Things to do in August

Events to look out for this month around San Diego include Balboa Park 8 Miler, Cardiff Dog Days of Summer, Hillcrest CityFest and Ferragosto.

8.1-2: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert

Listen to the San Diego Symphony’s live rendition of the Imperial March and other tunes from the second Star Wars film as the movie unfolds against a backdrop of the Big Bay.

Embarcadero Marina Park South, Embarcadero, sandiegosymphony.org

8.1, 8, 15, 22: Summer & Songs

Every Thursday this month, shop, dine and explore 160,000 square feet of the Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch, then sit back and enjoy exciting musical performances by some of the region’s most talented musicians.

Pacific Highlands Ranch, Carmel Valley, summerandsongs.com

8.2-4: Bazaar Del Mundo’s Latin American Festival and Marta Ortiz Pottery Market

More than two dozen Latin American artists put their vibrant creations on display, while attendees groove to live music, feast on Mexican cuisine and watch Chihuahuan artisans create intricate pottery adorned with ancestral symbols.

Bazaar Del Mundo, Old Town, bazaardelmundo.com

8.3: Island Vibe Music Festival

Showcasing musical performances inspired by the people of the Pacific Islands, this one-day, 21-and-up event also includes a beer garden, delicious grinds and unique cultural dances from Hawaii, Tahiti and Samoa among other tropical locales.

SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley, islandvibemusicfestival.com

8.3: Julian Natural Wonderfest

Learn about crucial preservationist work occurring in Julian during this free, afternoon-to-evening affair focused on wildlife and wonder and featuring art, avian encounters and a late- night astronomy party, among other activities.

Jess Martin Park, Julian, naturalwonderfest.com

8.3: 10th annual Living Coast Farm to Bay Fundraiser

Treat your taste buds to samples from more than 30 of the county’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries at this wildlife-focused fundraiser that features an auction, live entertainment and unforgettable animal encounters.

Living Coast Discovery Center, Chula Vista, thelivingcoast.org

8.3: Great Inflatable Race

SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley, thegreatinflatablerace.com

Jump, dive and bounce through massive inflatable obstacles during this fun run that also features a two-lane bungee sprint and a gladiator-style jousting challenge.

8.3: Balboa Park 8 Miler

San Diego’s longest consecutively run race — and the only one that offers a full tour of Balboa Park — returns with an 8-mile route that features scenic trails, stunning bridges and windy roads along the way.

Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, balboapark8miler.com

8.4: 30th annual Vista Rod Run

More than 350 auto enthusiasts showcase their classic and specialty cars while competing to win one of 30 coveted trophies at this gearhead get-together set amid Vista’s vibrant business district.

Historic Downtown Village, Vista, vvba.org

8.7-11: Tiki Oasis 19: Catch the New Wave

Following a “Catch the New Wave” theme inspired by ’ 80s music with a surfy spin, San Diego’s long-running tiki festival returns for five days — and nights — of island-inspired attractions including a costume contest, a Beauty BouTiki and a sprawling buffet featuring a whole-roasted suckling pig.

Bali Hai, Shelter Island and Crown Plaza, Mission Valley, tikioasis.com

8.7-11: Oceanside International Film Festival

Independent filmmakers from far and wide put their cinematic creations on display during this event kicking off San Diego’s film festival season.

Brooks Theater, Oceanside, osidefilm.org

8.10: IB Surf Dog

Scores of splash-happy canines carve waves along the coast in the original surf dog competition, which includes a beer garden, awards ceremony and SurFUR Expo raising funds for the San Diego Humane Society.

Portwood Pier Plaza, Imperial Beach, surfdogevents.com

8.10: Texacali Music Fest

Transporting Austin’s leading musicians from the Lone Star State to SoCal, this one-day festival showcases some of the top talents from the Live Music Capital of the World, alongside a Texas-influenced food court bursting with craft beers.

San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club, Mission Bay, texacalimusicfest.com

8.10-11: 34th annual Philippine Cultural Fest

Learn all about Philippine culture through dance and music at this colorful, two-day festival that also includes workshops, demonstrations and authentic Filipino delicacies prepared by local restaurants.

Corner of Park Blvd. and President’s Way, Balboa Park, samahanphilippinedance.com

8.11: 14th annual Cardiff Dog Days of Summer

More than 100 rescue groups, adoption agencies and other canine-centric merchants gather for this free event that features an agility course, costume contests, a beer garden and more.

