Summer Concerts & Outdoor Music Festivals in San Diego 2025

Attending the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival in San Diego is always an unforgettable experience. My family loves to grab a seat where we have great views of the stage and can enjoy the backdrop of the beautiful San Diego Bay.

The family-friendly festival takes place May 16th through 18th and features over 80 artists across seven stages with a vibrant atmosphere, combined with yacht parties, interactive art installations, and gourmet food. It must be the art, food and multiple stages, including the free stage at Seaport Village, but this event feels upscale to me!

What makes Wonderfront special is its seamless integration with the city. Festival-goers can enjoy the performances, warm weather and bay breeze, all in a prime location on the edge of Downtown San Diego. Add in every type of music you can think of from electronic sounds, to contemporary R&B hits and everything in between and it becomes quite the party.

Tickets start at $165 for a one-day, general admission pass. VIP tickets start at $399 with multi-day passes available at a discount.

Daniel Caesar – Saturday, May 16th, 2025

Daniel Caesar is set to perform on the Cypress Ascendant Stage from 7:30pm until 8:40pm on Friday, May 16th and I am pretty excited for the performance! I personally describe his style as ‘sultry and cool’ and something unique which I love!

A Canadian singer-songwriter, his sounds of folk and pop with hit songs like ‘Best Part’ with H.E.R. and ‘Get You’ both from his 2017 debut album, Freudian, have earned him three Grammy nominations!

Peggy Gou – Saturday, May 16th, 2025

South Korean DJ and singer-songwriter Peggy Gou is another headliner set to start the first night of the festival strong! She is scheduled to take the Events.com Main Stage by storm from 8:40pm until 10:00pm.

Originally discovered for her song ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’, her electronic sounds have a little 90’s style in them to me which just makes me want to dance!

Where to Stay

Our founder Todd, a longtime local, is the best at recommending quality hotels near San Diego’s concert venues and festivals. He suggested that my family from out of town book a room at the Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown for this event.

Their Curio Collection by Hilton hotel offers premium luxury, clean rooms, and top-notch service. Plus the location is walking distance to the festival which can’t be beat.

Fletcher Cove Park is an incredible backdrop for a night of music and fun, and that’s what the 44th annual Fiesta Del Sol provides.

The 2025 event featuring 14 live bands takes place Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am until 10:00pm and Sunday, June 1st from 9:00am until 8:00pm. My family tries to attend every year making sure to check out the arts and crafts, get a little food, and not miss the family-friendly Kid Zone.

As a parent myself, I think the Fiesta Del Sol in Solana Beach is one of the best music festivals in San Diego for families. It has a community-centric vibe with local art, diverse cuisine, and family-friendly activities.

If you’ve explored Go Visit San Diego you’ll know that I love to suggest budget-friendly and free activities to our readers, and that is exactly what we have with Fiesta Del Sol! General admission is free! VIP tickets can be had for $150/day and Seaside Pavilion access is $75/day.

Missing Persons – Saturday, May 31st, 2025

The 1980s American rock band Missing Persons is one of the showcase artists set to perform on Saturday night at 6:45pm. My kids may not get it, but I’ll be singing along to ‘Destination Unknown’ and ‘Words’. I remember the band as a mainstay on MTV in the early 1980s and can’t wait to hear them perform live.

I’ve probably already aged myself, but the Totally 80’s Band performance at 12:45pm on Saturday is one I’m also personally looking forward to seeing as well!

The White Buffalo – Sunday, June 1st, 2025

White Buffalo, the stage name of American singer-songwriter Jake Smith has a folk sound that just makes me want to sit with a cold beer and enjoy!

A baritone from Oregon, he gives credit to artists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen for his warm, strong vocals. I’ll be looking for the songs ‘House of the Rising Sun’ and ‘Wish it Was True’, to name a few of my favorites!

Pro tip, if there’s a show you really want to see, get there early. The best spots near the stage fill up fast.

Where to Stay

When attending Fiesta Del Sol, I love staying at the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Del Mar / Solana Beach. This is a 3-star hotel that’s very family-friendly.

The beach is close by, and you’ll also be near the Torrey Pines State Park, a great place for a leisurely hike and a picnic lunch.

Snapdragon Stadium is the place to head if you want to see some of the biggest touring acts during their stops in San Diego. The stadium seats 35,000 for soccer games and can hold even more for concerts and live performances.

