Festivals of the Month

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: EASTER EVENTS, WILDFLOWER WALKS AND MORE SPECIAL SPRING HAPPENINGS

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s a beautiful season to get outside and enjoy beautiful East County. This week’s Destination East County includes desert wildflower walks, Easter egg hunts in El Cajon and at Lake Jennings, Daffodil Days in Julian, a star party at Mission Trails, La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair, Cajon Classic Cruises, the Ramona Open Studios art tour, and a Lyle Lovett concert at the Magnolia. 

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EARTH DAY 2024 FAIR IN LA MESA

By Jonathan Goetz
 
March 16, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is inviting residents, visitors, sponsors and vendors to join its family-friendly Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at MacArthur Park, 4900 Memorial Drive, La Mesa CA 91942. The festival is a celebration of the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and a showcase of local businesses that offer eco-friendly products and services.


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CANDLEWOOD ARTS FESTIVAL MARCH 23 HIGHLIGHTS PUBLIC ART IN BORREGO SPRINGS

4th annual event showcases commissioned public art by Karla Diaz, Jake Freilich, Pearl C. Hsiung, Debra Scacco, and student artists from Borrego Springs High School
 
March 14, 2024 (Borrego Springs) -- The Candlewood Arts Festival returns to the Anza Borrego Desert on March 23 with commissioned public art works as well as a gallery exhibition of art by local youth. The Festival, sponsored by Under The Sun Foundation, will include a performance, workshops, an artists’ talk, and an opening party for visitors and residents to experience contemporary art together in the unique desert community of Borrego Springs. Events will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: SPRING FESTIVITIES

By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With spring fast approaching, many festive and creative events are sprouting up across East County. These include Daffodil Days in Julian, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, an Earth Day Fair in La Mesa, a plein air art show in  Borrego Springs, a junior fair and barbecue in Lakeside, Nature Day on Mt. Helix, Cajon Classic cruises, plus plays, concerts, and a stargazing party.


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CIRCUS VARGAS: A RETURN TO THE RICH TRADITION OF THE CIRCUS

By Jonathan Goetz

Photos Courtesy: Circus Vargas

February 19, 2024 (San Diego) -- Circus Vargas is coming to Westfield's Plaza Bonita from February 23 to March 11 and Mission Valley Mall from March 15 to April 8, 2024. 


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EASTERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR AND BBQ MARCH 17 IN LAKESIDE

East County News Service

February 19, 2024 (Lakeside) — Here’s an event to squeal about! A tradition since 1947, the Eastern San Diego County Junior Fair will be held on Sunday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds (12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside). 


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: LATE FEBRUARY AND EARLY MARCH EVENTS

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Hike by the light of the moon, join a stargazing party, enjoy a Nature Day celebration, tour a wolf preserve or a camel dairy, enjoy live comedy, concerts, a livestock fair and barbecue, and a desert art show—all coming up in East County.

 


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CITY OF EL CAJON ATTEMPTS WORLD RECORD "MOST DOGS TO ATTEND A FILM SCREENING" FEB. 24

East County News Service

 

February 9, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon aims to break the world record for the “Most Dogs to Attend a Film Screening.” A family-friendly screening of the movie “Beethoven” will take place at Wells Park, located at 1153 East Madison Avenue, on Saturday, February 24. Dog owners and their furry friends are invited to be part of this historic attempt .

 

To participate in this record-setting endeavor, dog owners are required to arrive for check-in at 1:00 PM, with the movie screening to commence shortly after. The current record stands at 219 dogs, and El Cajon is eager to surpass this number. This event is not only a chance to make history but also an opportunity for the community and their dogs to enjoy an afternoon full of entertainment and fun.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: CREATIVE EVENTS COMING UP

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) —Comedy shows, Fido Fest, film showings, wolf tours, a plein air desert art show, Valentine teas, and an attempt to break a world record for most dogs viewing an outdoor moving are among the festivities coming up across San Diego’s East County.


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LOVE YOUR HEART WEEK FEBRUARY 14-28

East County News Service

February 7, 2024 (San Diego)—Love your Heart events are slated across our region from February 14 through 29. In honor of Valentine’s Day, healthcare organizations are teaming up to offer you free blood pressure screenings and heart-health information.


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JAMUL CASINO CELEBRATED LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH TRADITIONAL DANCE AND EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY TO HONOR YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Jamul Casino gifts new dragon to Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance

 Source:  Jamul Casino

February 7, 2024 (Jamul) -- On Saturday, Feb. 3, Jamul Casino celebrated Lunar New Year with a traditional dance and procession through the casino floor, along with a special gift to further honor the tradition of lion and dragon dancing. President and General Manager Mary Cheeks kicked off the evening’s festivities by presenting a new dragon costume to Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance, one of San Diego’s most reputable Southern lion dancing groups, at JIVe Lounge. 


