The next two weekends will be absolutely stuffed with things to do, including a group of events this weekend celebrating Independence Day. Well, Dia De La Independencia, technically.
With September 16th marking Mexican Independence Day — the day the country declared its independence from Spanish rule, punctuated by Miguel Hidalgo’s Grito de Dolores address — and the surrounding Fiestas Patrias celebrations within Mexico itself, you can get an early start on this side of La Linea around town, going in chronological order:
- Fiestas Patrias in Old Town (Saturday): The whole park will celebrate the occasion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning with a community parade featuring Old Town staff and volunteers in 19th century dress followed by a reenactment of El Grito at 11:15 a.m. and live music throughout the day.
- Old Globe Mexican Independence Day Celebration (Saturday): The Globe will also play host to live music and dance performances at Copley Plaza (1363 Old Globe Way) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along with a piñata workshop and Ambassador Alicia G. Kerber-Palma of Mexico delivering El Grito.
- Barrio Logan Cultura Fest (Sunday): Organizers expect more than 50 local businesses and vendors to take part in this celebration of Mexican Independence Day at Por Vida Cafe (2146 Logan Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a “self-guided art walk” alongside crafting activities for kids and a 1 p.m. performance by Capulli Mexicah, a local group preserving traditional Aztec dancing.
- El Grito in Chula Vista (Sunday): 4-8 p.m. at Memorial Park in Chula Vista (373 Park Way); the Consul General of Mexico’s office will lead a recreation of El Grito at 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11
Punches In The Piazza: The Bobby D. Foundation will host its fourth annual charity boxing show outside Piazza Della Famiglia in Little Italy (523 W Date St.) from 6-9 p.m., with benefits again going toward the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which raises funds for the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks; and for the Washington Elementary School Foundation, which uses donations to help the local school of the same name.
The event is named after local restauranteur and boxing promoter Bobby DePhilippis, who was named to the National Boxing Hall of Fame for his work bringing fights to San Diego before his passing in 2022. All fights on the card will be sanctioned by USA Boxing. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the event, and ticket prices start at $54.49.
Saturday, Sept. 12
AADF Mainstage Showcase: The Asian American Dance Festival concludes with live dance performances from a specially curated group of talents: Adie San Diego; aisha reddick & Odessa Mae Uno; grace shinhae jun; and Kimie Parker starting at 7 p.m. at San Diego City College’s Saville Theater (1065 14th St.)
Alley Cat Art Fest: More than 50 local artists will have free rein over downtown El Cajon from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for this free event spanning the neighborhood, beginning at the intersection of Main Street and Magnolia Street.
Chrome & Candy Dreams — A Rite of Passage: The Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center (1960 National Ave.) will host the opening reception from 1-5 p.m. for an exhibition curated by Norman Paraiso, Juan ” Wicho” Flores, and Ariana Arroyo centered around lowrider bikes.
“Lowrider bikes are often the first vehicle through which youth express their individuality, cultural pride, and sense of belonging,” the museum said in a post about the exhibit. “Each bike carries with it the legacy of those who built, rode, and shared it, embodying the values that continue to sustain lowrider culture today.”
Fall Art & Wine Walk: This free 21-and-up event at The Forum Carlsbad (1905 Calle Barcelona, Suite 200) will spotlight a group of nine wines selected from not just California, but Oregon, Washington, France and Italy; the mall itself will also showcase exhibitions from local artists. The event runs from 2-5 p.m. and while admission is free, organizers do ask visitors to donate to the non-profit Shelter To Soldier, which adopts and trains dogs to prepare them for roles as service dogs for veterans.
Hispanic Heritage celebration in National City: September also marks Hispanic Heritage month, and the National City Public Library (1401 National City Blvd.) is hosting this free event from 1-2:30 p.m. with a live raffle starting at 1 and musical performances.
Nuestras Calles: The fourth installment of the Love Thy Neighbor events series at Pop Up Winona in City Heights (4961 El Cajon Blvd.) will have the Cafecito Vinyl Club DJ’ing throughout, with live performances and vendor tables over the course of the 3-10 p.m. event. There’s no cost to enter but organizers do suggest making a $10 donation, which also allows visitors to enter a raffle that night.
Save The Mixer Dance: It’s like something out of an 80’s movie. The Mixer in Liberty Station (2750 Dewey Rd. #193) is crowdfunding to avoid losing its space. So the owners are teaming up with Harbor The People for this free dance party from 7-10 p.m. to further those efforts.
Sunset Cliffs Auto Show: The intersection of Point Loma Avenue and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in Ocean Beach will see some heavy traffic, but more of a fun kind — classic cars, a kids zone, live music and an awards ceremony for the car show entrants from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
UC Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale: The Master Gardener Association of San Diego County is hosting this free event at Casa Del Prado in Balboa Park (1650 El Prado) featuring not just plants, but a farmer’s market and free demonstrations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The gardener training program itself is administered by the University of California with classes in San Diego every two years. The next session will begin in January 2027.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Mixed Asian Day: The collective Mixed Asian Media teams up with Golden Guide and the non-profit studio Leviathan Lab for this event they say celebrates “connecting through food, culture, entrepreneurship, and art” at Brick in Liberty Station (2863 Historic Decatur Rd.) from 12-7 p.m.
The event will feature a mini market presented by Golden Guide as well as several presentations throughout the day, each having its own suggested donation amount for admission.
The Cookout: Soul Side Vinyl in Normal Heights (3565 Adam’s Ave.) presents a free event with both live music and DJ performances from 2 p.m. until sunset, featuring lunch provided by Just Skew It in Chula Vista.
