CityFest
Sunday, August 9, 2026 • 12 pm - 11 pm
The Ultimate Neighborhood Summer Street Party
San Diego’s largest free all-ages music festival!
San Diego's ultimate summer art and music festival takes over 5th Avenue from 12 pm until 11 pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026 during Hillcrest CityFest!
Our annual celebration of community spirit will feature live bands, electric dance music DJs, arts, crafts, and food that attracts over 70,000+ visitors from San Diego and Southern California! This is San Diego's LARGEST and BEST art and music festival-- stretching nearly half a mile in size on over 7 city blocks!
NEW: CityFest Wine Garden
Raise a glass at the CityFest Wine Garden, a new ticketed tasting experience located in Mural Alley during Hillcrest CityFest. Open from 12 PM to 6 PM, the Wine Garden invites guests to sip, sample, and support local wine businesses in one of Hillcrest’s most vibrant festival spaces.
CityFest is free to attend, but wine tastings inside the Wine Garden require the purchase of tasting tickets. This year’s featured wineries include Cork & Stem, Negociant Winery, and Pali Wine Co., bringing a curated selection of wines for guests to enjoy throughout the afternoon.
Price: $10-$40 see ticketing for tasting packages.
How the Wine Tasting Works
Each wine tasting ticket is redeemable for one 2 oz pour from any participating winery. Guests can use all of their tickets at one winery or mix and match pours throughout the Wine Garden to sample different selections from Cork & Stem, Negociant Winery, and Pali Wine Co.
Tickets will be available for purchase online in advance and in person during CityFest, while supplies last. (21+, Valid ID required)
San Diego’s most diverse and vibrant neighborhood
Located in the colorful and vibrant community of Hillcrest - our quaint shops and restaurants along 5th, Robinson, and University will come alive with community spirit, giving you a place to dive into and explore!
Renowned for its vibrant nightlife scene, international dining, and eclectic shopping, Hillcrest has been the home of the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years. Known to locals as "Pride-Light," Hillcrest CityFest is a celebration of our landmark Hillcrest sign, our residents and our businesses-- who have been champions for equality, diversity, and inclusion in San Diego and beyond.
Stages and Entertainment
We will have over 20 hours of live entertainment on two stages at the festival! During the day you’ll see performers from all over the San Diego region with genres from singer songwriters and electronic, to indie/alt rock and rap. As the sun goes down, you’ll find DJs spinning tunes at an all-ages dance party at 5th and University and smooth sounds and unique beats at the Robinson Ave. Stage.
Music Lineup
UNIVERSITY MAIN STAGE:
KURTYKA, Vintage Girl in a Modern World, Daddy, Jenny & the Tramps, The Dimes, The Band Cope, MORE COMING SOON!
SUNDAY FUNDAY STAGE:
SOULEIL
CityFest After Dark
Welcome to CityFest After Dark, the ultimate nighttime takeover of CityFest, presented by LE Parties and Rich’s San Diego! As the sun sets, the energy ramps up and the music gets louder. Get ready for an electrifying night under the stars with DJ Kinky Loops, DJ K-Swift, and DJ John Joseph spinning live at the University Ave Main Stage!
Plus a special drag performance by Lydia B Kollins from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars!
CityFest After Dark kicks off at 7 PM and ends at 11 PM, so bring the crew and come ready to party Hillcrest-style!
CityFest Kid’s Zone
CityFest Kids Zone returns supported by Kiwanis Club of Hillcrest, ArtReach San Diego, and Imperial Court! Expect arts & crafts activities, drag queen storytime, and more! All this excitement is located in the Kid's Zone at the South end of the event.
ArtReach Special Activity: Make Your Own Rainbow Suncatcher! Celebrate color, creativity, and community by crafting a vibrant suncatcher to display in your favorite window. Choose from rainbow templates or other fun shapes, layer colorful tissue paper, and watch your creation glow in the sunlight. Perfect for artists of all ages!
Cocktails and Craft Brews
A celebration of urban life wouldn’t be complete without an excellent selection of craft beers and fun cocktails. Two cocktail bars and a beer garden will keep you hydrated. They’re conveniently located close to the performance stages.
In addition, CityFest is home to many of Hillcrest finest dining and drinking establishments along 5th Ave. for delicious drinks or fun people watching.
Take Home a Piece of CityFest
Celebrate CityFest and support one of Hillcrest's favorite traditions with a limited-edition Hillcrest CityFest Vintage Tee featuring the original 1991 logo.
Every purchase helps us continue bringing this beloved community celebration to life—from incredible live entertainment and local vendors to all the moments that make CityFest so special.
Exclusive website offer:
One tee for $18
Use code: FABHILLCREST18
Two tees for $30
Use code: FABHILLCREST2FOR30
Grab yours while supplies last and show your Hillcrest pride wherever you go.
Parking and Access
Parking is available throughout the neighborhood at many private lots and on the street. Remote and free parking is available at the San Diego School District Offices at Washington and Campus Streets and at the DMV at Cleveland and Lincoln Streets, and the US Post Office on Sundays.
Vendor Information
Applications are now open for 2026! CityFest has hundreds of vendor spaces for all sorts of vendor types. Food vendors, artists, crafters, re-sale, and corporate vendors are all welcome.
Please be aware of spam emails asking for payment. All official email communication will come directly from the HBA and no third party companies.
CityFest 2026 Event Sponsors
If you are interested in sponsoring CityFest please submit the form below for more details.
Volunteers needed
Hillcrest CityFest is one of San Diego's oldest neighborhood street fairs and it couldn't happen without the support of neighborhood volunteers. CityFest is a celebration of all the wonderful things urban life has to offer from art to music, food and diversity. This year, we'll be closing University Ave. to celebrate our new sign and we need your help. CityFest needs volunteers for two important responsibilities:
Shift 1: Vendor load-in. This occurs early Sunday morning on August 9, from 6am until 11pm! You'll be helping our many vendors find their spot in the venue.
You'll receive lunch, and even a couple of drinks in the beer garden (for folks 21+). If you can help us with this shift, please email info@hillcrestbia.org and we'll get you set up.
Media
2026
Media Toolkit: Access here // Press Release: July 6th, 2026
2025
Press Release: July 8, 2025
2024
Press Release: July 11, 2024
2023
Press release: July 20, 2023 // August 6, 2023
Media Package: https://www.fabuloushillcrest.com/cityfest-promotional // Media ready photos via Dropbox: Drop Box folder
2022 Press release: July 21, 2022.