San Diego Weekend Guide: July 3-6 – Independence Day Edition

Fireworks light up the downtown San Diego waterfront File photo by Charlie Neuman courtesy of the Port of San Diego Celebrate July th this long San Diego weekend yea with fireworks fine food and a final shot at the county fair Hope you have a star-spangled good one But here s a bonus day for you this week Get a head start on the Fourth on Thursday with a few All-American sessions Oceanside where July th is constantly a little early The fun before the Fireworks and Drone Show begins at p m at the SoCal Soccer Complex The show starts at p m La Mesa the free La Mesa Classic Car Show Live Music Event at p m Thursdays through Aug Blame Betty performs the pre-Fourth show this week Encinitas the San Diego Botanic Garden opens its Summer Nights series at p m with country act MarCon Express General admission is As for Friday the big day there s the Big Bay Boom the major regional fireworks show on San Diego Bay With fireworks being discharged simultaneously from four barges on the water at p m the view will be great from Shelter Island Spanish Landing Park Harbor Island the Embarcadero Seaport Village Cesar Chavez Park and Coronado Ferry Landing just stake out a spot early Add to the red white and blue mood with the simulcast on X FM radio For July th sparkly shows closer to home please see our Complete Guide to San Diego Fireworks With fireworks and more it s your last chance to enjoy fair fun before the San Diego County Fair wraps up for Try monster trucks at and p m Thursday fireworks at p m Friday two music festivals Saturday K-pop and bluegrass and on Sunday Dip into the wholesomeness all fairs are known for from the farmyard follies and racing pigs to stunt dogs and the seed-spitting contest If you re looking to counter project the Fourth well going goth might be extreme but for the darkly inclined here you go The Casbah hosts Gothic Summer III Dance Party at p m Friday with Goth Cheez Vaughn Avakian Robin Roth and more Tickets cost But if you re looking for the party to continue head out at a m Saturday to the House of U S A among the International Cottages in Balboa Park There will be food music and more on the lawn stage Fit Social at Belmont Park in Mission Beach hosts Freedom Fest at p m Saturday with Nelly and a packed beachfront slate that includes Shiba San Kaleena Zanders Indigo Valet and special guest Chippy Nonstop Admission starts at View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carnitas' Snack Shack carnitassnacks We had K-pop at the fair How about pop from the continent The Finnish a cappella ensemble Rajaton drops in at the Rady Shell to join the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performing music by ABBA Be there at p m Saturday Want another s throwback Earth Wind Fire the real deal follows on Sunday Tickets for the ABBA show start at and EWF at Carnitas Snack Shack on the Embarcadero is hosting that largest part American of contests at p m Sunday a cookoff The inaugural Carnitas Cookoff Contest tasks four San Diego chefs with creating the ultimate carnitas-inspired dish Not one to shy away from a challenge Chef Hanis Cavin of Carnitas Snack Shack is among them Grab a seat on the waterfront and you get to taste the results and vote on the winner which will make it to the restaurant s menu