The Ultimate Free Neighborhood Summer Street Party

San Diego's ultimate summer art and music festival takes over 5th Avenue from 12 pm until 11 pm on Sunday, August 11, 2024 during Hillcrest CityFest!

Our annual celebration of community spirit will feature live bands, electric dance music DJs, arts, crafts, and food that attracts over 150,000+ 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 9 city blocks! 

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 LGBT 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

Check back for the 2024 Cityfest Lineup. 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.

Check out our performer page showcasing all the talent at CityFest with new performers added every day!

CityFest After Dark starting at 7pm

Just like Hillcrest, CityFest gets busier when the sun goes down. And just like Hillcrest, the best Queens come out after dark. We are so happy to announce performances by some of the regions best Queens and DJs. Remember, Cityfest After Dark is Free and All Ages! That means everyone can come and dance in the streets until 11pm!

CityFest Kid’s Zone

CityFest Kids Zone returns supported by Kiwanis Club of Hillcrest. Rides, a Lego mountain, Flower potting, and making your own comic books! All this excitement is located in the Kid's Pavillion at the South end of the event at Brookes and Fifth Ave.

Drag Queen Storytime will be hosted again by the Imperial Court de San Diego.

Arts and Crafts Ramble

The heart of CityFest be a massive Art and Craft Ramble where artists and performers, vendors, and attractions will be dispersed throughout the heart of the all mixed together among neighborhood businesses and activities. Discover thousands of unique hand crafted items and art, interesting and helpful products and services, or dozens of amazing food stalls and trucks. All of these will be intermingled among many Hillcrest businesses you know and love. We’re inviting you to explore neighborhood businesses alongside exciting artists, creative food vendors, and unique crafters!

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.

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.

2023 Sponsors

Vendor Information

CityFest has hundreds of vendor spaces for all sorts of vendor types. Food vendors, artists, crafters, re-sale, and corporate vendors are all welcome.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Contact Natalie at natalie@hillcrestbia.org

CityFest 2024 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 13, from 6am until 11pm! You'll be helping our many vendors find their spot in the venue.

Shift 2: ID check assist. This occurs during the event in two shifts from 11:45am through 5pm and 5pm through 10pm! You'll be helping our ID check staff to get wristbands to folks who want a drink in the beer gardens.

You'll receive a T-Shirt, 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

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.