Free Concerts

Free summer concerts and street fairs in San Diego, 2021
Listings compiled by Glenn Tesler
Last updated: September 7, 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.

International Summer Organ Festival [*]
2211 Plaza de Panama, San Diego, CA 92101 (Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park) [map]
Mondays 7:30-9pm unless noted

Sep 6: Labor Day Rock Concert
Sep 13: Music from three continents w/Fang Gao (violin) & Weichgeng Zhai (organ)
Sep 20: From Bach’s finess to the Strauss’s Radetzky March w/Daryl Robinson
Sep 27: Wagner, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Schuman and more w/Alcee Chris
Oct 4: Three Jazz Organ Preludes, Jacques Offenbach and more w/Ahreum Han
Oct 11: Organist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC w/Michael Hey
Oct 18: Maria Teresa Sierra (piano) & Raul Prieto Ramirez (Civic Organist) (organ)
Oct 25: A Halloween Night of Mystery and Fantasy w/Raul Prieto Ramirez (Civic Organist)
Sat Oct 30: Halloween Silent Movie Night: Movies w/Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton + Mark Herman on organ

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]

Sun Sep 12, 6-7:30pm: 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]

Sat Sep 4, 6-9pm: Groove is in the Heart (90s) [FB]

Coronado Concerts in the Park

Coronado Concerts in the Park
7th Street & Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118 (Spreckels Park) [map]
Sundays 5-6:30pm

Sep 5: Surprise band (Country)
Sep 12: 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 Sep 4: Billy Lee & The Swamp Critters (Cajun, zydeco)
Sun Sep 5: Chickenbone Slim & The Biscuits (Blues) [FB]
Sat Sep 11: Car show (8am-12noon) + Moonlight Miles (2-5pm)
Sun Sep 12: Moonlight Serenade Orchestra (Big band)
Sat Sep 18: Breez’n (Jazz, blues, pop, swing, 50s-70s)
Sun Sep 19: Cool Rush (60s-70s Rock) [FB]
Sat Sep 25: Ginger Cowgirl (Country) [*]
Sun Sep 26: Sabrosas Latin Orquesta [FB]

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

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

Encinitas 101 Office [FB]
818 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 [map]

Thu Sep 16, 5:30-7:30pm: The Sea Monks (Rockabilly, blues, country, funk) [FB]

Lumberyard Courtyard [FB]
947 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 [map]

Thu Sep 16, 5:30-7:30pm: 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

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]

Sat Sep 11, 5-7pm: 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 Sep 2, 7-10pm: Los Salvajes (20s-40s Jazz) (dance lesson 7pm, band 8-10pm)

Meshuggah Shack

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

Sep 5: Mar Picao (Latin Jazz) [IG]
Sep 12: Summer Breeze (60s-70s) [FB]
Sep 19: Victoria Robertson [IG] & Rosario Monetti [IG]
Oct 24: Giselle & The Swinging G’s [FB]
Oct 31: Halloween Bash
Nov 7: Clapton Hook [FB]
Nov 14: American Flyboys (Big band) [*]
Nov 21: Bohemian Bash
Nov 28: “La Chimi” Flamenco [FB]
Dec 5: Akayaa (African) [FB]
Dec 12: Drought Tolerant Bluegrass Band
Dec 19: Holiday Bash

Point Loma Summer Concerts

Point Loma Park [FB]
1049 Catalina Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 [map]

Sat Oct 2, 2-5pm: Full Strength Funk Band [FB]

San Marcos

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

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

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 Sep 17, 1-4pm: Robin Henkel (Blues, jazz)

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

Tierrasanta Community Park

Tierrasanta Community Park [FB]
11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92124 [map]

Sat Oct 2, 6-9pm: 3 Car Garage (Classic hits, rock & roll)