What’s Happening in San Diego This Weekend: October 2–4, 2026

If you're spending the first weekend of October in San Diego, you picked a good one.

From one of San Diego's biggest beach festivals and the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival to Oktoberfest celebrations, live music, Fashion Week, theater, food tastings and family-friendly fall events, there is a LOT happening around the county October 2–4.

Here are some of the best things to do in San Diego this weekend.

🌊 Pacific Beachfest

Saturday, October 3 | 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Pacific Beach Boardwalk | FREE

This one is especially close to our hearts at Nancy's Vacation Rentals. Pacific Beachfest takes over the boardwalk from Felspar Street to Thomas Avenue for an entire day of music, food, beach activities and classic PB fun.

Expect three live music stages, beach volleyball, local vendors, an arts and crafts village, a kids action zone and the popular Best of the Beach Fish Taco Contest.

And since so many Nancy's Vacation Rentals homes are right here in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, some of our guests may be able to walk or bike to the festivities.

Local tip: Parking in PB can get challenging during major events. If you're staying nearby, walking, biking or using a rideshare is usually the easier option.

Pacific Beachfest Information →

🍷 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

September 30–October 4
Events throughout the area + Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park

Foodies have a very good reason to be in San Diego this weekend.

The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival brings together acclaimed chefs, restaurants, winemakers, athletes and personalities for several days of dinners, tastings and special events.

The centerpiece is the massive two-day Grand Tasting on Saturday and Sunday, featuring some of Southern California's best restaurants, chefs and wineries.

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival →

🌮 Taste of North Park

Saturday, October 3 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
North Park

Come hungry.

Taste of North Park turns one of San Diego's coolest neighborhoods into a giant walking tasting tour with more than 50 food stops and 15 craft beverage stops, plus live music, art and local businesses along the way.

It's also a great excuse to explore North Park beyond the restaurants. The neighborhood has become one of San Diego's best areas for independent breweries, coffee shops, boutiques, bars and nightlife.

Taste of North Park →

🍺 La Mesa Oktoberfest

Friday–Sunday, October 2–4
Downtown La Mesa | General festival admission FREE

You don't have to fly to Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest this weekend.

La Mesa's longtime Oktoberfest returns for three days with three biergartens, German and international food, live music, oompah bands, games, family activities and plenty of beer.

There are also wonderfully ridiculous Oktoberfest traditions including stein-holding contests, dachshund races and other competitions.

Friday: 4–10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–8 p.m.

La Mesa Oktoberfest →

👗 Fashion Week San Diego

Friday–Sunday, October 2–4

San Diego gets a little more fashionable this weekend as Fashion Week San Diego celebrates its 19th runway season.

The weekend includes Friday's Opening Night, Saturday's official runway shows and Sunday's Trunk Show, where attendees can shop designs featured during the weekend.

Friday: Opening Night
Saturday: Official Runways
Sunday: Trunk Show

Fashion Week San Diego →

🎷 San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival

October 1–4 | San Diego, Escondido & Tijuana

One festival. Four days. Two countries.

The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival celebrates the musical connection between both sides of our border with performances in San Diego County and Tijuana.

Saturday's San Diego County program takes place at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, with performers including Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, Mingus Dynasty, Danilo Pérez and others.

San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival →

🚋 Trolley Dances

Saturday & Sunday, October 3–4

This might be one of the most uniquely San Diego events happening this weekend.

Instead of sitting in a theater, guests hop aboard the MTS Blue Line and travel to a series of site-specific dance performances.

More than 50 dancers perform original choreography at locations along the route, turning San Diego's trolley system into a moving performing-arts venue.

Tours begin at the UTC Transit Center and last approximately 2½ hours.

Trolley Dances →

🎃 The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park

Friday & Saturday Nights | Balboa Park

October has officially arrived, which means San Diego's Halloween season is underway.

The Haunted Trail takes visitors through a mile-long outdoor haunt beneath the trees of Balboa Park, along with the 3,500-square-foot eXperiment Maze and this year's Dark Carnival.

If you prefer your San Diego vacation with a few screams mixed in with the sunsets, this one's for you.

🎭 Broadway's "Oh, Mary!"

Through Sunday, October 4
San Diego Civic Theatre

Broadway fans have multiple chances this weekend to catch the national touring production of the hit comedy Oh, Mary!.

Weekend performances include Friday night, two Saturday performances and two Sunday performances at the Civic Theatre downtown.

📚 North Park Book Fair

Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
North Park | FREE

Book lovers can browse more than 100 literary vendors and meet dozens of local authors at the returning North Park Book Fair.

The free event also includes kids' readings, food vendors, a DJ, bookmark making, a fall photo booth and costume contests for adults, kids and even pets.

🎸 Live Music This Weekend

San Diego's concert calendar is packed this weekend too.

Friday: Candlebox plays The Observatory North Park, Marco Antonio Solís performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre and The Growlers take over Petco Park.

Saturday: Hayley Williams performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Social Distortion plays Petco Park, Air Supply takes the stage at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Julieta Venegas performs at SDSU and Sammy Rae & The Friends play The Sound.

Sunday: Michelle Branch plays The Sound and The Menzingers perform at The Observatory North Park.

Check individual venues for current ticket availability and show times.

👨‍👩‍👧 BONUS: Kids Free San Diego Starts This Weekend!

October is an especially good month to visit San Diego with kids.

Kids Free San Diego returns for the entire month, with participating museums, attractions, aquariums and cultural destinations offering special free-admission promotions for children with a paid adult.

More than 70 participating locations are included in the 2026 program, making October one of the best times of the year for families to explore San Diego.

🎡 Fall Fest at Belmont Park

October also means fall has arrived at Mission Beach.

Belmont Park's seasonal Fall Fest is underway with fall treats, weekend entertainment, a festive beer garden and the park's classic beachfront rides and attractions — including the historic Giant Dipper.

It's an easy addition to a Mission Beach day: spend some time on the sand, walk the boardwalk and finish with rides and sunset overlooking the Pacific.

☀️ Or Just Enjoy San Diego

Here's the secret locals already know: you don't actually need an event to have an incredible weekend in San Diego.

Walk the Pacific Beach or Mission Beach boardwalk. Watch the sea lions in La Jolla. Catch sunset at Sunset Cliffs. Explore Balboa Park. Grab tacos. Visit a local brewery. Rent bikes along Mission Bay. Or simply put your feet in the sand and remember why you came here in the first place.

Sometimes the best San Diego itinerary is having no itinerary at all.

🏖️ Staying in San Diego?

At Nancy's Vacation Rentals, we've been helping guests experience San Diego like locals for more than 25 years.

Our vacation homes put you close to the beaches, restaurants, neighborhoods and attractions that make San Diego such an incredible place to visit.

Whether you're here for Pacific Beachfest, a food festival, a concert, or simply a weekend by the ocean, we're here to help you make the most of your stay.

Nancy's Vacation Rentals
Changing the way you vacation.

Find Your San Diego Vacation Rental →

Event schedules, prices and availability can change. Check the event organizer's website before heading out.