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AN EVENT TO HOWL ABOUT: WOLF TOURS FEB. 11 IN JULIAN

East County News Service

February 4, 2024 (Julian) – The California Wolf Center in Julian invites you to book a guided tour of their facility to see their resident wolves and learn about wolf conservation. Various tours are offered each weekend this month at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are required.

The Wolf Conservation and Behavioral Enrichment Tours are both 1 hour in length and offer an unforgettable experience where you will have the opportunity to see critically endangered wild wolves and learn all about them from an expert at the center’s Conservation Facility on KQ Ranch Rd. in Julian. 


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FIDO FEST: A PUP-ULAR SANTEE EVENT

East County News Service

February 4, 2024 (Santee) -- The City of Santee’s eighth annual Fido Fest will take place Saturday, February 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee 92071. Join the City of Santee for tail-wagging fun at one of San Diego County’s most popular dog events.

This family and dog-friendly event is an opportunity for attendees to view adoptable dogs from about 20 local rescues, shop from various vendors, watch amazing demonstrations, and enjoy giveaways. If walking or shopping through the excitement works up your appetite, 5 food vendors will be serving delectable eats for all to enjoy. There will be a variety of arts and crafts to paw-take in, including: yappy hour, treat finder, doggy tattoos, an off-leash area, fly ball demonstration, an agility course, and a sniff station.

Show off your four-legged friend in costume, size, and trick contests for a chance to win a giveaway item! In addition to the showcase of contest entries, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and Santee Fire Department will demonstrate their canines’ capabilities.


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WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT IN EL CAJON: BRING FIDO

By Jonathan Goetz

January 29, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon is going to the dogs! Literally! They are trying to break the world record for the most dogs to watch a movie screening together. The current record of 219 dogs was set by a bunch of bored pooches in September 2023. 

Organizers in El Cajon will attempt to break the record with Beethoven, a 1992 American family comedy film that features a St. Bernard dog who causes all kinds of trouble for his human family. Maybe he didn’t hear his owners yelling at him to stop!


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SANTEE DISCOVERY DAY: JANUARY 27 AT WALKER PRESERVE

By Jonathan Goetz

Photos courtesy: City of Santee

January 20, 2024 (Santee) -- You're invited to Walker Preserve Saturday, January 27th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Santee Discovery Day, part of Santee Discovery Month, encouraging people to visit Santee's beautiful and plentiful family friendly trails (click for Citywide trail map). In addition to food available for purchase, there will be a rock wall, nature exploration booths, opportunity drawing and more, making this the signature event of January's public awareness campaign.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: NEW EVENTS IN THE NEW YEAR

By Miriam Raftery

January 20, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – January and February are prime times to enjoy a full moon desert walk, Valentine’s dinners and wine pairings, farm tours, hawk watching, new nature walks at Lakeside’s River Park, concerts, theatrical productions and more in San Diego’s East County.


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COMEDY NIGHT JANUARY 26 AT SPACEBAR CAFÉ AND WINE BISTRO

East County News Service

January 19, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Comedians Gene Levin and Carol Johnson produce 4th Friday Comedy every month at SpaceBar Cafe & Wine Bistro, 7454 University Avenue, La Mesa from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The monthly show is one of longest running free comedy shows in our region.


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MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY GUIDED NATURE WALK AT MISSION TRAILS

East County News Service

January 11, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join a Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Trail Guide on a special Martin Luther King Day nature walk Monday, January 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and learn about the plants, animals, geology, history, and ecology of the park on one of these scenic trails:

* The Oak Grove Loop showcasing majestic coast live oaks and rare Engelmann’s oaks. 

* The Visitor Center Loop highlighting coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and riparian woodland habitats. 

* The Riverside Grinding Rocks featuring one of the archaeological sites in the park.


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HAWK WATCH IN RAMONA TAKES WING SATURDAYS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

East County News Service

January 8, 2024 (Ramona) – The Wildlife Research Institute in Ramona invites you to Hawk Watch, each Saturday in January and February at 10 a.m. at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd, in Ramona.  Arrive at 9:30 for coffee and donuts, then enjoy the free program that includes biologist’s talks, Q&A with falconry or ambassador raptors up close, followed by optional roadside observations of wild raptors and other wildlife including a Bald Eagle nest where you'll drive your own car less than 2 miles on paved roads and come and go at your leisure. Biologists and local expert volunteer observers will help you spot and identify birds and show them to you through our high-powered professional telescopes.


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OPEN FARM TOURS JANUARY 13 AND 27 AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY

East County News Service

January 8, 2024 (Ramona) -- Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to open farm tours on Saturday, January 13 and January 27 from 12 to 2 p.m.  Enjoy a bird show and camel show, meet and feed camels and lambradoodles, take a camel ride, and enjoy camel milk products such as artisan soaps, lotions, chocolate and camel milk.

Tickets must be purchased online.


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COYOTE MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE HIKE JANUARY 14 IN ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK

East  County News Service

January 4, 2023 (Anza Borrego) – The Anza Borrego Foundation will lead a hike on Coyote Mountain in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park on Sunday, January 14 from 7 a.m.to approximately 4 p.m. Hikers will cljmb Coyote Mountain on an eight-mile route with an elevation gain of about 2,500 feet.


