September is a great month to be in San Diego. Summer crowds start to settle down a little, but the events calendar definitely doesn't. This year we have some of San Diego's biggest annual events happening throughout the month, including the Miramar Air Show, Adams Avenue Street Fair, Restaurant Week and CRSSD Festival.
Rather than trying to list every event happening around the county, I narrowed this down to the ones I think are actually worth knowing about. As always, dates, times and event details can change, so I'd double-check the official event website before heading out.
San Diego Restaurant Week
San Diego Restaurant Week
If you've had a restaurant sitting on your list that you've been meaning to try, Restaurant Week is a pretty good excuse to finally make a reservation. This year's event runs for eight days and includes more than 120 restaurants across 30+ San Diego neighborhoods, with participating restaurants offering special prix-fixe menus. What I like about Restaurant Week is that you don't have to make an entire day out of it. Pick a neighborhood you've been wanting to explore, find a participating restaurant and turn it into a night out.
Food-Focused Events
Taste of Gaslamp
If you'd rather sample a bunch of restaurants instead of committing to just one, Taste of Gaslamp is another September event worth checking out. The self-guided food tour takes you throughout the Gaslamp Quarter with tastings from more than 20 restaurants spread across the neighborhood. I like the concept because you're not just sitting down for one meal. You're walking through Downtown, trying different places and probably discovering a restaurant you wouldn't have picked otherwise.
On the Water
San Diego Bayfair
Bayfair is one of those San Diego events that's completely different from almost everything else on this list. The annual event brings powerboat racing to Mission Bay for a full weekend and has become a longstanding San Diego tradition. Even if powerboat racing isn't normally something you follow, seeing the boats racing across Mission Bay makes this a pretty unique September experience.
Street Fairs & Neighborhood Events
Adams Avenue Street Fair
This is probably one of my favorite events on the September calendar simply because of how much is going on. The Adams Avenue Street Fair takes over roughly 10 blocks of Normal Heights with 75 musical acts across six stages, along with food, beer gardens, carnival rides and around 300 exhibitors. Even better, admission to the street fair itself is free. I'd give yourself some time for this one rather than trying to squeeze it into an hour.
Signature San Diego Events
MCAS Miramar Air Show
The Miramar Air Show is easily one of the biggest San Diego events of September. America's Airshow returns to MCAS Miramar for three days with military aviation demonstrations, civilian performers, exhibits and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Even if you don't normally follow aviation, seeing some of these aircraft perform in person is pretty incredible. This is also an event where I'd plan ahead. It's extremely popular, so check the official website for current entry, parking, prohibited items and schedule information before you go.
Culture & Community
Pacific Islander Festival
The Pacific Islander Festival brings two days of culture, food, music, dance and community to Mission Bay. The event celebrates the cultures of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia and has grown into one of San Diego's major cultural festivals. This is another event I'd show up hungry for.
Music & Nightlife
CRSSD Festival
If electronic music is more your thing, CRSSD returns to Waterfront Park at the end of September. The two-day, 21+ festival takes place right along San Diego Bay and features electronic and dance music across multiple stages. The 2026 lineup includes Chris Lake b2b Disclosure, Mochakk, Skepta MÁS TIEMPO, Boys Noize and plenty more. The location is also hard to beat. You're right along the waterfront with Little Italy only a short walk away.
San Diego Spirits Festival
If cocktails and spirits are more your speed, the San Diego Spirits Festival is also happening during the final weekend of September. The two-day event brings together more than 65 brands ranging from premium spirits to ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers, with tastings throughout the weekend. This one obviously caters to a completely different crowd than the Miramar Air Show or Adams Avenue Street Fair, but that's what I like about September's calendar — there really is something happening for just about every interest.
Sneaking Into October
Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
We're technically sneaking into October with this one, but since it begins September 30, I'm including it. The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival returns with several days of chef-driven events, wine experiences, tastings and other food-focused events. If you're really into San Diego's restaurant scene, this is probably one of the events I'd keep an eye on as the full schedule rolls out.
What I'd Put on My September Calendar
- For food: San Diego Restaurant Week
- For a free neighborhood event: Adams Avenue Street Fair
- For something uniquely San Diego: Miramar Air Show
- For live music: CRSSD
- For Mission Bay: Bayfair or Pacific Islander Festival
- For food & wine: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
Final Thoughts
September is one of those months that reminds you how much there is to do around San Diego. You can spend one weekend eating your way through Restaurant Week, the next listening to live music in Normal Heights, and finish the month watching the Blue Angels or heading to a festival along the waterfront.
I'll continue updating this guide if another major September event gets announced or dates change. And if you're looking for more things to do around San Diego, check out our neighborhood guides while you're here.
