East County Magazine
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
County hosts International Dark Sky Celebration April 18 at Santa Ysabel Nature Center
East County News Service April 3, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – Reach for the stars at San Diego County’s International Dark Sky Week Celebration on Saturday,…
Mild desert weather promised for hot weekend events in Jacumba Hot Springs – April 4, 5
By Rebecca Person April 3, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Sunny, mild desert weather sets the stage April 4 and 5th, for a stellar weekend…
Magical Mystery Campout and Beatles Tribute Fair: festival April 4-5 in Jacumba
By Rebecca Person March 28, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — East County’s abuzz with a Beatles invasion. De Anza Springs Resort, a high desert retreat,…
Karnival of the Arts coming to DeAnza Springs April 30 through May 3
East County News Service March 24, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — Performance art and music will collide and combine in concert in the high desert…
Mt. Miguel High School Foundation hosts “Spring Craft Fair” April 11 to support local students
East County News Service March 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) — The Mt. Miguel High School Foundation is inviting the community to its upcoming “Spring Craft…
Planning under way for 80th annual Crest 4th of July Parade and daylong festival
Vendors, food trucks and parade participants wanted By Paul Levikow March 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Community Association is planning the 80th Annual Crest…
Destination East County: April festivities and Easter events
By Miriam Raftery March 20, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Upcoming events in our inland region include egg hunts, a bunny bash, and a…
Santee’s Bunny Trail March 28 includes dragon dancers and egg-citing activities
By Miriam Raftery March 17, 2026 (Santee) — Get ready for fire-breathing fun at Santee’s Bunny Trail, including dragon dancers performing from White Dragon Martial…
Alejandro Escovedo to headline Adams Avenue Unplugged Saturday, April 25
Source: Adams Avenue Business March 16, 2026 (San Diego) – Adams Avenue Unplugged will take place on Saturday, April 25th, 12 noon to 12 midnight,…
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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.
MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO’S EAST COUNTY
January
Walk to the top of Mt. Helix – Click here
Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands, Ramona – Click here
Martin Luther King Choir concerts (locations vary) – Click here
Boardwalk Craft Market, Escondido – Click here
Outdoor ice skating at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here
February
Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands – Click here
Cuyamaca College Pow-wow – Click here
Grossmont College Pow-wow – Click here
Chocolate Lovers Festival, Escondido – Click here
Black History Month events at SDSU – Click here
Via Valentino Night, Bernardo Winery – Click here
Heritage Day Parade, San Diego State University
Black History Month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, El Cajon – Click here
March
Lilac Festival, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, Julian – Click here
Circle of Art Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here
Jamul Kiwanis Hot Rod and Chili Cookoff Festival – Click here
Desert Birding Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here
Bunny Train, Pacific Railway Museum, Campo – Click here
Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes (Easter weekend, March or April) – Click here
April
Western Days and Parade, Lakeside – Click here
Lakeside Rodeo, Lakeside – Click here
Julian Gold Rush Days, Julian – Click here
Ramona Music Festival – Click here
Art and Garden Tour Mt. Helix – Click here
Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here
Earth Day on Mt. Helix – Click here
Earth Day at the Desert View Tower at Jacumba Hot Springs – Click here
Mariachi Festival in Escondido – Click here
Sweet Pea Days, Summers Past Farms – Click here
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, Rancho San Diego – Click here
Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Competition – Click here
Renaissance Faire, Escondido – Click here
Ramona Open Studios Tour – Click here
May
America on Main Street, El Cajon – Click here
Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival – Click here
Ramona Rodeo – Click here
Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here
Vintage Alpine, Flinn Springs – Click here
Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears, Alpine – Click here
Lake Jennings Spring Carnival – Click here
Manzanita Rendezvous, Lake Morena – Click here
Taste of Julian – Click here
Campo Day – Click here
Campo/Lake Morena Roundup – Click here
SanTree Earth Day Fair – Click here
Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here
Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here
Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here
Escondido Street Festival – Click here
Spring Renaissance Faire Escondido – Click here
June
Flag Day Parade, La Mesa – Click here
Lavender Day, Antique & Crafts Fair – Click here
Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour, Santa Ysabel – Click here
Jamul Wine Festival – Click here
Juneteenth celebration, La Mesa – Click here
Julian Dance and Backcountry Barbecue – Click here
San Diego River Run, Lakeside – Click here
Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here
Santee Summer Concert Series – Click here
Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here
Sundays at Six Concerts, La Mesa – Click here
Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here
Lemon Grove concerts in Berry Park – Click here
Back the the 50s Classic Car Show, La Mesa – Click here
Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here
Viejas Movies in the Park – Click here
In-Ko-Pah Music Festival – Click here
Passport Through Time – Click here
La Mesa movies in the park – Click here
Summer concerts on Mt. Helix – Click here
Outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here
Hear our interview with Chris Pierce, Spring Valley Community Alliance President, on Feb. 19 Spring Valley Changemakers Summit and more community happenings
By Miriam Raftery February 14, 2026 (Spring Valley) – “The main goal is to connect people and build inspiration. We have a lot of talented…
Destination East County: Springtime festivals and events
By Karen Pearlman Feb. 13, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — As the chill of winter fades, seasonal events are blossoming across San Diego’s inland…
A decade of dogs: Fido Fest celebrates 10th anniversary
