Big Events Keep San Diego Busy in July 2016

Various high-profile events are taking over America’s Finest City this month – from MLB All-Star week to San Diego Comic Con International

It’s going to be one very busy, action-packed month in San Diego. July brings a slew of high-profile events to our city, from the MLB’s All-Star Game and Del Mar Opening Day, to San Diego Pride and San Diego Comic-Con International. Here’s a look at what’s happening.

2016 Over-the-Line Tournament
July 9-10 and July 16-17 (7:30 a.m.), Fiesta Island
Bust out the wacky costumes and clever team names: San Diego's summertime tradition, the Over-the-Line (OTL) Tournament, returns to Fiesta Island in Mission Bay Park over the course of two back-to-back weekends this month: July 9-10 and July 16-17. Set up your blankets on the sand and catch the action as more than 1,200 teams from around the world compete in the simple, yet wildly entertaining, bat-and-ball game.

[WXPIC] Why We Love San Diego Gallery II

2016 MLB All-Star Summer Events
July 7-12 (times vary), Petco Park and downtown San Diego
MLB All-Star Week invades downtown San Diego with a long line-up of events, including the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game on July 10 at Petco Park. Other All-Star activities include three huge, free concerts at Embarcadero Marina Park South: OneRepublic on July 8 and Tori Kelly and Gwen Stefani on July 9. Meanwhile, All-Star FanFest runs July 8 through July 12 at the San Diego Convention Center, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 8-11 and until 6 p.m. on July 12. At Waterfront Park, MLB All-Star Yoga sessions go down July 9, and the Color Run MLB All-Star 5K moves in on July 10. The All-Star Week Block Party is set for July 10-12, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., on J Street from 6th to 10th avenues. On July 12, an All-Star parade rolls through downtown San Diego in anticipation of that evening’s grand event: the 87th MLB All-Star Game. Whew. Play ball!

Free or Cheap Things to Do in San Diego

Del Mar Racing Opening Day
July 15 (11:30 a.m. Hats Contest; 2 p.m. post time), Del Mar Racetrack
Grab your fanciest hat as horse racing season kicks off in Del Mar on July 15. The glitz, glam and excitement of Opening Day should draw a crowd of about 40,000 to the racetrack before the first post, set for 2 p.m. The highlight of Opening Day continues to be the Hats Contest (11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plaza de Mexico), where attendees decked out in their fiercest, most creative hats compete for big prizes. NBC 7 will livestream the Opening Day Hats Contest on NBC7.com.

San Diego Pride
July 15-17 (times vary), Hillcrest
The annual San Diego LGBT Pride takes over the streets of Hillcrest in mid-July with several events, including the popular parade on July 16 at 11 a.m. The 1.1-mile parade route starts at the iconic Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, then heads west on University Avenue, turns south on 6th, left onto Balboa Drive and ends at Laurel Street. Each year, thousands of spectators turn out for the parade, which includes lively floats and lots of dancing. Pride weekend also includes the Pride Music Festival at Marston Point at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street in Balboa Park, set for July 16 (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and July 17 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Pride also brings a rally, 5K and block party to Hillcrest. This year’s theme is “Pride Unites the World.”

San Diego Comic-Con International
July 21-24 (times vary), San Diego Convention Center
It’s baaaack. The enormous pop culture spectacular returns to the San Diego Convention Center this month with celebrity panels, elaborate costumes, sneak peek screenings, exhibits and events galore. As always, badges sold out quickly for this year’s four-day convention. On the bright side, many interactive Comic-Con events are hosted outside the Convention Center, too, as downtown San Diego transforms into a lively hub for fanboys and fangirls of all ages. It really is an unforgettable sight. NBC 7 will offer coverage on this tentpole event on our special Comic-Con section online here.

[G-2015] Babes of Comic-Con 2015

Clear the Shelters
July 23 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Various Animal Shelters Across San Diego County
Animal shelters across the country are teaming up with NBC and Telemundo stations to find loving homes for pets in need. The second annual Clear the Shelters event, a nationwide pet adoption initiative, will be held July 23. More than 400 shelters in 20 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico will waive or discount fees as part of the one-day adoption drive. The goal is to #ClearTheShelters by finding forever homes for as many animals as possible. Last year, 776 pets were successfully adopted in San Diego, including by NBC 7’s Dagmar Midcap, who adopted a bunny.

San Diego Beer Fest
July 23 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Liberty Station
The 6th annual San Diego Beer Fest goes down July 23 at Liberty Station: a day filled with craft beer, music and gourmet food trucks. Patrons will get to sip on sudsy samples from dozens of San Diego-based breweries, as well as international beers. This popular beer festival benefits Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue, whose aim is to find loving, lifetime homes for all Southern California Golden Retrievers in need.

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