City Heights Street Food Festival Goes Free
The City Heights Street Food Festival is back for year five, and they’re making their biggest change yet—free admission for everyone.
University Avenue between 37th and 38th Street transforms into a global block party, showcasing the incredible diversity that makes City Heights one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
A Festival That Reflects the Community
City Heights CDC has been running this event since 2019 as both a celebration and fundraiser, highlighting local street food vendors who represent the area’s Southeast Asian, Latin American, and other cultural communities.
What started as a way to support underrepresented entrepreneurs has grown into something that draws people from across the city to experience authentic flavors they might not find elsewhere.
The vendor lineup includes neighborhood favorites like Cafeina Café and Nandos Hot Box alongside Bolly Bites, Brazuca Bites, Pacific Island Crave, The Pad Thai Stand, and Riri’s Kitchen.
Many of these vendors are based right along University Avenue, so the festival essentially brings the street food scene that already exists in City Heights into one concentrated celebration.
Beyond Just Food
While the food is definitely the main draw, the entertainment lineup shows the same commitment to representing the community’s cultural diversity.
Culture Shock/Afta Shock, Karen Dancers, Mariachi Victoria, and Naruwan Taiko are performing, along with Ghanaian dancer and drummer Akayaa Atule, Latin jazz artist Irving Flores, San Diego Ballet, and Opera de Tijuana.
For families, there’s a 15-foot jump slide and live artists, while adults can check out the beer garden featuring local breweries Blind Lady Ale House and Mujeres Brew House. The whole setup is giving everyone plenty of time to work their way through the vendor booths and catch multiple performances.
The Tasting Tour Option
If you want to maximize your food experience, the new “Taste of Street Food Fest” offers samples from participating vendors for $50. It’s a smart way to try more dishes without filling up too quickly, especially when there are this many vendors to choose from.
The City Heights Street Food Festival’s mission goes beyond just throwing a good party. All proceeds support City Heights CDC’s work on job assistance, food security, housing, and safer streets—services that directly benefit the community where many of these vendors live and work.
It’s community development through celebration, which feels like exactly the right approach.
See you there!
Free admission, incredible food, and performances that showcase what makes City Heights special—we’ll be there with our appetites ready.
📆 Saturday, June 14, 11:30 AM–5 PM
📍 37th & 38th St., 3807 University Ave, San Diego
🎟️ Free admission | $50 tasting tour tickets can be purchased here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
