By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Looking for a frightfully good time? You’ll find plenty of spooky special events, from a Haunted Forest at Banner Ranch to HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, as well as haunted train rides in Campo, a Pumpkin Bash and Spooky Campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine.

Plus an Autumn Jubilee and an Heirloom  Apple Festival continue in Julian,  while the Borrego Days Desert Festival takes place in Borrego Springs and Santee hosts its Brews and Bites Festival. Theatre aficionados can watch Randy Rainbow’s political comedy show at The Magnolia in El Cajon, or savor an  Old Globe For All experience in Lemon Grove. Plus tribute artist Robert Neary brings his "So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience" to the Magnolia in El Cajon.

Scroll down for details on all of these events and more.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Fall is in the air –ushering in some of East County’s most iconic festivals including Oktoberfests, Alley Cat Art Walk, Julian Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan's Powwow, and haunting Halloween happenings. Plus comedians Randy Rainbow and Paula Poundstone will be performing in El Cajon and music legend Crystal Gayle will be onstage at Sycuan.

Scroll down for these events in San Diego's inland region, and more.

July 31, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- August and September events coming up in San Diego’s East County will give you plenty to howl about – including tours at the California Wolf Center, National Night Out with local law enforcement agencies, Julian’s star fest, outdoor concerts in several communities, classic cruises, the Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival, an X-Fest with extreme sports events, plus a concert by country music legend Crystal Gayle and a comedy show by Paula Poundstone.

Scroll down for details on these events and many more, coming up across San Diego’s inland region.

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Fireworks, parades, a deep pit barbecue, a stargazing festival, outdoor concerts, farm tours with berry picking, a food fest and more are all happening in East County as summer heats up.

Scroll down for details on these events and many more, coming up across San Diego’s inland region.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- A Juneteenth Jubilee, outdoor concerts, the Mt. Helix Food and Wine festival, a Taste of San Diego East, a Team on a Trek challenge, comedy, the musical Grease onstage,  4tth of July celebrations and fireworks are all coming up in San Diego’s East County in June and July.

Find full details on these and many more hot summertime happenings below.

By Miriam Raftery

April 14, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- There’s a wide assortment of events coming up across San Diego’s East County, including Cajon classic cruises, a butterfly jungle,  Earth Day celebrations, music festivals and concerts, a Lego building event, a wine and food festival, Campo Days, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine,  a Western Days parade, a rodeo, and Descanso Day.

Scroll down for full details on these and more great events.

East County News Service

March 9, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – With springtime fast approaching, East County has an array of events coming up, including St. Patrick’s Day festivities, a butterfly jungle, Easter extravaganza, a harmonica festival, classic cruise nights, a charity golf tournament, an Earth Day fair, Coyote Music Festival, Spring Garden Festival, Vintage Alpine and more.

By Miriam Raftery and Jonathan Goetz

February 3, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s destination East County features events in mid-to late February across San Diego’s inland region.

Hot happenings include a tribute to Michael Jackson at Sycuan, a candlelight concert in Jacumba, Valentine teas in Julian, black history month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, new moon fishing at Lake Jennings, Laurel and Hardy night in Spring Valley, birdwatching classes at Mission Trails, Fido Fest in Santee, Touch-a-Truck in Lakeside, and Hawkwatch in Ramona.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features fun and fabulous holiday events coming up across San Diego’s inland region, as East County communities celebrate the season.

By Miriam Raftery

July 15, 2022 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County highlights upcoming East County events including the Ramona Country Fair, a Star Party at Mission Trails, the Lakeside Historical Society’s boutique and vintage sale, community concerts and car shows in several communities, a concert to benefit the homeless in El Cajon, candlelight concerts and the Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival.

By Miriam Raftery

November 24, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County features many events to be thankful for – from Thanksgiving weekend events at a local camel dairy and exotic animal sanctuary to holiday tree lightings, live hawk demonstrations, Christmas festivals and more.

Scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

October 24, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s Destination East County features many of East County’s most popular fall festivities including some haunting Halloween happenings, a murder mystery play, plus art and winetasting events to celebrate harvest season in our region’s wine country.

Scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

August 23, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features Lakeside’s rodeo and Western Days parade, a concert to benefit the homeless in El Cajon, a concert by Fred Benedetti in Julian, and the Holy Smokes BBQ in Descanso.

Plus, we have a preview of coming attractions including our very own Party in Paradise and Community Champions Awards on September 25 in Jamul, the Monkees Farewell concert in El Cajon, Laurel and Hardy Comedy in Spring Valley, and the Borrego Days Desert Festival, as well as outdoor concerts and car shows in El Cajon plus movies in county parks all summer long.

By Miriam Raftery

June 9, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Activities in June include a summer wine trail in Ramona, an all-star block party at Jamul Casino, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade held virtually this year, live comedy in La Mesa,  National Cowboy Day in Ramona, butterfly releases at the Water Conservation Garden, outdoor concerts in Santee, La Mesa and El Cajon, classic cruises in downtown El Cajon, and movies in the park countywide. Plus coming attractions in July include the 50th annual Pine Valley Days, Santee Salutes and more.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) -- This special edition of Destination East County features seasonal and holiday events, real and virtual, to brighten up your holiday season even amid a pandemic. Many are online, others are drive-through or provide social distancing and other precautions to celebrate the season in festive outdoor settings.

Events coming up include a virtual version of the Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon, “a satirical play titled "November" produced online by San Diego’s Trinity Theatre, fireworks for Santee's 40th birthday celebration, a drive-up holiday bonfire in Lemon Grove, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village complete with craft market, Santa at the Lakes in Santee, the Enchanted Village drive-through holiday lighting extravanganza at Noah’s Homes in Spring Valley,  more  holiday lights at Starlight Circle and Lantern Crest in Santee, a Thanksgiving Turkey Bash and Christmas with the Animals at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Santee, plus real and virtual visits with Santa Claus via Parkway Plaza in El Cajon.

Scroll down for full details on all of these fun and festive holiday season happenings.