October 5, 2025 (La Mesa)—Oktoberfest continues through 8 p.m. tonight in La Mesa’s downtown village. The three-day festival, which began on Fridaiy, celebrates Bavarian culture complete with good food, live music and fun games.
Some of the prominent German themed dishes available are the homemade root beer, Bratwurst sausages and pretzels., along with many other tasty food options locally and globally. Multiple biergartens offer German beers. Live bands and a DJ offer music ranging from traditional polkas to rock and country. Many servers are dressed in traditional German outfits.
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Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson
October 3, 2025 (Ramona) - San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona).
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October 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready to savor German beers and foods, kick up your heels to traditional German music as well as contemporary bands, enjoy games, carnival rides and vie for prizes? All of these opportunities and more can be found at Oktoberfest celebrations across East County include large festivals in La Mesa and El Cajon this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as smaller Oktoberfest gatherings in Alpine and Julian on October 4.
Scroll down for details on Oktoberfest events across San Diego's inland region.
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Oct. 3, 2025 (Alpine) -- For a unique, once-a-year experience, Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in San Diego County is inviting the public to its annual Spooky Campover event on Friday, Oct. 24.
The overnight campout offers the rare chance to sleep under the stars -- surrounded by the sounds of rescued big cats and other sanctuary animals.
The "spooky celebration" packs in a night of Halloween-themed fun.
Attendees will enjoy campfire songs, pumpkin carving and a Halloween costume contest.
For those who dare, an all-ages haunted house will also be part of the evening's entertainment.
Visitors can also test their knowledge in an animal trivia challenge (with clues available on the LTB website), make s'mores, and sip on hot cocoa by the campfire.
The fun doesn't end when the sun comes up the next day. The following morning features the "Pumpkin Bash."
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October 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — Miss Smarty-Plants will bring a “batty” show to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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October 3, 2025 (Borrego Springs, CA) -- Borrego Springs hosts its annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 18 and 19. Saturday features a morning flyover and parade, as well as the "Shine and Show" vehicle show.
There's also a beer garden, kids' zone, food stations, and booths featuring everything from art to information. Plus you can enjoy live music and other activities all weekend long.
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September 29, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center 2025-2026 season is underway. In October, the center will host the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant on Saturday, Oct. 11, followed by legendary blues musician Doug McLeod in concert on Friday, Oct. 17.
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September 28, 2025 (El Cajon) - The Heartland Coin Club announces its highly anticipated Coin Show, taking place on Saturday, October 25, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the El Cajon Elks Lodge, El Cajon, CA. This event offers opportunity for coin enthusiasts, collectors, and curious minds to come together and explore the fascinating world of numismatics.
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September 29, 2025 (El Cajon) -- On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), in partnership with the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center, will host the 10th Annual East County Manufacturing Expo at Cuyamaca College.
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September 28, 2025 (Santee) -- The ninth annual Ladies at the Lake Fall Market will be Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Lake 1 event area at Santee Lakes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shoppers and craft fair goers throughout San Diego are expected to attend the event that celebrates women owned businesses, and a few men as well.
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Sept. 27, 2025 (Alpine) -- While most San Diego County residents are planning their Thanksgiving feasts, a much wilder kind of holiday celebration is in the works for a special group of residents in Alpine.
Lions Tigers & Bears, the county’s only accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bash in the days after Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27) at the venue at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine.
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Sept. 27, 2025 (Santee) – The San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) will host an American Archives Month Celebration to highlight San Diego County history from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the ARCC’s East County office, 10144 Mission Gorge Road, Santee. Admission is free.
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September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as well as an array of spooky events such as a haunted circus, haunted trails in county parks, a Day of the Dead celebration, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, a haunted harvest in Julian, pumpkin patches, costume contests for people and dogs, a Boo Bash at Viejas, a haunted train ride in Campo, a pumpkin bash and spooky sleepover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and an autumn festival at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park.
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September 19, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces its 15th annual Salute to Local Heroes, which will incorporate the theme “Top Hat & Tails” This night celebrates local heroes, recognizes the incoming Chamber Board of Directors, includes a silent auction, raffles and more.
This event will be held on October 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Sycuan Casino Resort in the Heritage Ballroom.
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Sept. 18, 2025 (San Diego) -- The free two-day Adams Avenue Street Fair, considered San Diego's favorite music festival, and attended by more than 50,000 people in Normal Heights, is happening this weekend, Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21.
Presented by San Diego Foundation, the 43rd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair features 75 musical acts on seven stages. The event -- Southern California's largest free two-day music festival -- will go from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. both days.
Adams Avenue businesses sponsor this event, held along 10 city blocks, from 32nd Street to 36th Street. In addition to a varied musical performance schedule, the event features carnival rides, beer gardens, festival foods, performances by the Fern Street Circus and 300 exhibitors with unique offerings.
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Sept. 18, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Spooky fun is coming to downtown El Cajon with the annual HauntFest in October.
The community-centered event that typically draws more than 20,000 people, is set for 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17.
The city says that the annual free Halloween block party is the largest in San Diego County and features something for everyone.
