, Normal Heights, 619.282.7329. Map I12

CABRILLO FESTIVAL Sept. 25-26. Special events commemorate Juan Cabrillo’s exploration of the West Coast in 1542. Ballast Point and Cabrillo National Monument, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma, 619.557.5450. Map L8

SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL Sept. 29-Oct. 3. Five-day bonanza in the Gaslamp showcases independent feature films, documentaries and shorts. Reading Gaslamp Cinemas, 619.582.2368. Map Q16

JULIAN FALL APPLE harvest Mid-Sept.-Oct. Enjoy autumn foliage, art, entertainment and seasonal foods such as apple cider and pie. Special events on weekends, including the Julian Grape Stomp Festa on Sept. 4. Julian, 760.765.1857. Map C6

OKTOBERFEST LA MESA Oct. 1-3. About 200,000 revelers attend this 37th annual Oktoberfest, the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi. Three hundred vendors, three beer gardens, five food courts and a kiddie carnival fill six city blocks. Spring St. and La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 619.462.3002. Map E3

OCEANSIDE HARBOR DAYS Oct. 2-3. Sun, sand, surf and activities, from pier fishing to boat-building contests. Oceanside Harbor, 760.722.1534. Map S22

OCEAN BEACH OKTOBERFEST Oct. 9, 10 am-8:30 pm. Live bands, bratwurst-eating contests, a sausage toss and more on O.B.’s Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.224.4906. Map J8

OLD TOWN ART FESTIVAL Oct. 9-10. More than 100 hand-picked artists from across the country show and sell their works in Old Town State Historic Park. 4000 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.233.5008. Map J10

La Jolla Art & Wine FESTivAl Oct. 9-10. This two-day event features 300 SoCal and Baja artists plus fine local wines and beer, live entertainment and more. Girard Ave., between Pearl and Genter sts. lajollaartandwinefestival.com. Map W19

LITTLE ITALY FESTA Oct. 10. Music, Italian food and specialty crafts are highlighted at this free event, which also features a popular street painting festival. India St. between Ash and Grape sts., Little Italy, 619.233.3898. Map P15

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL Oct. 21-28. The 11th annual event includes feature films, shorts and animation from Asian artists worldwide. UltraStar Cinemas, 7519 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley, 858.565.1264. Map M18

DEL MAR HARVEST FESTIVAL Oct. 22-24. This 35th annual festival showcases 300 American artists, plus entertainment, food samples and kids’ crafts. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 415.447.3205. Map X22

CARLSBAD VILLAGE FAIRE Nov. 7. Street fair features more than 900 vendors with international food, art and live entertainment. Grand Avenue near the ocean, Carlsbad, 760.945.9288. Map T22

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Nov. 17-21. SoCal’s largest wine and food fest features cooking classes, wine-tasting seminars, exhibits, wine dinners and celebrity chefs. Embarcadero Marina Park North, downtown, 619.342.7337. Map R15

SAN DIEGO THANKSGIVING DIXIELAND JAZZ FESTIVAL Nov. 24-28. The 31st annual event features 25+ performances by international artists. Town & Country Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley, 619.297.5277. Map M15

SAN DIEGO holiday festival Nov. 26-28. Come shop from the holiday collections of over 200 local vendors, artists, and craftsmen; and watch exciting demonstrations of glassblowing and artists at work. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., 858.792.4235. Map X22

Special Events
cinema under the stars Ongoing (Th-Su). Classic and newer films screened outdoors; films begin at 8:30 pm. Sept. 2-3: Chocolat; Sept. 9-11: Some Like It Hot; Sept. 16-18: North By Northwest; Sept. 23-25: Roman Holiday; Sept. 30-Oct. 2: The Birds; Oct. 7-9: The Big Lebowski; Oct. 14-16: Rebecca; Oct. 21-23: Young Frankenstein; Oct. 28-30: Psycho; Nov. 4-6: The Princess Bride; Nov. 11-13: TBA. 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills, 619.295.4221. Map N15

san diego bayfair Sept. 17-19. Crowds flock to Ski Beach to catch the World Series of Power Boat Racing, featuring intense water competition and the fastest powerboats in the world. Race course runs between Crown Point and Fiesta Island, Mission Bay, 619.225.9160. Map I9

FLEET WEEK SAN DIEGO Sept. 17-Oct. 3. A tribute to military service men and women includes U.S. Navy ship tours (Sept. 25), Coronado Speed Festival vintage car races (Sept. 26) and the Miramar Air Show (Oct. 1-3). 800.353.3893.

San Diego Restaurant Week Sept. 19-24. More than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants offer fixed price, three-course meals in this sixth annual event. Visit website for participating restaurants.
sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

SCREAM ZONE Sept. 24-Oct. 17 (weekends only); Oct 21-Oct. 31 (nightly). Eerie attractions include the Haunted Hayride, Chamber of Chills and House of Horror. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. Map X22

HAUNTED HOTEL Sept. 24-Oct. 31. Nightly (closed M & T except for Oct. 25-26). Not for the faint of heart, this spooky maze will have everyone screaming. 424 Market Street, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.231.0131. Map Q16

haunted trail Sept. 24-Oct. 31. Nightly (closed M & T except for Oct. 25-26). The Haunted Trail promises to be “no walk in the park.” Balboa Park, 619.696.SCARE. Map O17

TEQUILA FESTIVAL AND EXPO Oct. 15-17. Unlimited tastings of more than 100 tequilas. Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, 664.607.3097. Map F3

Ghost hunting tour Oct. 22-23, 28. Creepy ghost tours inside the Whaley House prove why it’s dubbed the most haunted house in America. 2476 San Diego Ave., 619.297.7511. Map N14

MONSTER BASH Oct. 30. 10th annual festive street party features live bands, DJs and a costume contest. 21 and over. Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. Map Q16

san diego beer week Nov. 5-14. More than 300 citywide events including beer dinners, rare bottle tastings, cheese pairings and brewery tours celebrate S.D.’s internationally recognized craft beer culture. Various locations. sdbw.org.

LA JOLLA GALLERY AND WINE WALK Nov. 5. Sixth annual event showcases art galleries and offers fine wine and food sampling from area restaurants. Galleries begin at 1205 Prospect St., La Jolla, 619.233.5008. Map G7

MOTHER GOOSE PARADE Nov. 21. The 64th annual parade offers free family fun to start the holiday season. Route begins on Main Street and Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, 619.444.8712. Map E4