entertainment & events

FUN STUFF HAPPENING IN OLD TOWN
JANU
ARY
PARADE AND EVENT CELEBRATION

2023 Mormon Battalion Parade

The annual Mormon Battalion Parade and Community Event, will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2023 in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

The parade will feature a historic reenactment of the battalion’s arrival in San Diego and other entertainment, and will culminate in a community event with a Dutch oven cook-off, games, and activities for all ages. The event is free and open to the public.

Free Admission for Locals on Old Town Trolley Tours in January

San Diegans can ring in the new year with a free ride on Old Town Trolley Tours during locals month in January.

Free State Historic Park Walking Tours

 

FEBR
UARY
Entertainment at Fiesta deReyes

The Fiesta de Reyes stage provides free live musical entertainment. Every weekend Old Town’s favorite mariachi band and beautiful folklorico dancers make for an unforgettable experience. Many people visit just for the amazing entertainment. Enjoy a margarita and a taco while you’re there! See the entertainment schedule below, it is, of course, subject to change without notice.

FRIDAY:
Los Rios 5pm-8pm
SATURDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm
SUNDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm

MAR
CH

Free State Historic Park Walking Tours

Explore Old Town San Diego State Historic Park with an expert during this hour-long guided tour. This family-friendly ½ mile tour will explore the community that shaped the town over a two-hundred-year period. Assisted listening devices will be available upon request. Tour spaces are limited; please sign-up at the Robinson-Rose Visitor Services Center to reserve your space the day of your visit.

Hours – Tours begin promptly at 11 a.m. and last one hour.

Phone – (619) 220-5422

Address – Robinson-Rose Visitor Center, 4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110

Website – www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=663

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

APRIL

FRIDAY:
Los Rios 5pm-8pm
SATURDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm
SUNDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm

MAY
Cinco de Mayo
Friday May 5th, Saturday May 6th and Sunday May 7th are in the plans for 2023. We will update as soon as confirmed!
One of San Diegos largest celebrations. Fills the streets of Old Town with Low Rider cars, Lucha Libre matches, and live music on stage. An original Mercado and 20 great Mexican Restaurants to choose from. Not to mention the largest margaritas anywhere. 

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JUNE

Flag Day Celebration

Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 5:00 PM

The Mormon Battalion represents San Diego’s first United States military unit garrisoned in San Diego. The Mormon Battalion, U.S. Army of the West was enlisted by army dragoon officer, Captain James Allen, who dubbed his new command of volunteer infantry the “Mormon Battalion”.

This year the MBHS is honoring selected women who have had the courage to enlist “When Duty Calls.”

WHERE: The Mormon Battalion Historic Site, on the Back lawn
2510 Juan Street, Old Town San Diego, CA 92110

JULY

OLD TOWN 4TH OF JULY.
To be confirmed
July 4th Independence Day
celebrate in San Diego’s oldest neighborhood. No activities
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STAGECOACH DAYS.

To be confirmed
Old Town celebrates summer with special events centered around different aspects of San Diego’s culture and history.

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AUG
UST
Bazaar del Mundo event

Bazaar del Mundo Latin American Festival
August  – 2nd – 4th
The festival is a colorful outdoor marketplace featuring artists from the southwest Including New Mexico.

• • • • • • • • • • 

Days of the Vaqueros Aug 
August  – Dates to be announced 

See vaqueros—the original cowboys—ride,
rope, and talk of life on the ranchos.

• • • • • • • • • • 

TwainFest Aug
This event was canceled in 2021. lets hope it back to full activities in 2023

Literature comes to life through games and activities.

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Entertainment at
Fiesta de Reyes

FRIDAY:
Los Rios 5pm-8pm
SATURDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm
SUNDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm 

SEPTE
MBER
Fiestas Patrias

September 16th TBD.
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Old Town San Diego while commemorating and experiencing the rich and diverse culture of Mexico and California.

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SANTE FE MARKET
September  – TBD

The annual Santa Fe Market brings the best of the Southwest to San Diego! The festival is a colorful outdoor marketplace featuring Navajo, Cherokee, Hopi, Pima, Isleta Pueblo and other artists.
• • • • • • • • • • 

RING THE BELLS FOR FREEDOM
A festival held in the State Park, Come join us at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on their front steps at the request of the San Diego Chapter, DAR as we Ring our Bells of Freedom for the Constitution!

OCTO
BER
FALL FESTIVAL

Fall crafts and children’s activities a la San Diego  TBD
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TACOS AND TEQUILA
Sample traditional Mexican dishes at some of Old Town’s Best restaurants!

Bazaar Del Mundo

Special event with renowned jewelry designer Federico Jimenez on
Saturday, TBD

. . . . . . . . . .

Entertainment at
Fiesta de Reyes

FRIDAY:
Los Rios 5pm-8pm
SATURDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm
SUNDAY:
Los Rios 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Luis Max 5pm – 8pm 

NOVE
MBER
DIA de los MUERTOS

TBD 

Traditional and contemporary Día de los Muertos altars will be set up throughout the Old Town community during this event for visitors to enjoy. In various museums in the park, there will also be altars commemorating the people who lived and worked in Old Town during the 1800’s. Activities on the  will include face painting, public memorials. Life size Catrinas and skeleton displays, giant puppets, live music, in various areas of Old Town. For more information: https://www.dayofthedeadsd.com

 
DECE
MBER
Las Posadas

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Fiesta de Reyes –
Feliz Navidad

To be announced
• • • • • • • • • • 

11 AM, ongoing daily from December 3, 2022 until January 1, 2023.

 

Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park’s Feliz Navidad is a holiday celebration like no other in San Diego. It is a free, family-friendly immersive experience designed to bring the spirit of the holidays to life for San Diegans of all ages. The experience is slated to run from December 1 through New Years Day. 

The Fiesta de Reyes courtyard at the north end of the state park will be full of visually stimulating holiday décor, lights and displays – some larger than life. A giant Christmas tree sits next to the Fiesta de Reyes stage which will host an expanded live entertainment program on the weekends including folklorico dancing and local music entertainers.