Moving to a new duty station is mostly logistics until the first weekend you actually feel at home. Community events help with that. They are low commitment, often free, and full of people who live nearby. Here are seven to try this season.
Seven events to try
Día de los Muertos in Old Town
When: Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, November 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. · Where: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
A free celebration of music, altars and food in Old Town, the city’s historic district. Event details.
Fleet Week San Diego
When: November 1 to 15 · Where: Around San Diego Bay
Ship tours, a boat parade, concerts and more, including a free Navy Band Southwest concert at Chula Vista Bayfront Park on Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m. Schedule report.
San Diego Veterans Day Parade
When: Wednesday, November 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m. · Where: Harbor Drive, downtown
A good first look at the bayfront and the community. USS Midway Museum.
Balboa Park December Nights
When: Friday, December 4, 4 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, December 5, noon to 10 p.m. · Where: Balboa Park
The City of San Diego’s largest free holiday festival, in the city’s cultural park. City of San Diego.
Starlight Parade and Festival
When: Saturday, December 5 · Where: Third Avenue, Chula Vista
A South Bay holiday tradition now in its 62nd year. Starlight Parade.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
When: Sundays, December 13 and 20, 5:30 p.m. · Where: Coronado Ferry Landing and the bay
Over 75 decorated boats. Many people watch from the Embarcadero or the Coronado pathway. Route.
Holiday Bowl
When: Monday, December 28, 2 p.m. · Where: Snapdragon Stadium
A big football game in a big stadium. The teams had not been announced at the time of writing. Holiday Bowl.
Three tips for the first month
- Pick two events, not seven. You will meet more people at fewer places.
- Ask a neighbor or someone from the unit which part of town they live in and why.
- Take a drive back from each event through a neighborhood you have not seen yet.
When you are ready to buy
After a few weekends, you will have a sense of which side of town fits. That is a good moment to talk with Rudy about using a VA loan, and the four-question quiz is the easiest way to start.
Thinking about using your VA benefits in San Diego? Rudy would be glad to talk it through. The four-question Home Strategy Quiz takes about a minute, and he will follow up personally.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Point Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #231073), at (619) 475-4095. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Dates and times were checked on the organizers’ and cities’ own pages on October 3, 2026. Events can change or sell out, so open the linked page before you head out. This site is not affiliated with any event listed here.
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