CityFest Art & Music Festival

The Ultimate Free 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 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

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 back at our performer. New performers added every day!

A Party within a Party

CityFest’s Mural Alley is the place to be. Our friends at Hillcrest Community Instagram are hosting a secret party within the festival that will be the talk of the town. This exclusive event offered a one-of-a-kind experience, blending the lively atmosphere of CityFest with an air of mystery and excitement. Attendees who discover the hidden entrance will find a lounge area that will be a perfect oasis amidst the festival's bustle. The lounge served as a haven for festival-goers to relax and socialize, featuring a fully-stocked bar with craft cocktails and local brews, each drink as colorful as the art surrounding them.

The Party within the Party is all ages and can be found in Mural Alley which is in the 400 Block south of University Ave. It will be from 1pm through 6pm.

This is huge news! Get ready to dance the night away at CityFest After Dark from 7pm through 11pm under the Hillcrest Sign on August 11! We're thrilled to announce that the incredible Queen Trinity the Tuck will be joining us for an unforgettable night of entertainment!

But that’s not all! We’ve lined up some awesome DJs to keep the party going with amazing beats for an all-ages dance party you won’t want to miss. Clifford G and 3rd & Arbor will be spinning great tracks to get your dance on! CityFest is this Sunday, August 11, from noon until 11pm. CityFest After Dark is a massive dance party under the Hillcrest Sign!

Bring your friends and family and join us for a night of fun, music, and fabulous performances! See you there!

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!

CityFest Map and Activities

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.

Afternoon Delight: a delicious mix of Jim Beam Bourbon, Sweet Tea, and a dash of Lemon
City Sipper: Effen Vodka with Watermelon Dekuyper, Lemonade, a flourish of Basil
Bloody Mary: Effen Vodka with strong Stirrings Bloody Mary mix, Hot Sauce, rimmed with Tajin
Flaming Paloma: Hornitos Tequila doused with Sparkilng Grapefruit, Hot Honey, with a lick of Jalapeno
Beach, Please: Healthy pours of Effen Vodka, Gilby's Gin, Cruzan Rum, and Triple Sec, paired with POG Juice and Tajin
Red Bull Watermelon Margarita: Hornito's Tequila and Watermelon Red Bull soured with Lime.
Cherry Popper Ice Pop: Vodka, Cherry Limeade, Crushed Cherries on a stick.
Frozen Fresarita: Tequila flavored with Strawberry, Lime, and sweet Agave

Spirit Selection: Effen Vodka, Hornitos Tequila, Jim Beam Bourbon, Gilby's Gin, Cruzan Rum

In addition, CityFest is home to many of Hillcrest finest dining and drinking establishments along 5th Ave. for delicious drinks or fun people watching.

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

2023 Sponsors