For 31 years, the San Diego Festival of the Arts has been a grand gathering of emerging and established artists and fans of art. After a successful relocation and renaming in 2016, the San Diego Festival of the Arts will be returning to Downtown San Diego’s beautiful Waterfront Park. Come see nearly 200 different fine artists who are the best in their respective visual arts categories in a bayfront setting.
At a Glance
Art
San Diego Festival of the Arts Returns to Downtown
Eddie Garcia III E3 Photography
San Diego Festival of the Arts gathers critically acclaimed artists from around the country for an elegant and high-quality showcase. A panel of judges will select the 2017 Best in Show winners in eight major media categories: ceramics, fiber and textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, and sculpture. Thousands are expected to attend this meeting of creative minds over the weekend.
Live Music
Live music is a key attraction at the San Diego Festival of the Arts, and this year, guests can enjoy performances from acclaimed musicians at three stages within Waterfront Park. Over the course of two days, artists performing everything from jazz to folk and Hawaiian music can be heard. San Diego Music Awards Artist of the Year honoree Gilbert Castellanos will be headlining at the Main Stage. The lineup includes local act The Benedettis and a jazz band led by KUSI’s meteorologist, Dave Scott and Monsoon. Jasmine Commerce and guitarist Peter Sprague are also performing.
Food for Thought
Eats
San Diego Festival of the Arts Returns to Downtown
Eddie Garcia III E3 Photography
The San Diego Festival of the Arts isn’t just a feast for the eyes; there will be plenty of gourmet eats from the region’s top food trucks and restaurants, too. You’ll find bacon-wrapped hot dogs from Doggos Gus, barbecued meats and sandwiches from Super Q, bites from Hunter Steakhouse, and seafood from Cousins Maine Lobster. Bottaro will serve wood-fired pizzas. Try a Tres Tacos street taco plate and African home cooking from Flavors of East Africa, and get something sweet from The Cookie Lady.
Sips
No outdoor celebration in San Diego would be complete without local suds. Sip award-winning ales from Stone Brewing, Karl Strauss, Mike Hess, Mission Brewery, Rough Draft, and Ballast Point while you stroll, or sample fruit wines and sangrias from Carlsbad’s The California Fruit Wine Company and fine wines from Temecula’s Falkner Winery.
Worthy Causes
Produced by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation and San Diego Magazine, the San Diego Festival of the Arts raises funds for local nonprofits that serve San Diegans with disabilities. These organizations provide support and adaptive sports and recreation opportunities to those who have incurred serious and long-term injuries. To date, the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation has raised over $2 million to support the below organizations.
San Diego Festival of the Arts Returns to Downtown
Eddie Garcia III E3 Photography
Paws’itive Teams
Organizations Supported by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation
- Adapted Physical Education San Diego City School
- Adaptive Sports and Rec Association
- Arts Bus Xpress
- Aseltine School
- Autism Society
- Camp Paivika
- Canine Companions for Independence
- Challenged Sailors San Diego
- Children’s Holiday Magic Project
- City of SD Camp at the Bay
- City of SD Leisure Seekers
- Durango Snow Ski Program
- Grossmont Union High School District Adapted Physical Education
- Hage Elementary Integrated Life Skills Program
- Helen Woodward Therapeutic Riding Program
- Kids on the Block of San Diego
- Mission Bay Aquatic Center Adaptive Water Sports
- Operation Game On
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Paws’itive Teams
- San Diego Brain Injury Foundation
- San Diego District Tennis Association
- Sharp Rehabiliation Center
- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center
- The Arc of San Diego
- TPCC Surf Ministry
- UC San Diego
- Circle K International
- Wheelchair Lacrosse
San Diego Festival of the Arts Returns to Downtown
Waterfront Park
