Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Guide

You can enjoy the time-honored annual Chili Cook-Off alongside other culinary competitions and more in 2025.

For me, I love the chili tasting, but there’s also eating competitions and food vendors so there is something you’ll surely enjoy.

What is the Ocean Beach Chili Cook-Off?

Whether you’re an amateur or a restaurant pro, the Chili Cook-Off is an annual chili competition complete with tasting and awards held each June that is open to everyone and fun for all skill levels.

The Chili Cook-Off runs from 11:00am until 1:30pm, with Chili Cook-Off winners announced at the Sunset Stage from 3:00pm until 3:30pm. The Chili Cook-Off competition is held in the grassy area between Newport Avenue and the Pacific.

How Can I Become a Chili Cook-Off Contestant?

Whether you represent a restaurant, are an award winning professional, or just an average Joe that cooks a mean chili, everyone is welcome to enter!

Contestants can sign up for this event by filling out an application online on the Ocean Beach Main Street Association’s website.

Can I Sample the Chili at the Ocean Beach Chili Cookoff?

Walking around the area and smelling all of those different chili recipes is going to leave you wanting to have a taste, or two, or three! Luckily, you can do just that. There are a couple of ways you can sample the chili.

You can become a taster for the event and cast your vote alongside the judges by purchasing a sample ticket! Your vote will help determine the winner of the People’s Choice Award for both amateur and restaurant divisions.

What are the Award Categories?

With an entry, you’ll get to compete for the title of Hottest Chili, Judges’ Award, and Grand Prize: People’s Choice Award.

Each tasting is $2 per chili entry, or you can purchase a Master Ticket for $25 for your chance to taste all the entries. Master Tickets can be purchased in advance online (must be picked up by noon on event day from will call) while both Master Tickets and Chili Cook-Off Tasting Tickets can be purchased at the cash only booth in the Veterans Plaza on the day of the event. All sales are final.

Tastings begin at 11:00am and continues until samples run out.

Outside Hodads in OB

Hodad’s Burger Eating Contest

If you like watching Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island each year like I do, then I’m going to bet you’ll love Hodad’s Burger Eating Contest as well.

Held on the Sunset Stage from 4:30pm until 5:00pm, you’ll get to see the reigning champion compete against nine other contestants in this awesome burger-eating contest you won’t soon forget!

Dirty Birds Wing Eating Contest

Held on the Sunset Stage from 1:30pm until 2:00pm, the Dirty Birds Wing Eating Contest is another hilariously exciting eating challenge I would not recommend you try at home, but I would totally recommend you make time to see. Our founder Todd and his son may just be front and center in 2025 for this one!

Proceeds from this event support OBMA’s Friends of OB Clean & Safe Program.

The 2025 Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off offers a wide variety of entertainment and events, especially if you’re a music lover.

What is the Main Entertainment at the OB Street Fair?

With so much to do and see at the OB Street Fair it can be hard to put your finger on the main entertainment. Some people would surely say it’s the food or of course the chili. Others might say the shopping or the art.

But for me personally, I’d have to say it’s the music! If you’re a music lover, you’re going to want to get comfy because there is music all day on not one, but two stages! If you’re into acoustic, americana, rock, or blues, you’ll find it, and much more, at the OB Street Fair.

I’m hoping to catch the Tsunami Sound Waves myself but with two stages of performances, maybe another artist interests you more?

Let’s take a look at this amazing musical lineup for the event.

Sunset Stage (formally the Main Stage)

• Bear Garden/OB Pier Parking lot at the end of Newport Ave.
• Sierra Marin: 11:00am - 12:00pm
• Ricky G: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
• Doah’s Day Dream: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
• Chili Cook-Off Winner Announced: 3:00pm - 3:30pm
• Headphone: 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• Hodad’s Burger Eating Contest: 4:30pm - 5:00pm
• DRUG HUNT: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
• Tsunami Sound Waves: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

92107 Stage

• Newport & Sunset Cliffs US Bank Parking Lot
• Travis Oliver & Friends: 10:30am - 11:30am
• Dave Gilbert Band: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Ron Houston and the Berry Pickers: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
• Electric Waste Band: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
• Stony B Blues Band: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
• The Resinators: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Art, Shopping, Eating & More!

Besides all of the musical entertainment, the 2025 OB Street Fair also offers plenty of other activities so you can pack your day full of fun!

Seaside Family Fun Zone

The Seaside Family Fun Zone will not disappoint! Your kids can enjoy inflatables, crafts, Rock & Roll San Diego and Paper Moon Music lessons, the Rad Hatter, and much more.

Located near the main lifeguard tower in Saratoga Park, the Seaside Family Fun Zone will be open from 10:00am until 6:00pm.

Be sure to save plenty of time for this because your kids won’t let you miss it! I remember my kids used to love this part of the day when they were younger.

Street Fair Community Mural

You can express your creative side by painting a square on one of three OB community mural projects. This is open to San Diego residents and guests of all ages. I may try to get in on the action in 2025 myself!

Murals are located on Bacon Street, just south of Newport. All materials will be provided and the event costs just $25 per square.

Beachside Beer Garden

You can enjoy cold brews and ocean views at the Beachside Beer Garden!

Located right next to the Sunset Stage, this 21+ event has live music and runs from 11:00am until 8:00pm. Both beer and mixed drinks will be available.

Fresh Strawberries and Produce at the OB Farmers Market

Ocean Beach Farmers Market

San Diego has a few incredible farmers markets I personally love to visit.

If you’re like me, you’re in luck as the OB Street Fair has a sizable eclectic open-air market where you’ll be able to purchase favorites like fresh flowers, plants, local produce, freshly baked breads, desserts, honey, kombucha, hot food from local food vendors, and more!

Artists Alley

Regional and local artisans will be on hand selling their paintings, jewelry, ceramics, clothing, and other items at the Artists Alley.

There will also be an opportunity to watch live demonstrations and interact with regional artists. My family loves this part of the fair because there is so much on display.