East County News Service

November 17, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The city of Lemon Grove will host its 29^th annual community bonfire on Friday, December 5 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Treganza Park, 3200 Main Street.

East County News Service

November 17, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Village Association's 10th annual Holiday in the Village event will take place on December 13 from 12 p.m. through 9 p.m. It will feature a variety of enhanced holiday traditions including an ice rink, a winter wonderland, Mrs. Claus’ reading nook, selfies with Santa, holiday photo opportunities, mini golf, and an “elf yourself” activity.

East County News Service

November 17, 2025 (El Cajon) -- You’re invited to a free, family friendly evening filled with music, joy and holiday cheer—all for a good cause. On December 6, Jubilee festivities begin at 6 p.m., followed by a concert at 7 p.m. in the Magnolia theater featuring Mayor Bill Wells and his 14-piece band performing Motown, R&B and holiday classics. St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Choir and Santa Claus will also put in special appearances.

Event sponsors are sought.  Admission is free, but donations are welcome—all proceeds will benefit the San Diego Rescue Mission’s expansion into East County to provide shelter for homeless people.

East County News Service

November 9, 2025 (Ramona) – This is not a turkey trot. The Wild West Turkey Stampede returns November 15, 28, 29 and 30 at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona.

East County News Service

November 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A brand new circus is coming to San Diego’s East County. The Marinelli Brothers Circus brings its brand-new production titled “A New Experience”, bringing its signature mix of magic, heart-pounding excitement, and family fun to Parkway Plaza November 12 – December 5.

An entertaining outing for families, the Marinelli Bros Circus is not your average night under the Big Top. Blending classic circus tradition with fresh, modern energy, this show offers jaw-dropping acts, death-defying stunts, and laugh-out-loud comedy for all ages.

October 18, 2025  (San Diego’s East County) – November brings numerous noteworthy events to East County, including the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, an Antique and Craft Fair at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, the Wheel of Fortune live game show at Viejas in Alpine, the award-winning play Copenhagen at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, stargazing at Mission Trails, the Boots and Bells Fashion Show at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon,a Wild West Turkey Stampede at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona,  and a  Chili Cookoff at Circle TLC Ranch in Lakeside.

There's also the brand new Marinelli Brothers Circus at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, La Mesa historic homes tour, Santee’s holiday tree lighting, a concert at the Magnolia in El Cajon by original Beach Boys member Al Jardine, a Spring Valley 5K run, the Mt. Helix Park turkey trot, Bates Nut Farm’s Holiday Craft Fair in Valley Center, Julian’s Country Christmas, and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon.

Scroll down for all the fun and festive details.

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2025 (El Cajon) – Last month, several dog owners in El Cajon got together to hold a birthday party for their dogs complete with music, cake, doggie gift bags, games and more. That event proved so much fun that organizers will be hosting a community Halloween party complete with dog costume contest, games and food for people, and a prize for the costume contest winner.

By Heidi Hope

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

October 5, 2025 (La Mesa)—Oktoberfest continues through 8 p.m. tonight in La Mesa’s downtown village.  The three-day festival, which began on Friday, celebrates Bavarian culture complete with good food, live music and fun games. 

 Some of the prominent German themed dishes available are the homemade root beer, Bratwurst sausages and pretzels, along with many other tasty food options locally and globally. Multiple biergartens offer German beers. Live bands and a DJ offer music ranging from traditional polkas to rock and country. Many servers are dressed in traditional German outfits.

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (Borrego Springs, CA) -- Borrego Springs hosts its annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 18 and 19. Saturday features a morning flyover and parade, as well as the "Shine and Show" vehicle show.

There's also a beer garden, kids' zone, food stations, and booths featuring everything from art to information.  Plus you can enjoy live music and other activities all weekend long.

East County News Service

September 28, 2025 (Santee) -- The ninth annual Ladies at the Lake Fall Market will be Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Lake 1 event area at Santee Lakes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shoppers and craft fair goers throughout San Diego are expected to attend the event that celebrates women owned businesses, and a few men as well. 

East County News Service

September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as well as an array of spooky events such as a haunted circus, haunted trails in county parks, a Day of the Dead celebration, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, a haunted harvest in Julian, pumpkin patches, costume contests for people and dogs, a Boo Bash at Viejas, a haunted train ride in Campo, a pumpkin bash and spooky sleepover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and an autumn festival at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park.

By Paul Levikow

September 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County car enthusiasts have cause for celebration, after the El Cajon City Council on Tuesday approved a two-month extension of the Cajon Cruise on Main Street and Prescott Promenade, this time hosted by Downtown Café.

The revived car show will rev up on Wednesday nights Sept. 10 through Oct. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., featuring classic and show cars.

In prior years, the car show ran six months, from April through October. But this year, due to a funding shortfall, the event customarily hosted by the downtown merchants’ organization ran for only two months, from June 4-July 30.