My son is excited about purchasing San Diego Football Club tickets at Snapdragon. This is San Diego’s newest professional sports team that everyone is talking about.

Shakira - Thursday, June 26th, 2025

If you ask our founder’s wife Erika, she just might say that Shakira’s performance on Thursday, June 26th at 7:30pm is going to be the best of 2025!

The Colombian singer-songwriter is considered by many as the most popular Latin artist alive. Todd is excited to be so close to the stage for this one that he can get the full experience for hits like ‘Whenever, Wherever’ and especially ‘Hips Don't Lie’.

San Diego FC – All Season from May to September, 2025

So I know that we’re talking about concerts and summer music festivals but I just couldn’t include SnapDragon Stadium and not include San Diego’s new MLS soccer team, the San Diego FC. The season just kicked off on May 31st and will last until September 27th, 2025. Tickets start at around $30, and season passes are also available.

The San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League also plays at SnapDragon. They started their season in March and will play all the way until November 2nd, 2025.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking for overnight accommodations, our team at Go Visit San Diego suggests the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley. The connecting rooms are great for larger families, and suites are available if you need a bit more room to spread out.

We usually visit PETCO Park for the San Diego Padres baseball games, but during the summer while the team is away, it becomes a lively venue for seeing some of our favorite musical acts as well.

It’s located in the East Village, in the heart of Downtown San Diego, so the impressive city views enhance a fun night of entertainment.

Teddy Swims – Thursday, July 31st, 2025

My husband is especially excited for the Teddy Swims concert on Thursday, July 31st, 2025 at 7:00pm.

Singer-songwriter and rapper, Teddy is known for his hits like ‘Lose Control’, ‘The Door’, and maybe my favorite of all, ‘Bad Dreams’.

Chris Brown - Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX tour will roll through San Diego on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 starting at 7:00pm.

Chris Brown is a singer-songwriter that really puts on a show which is perfect for PETCO Park. Sometimes called the ‘King of R&B’, his songs are influenced by hip hop and pop and have won him 11 BET Awards and a Grammy! My favorite Chris Brown song is ‘Under the Influence’ while my kids would probably pick ‘Superhero’.

Tickets for both of our featured PETCO Park performances start around $123, with higher prices for premium seats.

The San Diego Padres – All Season from March to September, 2025

I once again know that going to a San Diego Padres game is not the same as going to a concert or music festival, but I couldn’t resist including going to a game as something you have to do if you’re in San Diego.

The Padres are really good and put on a show of their own right. Baseball to me is about taking the Trolley with my kids, grabbing a couple of hot dogs and a local San Diego beer, and spending a summer afternoon or evening together as a family.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking for overnight accommodations, I really like the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. The rock-themed property is really cool with a trendy atmosphere and super convenient location to PETCO Park.

We’ve talked about the San Diego County Fair Summer Pet-Tacular at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in another article, and it’s sure to be an exciting event.

My family is excited to attend and check out all the rides and vendors, and we also can’t wait to sing along with some of our favorite artists during the Toyota Summer Concert Series, Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series, and Summer Nights at the Sound. Performances run from June 11th until July 6th, 2025.

With 20 exciting performances currently scheduled for the Toyota Summer Concert Series alone plus nearly 30 more scheduled as part of the Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series and Summer Nights at the Sound, our team also decided to include seeing a summer concert at the Del Mar County Fair as one of the overall best things to do in San Diego!

Foreigner – Saturday, June 7th, 2025

There are several family-friendly shows during the San Diego County Fair, but I’m most excited for the 80s flashbacks.

The rock band Foreigner performs on the Corona Grandstand Stage on June 7th at 7:30pm. They have some really famous songs you probably know like ‘Feels Like the First Time’, ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ and my husband’s favorite, ‘Cold as Ice’.

Third Eye Blind – Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

When I think of Third Eye Blind I think of their hit ‘Semi-Charmed Life’, but they also have ‘Jumper’ and many more. They’ll be performing as part of their Summer Gods Tour a few days before the Fourth of July.

Tickets for the two featured shows start at $64.96 for general admission and $81.76 for reserved seating.

Where to Stay

Check out the L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa for a splurge-worthy stay after a concert. It’s a 4-star resort, right next to the fairgrounds, and the pool is beautiful. You can also walk to the beach.

