6 Big-Tickets Events Coming to Downtown San Diego in 2021

This year's fourth quarter has been reshuffled, but still includes high-profile, exciting happenings. (Yes, Comic-Con Special Edition!)

If you lost track of time during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Better late than never, though, it’s time to regroup for a fantastic finish to the fourth quarter of 2021.

We’re talking about a film festival! A college bowl game!! Comic-Con!!!

Unfortunately, two of downtown’s major music festivals were scratched from this year’s calendar. The Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival has been bumped to 2022. The future fate of KABOO San Diego at Petco Park is still up in the air.

Though some events have been rescheduled, time-shortened or moved to a new venue, here are the downtown San Diego Big-Ticket Events remaining in 2021:

OCTOBER 14-24: San Diego International Film Festival

Lights, cameras, San Diego International Film Festival.

This year you can purchase tickets to watch movies virtually or in-person. Attendees at all in-person events will be required to provide proof of vaccination. The venues include Balboa Park’s Museum of Photographic Arts and the San Diego Museum of Art. There’s also a screening and reception about the USS Midway Museum. More info: sdfilmfest.com.

NOVEMBER 4-11: Fleet Week

Attention! San Diego Fleet Week is on deck.

Fleet Week San Diego honors and celebrates the men and women of the military. Back after a COVID hiatus are a number of public events. The 20th anniversary edition will include a Boat Parade Veteran’s Day Celebration that sets sail from Shelter Island. More info: fleetweeksandiego.org

NOVEMBER 5-14: Beer Week

Beer Week takes flight.

Sponsored by the San Diego Brewers Guild, Beer week activities go down smoothly at craft breweries all over the area. At last count, there were more than 150 independent breweries and tasting rooms in the region. The 13th annual Beer Week will include festivals, new beer releases, food pairings and more. More info: sdbeer.com

NOVEMBER 11-14: San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

The SDBWWF is a foodie’s delight.

It’s back! After a hiatus, one of San Diego’s premier public events returns, albeit shortened to four days. The beloved Grand Tasting Event takes place on Embarcadero Marina Park North on November 13. It’s a smorgasbord of vendors handing out premium food, wine, beer and spirits. Don’t eat breakfast that day. More info: sandiegowineclassic.com

NOVEMBER 26-28: Comic-Con Special Edition

It’s back! The Con scares up a crowd in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Get ready to geek out. All the comics, cosplay and superhero comradery of The Con will rise again. Regularly scheduled in July but bumped by COVID (though held virtually this past summer), Comic-Con invades the San Diego Convention Center for a triumphant, post-Thanksgiving return. More info: comic-con.org

DECEMBER 28: The Holiday Bowl

The first college football game comes to Petco Park.

The first-ever football game played at Petco Park will be a college bowl game. The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl had been a year-end tradition at Qualcomm Stadium since 1978. Now that COVID is abating (not to mention Qualcomm has been demolished), downtown will welcome teams from the Pac-12 and the ACC. More info: holidaybowl.com SDSun

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