Some things-to-do in San Diego are always free so check out my top 5 list. Others free events come and go so this monthly helps.
Do you have a free event you’d like listed? Please let me know, and although I can’t guarantee your event will be listed, I’ll do my best to include as many as I can. ~~Sheri McGregor
Here September’s latest. Monthly lists always grow, so check back often. Access monthly free things to do posts from the Monthly Free To-Do page.
Free things to do in San Diego in September, 2011.
Thursday, Sepember 15:
Encinitas Classic Car Nights (third Thursdays each summer month), 5:30 – 7:30pm. Classic cars, music and fun on Old Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas. This is the last one of the season, so drive or ride on down.
Friday, September 16:
Operation Liberty Call, 4pm – 9pm, Gaslamp Quarter. Free fun night out to celebrate the armed forces.
El Cajon, Free Concerts on the Green. Scott Martin, Latin Soul entertains tonight in El Cajon.
Rancho Carrillo Film Fest. Rancho Carillo is a historic ranch park in Carlsbad that was once home to film star Leo Carrillo. Hike #10 in San Diego on the Cheap publisher Sheri McGregor’s book, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Diego (2d ed). Each year, the park offers a round up of free film showings. 2011 film fest is ongoing. Get the details about the Leo Carrillo Film Fest in Carlsbad, and attend one of these neat free film events that takes you back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. This is an outdoor event, so be sure to visit the Leo Carillo Film Fest site for details.
Cruisin’ Grand on Friday nights through the end of September — they’re winding down, so don’t miss the last opportunities to enjoy Cruisin’ Grand until 2012. There’s a reason this event is so popular — it’s good, happy fun!
Saturday, September 17:
The Big Bay Family Festival: Celebrating San Diego’s Military
Free family happening, 10am to 4pm at the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego. Get aboard Navy ships and talk with the sailors, check out military exhibits, meet Coast Guards and Marines. Vendors and more onsite.
Coronado ArtWalk, 10am – 5pm, Ferry’s Landing. Meet local artists, buy or just look at a variety of creative art.
9 am to noon – Coastal Cleanup–Get together with others in this event that brings together the community in an effort to get San Diego looking good at several sites. Pick a site that interests you, and do something good for the community, for wildlife, and for the future. It feels good to help. For more information, please visit http://www.cleanupday.org/. On an interactive map, you can locate and choose a site near or far.Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Oktoberfest: September 17-18 -- Sat. Sept 17: The International Dance Association of San Diego County presents Oktoberfest. Learn to Dance Workshop from 1 – 4 p.m. Dancers in costume display a whirling tour of a world of dances from many countries. Some dances will be taught to those in the audience who would like to participate. Food and vendors on site. A fun family event. View the Oktoberfest flyer.
Wavecrest Woodie Meet
These old woodies are part of San Diego’s surf history. Saturday from 8am to 3pm, you can see and enjoy these old beauties at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas as part of their 10th anniversary. It’s fitting there’s a surf contest, too. Want to find out more about the woodies? See the San Diego Woodies Chapter website
Sunday, September 18, 2011:
4th Annual Brazilian Day San Diego — a free cultural event for the whole family. No alcohol, lots of entertainment, dancing, costumes. . . . A carnival parade with samba dancers and more than 20 parade groups. 11am to 7pm on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. Find out more about this fun Brazilian festival in its fourth San Diego year.
English Motors at Fairbrook. 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Sunday at 4949 S. Mission Road in Fallbrook. This one’s free … IF you make a donation to Meals on Wheels. Vintage cars and motorcyles will be on display. The 2010 event raised more than $5000.00 for Meals on Wheels … which is a good cause to help people with difficulty preparing their own meals. See more about the event.
Coronado ArtWalk, 10am – 5pm, Ferry’s Landing. Meet local artists, buy or just look at a variety of creative art.
The Big Bay Family Festival: Celebrating San Diego’s Military
Free family happening, 10am to 4pm at the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego. Get aboard Navy ships and talk with the sailors, check out military exhibits, meet Coast Guards and Marines. Vendors and more onsite.
Oktoberfest: September 17-18 — Sat. Sept 17: The International Dance Association of San Diego County presents Oktoberfest. Dancers in costume display a whirling tour of a world of dances from many countries. Some dances will be taught to those in the audience who would like to participate. Food and vendors on site. Lots of crafts. A fun family event. View the Oktoberfest flyer.
Friday, September 23:
Cruisin’ Grand on Friday nights through the end of September — they’re winding down, so don’t miss the last opportunities to enjoy Cruisin’ Grand until 2012. There’s a reason this event is so popular — it’s good, happy fun!
El Cajon, Free Concerts on the Green. The Stoney B Blues Band entertains tonight in El Cajon.
Rancho Carrillo Film Fest. Rancho Carillo is a historic ranch park in Carlsbad that was once home to film star Leo Carrillo. Hike #10 in San Diego on the Cheap publisher Sheri McGregor’s book, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Diego (2d ed). Each year, the park offers a round up of free film showings. 2011 film fest is ongoing. Get the details about the Leo Carrillo Film Fest in Carlsbad, and attend one of these neat free film events that takes you back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. This is an outdoor event, so be sure to visit the Leo Carillo Film Fest site for details.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011:
Tuesday: September 27, 6pm – Escondido Public Library: Meet author John Stryker Meyer who will talk about his experiences as a former Green Beret–and his new book Across the Fence: The Secret War In Vietnam. North County Veteran John Styker Meyer is also a journalist, and uses those skill sets to bring alive the war that took place four decades ago — and may be unfamiliar to many.
Friday, September 30:
El Cajon, Free Concerts on the Green. Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Band entertains tonight in El Cajon.
Cruisin’ Grand –last event of the season. Don’t miss your last opportunity to enjoy Cruisin’ Grand until 2012. There’s a reason this event is so popular — it’s good, happy fun!
