Free Concerts

Free summer concerts and street fairs in San Diego, 2021
Listings compiled by Glenn Tesler
Last updated: July 24, 2021

Pages: Concerts Street fairs Past events Movies Google Calendar
Key: [*] [FB] Additional links

Events are subject to changes and cancellations. Check for announcements from event organizers / venues / performers to confirm details.

Balboa Park

6th & Laurel
600 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92103 [map]

Selected Saturdays 4:30pm (time varies): Chunky Hustle Brass Band [*]. Check band’s social media for last-minute announcements to confirm specific dates/times.

Spreckels Organ Society
2211 Plaza de Panama, San Diego, CA 92101 (Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park) [map]

Sundays 2-3pm live at the Organ Pavilion, starting June 27. Year-round. Check venue’s website for details of each show, and info about online concerts.
Mondays 7:30-9:30pm live at the Organ Pavilion, August 30 through Halloween (this year only; usually Mondays June-August). Lineup TBA.
Sat Jul 31, 5:30-10:30pm: Spreckels Organ Reopening Celebration Concert

Twilight in the Park [FB]
2211 Plaza de Panama, San Diego, CA 92101 (Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park) [map]
6:30-7:30pm

Tue Aug 3: Marine Band San Diego [FB]
Wed Aug 4: Mariachi Estrellas de Chula Vista
Thu Aug 5: Rockin Jazz Big Band (Jazz, swing)
Tue Aug 10: 8-Track Highway (Yacht rock) [*]
Wed Aug 11: Stars on the Water (Tropical rock, Jimmy Buffet tribute) [FB]
Thu Aug 12: Breez’n (Jazz, blues, pop, swing, 50s-70s)
Tue Aug 17: Suspicious Minds (Elvis tribute)
Wed Aug 18: Devotion (Funk, R&B)
Thu Aug 19: Moonlight Serenade Orchestra (Big band)
Tue Aug 24: Coronado Concert Band
Wed Aug 25: Whiskey Fellas (Irish, bluegrass, classic rock) [FB]
Thu Aug 26: SantanaWays (Santana tribute) [FB]

Carlsbad TGIF

Virtual
Fridays 6pm

Jul 9: Euphoria Brass Band [FB] (online for 1 week)
Jul 23: Kimba Light (Afro-Cuban) [FB] (online for 1 week)
Aug 6: 80z All Stars (80s rock, new wave) [FB] (online for 1 week)
Aug 20: The Mighty Untouchables (Top 40) [FB] (online for 1 week)

Carmel Mountain Ranch Plaza

Carmel Mountain Ranch Plaza [FB]
11602 Carmel Mountain Rd., San Diego, CA 92128 (Carmel Mountain Ranch Plaza food court) [map]

Fri Oct 22, 6-8pm: The New Catillacs (Ballads and soul, 50s-70s) [FB]

Chula Vista Village Walk

Chula Vista Village Walk
Eastlake Pkwy & Miller Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91915 [map]
Sundays 5-7pm

Sep 5: Graceland Band w/Jim Westover (Elvis Presley tribute)
Sep 12: Breez’n (Jazz, blues, pop, swing, 50s-70s)
Sep 19: Lady J & Soulful Knights (Blues, R&B, soul) [*]
Sep 26: Joe Rathburn’s Island (Tropical rock) [FB]
Oct 3: Barbwire (Country) [FB]
Oct 10: Steal Dawn (Rock & roll)

Civita Park

Civita Park [FB]
7960 Civita Blvd, San Diego, CA 92108 [map]
Sundays 6-7:30pm

Jul 18: Breez’n (Jazz, blues, pop, swing, 50s-70s)
Aug 1: Full Strength Funk Band [FB]
Aug 8: Crossroads (Classic rock) [FB]
Aug 22: Liquid Blue (Club, electronica, rock)
Sep 12: The Mighty Untouchables (Top 40) [FB]

Clairemont Town Square Summer Concerts

Clairemont Town Square Summer Concerts [FB]
4665 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117 (Clairemont Town Square) [map]
Fridays 6-9pm

Jul 2: Groove is in the Heart (90s) [FB]
Jul 9: 3 Car Garage (Classic hits, rock & roll)
Jul 16: Totally 80’s Band [FB]
Jul 23: Whiskey Ridge (Country) [*]
Jul 30: Clapton Hook [FB]
Aug 6: The Farmers (Rock, roots, Americana) [FB]

