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Thursday, July 4, 2025 | 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Grape Day Park & Center for the Arts The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, is proud to present the 60th Annual Independence Day Festival, a beloved community tradition filled with music, culture, and patriotic fun. This free family-friendly event returns on Thursday, July 4, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Grape Day Park and the Center for the Arts campus. Festival goers can look forward to an exciting day of entertainment and celebration featuring: - Live music on the main stage - Artisan market and local vendors - Delicious food trucks and craft beer garden - Great Green Canteen VIP Experience - Free arts & crafts, face painting, and airbrush tattoos (4:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.) - Complimentary admission to the Escondido History Center (4 p.m.–7 p.m.) - Fireworks spectacular at 9 p.m. Main Stage Schedule: 4:30 p.m. – Opening Remarks and National Anthem by the Mayor’s Contest Winner 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. – Back to the Garden This crowd-favorite tribute band channels the spirit of the 1960s and ’70s, covering hits from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, and more. Their nostalgic sound and multi-instrumental performances bring peace, love, and harmony to every stage they play. 6:20 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Hula Hoop Contest 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Kimmi Bitter Hailed as one of Southern California’s rising retro-country stars, Kimmi Bitter blends vintage twang with modern Americana soul. With a voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline and Linda Ronstadt, her timeless sound has earned her acclaim on stages across the country. 7:50 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Dance Party Interlude 8:00 p.m. – 9 p.m. – 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band Enjoy a stirring patriotic performance from one of the U.S. Marine Corps’ premier musical ensembles. 9 p.m. – Fireworks Show! This event is free and open to the public, with activities and entertainment for all ages. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and festive spirit! Special thanks to our sponsors: City of Escondido, Linden Root Dickinson Foundation, County of San Diego, and the California Center for the Arts Charitable Trust. VIP seating available in the Great Green Canteen: “The Great Green Canteen” – A CCAEF Independence Day Fundraiser BBQ with VIP seating Ticket Cost: $80 for a table of 4 Table seating includes the following for each attendee: 1 beer token, VIP concert seating in the orange grove area of the Great Green for the entire event, and 1 meal from the Great Green Canteen BBQ. - Cheeseburger on a brioche - Nathan’s Hot Dog - Blackened Chicken Sandwich - Black Bean Patty on Brioche *all served with a fresh cut watermelon wedge and potato salad Click here to order VIP seating at the tables! California Center for the Arts, Escondido on Instagram

Annual kickoff event for skiers and snowboarders, featuring deals on new equipment with experts onsite to help with fit and selection. Free and discounted lift tickets to multiple resorts with paid admission. Kids 13 and under get in free. Visit: snowjamshow.com/expo/san-diego/ SnowJam Ski & Snowboard Expo on Facebook / Instagram

Holiday & Christmas Sing-Along Dinner Show Step into the magic of the season with our annual Divo Diva Holiday and Christmas Sing-Along Dinner Show — featuring live performances by the Divo and the Diva, Rosario Monetti and Victoria Robertson, professional opera and musical theatre singers and owners of Divo Diva Café. A beloved San Diego holiday tradition! Celebrate the joy of the season with festive opera, musical theatre, and classic Christmas songs — plus lots of audience sing-alongs to get you in the holiday spirit! It’s a night of laughter, music, and holiday cheer shared among friends. Your evening includes: - Charcuterie Board – Italian meats, cheeses & seasonal bites - Fresh Lasagna Dinner – Chef-prepared entrée (special substitutes available) - Glass of Prosecco – A sparkling toast to the holidays - Live Holiday Concert & Sing-Along – Festive favorites performed in an intimate café setting Bring your friends and make it a night to remember — we’re so grateful to host large groups celebrating together this season! Call for tickets: 619-370-9896 Dates: - Wednesday, December 10 - Friday, December 12 - Saturday, December 13 - Wednesday, December 17 Time: 6–8 p.m. (Doors open 5:30 pm.) Location: Divo Diva Café, Hillcrest $95 per person + 20% gratuity and tax Free Parking | Limited Seating — Reserve Early!

The 6.8-acre park includes two dog parks, a play area and plenty of open spaces for kids — big and small — to jump, skate and run around.

Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” Now, you can see his journey unfold in the stage production of "Shrek the Musical." Carlsbad Community Theatre (CCT) is making the Broadway award-winning musical as the first show of their season. Shrek and his friends will call San Diego their new home – or swamp in the case of Shrek – July 25 - 27! Yes, your favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the DreamWorks Oscar®-winning, smash hit, animated film. It is a new kind of love emphasizing the importance of loving ourselves and one another. And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Making the Magic: The show brings three amazing talents together to this incredible production. "Shrek" is directed by Mark Scott, who is noted to have directed over 100 productions and came out of retirement to lead the "Shrek the Musical" team. A beloved drama professor at Rancho Buena Vista High School for over 30 years, Scott is celebrated for the quality of his productions and his lasting impact on thousands of students. His work has earned top honors from state and regional theatre organizations and was inducted into the California Educational Theatre Hall of Fame. Another notable head of the "Shrek" creative team is choreographer Dewey Decking, a highly sought-after talent in San Diego and beyond. He grew up performing in regional theatres across San Diego County, including Moonlight Amphitheatre and Carlsbad Community Theatre. Dewey trained at Dance Arts and later majored in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance at the Boston Conservatory. One interesting note – Dewey’s grandfather was Carlsbad’s first mayor and namesake of the local airport. The music director for "Shrek" is the notable Lyndon Pugeda, recently honored for his work at La Jolla Playhouse on The Ballad of Johnny and Juliet. Widely respected across Southern California, his credits include The Old Globe, Moonlight Stage Productions, and Riverside City College. Pugeda has earned multiple honors, including a Craig Noel Award nomination and three National Youth Arts Awards. The main stars in the Carlsbad Community Theatre’s "Shrek" production include Shrek (Greg Bailey – from Temecula), Fiona (Kaylen Lash – from Carlsbad), Donkey (TJ Rodriguez – from Carlsbad) and Lord Farquaad (Brian Imoto – from El Cajon). There are 60 talented performers who make up the illustrious cast and hail from all parts of San Diego County as well as Temecula/Riverside County. They are comprised of adult and children/youth performers making up all your beloved characters as well as the fun Fairytale Creatures who you love from the DreamWorks Animation smash hit movie. A full cast list can be found at https://www.carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com/shrek. When on Broadway "Shrek the Musical" won twelve Drama Desk Award and eight Tony Award nominations including best musical. Show Times: • Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. • Saturday, July 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. • Sunday, July 27 at 5 p.m. Tickets: https://www.carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com/shrek $25 (adults) & $18 (children). Discount codes are available. Follow Carlsbad Community Theatre on Facebook. Where: Performing Arts Center at Sage Creek High School 3900 Bobcat Blvd Carlsbad, CA 92010. About Carlsbad Community Theatre: Carlsbad Community Theatre (CCT) has been creating memorable theatre for 42 Years. CCT (Patrons of the Arts Foundation) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) theatre company in North County San Diego and strives to provide educational programming and excellence in performing arts. For more information on CCT, please email, info@carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com.

July 24 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., one-of-a-kind event. Join us at Bramble Bay Venue for a night of line dancing, all-inclusive food and drink, a mechanical bull, and so much more. Get ready to kick up your boots at the inaugural Boots by the Bay event, bringing the best of country fun to San Diego’s South Bay! Hosted at the stunning Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, this all-inclusive evening welcomes families and friends of all ages. What’s Included with Your Ticket: - Local Food Trucks: Savor a variety of delicious eats from South Bay’s favorite food trucks, serving up flavors for every craving. - Line Dancing Instruction: Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a total beginner, join in the fun with guided line dancing sessions—boots optional but encouraged! - Open Bar: Enjoy unlimited pours of beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic refreshments at our open bar. - Tequila Tasting: Sample handcrafted, small-batch tequila from Veteran-owned Emerald Spear Tequila, known for its exceptional smoothness and adventurous spirit. - Family Fun: Kids will love the vibrant face painting station, while thrill-seekers of all ages can take a ride on the mechanical bull. - Scenic Venue: Experience it all at Bramble Bay Venue, offering over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with breathtaking estuary and waterfront views. Boots by the Bay is your ticket to an evening filled with great food, lively music, dancing, and community spirit—all in the heart of South Bay San Diego. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate local flavor and country charm, right on the coast! All ages welcome. Kids Under 2 are free. One ticket covers all activities, food, and drinks. See you at Bramble Bay! Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce on Instagram

The crew of the Enterprise discovers that Starfleet is in ruins after they are summoned home, and they venture into a war zone to find the powerful villain responsible for the devastation. ArtPower at UC San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

A bonus episode of The Finest! Meet the team behind the podcast as we talk hot takes, art vs. culture and what makes the San Diego region so special. It's casual, candid and very fun.

First, San Diego Unified leaders have reversed their initial decision to remove middle school grades from Bethune K-8. And we bring you a preview of the Miramar Air Show as well as the documentary Tura! Then, will a new movie coming to theaters be able to boost the local economy in San Diego? We’ll also hear about a non-profit app that’s helping to save lives. Lastly, we give you a few ideas on how to spend your weekend in the county!

