Weekend Events in San Diego: It’s a Fall Festival Frenzy, including Oktoberfest, SD Film Festival, and more

Oktoberfest is in full effect on this amazing autumn weekend. With multi-day events happening all over San Diego, natives and visitors alike will surely have a hard time managing when and where to go. Luckily for you, we have compiled some of the best events happening in our fine county. From gorging on Julian apples to catching a fantastic assortment of films, there is a multitude of great concerts, festivals, and shows to enjoy every single day!

Thursday, September 30

The San Diego Film Festival kicked off yesterday, but don’t worry celebrations continue through the weekend.  Until October 3^rd, drop by the Gaslamp Theater to mingle with up and coming filmmakers and actors alike while on your cinematic adventure.

After checking out the film festival, head over to the Tipsy Crow Bar for The Gas Lamp Comedy Show hosted by local comedian Mal Hall with funny guys Eliot Chang and Robbie Pickard.

More multi-day madness continues at San Diego State University’s Experimental Theater with The Labyrinth of Desire, a romantic comedy featuring deception and jilted lovers. The show, adapted from Lope de Vega’s La 400-year- old place “La prueba de los ingenios,” will be onstage every day this weekend. Come and support the local arts.

Also, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jackson Browne hits up Humphrey’s By the Bay to start the weekend off early by providing San Diegans with some musical entertainment.

Friday, October 1

It’s the first of the month! Which means… OCTOBEARD! Men everywhere will be clean-shaven for this fantastic facial hair celebration! Even if you’re not a fan of facial hair, spend the day celebrating the other famous fall festival Oktoberfest! Head over to La Mesa for the start of their three-day 37^th Annual La Mesa Oktoberfest starting at 11am.

Friday night brings a cornucopia of concerts around San Diego County. Country girl and former American Idol, Carrie Underwood, visits the San Diego Sports Arena.  Indie bands Spoon and Girls take over the SOMA stage, while dance punk duo Matt & Kim bring down the House of Blues. Rockers O.A.R. and The Expendables will be at the SDSU Open Air Theatre.

Saturday, October 2

The festival frenzy has just begun! Carlsbad joins in on the Oktoberfest merriment at Holiday Park with the Carlsbad Rotary Oktoberfest along with the October Arts & Crafts Fair at the Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, both events are a two-day celebration for fun fall times.

Enjoy a variety of wonderful apple goodness at the Julian Apple Days Festival. While the whole town of Julian enjoys the harvest until mid-November, this weekend is the big celebration at the Menghini Winery. So, do your doctor proud and fill up on local fruits.

Look to the sky for the Miramar Air Show to see the Blue Angels rocket around the atmosphere from October 1st-3rd! Then, experience wonderful wines and culinary masterpieces at the annual Taste & Art Stroll at Del Mar Village. At night, head to South Park for their Harvest Walkabout for live music and refreshments.

Some sensational shows to check out this weekend include comedian Craig Gass at 4^th & B and rock band Train at Pechanga Theater. Also, country sensations Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler, and Chris Young light up Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre.

Sunday, October 3

The weekend hasn’t ended just yet! Boogie on down to the Balboa Theater for Bombay Bellywood, a spectacular Indian-style dance performance show by the Bellydance Superstars. Revert back to the 1970s with Elton – The Early Years at the Welk Theater & Resort in Escondido. Finally, watch the Webb Sisters at the San Diego Sports Arena or see the Australian Pink Floyd Show presented by AEG at 4^th & B.

Don’t forget! The festival frenzy is all weekend long. There is still time to check out the Julian Apple Days Festival, La Mesa Oktoberfest, the October Arts & Crafts Fair, the Miramar Air Show and the San Diego Film Festival.

Photos courtesy of awnisALAN, a4gpa, and msauder via Flickr.