Aaaaaand away they go!
Yup, the county fair is over and it’s that time of year again.
With the San Diego Pride Festival dominating Hillcrest, there’s a whole other slate of events elsewhere around town over the weekend, including the return of our fastest, horsiest summer staple in Del Mar.
For more information on two events this weekend — the Holo Holo Music Festival on Saturday and Pacific Records Fest on Sunday — check out Matthew Lickona’s overview of live music this month.
Now, let’s take a wider look around town.
Friday, July 17
All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair: The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego presents this event at the Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center (10440 Black Mountain Rd.) featuring family resources on tap; a special vendors’ area spotlighting business owners living with disabilities; activity stations and character meet-and-greets. The event runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and while there’s no charge to attend, organizers recommend you reserve your spot to get in.
Del Mar Summer Racing Season Opens:The Del Mar Racetrack (2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.) is pulling out all the stops to start the 2026 season, with opening day highlighted by not just the action on the track, but a hat contest with more than $5,000 up for grabs in four categories; a 21-and-up party with $134 tickets that include admission to the races; and both an afterparty and a concert after the races. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.
Distant Worlds — Music from “Final Fantasy”: With Comic-Con just a week away, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 25th anniversary of “Final Fantasy X,” a seminal installment in the long-running fantasy game series that is also being re-released by Nintendo this month. The program’s co-creator Arnie Roth will conduct the orchestra, who will also be joined by the San Diego Master Chorale as they play selections from across the series. The performance at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (222 Marina Park Way) starts at 7:30 p.m.
“Freaky Friday: A New Musical”: This production is a one-weekend only affair from the Carlsbad Community Theatre, with all three shows to be held at the Carlsbad Arts Center on the campus of Carlsbad High School (3557 Monroe St.) It is indeed a stage adaptation of the modern Disney favorite in which a mother and daughter find themselves in a body-swap. Directed by Salisha Carr, the show stars Keri Miller stepping into Jamie Lee Curtis’ role as Katherine, with Anna Ruais playing Katherine’s daughter Ellie, a role originated by Lindsay Lohan. Showtimes vary, and tickets are still available.
Saturday, July 18
Aloha Plunge in Carlsbad: The city invites visitors to the Alga Norte Aquatic Center (6565 Alicante Rd.) for an island-themed evening of fun from 5-8 p.m. with pool games, “giant inflatables,” a splash pad and a Polynesian dance performance with audience participation. Tickets cost $15, but attendance is free for kids ages 3 and under.
Filipino American Friendship Festival: Returning for its sixth year, this free event commemorates the Treaty of Manila, which granted the Philippines its independence from the United States on July 4, 1946. The festival at NTC Park at Liberty Station (2455 Cushing Rd.) kicks off at 11 a.m. with a procession of community groups. The festival will include not just live entertainment, but a lumpia-eating contest; resources for senior living; pavilion areas devoted to health and wellness and education; and a “karaoke korner.” The event runs until 6 p.m.
Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival: This summer tradition returns to Portwood Pier Plaza (914 Seacoast Dr.), as does its signature event, the Masters sand castle-building competition. While that event kicks off at 8 a.m., organizers advised us that the free festival, featuring live music throughout the day, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ManVamFam Fest: Local music label Mannequin Vanity Records teams up with BeerHound for this one-day music event at The Holding Company in Ocean Beach (5046 Newport Ave.) showcasing “current roster bands as well as friends of the label.” Doors open at noon for this 21-and-up event, with the first band going on around 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10.
PHOSPHENE Opening Reception: The Art Produce Gallery in North Park (3139 University Ave.) hosts this exhibition from Space 4 Art from 4-7 p.m. The exhibition, named after the phenomenon of seeing light without an outside source, is curated by Dinah Poellnitz and features work from local artists Bryttney-Mischele Salvant, Mark Chamness, Akiko Surai, and Pastelle. Admission is free.
Raices y Remedios: This event at The WOO gallery in Barrio Logan is described as a “closing event” for artist Irie Zepeda, whose work will be featured alongside that of Antonia Davis and Gloria Muriel. Besides the art installations, there will be live music and community workshops throughout the event, which runs from 3-8 p.m. Admission is free, though organizers ask that visitors RSVP.
Sunday, July 19
Cars & Coffee: This event is part of the “Summer Series” at Frontwave Arena (3475 Hero Dr. in Oceanside), with organizers promising “cool cars, fresh coffee, and good vibes” for both car enthusiasts and casual visitors from 8-10 a.m. We didn’t see a cost to attend listed, but the venue asks that you RSVP if you plan on going.
French Market Open-Air Watching Party: While the Men’s World Cup final will probably be on TV in any restaurant or bar that has one, this is a little different: the market, presented by the French-American Chamber of Commerce, will not only feature local vendors — it will include a big screen so visitors can keep up with the championship match while shopping around Progress Park downtown (999 N Harbor Dr.) that afternoon. The festival opens at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., with no cost to attend.
