concerts san diego

Next week I’m sending my youngest son off to college and it’s a reminder that summer is drawing to a close. But as San Diego locals know, even though the tourists will be heading home soon we still have a few more months of great, warm weather to enjoy. Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall by planning to attend an upcoming concert in San Diego County! Here’s a list of some free (and not-so-free) shows coming up this month and next:

Del Mar

Del Mar Hullabaloo

August 15^th and September 19^th

*Free

Bring your kids out for a free, fun sing along! This morning jam session is held at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center pop jet fountain. Click here for more information.

Del Mar Summer Twilight Concerts

August 20th

*Free

Since the first Twilight Concert was held in the summer of 1983, the summer twilight concerts have been a great Del Mar tradition. Gather at Powerhouse Park for the Del Mar Summer Twilight Concerts to socialize, picnic, and enjoy music as the sun sets over the ocean. The Might Untouchables will be playing on August 20^th. Click here for more information.

Kaaboo Festival

September 13^th-15th

Experience an eclectic array of musical talent packed into three days at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar! This event also includes standup comedic acts, food and drink for sale, art exhibits and live art displays! Click here for more information.

La Jolla

La Jolla Music Society SummerFest

August 2^nd-23rd

A new era of SummerFest begins this August in the new location of The Conrad Preby’s Performing Arts Center! The 2019 Festival will showcase exceptional artists in the acoustically spectacular Baker-Baum Concert Hall in La Jolla! Click here for more information.

Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium

August 21^st and September 18^th

Birch Aquarium’s annual Green Flash Concert Series offers a unique summertime experience with live music and spectacular ocean sunsets. The concerts occur on the third Wednesday of every month from May through September on the aquarium’s stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza and includes food, drinks, and a sophisticated mix of national performers. Click here for more information.

Carlsbad

TGIF Concerts in the Park

August 9^th and 16th

*Free

For over 30 years, the City of Carlsbad has hosted live music throughout the city. This year, nine concerts will be presented in four beautiful parks in Carlsbad. In addition to free music and dancing, all events feature a variety of offerings. Click here to see who’s playing at the upcoming Carlsbad TGIF Concerts in the Park.

Encinitas

Moonlight Beach Concerts

August 18th

*Free

What better place to enjoy great summer music than on the beach with your toes in the sand? Presented by Encinitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, this summer concert series is held right on the sand at beautiful Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. Don’t miss The Mighty Untouchables on August 18^th. Click here for more information.

Concerts at the Cove

August 15^th and 22^nd

*Free

Bring your beach chairs and blankets to Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach this summer! You won’t want to miss out on this rockin’ good time at the beach! Click here to see who will be playing the last two shows of the year.

Oceanside

Concerts in the Park

August 9^th and September 14^th

*Free

This Free Concerts in the Park series takes place in Oceanside from June through September. It features different musical acts performing across a variety of genres. Click here for more information on the upcoming concerts.

San Diego

Liberty Station Amplified Concerts

August 12^th and September 6^th

The Arts Districtat Liberty Station hosts First Friday Amplified Concerts. This is a wildly popular free concert series held in outside in the grassy North Promenade at Liberty Station.Click here for more information.

Bayside Summer Nights

August 9^th-September 1^st

The San Diego Symphony’s Bayside Summer Nights is back for another spectacular summer! The event features food, fireworks and fantastic orchestral performances under the stars at picturesque Embarcadero Marina Park South in downtown San Diego. Click here to see the schedule and purchase tickets.

International Summer Organ Festival

August 12^th-26^th

*Free

The Spreckles Organ Society lights up San Diego summer nights with the International Summer Organ Festival! This is an inspiring, free, outdoor event at the Spreckles Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park. The lineup is designed to demonstrate the fresh sound of the historic 1914 Spreckles Organ, the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world! Click here to see all the upcoming performance dates.

One of the perks of living in a tourist destination is that there’s always something to do, no matter what month it is. But summer is especially packed with activities that will take you from one end of the county to the other. Besides the obvious like the San Diego Fair, racetrack, and 4^th of July celebrations, here are eight of my favorite activities that should be on your bucket list to experience during summer in San Diego.

Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay

No summer is complete without taking in at least one concert at Humphrey’s. This outdoor concert venue is situated on San Diego Bay between Humphreys Restaurant and Humphreys Half Moon Inn. The concerts generally take place from April to October, but summer is the ideal time to take in a musical experience at this beautiful venue. The sound is fantastic and because it’s a smaller venue, every concert feels intimate. Check the Humphrey’s 2018 concert schedule and buy tickets here.

Summer Nights at the San Diego Zoo

During the summer, the San Diego Zoo stays open late into the evening. From now through September 3^rd, you can enjoy special after-dark experiences and entertainment that you won’t get during the day. And you’ll also get to see animals that are only active at dusk or after dark. This year’s theme is Africa. Learn more about the Nighttime Zoo here.

Hyatt Rooftop Cinema Club

Want to enjoy a movie in style? The Manchester Grand Hyatt’s Rooftop Cinema Club is a film experience like no other! Take in an iconic movie from your comfy deck chair and don’t worry about the noise from downtown San Diego – all guests are given wireless headphone to use during the film screening. If your attention wanders during the movie, you can take in spectacular views of America’s Finest City and San Diego Bay. Click here to see the full schedule of movies.

Summer Pops

During the summer, the San Diego symphony takes their concert experience outdoors! Enjoy great music while taking in views of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. The Start Spangled Pops is the series kickoff event and it concludes with a fireworks display. Or if you prefer classical music, check out Beethoven by the Bay on July 29^th. Most concerts begin at 7:30pm. Click here to see the full schedule of upcoming concerts.

Carmel Valley Rec Center Movies in the Park

Each year, the Carmel Valley Recreation Center offers movies in the park with fun for the whole family. The games, food, and fun start each night at 6pm. On July 21^st, you can enjoy the animated feature film, Coco. On August 19^th, the rec center will be screening Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Movies start promptly at dusk each night. For more information about the movie nights, contact the rec center.

Sleepovers at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park

While you can spend the night at the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park at other times of the year, there’s no better time to plan a family sleepover than during the summer. You’ll get to learn about the animals, go behind the scenes, talk to the zookeepers, fall asleep to the sound of wild animals, and more. You’ll need to make a reservation for both the Zoo and the Safari Park sleepovers so visit their websites for more information on how to book your overnight.

Cinema Under the Stars Hillcrest

Love classic films? Then you have to check out Cinema Under the Stars in Hillcrest! Films are screened beneath a retractable dome and if the night is a little chilly – they have infrared heating to keep you warm. The next film they are showing is Raiders of the Lost Ark, which will be shown on June 28^th, 29^th, and 30^th and again on July 1^st. All film screenings begin at 8pm. Click here to see the rest of the summer’s schedule.

Del Mar Powerhouse Park Summer Concerts

For one of the most unforgettable concert experiences in San Diego, mark your calendars for one of the upcoming Summer Twilight Concerts at Powerhouse Park. Bring your chairs, blankets, and beach towels and get ready to sing and dance the night away. There are concerts planned for July 10^th, August 7^th, and August 21^st. Opening acts start at 6pm, with the headliners scheduled to come on at 7pm. Learn more here.

What are your favorite things to do during the summer in San Diego? Leave me a comment below!

End of Summer San Diego Concerts 2019

Del Mar

La Jolla

Carlsbad

Encinitas

Oceanside

San Diego

8 Can’t-Miss Summer Activities in San Diego