Celebrate Chula Vista’s Lemon Heritage at the 29th Annual Lemon Festival

Downtown Chula Vista has a fun one coming up. The 29th Annual Lemon Festival takes over Third Avenue for a full day of lemon-inspired food and drinks, live music, arts and crafts, and family activities – all rooted in a history that most people don’t know about.

In the early 1900s, Chula Vista was known as the “Lemon Capital of the World,” and this festival has been keeping that legacy alive for nearly three decades.

Two Stages, Great Eats, and Tarty the Lemon

Live music runs all day across two stages, while food and drink vendors bring the lemon theme to life in every direction. Arts and crafts vendors fill the streets, and if you want a photo with Tarty the Lemon – the crowd favorite mascot – you’re going to have to get in line. It’s that kind of event.

Little Lemons Kids’ Area

Memorial Park hosts the Little Lemons area, packed with games, crafts, and activities for the younger crew. It’s a genuinely fun setup for families, and it keeps the kids busy while you explore the rest of the festival.

A Neighborhood Worth Exploring

Third Avenue is a great stretch of Downtown Chula Vista on any day. During the Lemon Festival, it’s even better. Local businesses come out in full force, the streets fill up fast, and the whole thing has the kind of community energy that makes you glad you made the trip.

See you there!

Almost 30 years in and the Lemon Festival keeps drawing crowds for good reason. This one is a fun, free day out for everyone.

📆 Saturday, August 15 | 11 AM – 6 PM
ℹ️ Additional festival details can be found here

See you there, San Diego!