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.

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Late February brings several unique activities to enjoy, including new moon fishing at Lake Jennings, Fido Fest in Santee, a black history celebration in Lemon Grove, a farm tour adventure at Fort Cross in Santa Ysabel, Romeo and Juliet onstage in Borrego Springs, Hawk Watch in Ramona and a concert by Mariachi Amapolas at Cuyamaca College.

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s a dazzling array of holiday events coming up across our inland region--including synchronized light shows at Camp Christmas in Pine Valley, North Pole Limited Train Rides at the Campo depot, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas,  La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, a holiday bonfire in Lemon Grove, holiday lights on Main in El Cajon, a Snow Day at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, a Christmas Market in Crest, caroling on Broadway in Lemon Grove, Christmas on Mt Helix, and the German-American Societies Christmas in El Cajon.

Scroll down for full details on these festive events.

By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- There are some outrageous October outings in East County this year, including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, an autumn jubilee in Wynola Hauntfest on Main and a Haunted Circus in El Cajon,  a Haunted Forest at Banner Ranch near Julian, Rolling Pumpkins at Parkway Plaza, Julian Wonderfest, and Pumpkin Express train rides in Campo.

Here are the haunting details.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- August has some amazing events for summertime fun, including the Mt. Helix Food & Wine Festival,  a Dweezil Zappa concert at The Magnolia, Summer Jams at Santee Lakes, live music at Julian Heroes, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, sunset train rides at the historic Campo depot, a summer twilight walk at MIssion Trails Regional Park, and live music at Sycuan including LOCASH and the Jacksons.

By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Late springtime in East County is blossoming with unique events including Campo Days, Santee's Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, an artists’ reception at Olaf Wieghorst Museumi n ElCajon,  a lilac festival in Julian, Vintage Alpine, Mother’s Day teas, La Mesa’s Art in the Park, Gifts from the Garden, a Taste of Ramona, El Cajon concerts in the park, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and the Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival.

For a full list of festive fun events, scroll down.

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.

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.

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.

By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Looking for a frightfully good time? You’ll find plenty of spooky special events, from a Haunted Forest at Banner Ranch to HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, as well as haunted train rides in Campo, a Pumpkin Bash and Spooky Campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine.

Plus an Autumn Jubilee and an Heirloom  Apple Festival continue in Julian,  while the Borrego Days Desert Festival takes place in Borrego Springs and Santee hosts its Brews and Bites Festival. Theatre aficionados can watch Randy Rainbow’s political comedy show at The Magnolia in El Cajon, or savor an  Old Globe For All experience in Lemon Grove. Plus tribute artist Robert Neary brings his "So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience" to the Magnolia in El Cajon.

Scroll down for details on all of these events and more.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Fall is in the air –ushering in some of East County’s most iconic festivals including Oktoberfests, Alley Cat Art Walk, Julian Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan's Powwow, and haunting Halloween happenings. Plus comedians Randy Rainbow and Paula Poundstone will be performing in El Cajon and music legend Crystal Gayle will be onstage at Sycuan.

Scroll down for these events in San Diego's inland region, and more.

July 31, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- August and September events coming up in San Diego’s East County will give you plenty to howl about – including tours at the California Wolf Center, National Night Out with local law enforcement agencies, Julian’s star fest, outdoor concerts in several communities, classic cruises, the Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival, an X-Fest with extreme sports events, plus a concert by country music legend Crystal Gayle and a comedy show by Paula Poundstone.

Scroll down for details on these events and many more, coming up across San Diego’s inland region.

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Fireworks, parades, a deep pit barbecue, a stargazing festival, outdoor concerts, farm tours with berry picking, a food fest and more are all happening in East County as summer heats up.

Scroll down for details on these events and many more, coming up across San Diego’s inland region.

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.