San Diego is a Navy and Marine Corps town, and the fall calendar shows it. Here are the events that honor and welcome the military community, with confirmed dates and the places to check for updates.
Fleet Week, November 1 to 15
San Diego Fleet Week returns with 18 events through November 15, according to local reporting: ship tours, a boat parade, military concerts, a community breakfast and student STEM activities. The official schedule is on the Fleet Week San Diego website.
Navy Band Southwest
When: Sunday, November 1, 2 p.m. · Where: Chula Vista Bayfront Park
A free one-hour concert by the 40-member band opens the festivities. Schedule report.
Veterans Day week
Hometown Banner Ceremony
When: Saturday, November 7 · Where: Coronado
A City of Coronado event on its 2026 calendar. City of Coronado events calendar.
Silver Strand Half Marathon
When: Sunday, November 8 · Where: Silver Strand Highway, Coronado
A course with the Pacific on one side and San Diego Bay on the other. Discover Coronado.
San Diego Veterans Day Parade
When: Wednesday, November 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m. · Where: Harbor Drive, in front of the County Administration Building
This year’s parade honors the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, with marching bands, historic units and vintage vehicles. The USS Midway Museum sponsors it. USS Midway Museum.
The holidays
Hotel del Coronado Holiday Festival
When: Wednesday, December 2 · Where: Hotel del Coronado
Skating by the Sea, a light show, a skydiving Santa at 4:30 p.m. and fireworks at 6:45 p.m. Hotel del details.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
When: Sundays, December 13 and 20, 5:30 p.m. · Where: San Diego Bay
Boats are decorated top to bottom. The pathway along the Coronado side of the bay tends to be less crowded for watching. Route and viewing areas.
Holiday Bowl
When: Monday, December 28, 2 p.m. · Where: Snapdragon Stadium
The 47th Holiday Bowl; the teams were not yet announced at the time of writing. Holiday Bowl.
Buying near the events you love
If part of your plan is to use VA loan benefits to buy in San Diego, Rudy can help you find neighborhoods that fit your commute, your budget and your life off duty. Start with the four-question quiz below.
Thinking about using your VA benefits in San Diego? Rudy would be glad to talk it through. The four-question Home Strategy Quiz takes about a minute, and he will follow up personally.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Point Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #231073), at (619) 475-4095. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Dates and times were checked on the organizers’ and cities’ own pages on October 3, 2026. Events can change or sell out, so open the linked page before you head out. This site is not affiliated with any event listed here.
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