Encinitas Community Park, Encinitas, cardiff101.com

8.11: 36th annual Hillcrest CityFest

Celebrate equality, diversity and community spirit with 150,000 other locals in Hillcrest’s signature summer street fair and music festival, boasting oodles of eateries, creations from up-and-coming artists and more than 250 merchants.

Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest, fabuloushillcrest.com

8.17: TVG Pacific Classic

Del Mar’s richest and most prestigious horse race returns with a $750 betting challenge, a mandatory pick-six payout and more than $50,000 in prizes.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, dmtc.com

8.17: Third annual San Diego West Coast Multicultural Carnival

This showcase of global entertainers is jam-packed with incredible acts and includes a parade of music trucks and masqueraders in bedazzled costumes, as well as foods by vendors from various cultures.

SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley, sandiegocarnival.com

8.17: Chula Vista Harborfest

Take in a lucha libre match, roll around in giant hamster balls or check out the Taco, Spirits & Craft Beer Festival at this culinary contest and music concert right on Chula Vista’s waterfront.

Bayside Park, Chula Vista, cvharborfest.com

8.17: Write Out Loud’s Twainfest

This free celebration of Mark Twain and other 19th-century authors consists of puppet shows, costume contests and literary works read aloud by local actors.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Old Town, writeoutloudsd.com

8.17: Ferragosto 2019

Following a “Pirates Invade Sicily” theme, Little Italy’s biggest party is back for its final year, closing out its run with casino games, line dancing and live music landlubbers will love.

Amici Park, Little Italy, ferragostosd.org

8.17: Imperial Avenue Street Fair

Blending art and soul from the community’s rich African-American roots to its strong Latino influence, this festival celebrates the rich history of Logan Heights with three blocks of live music, local artists and gustatory goodness.

Imperial Ave. between 25th and 27th Streets, Logan Heights, imperialavenuestreetfest.com

8.17-18: 43rd annual World Bodysurfing Championship

Bear witness to nearly 400 bodysurfers from around the world as they compete for trophies and prizes in the sport’s signature event.

Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, worldbodysurfing.org

8.18: America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K

Run along San Diego Bay from the tip of Point Loma, past the Star of India and into Balboa Park, where finishers can enjoy post-race festivities including live music, refreshments and a bountiful beer garden.

From Point Loma to Balboa, inmotionevents.com

8.18: Summer in the City: A Downtown Music Festival and Celebration

This one-of-a-kind festival, which aims to change the perception of homelessness through music and advocacy, culminates with a presentation by the Voices of Our City Choir performing a repertoire of funk, soul, jazz and pop.

Quartyard, East Village, voicesofourcity.org

8.22-25: San Diego Underground Film Festival

The program for this year’s showcase of experimental films and videos includes eclectic narratives, live music and 16mm movies by local and international artists.

10th Avenue Arts Center, East Village, sdundergroundarts.org

8.24: Third annual La Vuelta Summer Festival

Featuring more than 70 merchants, art exhibits and food booths, this celebration of Barrio Logan’s distinct heritage also includes two craft beer gardens, live musical performances and a classic car show.

Logan Avenue from Evans to 26th Street, Barrio Logan, lacasitadevero.com

8.25: Bike the Bay

Don’t miss the only time this year cyclists can bike across the Coronado Bridge during this noncompetitive, 25-mile ride around the Big Bay that — for the first time — includes an optional 8-mile extension on some gravelly ground.

Embarcadero Marina Park South, Embarcadero, bikethebay.net

8.25: Cristian’s Big Heart 5K

Help shed light on the dangers of an undiagnosed enlarged heart by taking part in this walk that celebrates the life of Cristian Acosta-Flores, a beloved local who succumbed to this condition on September 1, 2014 — one day before his 19th birthday.

Rohr Park, Bonita, cristiansbigheart.org

8.31: Third annual Reggae Splash Boat Party

Stir it up one last time before the summer ends aboard this reggae boat bash featuring three floors of jammin’ bands, three hours of breathtaking views and five fully stocked bars flanked by food stations.

Grape Street Pier, Little Italy, reggaesplashsd.com

8.31-9.2: Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Exhibition

Master sand sculptors from around the world take on the U.S.’s best builders during this three-day, silica-centric extravaganza where artists transform 300 tons of gravelly grit into more than 1,000 astonishing works of art.

Broadway Pier and Pavilion, Downtown, ussandsculpting.com