Free Concerts
Free summer concerts and street fairs in San Diego, 2023
Listings compiled by Glenn Tesler
Last updated: September 3, 2023
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.
Allied Gardens First Fridays
Allied Gardens First Fridays [FB]
5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego, CA 92120 (Allied Gardens Community Park) [map]
- Fri Oct 6, 6-8pm: Full Strength Funk Band [FB]
Balboa Park Organ Pavilion
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, year-round. Check venue’s website for details.
International Summer Organ Festival [*]
2211 Plaza de Panama, San Diego, CA 92101 (Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park) [map]
- Mon Sep 4, 7:30-9:30pm: Organ Pavilion Rock Band w/Chloe Lou [IG], Lauren Leigh, & more
Twilight in the Park
2211 Plaza de Panama, San Diego, CA 92101 (Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park) [map]
- Free dance lessons before the concerts Wed & Thu 5-6pm by Solomon Rojas, International Dance Association
Civita Park
Civita Park
7960 Civita Blvd, San Diego, CA 92108 [map]
- Sun Sep 10, 6-7:30pm: The Mighty Untouchables (Top 40) [FB]
Coronado Concerts in the Park
Coronado Concerts in the Park
7th Street & Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118 (Spreckels Park) [map]
- Sun Sep 3, 5-6:30pm: TBA: Special event where “pop meets country”
Coronado Ferry Landing
Coronado Ferry Landing [FB]
1201 1st Street, Coronado, CA 92118 [map]
Sundays 2-5pm
- Sep 3: The New Catillacs (Classic rock & roll, 60s-80s) [FB]
- Sep 10: Cool Rush (60s-70s Rock) [FB]
- Sep 17: Captain Morgan-Lee And The Village Of K.O.R.E. (Soul, R&B, Pop, Blues, Jazz, Gospel) [*]
- Sep 24: Dave Preston & the Grownups (Folk rock, country, Americana)
El Cajon Classic Cruise
El Cajon Classic Cruise [FB]
North Magnolia Avenue & Main, El Cajon, CA 92020 [map]
- Wednesdays 5-8pm, April 12 – October 25, 2023. Check event website for performers and 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 8: The Verge (Disco, classic rock, 80s)
- Sep 15: The Heart of Rock & Roll (Huey Lewis tribute)
- Sep 22: The Journeymen (Journey tribute) [FB]
- Sep 29: The Mighty Untouchables (Top 40) [FB]
Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Nights
Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Nights [FB]
947 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (Lumberyard Courtyard and nearby locations) [map]
- Thu Sep 21, 5:30-7:30pm: The Sea Monks (Rockabilly, blues, country, funk) [FB]
Point Loma Summer Concerts
Point Loma Park [FB]
1049 Catalina Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 [map]
- Opening band 1-2pm. Headliner 3-5pm.
Escondido CA Ctr for the Arts
Escondido CA Ctr for the Arts
340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025 (California Center for the Arts, Escondido) [map]
Fridays 7:30pm
- Sep 29: Los Coroneles del Señor
- Oct 27: Azucar Band
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
- Car show 4-9pm, bands roughly 5-8pm (varies). Fridays June 9 through September. Check Cruisin’ Grand’s social media for last-minute band announcements.
- Sep 8: Gino and the Lone Gunmen (Rockabilly, Swing, Blues) [FB], Night Shift (Rock, blues, 60s), Footloose
- Sep 15: Jonnie Fox & The Satinettes (50s-60s, Supremes tribute) [FB], The Smokin Guns (Classic rock), Rhapsody Vocal Ensemble [FB]
- Sep 22: The Ideas Rock and Roll Trio, Dusty Recor (Folk rock Americana) [FB], Dino the DJ
- Sep 29: Backwater Blues Band (Rock, blues) [*], Rudy T Band (Blues, Southern rock) [*], Whiskey on the Rox
Grossmont Center Concerts
Grossmont Center Concerts [*]
5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, CA 91942 (Grossmont Center) [map]
Saturdays
- Sep 9, 5:30-7:30pm: Nemesis (80s and classic rock)
- Sep 23, 5:30-7:30pm: 8-Track Highway (Yacht rock) [*]
- Nov 11, 4:30-6:30pm: The New Catillacs (Classic rock & roll, 60s-80s) [FB]
Liberty Station North Promenade
Liberty Station North Promenade
2848 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 [map]
- Event starts 4pm. Band starts 4:30pm.
Pacific Beach Concerts on the Green
Kate Sessions Park [FB]
5115 Soledad Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 [map]
- Junior bands 4pm; headliners 5-7pm
Point Loma Summer Concerts
Point Loma Park [FB]
1049 Catalina Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 [map]
- Junior bands 5:30-6:15pm; headliners 6:30-8:30pm
Riverwalk Golf Club
Riverwalk Golf Club
1150 Fashion Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92108 [map]
Fridays 6-9pm
- Sep 22: Santana Soul
- Oct 20: Backwater Blues Band (Rock, blues) [*]
- Oct 27: Blues Cruise Pre-Party: Backwater Blues Band (Rock, blues) [*]
Scripps Ranch
Hoyt Park
10060 Hoyt Park Dr., San Diego, CA 92131 [map]
- Sun Sep 10, 6-7:30pm: The Verge (Disco, classic rock, 80s)
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.
Salsa Under the Stars at Headquarters
789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA (The Headquarters at Seaport) [map]
- Fri Sep 15, 6-9pm: Manny Cepeda Orchestra (Salsa, Latin jazz) [FB]
Sorrento Valley – El Camino Memorial
Sorrento Valley – El Camino Memorial [*]
5600 Carroll Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92121 (El Camino Memorial Park) [map]
- Sat Sep 16, 5-7pm: Branded Country [FB]
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 [map]
- Some San Diego Symphony rehearsals are free outdoors at the Rady Shell in Embarcardero Marina Park South. See website for schedule and regulations.