San Diego’s Free Summer Concerts 2026
Start the summer on a high note! From Carlsbad to Chula Vista and El Cajon to Downtown San Diego, there are free summer concerts happening all over San Diego County that highlight a variety of music genres. There's a concert for every type of music lover! Gather the kids and some friends, pack a picnic, and spend the afternoon movin' and groovin' to your favorite tunes.
BALBOA PARK
Twilight in the Park Concerts. Tues., Wed. & Thurs., June 16–Aug. 27, 6:30–7:30 pm. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. See which bands are playing at www.balboapark.org/twilight-in-the-park-concert.
June 16: San Diego City Guard Band
June 17: Memphis Soul Revue of SD
June 18: Full Strength
June 23: American Flyboys Band
June 24: Summer Breeze SD
June 25: The Tourmaliners
June 30: 8 Track Highway
Spreckels Organ Society Concerts. Sundays, 2–3 pm, held year-round. Pavilion-Pan American Pl., Balboa Park. www.spreckelsorgan.org
CARLSBAD FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
TGIF Concerts in the Parks. Fridays, 6–8 pm, June 19–Aug. 21. Pop-up art booth opens at 4:30 pm; dance lessons at 5:15 pm. Multiple locations. www.carlsbadca.gov/tgif
CHULA VISTA FREE CONCERTS
Summer Sundays. Live music, car show, craft activities for kids, balloon sculptures and more. June 14–July 19, 5–7 pm. 878 Eastlake Pkwy. www.shopvillagewalk.com
June 14: Steal Dawn
June 21: The New Catillacs
June 28: Lady J & Soulful Knights
July 5: Breez’n
July 12: 3 CAR GARAGE
July 19: The Joe Rathburn Band
CLAIREMONT MESA
Sounds of the Square Concert Series. Fridays from 6–9 pm. June 19 & 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Bring lawn chairs. Food court area of Clairemont Town Square, 4821 Clairemont Dr. www.clairemonttownsquare.com
CORONADO FREE CONCERTS
Coronado Summer Concert Series. Sundays through Sept. 6. Spreckels Park, 601 Orange Ave. www.coronadoconcert.com/coronado-concert-schedule
DEL MAR FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
Summer Twilight Concerts. Select Tuesdays. Opening act at 6 pm; Featured act at 7 pm. June 23, July 14, July 28 and Aug. 11. Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd, Del Mar. www.delmarfoundation.org/programs/twilight
Live Music at Del Mar Highlands Town Center. Every Friday, 6–9 pm. June 5– Aug. 21. 12925 El Camino Real. www.delmarhighlandstowncenter.com
EL CAJON
Music on Main. Now on Fridays! 6–8 pm. June 5–Aug. 28. Prescott Promenade, downtown El Cajon. www.downtownelcajon.com/music-on-main
June 5: Heart of Rock and Roll
June 12: Ronstadt Revival
June 19: Journeymen
June 26: Half Shot
July 3: Jimmy's Buffet
ESCONDIDO
Hidden City Sounds. Select Fridays, 7–9 pm. June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Lyric Courtyard, 340 Escondido Blvd. www.artcenter.org/hidden-city-sounds-free-concert-summer-series
Música en la Plaza. Enjoy Latin rhythms under the stars the last Friday of each month: May 29, June 26, July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, 7 pm. Reserved table seating also available for purchase. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Lyric Courtyard, 340 Escondido Blvd. www.artcenter.org
LA JOLLA
Concerts by the Sea. Sundays, July 12–Aug. 2, 3:30–5:30 pm. Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove. www.kiwanisclublajolla.org/event/concerts-by-the-sea/
Athenaeum Mini Concerts. Free year-round concerts most Mondays at 12 pm. Featuring a line-up of classical, jazz, folk and world music. Seating is first-come, first-served. Concerts last about an hour. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. www.ljathenaeum.org/mini-concerts
LA MESA
Sundays at Six Summer Concerts. Sundays at 6 pm, June 21–July 26. Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St., La Mesa. www.lamesaparks.org/1730/Sundays-at-Six-Summer-Concerts
OCEANSIDE
Oceanside Music Series. Saturdays in September from 3:30–6:30 pm. Sept. 12, 19 and 26. Bring blankets and chairs. Locations vary. www.oceansidemusicseries.com
POINT LOMA
Point Loma Summer Concerts. Fridays, July 10–Aug. 7, 5:30-8:30 pm. Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd. www.pointlomasummerconcerts.org
POWAY FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
Summer Concert Series. Sundays, June 21 & 28, July 19 and Aug. 2 & 16 from 5:30–7 pm at Lake Poway, 14644 Lake Poway Rd. (parking $10 for non-Poway residents). Visit website for schedule and locations. www.poway.org
SAN MARCOS
(photo at the top of the page is from this event)
Dancing in the Street Series. Last Friday each month. Enjoy a festive neighborhood celebration with free live performances, a guided dance class and nighttime farmers market. Food and drinks available for purchase. Dance performance at 6 pm; guided dance class from 6:15–7:15; open dance with DJ from 7:15–8 pm. 250 North City Dr. www.northcity.com/pages/arts-and-events
SANTEE FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
Santee Summer Concerts. Thursdays, 6:30–8 pm, June 11–Aug. 13 (except July 2). Town Center Community Park E., 550 Park Ctr. Dr. www.cityofsanteeca.gov/city-special-events/santee-summer-concerts
June 11: The Pistol Blonde (country)
June 18: Journeymen (Journey tribute band)
June 25: Electric Vinyl (classic rock)
July 9: Cheez Whiz (80s music)
July 16: Cassie B (90s to now)
July 23: 1969 The Tribute (Woodstock tribute band)
July 30: The Detroit Underground (funk)
Concert Series on Deck. Fridays & Saturdays, 5–7 pm, June 5–Sept. 26. Parking $7. Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Pkwy. www.santeelakes.com/events/category/park-events
SCRIPPS RANCH
Symphony in the Park. Bring blankets and low-back chairs. June 14, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13, 6–7:30 pm. Hoyt Park, Scripps Ranch Blvd. & Aviary Dr. www.symphonyinthepark.org
SOLANA BEACH
Concerts at the Cove. Thursdays, 6–7:45 pm, June 11–Aug. 6. Fletcher Cove Park, 111 S. Sierra Ave., Solana Beach. www.cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov/en/Concerts-at-the-Cove
Do you know of a free summer concert series not listed above? Send us all the info:
Updated: May 2026