28 participating venues throughout Mission Hills! Experience an evening of palate pleasing tastes in Mission Hills, one of San Diego’s premiere dining destinations. Whether you are a foodie, a culinary adventurer, are curious about the Mission Hills food scene, or happen to be a longtime Mission Hills aficionado, our Restaurant Owners, Chefs, Cheese Mongers, Baristas, Bakers, and Gelato Makers will create preparations sure to captivate your taste buds. From international to local, 28 participating purveyors of delicious tastes, including long established and regionally recognized in Mission Hills, will be featured at the 13th Annual Taste of Mission Hills happening on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. And, included in the price of each TASTE ticket is FREE trolley transportation to within steps of each participating venue. The more than 5-mile TASTE route includes TASTE locations on West Lewis Street, Fort Stockton Drive, Goldfinch Street, West Washington Street, Reynard Way and India Street, and promises the 13th Annual Taste of Mission Hills will be the TASTE to remember in 2025! Taste of Mission Hills is hosted by the Mission Hills Business Improvement District and it is the annual fundraiser for this non-profit organization, whose year-round efforts enhance the vibrancy of this neighborhood. Public event funding from the State of California and the City of San Diego supports our efforts. This year’s Title Sponsor is US Bank, Mission Hills branch whose generous donation supports the growth of the event and helps keep ticket prices low. Again this year, Old Town Trolley service is being offered freely to TASTE ticket holders due to generous TASTE Trolley sponsorships from John Ealy owner of Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar, Hailey and Merritte Powell owners of La Puerta Mission Hills, Jacquee Renna owner of Communion, and Keiko and Don Holmes owners of Sushi Deli 1 Mission Hills.The trolley stops are listed on the back of each ticket. Every fifteen minutes a trolley will pick up and drop off at each designated TASTE trolley stop. On event night, please look for the TASTE trolley stop signs. TICKET INFORMATION: Advanced Ticket Price: $45* Day of Ticket Price: $50* In addition to purchasing online, you may purchase tickets in-person in Mission Hills (Cash or Credit* accepted) at one of the following locations: - US Bank, 610 West Washington Street - All American Tailor, 325 West Washington Street - Salon Sloane, 1605 West Lewis Street Only 600 tickets will be sold. Purchasing in advance at one of the above locations will allow ticket holders to avoid picking up tickets at WILL CALL on the date of the event. *Tickets purchased with a credit card will include a small processing fee. WILL CALL: Will Call takes place at Lazy Acres Natural Market, 422 West Washington Street San Diego, CA 92103. Tasters who purchase online tickets MUST present proof of purchase at WILL CALL on the date of the event, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., to pick up their physical ticket. If you purchase your ticket in-person at one of the locations listed above, you will be provided your ticket(s) at the point of sale and do not need to go to WILL CALL. Tickets purchased online will need to be picked up at WILL CALL on event day, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Lazy Acres Natural Market, 422 West Washington Street. **Please Note: WILL CALL will close promptly at 6 p.m. to allow volunteers time to enjoy the evening’s Taste event. Lazy Acres Natural Market has asked us to remind tasters that the parking lot is ONLY for use by those who are shopping at the market. FREE TROLLEY SERVICE Tickets to the 13th Annual Taste of Mission Hills include FREE Old Town Trolley shuttle transportation within steps of all participating taste venues on West Lewis Street, Ft. Stockton Drive, Goldfinch Street, West Washington Street, Reynard Way and India Street. The trolley will provide a continuous loop beginning at 5 p.m. and running until 9 p.m. 2025 PARTICIPATING VENUES: - Bar by Red Door - Burger Deck - Cake - Cardellino - Communion Mission Hills - El Indio - Falcon Liquor - Farmer's Bottega - Fiori’s Pizza - Fort Oak - Gelato Vero Caffé - Grab & Go Subs - Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar - Karina’s Ceviches & More - Kettle & Stone - La Puerta - Lazy Acres Natural Market - Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria - Lewis + Fay - Mission Hills Liquor & Deli - Paradis - Pizza e Birra - Rubicon Deli - Saffron Thai - STARLITE - Sushi Deli 1 - Venissimo Cheese - What De Health Thai LOCATION: Mission Hills is located 6 minutes north of downtown San Diego between Hillcrest and Old Town. Getting to the 13th Annual Taste of Mission Hills is easy: Exit Sassafras or Washington Street from the I-5 freeway, and go east. Exit Washington from 163, and go west. Join us on Wednesday, October 8 and find out what all the talk is about!