Coronado Concerts in the Park

Coronado Concerts in the Park
7th Street & Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118 (Spreckels Park) [map]
Sundays

Jul 4: No concert
Jul 11, 6-7:30pm: Crown Town
Jul 18, 6-7:30pm: Full Strength Funk Band [FB]
Jul 25, 6-7:30pm: In Midlife Crisis (60s, 70s)
Aug 1, 6-7:30pm: Sully & the Souljahs [FB]
Aug 8, 6-7:30pm: NRG [FB]
Aug 15, 6-7:30pm: Smith (Pop country music) [FB]
Aug 22, 5-6:30pm: Yachty By Nature (Yacht Rock) [FB]
Aug 29, 5-6:30pm: BETAMAXX (80s dance band) [FB]
Sep 5, 5-6:30pm: TBA
Sep 12, 5-6:30pm: Side Traxx [FB]

Coronado Ferry Landing

Coronado Ferry Landing [FB]
1201 1st Street, Coronado, CA 92118 [map]
2-5pm

Year-round. Summer schedule is Saturdays and Sundays 2-5pm. Check venue’s social media for last-minute band announcements.
Sat Jul 3: It’s Never 2L8 (Rock & roll) [FB]
Sun Jul 4: Captain Morgan-Lee And The Village Of K.O.R.E. (Soul, R&B, Pop, Blues, Jazz, Gospel) [TW]
Sat Jul 10: The Jackstones (Country)
Sun Jul 11: The New Catillacs (Ballads and soul, 50s-70s) [FB]
Sat Jul 17: Cool Fever (Blues, rock, R&B) [*]
Sun Jul 18: In Midlife Crisis (60s, 70s)
Sat Jul 24: Ron’s Garage Band (Classic rock, pop) [FB]
Sun Jul 25: Cool Rush (60s-70s Rock) [FB]
Sat Jul 31: Sabrosas Latin Orquesta [FB]
Sun Aug 1: Patrick Ellis and The BlueFrog Band (Blues)

El Cajon Classic Cruise

El Cajon Classic Cruise
North Magnolia Avenue & Main, El Cajon, CA 92020 [map]

Wednesdays 5-8pm, May 5 – October 27. Check event website for details on specific dates.

El Cajon Dinner and a Concert

Prescott Promenade [FB]
230 E Douglas Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020 [map]
Fridays 6-8pm

Jul 2: The Sully Band (R&B) [FB]
Jul 9: Marine Band San Diego – Rock Band [FB]
Jul 16: Soul Persuaders
Jul 23: Fortunate Son (CCR tribute) [FB]
Jul 30: Stars on the Water (Tropical rock, Jimmy Buffet tribute) [FB]
Aug 6: Scot Bruce (Elvis tribute) [FB]
Aug 13: Petty Breakers (Tribute Band, Rock)
Aug 20: The Heart of Rock & Roll (Huey Lewis tribute)
Aug 27: Coyote Band (Country, rock, pop)
Sep 3: SantanaWays (Santana tribute) [FB]
Sep 10: Whiskey Ridge (Country) [*]
Sep 17: Just Press Play (80s rock, new wave) [FB]
Sep 24: Stand Up Guys
Oct 1: Big Time Operator (Big band swing)
Oct 8: Siers Brothers Band
Oct 15: Back to the Garden (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute) [FB]
Oct 22: The Mighty Untouchables (Top 40) [FB]

Embarcadero

Near USS Midway
848 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 [map]

Selected Sundays 2-4pm (time varies): Uptown Rhythm Makers (New Orleans jazz and swing). Check band’s social media for last-minute announcements to confirm specific dates/times.

Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Nights

101 & F [FB]
S Coast Hwy 101 & W F St, Encinitas, CA 92024 [map]

Thu Jul 15, 5:30-7:30pm: The Ramblin’ Sweethearts (Rockabilly, Western, R&B, Soul, Rock ‘n Roll) [IG]

Lumberyard Courtyard [FB]
947 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 [map]
Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm

Jul 15: The Retro Rocketts (60s & 70s) [FB]
Aug 19: The Retro Rocketts (60s & 70s) [FB]
Sep 16: The Retro Rocketts (60s & 70s) [FB]

Escondido Cruisin’ Grand

Escondido Cruisin’ Grand [FB]
E Grand Ave & S Kalmia St, Escondido, CA 92025 (Grand from Maple to Juniper, and side streets) [map]
Fridays 5-9pm

Jul 2: Rudy T Band (Blues, Southern rock) [*], The Fuel, The Smokin Guns (Classic rock)
Jul 9: Footloose Band, Grant Erbe, So Rare
Jul 16: 8-Track Highway (Yacht rock) [*], The Groove Cats (Rock, blues), The Wi-Fi’s (Classic rock & pop)
Jul 23: Scaring The Wives (Jam, classic rock, blues) [*], Grant Erbe, Les Allen Music
Jul 30: RAYVIN, The Dirty Martinis, The Smokin Guns (Classic rock)
Aug 6: Rudy T Band (Blues, Southern rock) [*], The Groove Cats (Rock, blues), Footloose Band
Aug 13: One Day Closer, The Dirty Martinis, The Smokin Guns (Classic rock)
Aug 20: The Night Owls (Rock, soul, R&B, country) [FB], So Rare, Les Allen Music
Aug 27: Ron & the Reapers (60s rock), The Wi-Fi’s (Classic rock & pop), The Dirty Martinis
Sep 3: The Wi-Fi’s (Classic rock & pop), Blackout Blues Band
Sep 10: So Rare, The Ideas Rock and Roll Trio, Shades of Sound (60s pop rock)
Sep 17: Rhapsody Vocal Ensemble [FB], The Fuel, Les Allen Music
Sep 24: Rudy T Band (Blues, Southern rock) [*], The Dirty Martinis

Grossmont Center Concerts at Macy’s Courtyard

Grossmont Center Concerts at Macy’s Courtyard [*]
5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, CA 91942 (Macy’s Grossmont Center) [map]
Saturdays 5-7pm

Jul 17: The New Catillacs (Ballads and soul, 50s-70s) [FB]
Sep 11: Bayou Brothers (Cajun, Zydeco)

Hillcrest Walk in ART

Hillcrest Walk in ART
3867 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 (Mural Alley between 4th-5th, south of University) [map]

First Thursdays 5-10pm. Check event website for details on specific dates.
Thu Jul 1, 6-8pm: Los Salvajes (20s-40s Jazz)

La Mesa Classic Car Show

La Mesa Classic Car Show
La Mesa Blvd & 3rd St, La Mesa, CA 91942 (La Mesa Blvd. between Acacia-Cypress) [map]
Thursdays 5-8pm

Jul 1: Whiskey Ridge (Country) [*]
Jul 8: Private Domain [*]
Jul 15: Ron’s Garage Band (Classic rock, pop) [FB]
Jul 22: Zeeland
Jul 29: Stars on the Water (Tropical rock, Jimmy Buffet tribute) [FB]
Aug 5: 4 Way Street
Aug 12: The Siers Brothers
Aug 19: Cool Rays (Salute to the Beach Boys) [FB]
Aug 26: The Farmers (Rock, roots, Americana) [FB]

La Mesa Sundays at Six

Harry Griffen Park [*]
9550 Milden St., La Mesa, CA 91942 [map]
Sundays 6-7pm

Jul 11: Solid Brass (Funk, R&B, rock) [FB]
Jul 18: Rachel Aldous & The Road Home (Bluegrass) [FB]
Jul 25: Breez’n (Jazz, blues, pop, swing, 50s-70s)

Lemon Grove Berry Street Park

Lemon Grove Berry Street Park [*]
7071 Mt. Vernon St., Lemon Grove, CA 91945 (Berry Street Park) [map]
Thursdays 6:30-8pm

Jul 8: Manny Cepeda Orchestra [FB]
Jul 22: Bayou Brothers (Cajun, Zydeco)
Aug 5: The New Catillacs (Ballads and soul, 50s-70s) [FB]

Little Italy Piazza della Famiglia

Little Italy Piazza della Famiglia [*]
523 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101 (Piazza della Famiglia) [map]

Sat Jul 31, 6-8pm: Marine Band San Diego [FB]

Meshuggah Shack

Meshuggah Shack
4048 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA 92103 [map]
Sundays 4-6pm