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MISSION TRAILS HOSTS BIRDING BASICS CLASS JANUARY 27

East County News Service

Photo: Orioles, by Greg Dunne

 

January 5, 2024 (San Diego) – Mission Trails Regional Park invites you to a birding basics class on Saturday, January 27 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.


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RALLY FOR LIGHT COMMEMORATES CHANUKAH AND SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL

                              

By Shiloh Ireland

 On Thursday, December 7th; several hundred people participated in an enchanting Rally for Light: event in solidarity with Israel, organized by Chabad House at San Diego State University. At the event, one of the largest menorahs in the United States was unveiled, replacing a menorah that was previously vandalized.

According to a press release from organizers,” This event symbolizes the strength and unity of our community in the face of adversity, as well as a response to the recent act of anti-Semitism experienced at SDSU. The event also comes at a time when global support for unity and resilience is more crucial than ever, particularly considering the current situation in Israel.”


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LIGHTING OF GRAND MENORAH WILL EMPHASIZE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND UNITY IN RESPONSE TO RECENT ACT OF ANTI-SEMITISM AT SDSU

One of the nation's largest Menorahs to highlight the Rally for Light

East County News Service

Photo:: cc via Bing

November 30, 2023 (San Diego) - Chabad Jewish Student Life of San Diego will host a "Rally for Light: Hanukkah Celebration" on December 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Chabad House (6115 Montezuma Rd., San Diego). A 20-foot menorah, one of the largest in the United States, will be lit. The community is invited to join in taking a collective stand against hate in a time of challenges and a commitment to spread light over darkness

“This event symbolizes the strength and unity of our community in the face of adversity, as well as a response to the recent act of anti-Semitism experienced at SDSU,”  the event announcement states. “The event also comes at a time when global support for unity and resilience is more crucial than ever, particularly considering the current situation in Israel.”


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: DELIGHTFUL DECEMBER EVENTS

East County News Service

November 27, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – December brings the magic of the holiday season,  with many delightful events and activities. This year’s options in East County include the North Pole Express train ride in Campo, outdoor ice skating rinks in Julian and Alpine, a pottery tour and a Crest Craft festival ideal for holiday gift shopping,  elaborate holiday lighting displays at Santee Lakes,  Enchanted Village in Spring Valley, and Camp Christmas in Pine Valley. There’s a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet in El Cajon, and a contemporary twist on the Nutcracker performed by Kidz Danz Kompany in La Mesa. Plus, you can enjoy tree lighting ceremonies in Lakeside and Ramona , caroling on Mt. Helix, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, and Lemon Grove’s annual holiday bonfire.

Scroll down for details on these merry events, and have a joyous holiday season!

Know of a holiday event we've missed? Please post info in our comments section.


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SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS DEC. 2 BRINGS HOLIDAY CHEER TO LAKESIDE

East County News Service

November 23, 2023 (Lakeside) -- Santa and his elves are hard at work, getting ready for Christmas and working together with the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce on their Spirit of Christmas event. The festivities will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. along Maine Ave. in the heart of historic Lakeside.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS NOV-DEC. 2023

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – East County has a wealth of treasured holiday events coming up this season, from  holiday lighting displays and craft fairs to local festivals, outdoor ice skating rinks, a train ride aboard the North Pole Express, a pottery studio tour, and a performance of the Nutcracker ballet.

Scroll down for details on these merry events, and have a joyous holiday sesaon!


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HOLIDAY FAVORITE, THE NUTCRACKER BALLET, TAKES STAGE AT THE MAGNOLIA IN EL CAJON DEC. 16

East County News Service

November 17, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On December 16th at 1 p.m., the San Diego Ballet brings the Nutcracker ballet to The Magnolia theater in El Cajon.

Imagine the magic as the Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky's timeless musical score and an international cast of more than 100 beautifully costumed dancers. Sugarplum fairies, leaping Cossacks and flurries of snowflakes swirl across the stage, in this magical journey through a young girl''s imagination.


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HO,HO! SANTEE HOLIDAY LIGHTING CELEBRATION WITH SANTA NOV. 17

November 16, 2023 (Santee) -- The city of Santee will host its holiday lighting celebration on Friday, November 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Santee Trolley Square (9884 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee).

Visitors can enjoy sledding, live music by the Bayou Brothers, holiday photo opportunities with Santa, face painting, and a tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.


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LEMON GROVE HOSTS HOLIDAY BONFIRE DECEMBER 3

East County News Service

November 17, 2023 (Lemon Grove ) -- The City of Lemon Grove will host its 24th annual holiday bonfire on December 3 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Treganza Park (3200 Main St., Lemon Grove.)

The event includes live music, food booths, arts and crafts, a rock climbing wall, game truck, cookies and hot chocolate, and a giant bonfire to light the night.


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