Just a couple hours south of L.A., one neighborhood is about to shut down its streets for the biggest party of the summer. CityFest returns to San Diego on Sunday, August 9, and organizers are calling it the city’s largest and best art and music festival.
What is CityFest?
CityFest takes place in Hillcrest, widely recognized as the LGBTQ+ hub of San Diego. CityFest honors Hillcrest’s 40-year legacy as the heart of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community. The festival is an annual, day-to-night celebration that takes over 5th Avenue for a full day of music, art, food, and community.
What to expect
CityFest takes over 5th Avenue from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., stretching nearly half a mile across more than 7 city blocks. The event is expected to draw over 70,000 visitors from across San Diego and Southern California.
Music runs all day across two separate stages, giving festival-goers a mix of live bands and electric dance music DJs to move between throughout the afternoon and evening. Whether the crowd wants to catch a full band set or dance to a DJ’s set, there’s a stage built for both, keeping the energy going from the early afternoon well into the night.
100+ vendors and community booths
Beyond the music, CityFest is just as much about what’s happening on the ground. More than 100 vendors line the streets, offering everything from handcrafted art and jewelry to local food and specialty goods.
In addition, for the first time, CityFest is adding a ticketed Wine Garden, located in Mural Alley and open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The space invites guests 21 and older to sip and sample from three participating wineries: Cork & Stem, Negociant Winery, and Pali Wine Co.
📍University Ave & 5th Ave
🗓️ Sunday, August 9
⏰ 12 PM–11 PM
🎟️ Free Admission