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Sept. 17, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- The annual St. John of the Cross Catholic Parish Fall Festival, the Lemon Fest, is coming to the church on Broadway this weekend.
The community event, from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, will feature a car show and lemon baking contest.
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Photo: Compassion Experience participants step into the global mission field without leaving the country.
September 17, 2025 (San Diego) -- College Avenue Church in San Diego will host Compassion Experience, an immersive experience transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion International works on Sept. 19-21. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action for children living in poverty around the world.
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Sept. 16, 2025 (Spring Valley) -- Mount Miguel High School Class of 1965 is getting ready for its 60th class reunion.
Leaders from the Matadors 1965 class have put out the word that they are looking for classmates from thier year to join them in the event set for 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Town & Country Resort and Hotel.
Tickets are $110 per person and include dinner and dancing. A limited number of free tickets are available for those who need financial assistance.
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Sept.15, 2025 (Santee) -- Lions, Tigers, and Bears… Oh My!
The city of Santee is hosting a free outdoor screening of the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz later this month.
In a partnership with the County of San Diego’s Summer Movies in the Park series -- presented by San Diego Foundation -- the city is inviting the community to see The Wizard of Oz under the stars starting just after sunset on Sept. 20.
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Kumeyaay native plant presentation by Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretative Center. Photo by Laurie Brindle
East County News Service
Sept. 10, 2025 (Borrego Springs) -- Get ready for some adventures in artifacts.
California State Parks and the Colorado Desert Archaeology Society are getting set for "Archaeology Day" in November.
Archaeology Day is a family-friendly event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the vast Anza-Borrego Desert — and the people who have lived there for thousands of years.
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Photo of people checking out the Anza Borrego Desert courtesy Anza Borrego Foundation
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Sept. 10, 2025 (Borrego Springs) -- It's September -- and that means the heat is on in the Anza-Borrego Desert.
With average daily high temperatures in the mid-90s°F and above, Borrego Springs will likely be too hot for comfortable outdoor activities, but the Anza-Borrego Foundation has two education events in the second part of the month.
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September 5, 2025 (Sycuan) – Tribal dancers from across the nation will participate in the annual Sycuan Powwow September 12-14 at the Sycuan reservation in rural East County. The event also features a bird singer contest and grand entry processions, as well as Native American arts and crafts vendors.
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Local artists and galleries are coming together to host the 14th Annual Alley Cat Art Walkon Friday, September 12th from 4pm to 8pm in Downtown El Cajon. This free, family-friendly event promises fine art, live entertainment, boutique vendors, and more along Main Street and Rea Avenue.
Hosted by the art galleries, studios, museums, and small businesses in the historic Downtown El Cajon district, the Art Walk is a yearly celebration of the city’s flourishing creative scene. Along with special gallery shows, attendees can explore interactive art displays, artisanal craft booths while enjoying live music, beer on tap, and other entertainment. With all venues within walking distance, it’s easy to shop, discover new artists, and take in the range of artistic styles and mediums.
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Photo: “In Trouble” depicts a twisting bronc as it tries to throw its rider. It is the artist’s best known etching.
September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) -- The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon opens an exhibition of the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Friday, September 12 and runs through October 10. Twenty-six original etchings created by Olaf Wieghorst between 1937 and 1940 along with an original copper etching plate will be displayed.
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September 5, 2025 (La Mesa) -- Local author, domestic violence survivor and advocate Tanya Harris will host a powerful community book signing and awareness event on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo at Grossmont Center mall (5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa).
The community-focused event is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence, offer vital resources to survivors, and inspire hope through Harris newly released memoir: Journey of the Heart: Should I Stay, or Should I Go?
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September 4, 2025 (Julian) -- The East County Performing Arts Association invites you to experience the heart, humor, and resilience of Southern women in Steel Magnolias. The play will be performed in the Julian Town Hall the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Set in a small-town beauty salon, this beloved theater production blends laughter and tears as six unforgettable women navigate life’s joys and sorrows together. With sharp wit and deep emotion, Steel Magnolias is a touching tribute to friendship, strength, and love. Join us for an evening of unforgettable storytelling and heartfelt performances.
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September 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County car enthusiasts have cause for celebration, after the El Cajon City Council on Tuesday approved a two-month extension of the Cajon Cruise on Main Street and Prescott Promenade, this time hosted by Downtown Café.
The revived car show will rev up on Wednesday nights Sept. 10 through Oct. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., featuring classic and show cars.
In prior years, the car show ran six months, from April through October. But this year, due to a funding shortfall, the event customarily hosted by the downtown merchants’ organization ran for only two months, from June 4-July 30.
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Aug. 28, 2025 (Jacumba) -- The next first Saturday will once again be an evening for visitors and locals to shop, eat, drink and soak in the high desert.
The Jacumba Bathhouse is holding its next First Saturday bazaar from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 6 at 44450 Old Highway 80 at Jacumba Street.
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By Miriam Raftery
Source: Heartland Coin Club
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Sept. 17, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- The annual St. John of the Cross Catholic Parish Fall Festival, the Lemon Fest, is coming to the church on Broadway this weekend.
East County
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Kumeyaay native plant presentation by Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretative Center. Photo by Laurie Brindle
East County News Service
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