San Diego Brew Fest — Fall Edition

San Diego Brew Fest returns for its fall edition on October 3, 2026, bringing more than 100 craft breweries to the city's waterfront for an afternoon and evening of seasonal pours, live music, and open-air celebration. As summer seasonals fade and the air hints at autumn, brewers roll out the releases that define the cooler months: Marzen lagers, Oktoberfest ales, pumpkin stouts, barrel-aged releases, and limited fall seasonals you won't find on tap year-round.

The festival takes place along San Diego's waterfront, one of the best outdoor venues in Southern California -- wide open, breezy off the bay, and close enough to the Gaslamp Quarter to extend the night. General admission includes a sampling glass and drink tokens. VIP admission includes early entry, additional tokens, and access to limited pours from smaller craft producers.

Past editions have drawn attendees from across San Diego County and beyond, with a strong contingent of craft beer enthusiasts making it an annual tradition. The fall edition differs from the summer event in one key way: the breweries pour differently in October. Expect deeper, darker, more complex offerings -- the kind of beer that rewards attention. Live music runs throughout the afternoon. Food vendors are on site. No outside alcohol permitted. 21-plus event. Tickets sell out in advance; early purchase is recommended.

Getting there: the waterfront is accessible via the MTS Trolley (Convention Center station) and there is paid parking nearby. For transit riders, the Green Line stops within a short walk of the festival entrance.

Whether you're a homebrewer who wants to taste what the craft scene is doing right now, or someone who just wants to spend a Saturday afternoon on the waterfront with a well-made beer in hand, San Diego Brew Fest Fall Edition is one of the best-organized beer festivals in SoCal.