By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – June is jam-packed with summer fun, including outdoor concerts in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee,  and Viejas. You can also cheer on Flag Day Parade, enjoy the Descanso Day Parade and  Fair, laugh along with comedian Arsenio Hall at Sycuan, learn about our region's western heritage at Campo Days, and visit Julian’s Town Square Music Festival.

You can also savor a Father’s Day barbecue in Jacumba Hot Springs or Father’s Day tours at the Ilan Lael Center in Santa Ysabel. Meet local artists at the new Artival festival in El Cajon, see birds of prey up close at Mission Trails Regional Park, watch movies in the park, stroll through classic car shows, or watch a poolside concert at Sycuan.

Scroll down for details on these sizzling summer events and more.

East County News Service

May 16, 2025 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Town Hall Association will present its annual Descanso Day Fair and Parade on Saturday, June 7. The parade rolls out from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with grand marshals Brett and Tammy Cooker, owners of Descanso Junction restaurant.

The fair takes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic Descanso Town Hallo, 24536 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso. Big Sky Moon will play live country music and classic rock from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guests can also enjoy pulled pork sandwich plates and hot dog plates, IPAs and lagers with Burning Beard Brewery, a horse shoe tournament at noon (with signups at 11, for $25), a Kidz Zone ($8 unlimited play, with prizes), cake walk, vendors inside and outside the hall, raffle and silent auction.

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The merry month of May brings many special events including a trio of events at Cuyamaca College including the Coyote Music Festival, the Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, and a museum Arts and Crafts Fair.

Food, wine and beer lovers can savor Vintage Alpine, a Taste of Ramona,  as well the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival.  El Cajon’s Music on Main outdoor concert series returns, along with the America on Main Street festival.

There are also Mother’s Day teas in Julian, Tacos and Beer in Ramona with a Mother of the Year contest, a mountain man rendezvous in Campo, Paws in the Park in Lemon Grove, Wild in the Country to benefit exotic animal rescues in Alpine, and a mariachi concert at Sycuan.

Scroll down for details on these fun and festive happenings.

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (El Cajon) -The German American Societies of San Diego invites you to  two full weekends of authentic German celebrations with Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The festivities will be held at 1017 S Mollison in El Cajon the last weekend in September and again the first weekend in October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors – or water, soft drinks and coffee – quench your thirst while you enjoy traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio “tent” for additional all-ages fun. Enjoy the Opening Day Parade with Club VIPs and dignitaries, the Tapping of the Keg, and the Crowning of our 2024 Oktoberfest Königin (Queen) on Friday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m..

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s more than fireworks and parades happening in July. How about open farm days at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramoma,  Pine Valley Days, outdoor concerts and car shows, Sip of Julian tasting event, the Ramona Country Fair and movies in County parks?

Click here for our 4^th of July festivities in East County. Scroll down for the many other hot happenings coming up throughout July.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- A Juneteenth Jubilee, outdoor concerts, the Mt. Helix Food and Wine festival, a Taste of San Diego East, a Team on a Trek challenge, comedy, the musical Grease onstage,  4tth of July celebrations and fireworks are all coming up in San Diego’s East County in June and July.

Find full details on these and many more hot summertime happenings below.

East County News  Service

May 22, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Concerts, comedy, a Flag Day parade, a musical play, food festivals, a pride walk, and a library fundraiser are all coming up in San Diego’s inland region during late May and June. 

Scroll down for full details on these and more festive events coming up.

East County News Service

December 19, 2018 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s Eve celebrations in Alpine, Lakeside and Jamul plus events coming up in January including a circus in Otay Ranch, classes at the Water Conservation Garden, live music and open mic nights at Wynola Pizza, ice skating at Viejas, desert hikes and a paleolithic conference in Borrego Springs, a star party at Mission Trails, and the musical “Songs for A New World” at the Encore Theatre in Spring Valley.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

October 31, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Cowboys and Aliens at the Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon, Kids Care Fest in Lemon Grove, the Ramona Art and Wine Fest, and the season opening of the outdoor ice skating rink at Viejas in Alpine.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including an East County Youth Symphony Concert, El Cajon’s Veterans Day ceremony, Santee’s holiday lighting ceremony, the Mother Goose Parade and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, It’s a Wonderful Life radio play in Santee, Tony Orlando at Sycuan, La Mesa’s Holidays in the Village, and Leann Rimes in concert at Viejas.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Ramona Air Fair, a fishing class at Lake Morena, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, the Pumpkin Express in Campo, and a Haunted Amusement Park in Flinn Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including spooky campouts at Lake Jennings in Lakeside and at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Borrego Days desert festival and parade, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and trick or treating at Viejas Outlets in Alpine.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

“Everybody forgot the Mission. But we are making a comeback. Our goal is to recognize and reconcile long-time differences between the Native, Anglo and Hispanic populations by restoring the Mission and bringing back historical community events like the annual Harvest Festival and Fiesta.” -- Gil Koda, parish finance councilman, volunteer

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – A Herculean effort is underway to restore the Santa Ysabel Indian Mission (23013 Hwy 79) in time for its bicentennial celebration on Sunday, September 16th,^, 2018 at 10 a.m..  The multi-cultural celebration will include an outdoor mass and brunch with the Bishop, Native American bird singers and drummers, a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels, military salutes, multi-cultural dance groups, local celebrities, a historical wagon train show, tours of the mission and museum, Native speakers and historians, an arts and crafts show, and more.

Two other long-time community traditions are also being revived: the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 20^th and a Fiesta in June 2019. There will also be a golf tournament on September 8^th at the Warner Springs resort as a fundraiser for these ambitious plans.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a kayak tour at Lake Morena, a jazz concert at Mission Trails, Hall in Oates and Train in concert at SDSU, the Julian Natural Wonderfest, the HeART of Mt. Helix, and the Price is Right game show at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including our own East County Fest at Mission Trails, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of East County Magazine, as well as the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow, Ramona Grape Stomp and the Julian Grape Stomp Festa,

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, a Warrior Hike Challenge on El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside, Fortunate Son in concert in downtown El Cajon, Laurel and Hardy films in Spring Valley, and a stockroom speakeasy at Baron’s Market in Alpine.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, movies in county parks, a Secret Garden Party in El Cajon, the San Diego Concert Band in La Mesa, a Taste of La Mesa, Santee’s summer concerts, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, a historic quilt show, Santee Salutes and Julian’s Fourth of July parade.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

May 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the premier of El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series, a Dive-In movie at Kroc Center, the La Mesa Beautiful plant sale, Vintage Alpine wine and food tastings, and a production of Sherlock Holmes, the Final Adventure at Grossmont College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Manzanita High Rendezvous in Lake Morena, Salsa and Salsa in Lemon Grove, a Taste of Julian, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, film nights in the Lemon Grove library, the Ramona Rodeo, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, and the San Diego Concert Band at La Mesa’s Harry Griffen Park.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

March 8, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Plein Air art show in Borrego Springs, mountain men at the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, a lavender farm brunch and more.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Alaska String Band in concert, the Bunny Train in Campo, a Spring Extravanza at Santee Lakes, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, Saps at Sea comedy films in Spring Valley, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the Peg Leg Smith Liar's Contest, Meet the Winemakers Weekend in Ramona, the Cajon Classic Cruise season opener, an antique fair in Flinn Springs, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!