Summer in Balboa Park
With blooming flowers, extended museum hours, evening concerts, summer camps, food trucks, and more, summer sizzles in Balboa Park. Come for summer fun June 1 through September 3, and enjoy family-friendly activities all day, and into the evening. The Balboa Park Calendar has a list of events for every day!
Plan Your Visit
Come and Play and Stay All Day
Celebrating 150 years since San Diego leaders set aside land for a city park, Balboa Park has become a cultural hub and the Jewel of the City of San Diego. With programming all year long, record-setting museums, award-winning theatre, gorgeous gardens, hiking trails for any ability, and stunning architecture, summertime brings out a whole new side of the Park. Extended hours and special activities happen almost daily, and most evenings during the summer.
Summer Evening Events
Keep having fun while the sun sets.
-Late hours daily at the Japanese Friendship Garden (10:00 am - 7:00 pm, daily)
-Late hours on Thursdays at the Museum of Photographic Arts (until 8:00 pm)
-International Summer Organ Festival on Monday evenings (7:30 pm)
-Twilight Concert Series every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (6:30-7:30 pm)
Friday Nights are filled with things to see and do!
-Food Truck Fridays are back every Friday, where food trucks line El Prado, and music, dancing, arts and kids activities circle the Plaza de Panama (4:00-8:00 pm)
-Friday night Alive! (formerly Balboa Park After Dark) means extended hours on Friday evenings at select museums throughout the Park, including:
theNAT (until 10:00 pm with 1/2-price admission after 5:00 pm, plus rooftop bar access starting at 7:00 pm)
San Diego History Center (until 7:00 pm)
The San Diego Museum of Art (until 8:00 pm, $5 after 5:00 pm, and students are free)
San Diego Museum of Man (until 7:00 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings)
Spanish Village Art Center (until 8:00 pm, DIY art at various studios)
Timken Museum of Art (until 8:00 pm, on June 8, July 6, August 3, and September 7)
-The San Diego Museum of Art's Screen on the Green outdoor film series returns to the Botanical Lawn (8:00 pm)
-See Shakespeare under the Stars at The Old Globe Theatre
-Starting June 17, don't forget Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo, located just north of Balboa Park
For additional information on Summer, visit BalboaParkSummer.org
Eats, Treats, and Shopping
In addition to Food Truck Fridays, Balboa Park has a wide choice when it comes to food. From to coffee, to snacks, to grab-and-go sandwiches for a picnic on the grass, to fine dining and cocktails. Take a look at our Eat and Drink page to find the perfect meal or bite. Balboa Park is filled with unique stores where you can find anything from Astronaut Ice Cream, to stunning, one-of-a-kind, jewelry, or a new art piece for your house. Take a look at our Shopper Itinerary for where to find what you need.
Kid-Focused Fun
Sun's out...School's out...Kids are out and about! There is no place like Balboa Park for summertime fun. With something new to learn around every corner, and new things to experience, sharing family time at the Park can make memories that last forever. Check out our Kids Itinerary for some great ideas. Balboa Park also has a variety of Summer Day Camps to pique any the interests of any child. From art, to science, culture, dancing, acting, and animals, there is a new fascination waiting for your child to find it.