Jul 4: Bohemian Bash
Jul 11: MohaviSoul (Bluegrass, Americana, Soul) [FB]
Jul 18: Gino and the Lone Gunmen (Rockabilly, Swing, Blues) [FB]
Jul 25: Carlos Velasco [FB]
Aug 1: “La Chimi” Flamenco [FB]
Aug 8: Victoria Robertson [IG] & Rosario Monetti [IG]
Aug 15: Sons of Leisure (Americana, country, rock & roll) [FB]
Aug 22: Euphoria Brass Band [FB]
Aug 29: Zzymzzy Quartet (Swing) [FB]

Mission Hills Concert in the Park

Pioneer Park [FB]
1425 Washington Pl., San Diego, CA 92103 [map]
Fridays 6-8pm unless noted

Schedule is tentative, pending funding. Check venue’s website to confirm each date before going.
Sun Jul 4, 12noon-2:30pm: Society Beat (BTO, noon-2:30) + parade & contests (10-noon)
Jul 9: Cousin Oliver’s Cavalcade of Hits (70s hits)
Jul 16: The Nineteen 90s
Jul 23: Captain J and the Jive Crew (pending funding)
Jul 30: The Journeymen (Journey tribute) (pending funding)
Aug 6: The Detroit Underground [*] (pending funding)
Aug 13: Pop Vinyl (pending funding)

North Park

Bird Park
28th St. & Thorn St., San Diego, CA 92104 [map]

Selected Saturdays 3:45pm (time varies): Hot Club of Bird Park [*]. Check band’s social media for last-minute announcements to confirm specific dates/times.

Pacific Beach Concerts on the Green

Kate Sessions Park [FB]
5115 Soledad Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 [map]

Sun Aug 8, 4-6:30pm: Dirty Bird

Poway

Lake Poway
14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 [map]
Sundays 5:30-7pm

Jul 11: The Mighty Untouchables (Top 40) [FB]
Jul 25: Blue Breeze Band (Motown R&B, soul, jazz, blues)
Aug 8: Pop Vinyl

Old Poway Park
14134 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064 [map]
Sundays 5:30-7pm

Jul 18: Berkley Hart
Aug 1: Highland Way (Scottish, Irish)
Aug 15: The Benedetti Trio [*]

San Marcos

Hollandia Park [*]
12 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos, CA 92069 [map]

Sat Sep 18, 5pm: BETAMAXX (80s dance band) [FB]

Santee Town Center Community Park East

Santee Town Center Community Park East [*]
550 Park Center Dr., Santee, CA 92071 (Town Center Community Park East) [map]
Thursdays 6:30-8pm unless noted

Sun Jul 4, 6-9:30pm: 80z All Stars (80s rock, new wave) [FB] + fireworks (show is free but parking isn’t; see Santee Salutes website)
Jul 15: Back to the Garden (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute) [FB]
Jul 22: The Highwayman Show (Tribute to Johnny Cash, Wilie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson)
Jul 29: Bill Magee (Blues)
Aug 5: The Young Guns (80s)
Aug 12: Pop Vinyl

Seaport Village

Carousel
857 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101 (Seaport Village) [map]

Year-round selected Fri-Sun. Check venue’s website for last-minute band announcements.
Fri Jul 2, 1-4pm: Robin Henkel (Blues, jazz)
Sun Jul 4, 5-8pm: Giselle & The Swinging G’s [FB]

Salsa Under the Stars at Headquarters
789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA (The Headquarters at Seaport) [map]
Fridays 6-9pm

Solana Beach Concerts at the Cove

Solana Beach Concerts at the Cove [FB]
111 S Sierra Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (Fletcher Cove Beach Park) [map]
Thursdays 6-7:45pm

Jul 15: Quintinn Holi (Hawaiian)
Jul 22: Billy Watson (Jump blues, R&B)
Jul 29: Salty Papa (Blues) [*]
Aug 5: The Sully Band (R&B) [FB]
Aug 12: Bayou Brothers (Cajun, Zydeco)
Aug 19: Rolf Olsen Quartet
Aug 26: Brawley (2-step, Americana, country) [FB]

University City Standley Park

University City Standley Park [*]
3585 Governor Dr., San Diego, CA 92122 (Standley Park) [map]
Sundays 5-7pm

Aug 1: Royal Heat (50s-90s) [FB]
Aug 8: Front Porch Pandemic Jazz Band
Aug 15: 3 Car Garage (Classic hits, rock & roll)
Aug 22: The Distractions (60s-80s) [*]