A trip to SeaWorld San Diego is always a hit for my family. We head there a lot throughout the year and often take advantage of incredible pricing with the help of Go City San Diego passes. In the summer, we love checking out the electrifying Summer Spectacular Concert Series!

This year’s performances run from June 21st to August 23rd, with the events each night starting at 6:00pm. The best part is that general admission to the concerts is included with park admission, so head to the park for the day and stick around for the nighttime performances.

Fat Joe – Saturday, July 19th, 2025

I’m excited to see some energetic R&B and hip-hop artists coming to the Bayside Amphitheater this year.

Puerto Rican rapper Fat Joe has been a hip hop mainstay since the 90’s with hits like ‘Flow Joe’ and ‘Firewater’. Working with superstars like LL COOL J , Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule his style is classic, old school rap.

I may opt for reserved seating for Fat Joe’s performance. If you want to join me, keep in mind that it’s first come, first served, and tickets start at $49.99.

Ginuwine – Saturday, August 16th, 2025

I thought about featuring the Ying Yang Twins who perform on June 28th or Soulja Boy & Bow Wow who perform on July 12th, but ultimately I think my son has decided that we’ll look to be at the R&B performance on August 16th for Ginuwine instead.

His most famous song, ‘Pony’ may be the one you know, but his smooth vocals and soulful rhythms are something worth hearing in August!

Where to Stay

You won’t have an issue finding a fantastic hotel in Mission Bay as The Dana on Mission Bay, Bahia Resort Hotel, and the San Diego Mission Bay Resort would all be great choices!

When we make a weekend of it at SeaWorld San Diego, our family stays nearby at Paradise Point. The hotel is family-friendly and waterfront, so the views and location are incredible.

Nothing quite says ‘summer is here’ like a concert at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, which is why we also included it on our best things to do in San Diego list. The acoustics are amazing, and with a location right at the edge of San Diego Bay and the heart of downtown, it’s a cool place to spend an evening.

The 2025 concert season at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park promises to be a lot of fun. Home to the San Diego Symphony, events start on May 29th and run through about mid-September. Ticket prices vary, but starting prices for the bigger acts start around $57.

Ludacris – Thursday, June 5th, 2025

Being a kid of the 90’s, rapper and actor Ludacris, known for his roles in the Fast and the Furious movies is a bit of a legend.

Known for his ‘Dirty South’ sound and songs like ‘Money Maker’ and ‘Stand Up’, he has some of the funniest music videos I’ve ever seen. Four of his albums have reached the Billboard Top 5 and I’m really excited to see him perform live at 7:30pm on Thursday, June 5th.

Maren Morris – Thursday, July 31st, 2025

Grammy award winner Maren Morris is set to perform live on July 31st at 7:00pm. Her blend of pop, R&B, and country had her performing with the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Tim McGraw before she set off on her solo career. Her single ‘My Church’ is a good example of her soulful voice, but she also has plenty more that make her July 31st show worth considering!

If you’re interested in the complete 2025 season calendar at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, make sure to check out our article for all the details!

Where to Stay

Our founder Todd really loves the Pendry San Diego for an overnight stay near Rady Shell. It’s clean, comfortable, and 4-stars. The Gaslamp Quarter location is also convenient to plenty of restaurants and establishments.

If you’re on the southside of San Diego in Chula Vista, the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater is a fun place to see a show. The acoustics at this venue are outstanding, and most seats offer a great view of the stage.

While the venue hosts performances throughout the year, summertime may just be my favorite time to check out a show.

Creed: Summer of 99' Tour - Wednesday, August 6th, 2025

Fans of '90s rock will be excited to hear that Creed is scheduled to perform at the amphitheater in early August. Originally from Tallahassee, Florida, their post-grunge songs of the late 90’s and early 2000’s with hits like ‘With Arms Wide Open’ made them famous throughout the world!

Tickets start around $67.00.

Billy Idol’s It’s a Nice Day to…Tour Again – Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

If rebel rousing ‘80s rock is your style, Billy Idol’s performance on September 23rd at 7:30pm should be a good one. Blending punk, rock and pop, his singles ‘Rebel Yell’ and ‘Eyes Without a Face’ are the two I’m most looking forward to hearing.

You can join in the fun for this show with lawn seat prices starting at just $30.00.

Where to Stay

There’s a great hotel close to North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre called The Rambler. It’s fun, funky, family-friendly, and affordable and our team at Go Visit San Diego would highly recommend it!