Photos and story by Karen Pearlman Feb. 10, 2026 (Santee) – It’s time to grab your canine friends and their leashes for the dogstravaganza that…
A sweet and Grand (Avenue) time in Escondido with the Chocolate Festival
East County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Escondido) – Wrappers will crinkle and corks will pop next month along Grand Avenue in Escondido. The Escondido Chocolate Festival is set for Feb 7, turning the city’s historic downtown into a literal moveable feast for those with a sweet tooth, a penchant for chocolate pairings and an appreciation for local flair. Hosted by the Escondido
Fort Cross brings ‘Old Timey’ adventure to Julian region
East County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – A family farm in the Julian mountains is bringing back its popular guided tour that brings rustic adventure and recreation education to the outdoors. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its popular Farm Tour Adventure on Jan. 31, a high-energy, two-hour guided circuit at its farm, nestled in the scenic landscape of
The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities, community connection
East County Magazine’s “Feasting and Merrymaking” holiday party December 7
December 1, 2025 (La Mesa) – ‘Tis the season to be jolly—so East County Magazine is hosting a “feasting and merrymaking” holiday party this Sunday, December 7 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at a private Mt. Helix home. The party is open to all subscribers—and subscriptions to our e-newsletter is free! Subscribe. Cost is just $20 and bring a
Destination East County: Dreamy December events to remember
East County News Service Listen to an audio version of this story. November 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – ‘Tis the season to be jolly—and there’s plenty of merry events coming up in December across East County! Festivities include a stage production of “’‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” in La Mesa, Pine Valley’s Camp Christmas holiday lighting extravaganza, the
Poway OnStage brings holiday cheer with ugly seasonal sweater soirée plus a chance to give back
East County News Service Nov. 19, 2025 (Poway) — Sweater weather is upon us, and ugly sweaters are about to take a fashionable, functional turn on center stage in Poway. Poway OnStage is going to host two performances of “The Ugly Seasonal Sweater Soirée: Holiday Hits in Horrible Knits” on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Poway Center for
Lemon Grove’s Community Bonfire to light up the night Dec. 5
East County News Service November 17, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The city of Lemon Grove will host its 29th annual community bonfire on Friday, December 5 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Treganza Park, 3200 Main Street. Activities include a live band, kids’ zone, and foods available for purchase. In addition, the mayor will deliver welcoming remarks at 6 p.m.,
Search by Specific Date
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.
MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO’S EAST COUNTY
January
Walk to the top of Mt. Helix – Click here
Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands, Ramona – Click here
Martin Luther King Choir concerts (locations vary) – Click here
Boardwalk Craft Market, Escondido – Click here
Outdoor ice skating at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here
February
Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands – Click here
Cuyamaca College Pow-wow – Click here
Grossmont College Pow-wow – Click here
Chocolate Lovers Festival, Escondido – Click here
Black History Month events at SDSU – Click here
Via Valentino Night, Bernardo Winery – Click here
Heritage Day Parade, San Diego State University
Black History Month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, El Cajon – Click here
March
Lilac Festival, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, Julian – Click here
Circle of Art Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here
Jamul Kiwanis Hot Rod and Chili Cookoff Festival – Click here
Desert Birding Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here
Bunny Train, Pacific Railway Museum, Campo – Click here
Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes (Easter weekend, March or April) – Click here
April
Western Days and Parade, Lakeside – Click here
Lakeside Rodeo, Lakeside – Click here
Julian Gold Rush Days, Julian – Click here
Ramona Music Festival – Click here
Art and Garden Tour Mt. Helix – Click here
Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here
Earth Day on Mt. Helix – Click here
Earth Day at the Desert View Tower at Jacumba Hot Springs – Click here
Mariachi Festival in Escondido – Click here
Sweet Pea Days, Summers Past Farms – Click here
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, Rancho San Diego – Click here
Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Competition – Click here
Renaissance Faire, Escondido – Click here
Ramona Open Studios Tour – Click here
May
America on Main Street, El Cajon – Click here
Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival – Click here
Ramona Rodeo – Click here
Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here
Vintage Alpine, Flinn Springs – Click here
Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears, Alpine – Click here
Lake Jennings Spring Carnival – Click here
Manzanita Rendezvous, Lake Morena – Click here
Taste of Julian – Click here
Campo Day – Click here
Campo/Lake Morena Roundup – Click here
SanTree Earth Day Fair – Click here
Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here
Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here
Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here
Escondido Street Festival – Click here
Spring Renaissance Faire Escondido – Click here
June
Flag Day Parade, La Mesa – Click here
Lavender Day, Antique & Crafts Fair – Click here
Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour, Santa Ysabel – Click here
Jamul Wine Festival – Click here
Juneteenth celebration, La Mesa – Click here
Julian Dance and Backcountry Barbecue – Click here
San Diego River Run, Lakeside – Click here
Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here
Santee Summer Concert Series – Click here
Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here
Sundays at Six Concerts, La Mesa – Click here
Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here
Lemon Grove concerts in Berry Park – Click here
Back the the 50s Classic Car Show, La Mesa – Click here
Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here
Viejas Movies in the Park – Click here
In-Ko-Pah Music Festival – Click here
Passport Through Time – Click here
La Mesa movies in the park – Click here
Summer concerts on Mt. Helix – Click here
Outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here