You better watch out, you better not cry. Santa’s bringing us a weekend of free things to try! Here’s a round-up of FREE events this weekend in San Diego.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights – Sun, Dec 11

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade – Sun, Dec 11

Holiday Food & Wine Pet Festival (Embarcadero North) – Fri, Dec 9 + Sat, Dec 10

Christmas in the Village (La Mesa) – Fri, Dec 9 + Sat, Dec 10

Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Park (Poway) – Sat, Dec 10

Christmas in the Valley (Bates Nut Farm) – Fri, Dec 9 + Sat, Dec 10

Alpine Village Christmas Parade and Snow Festival – Fri, Dec 9

Raindrops have nothing on us. Get out of the house and enjoy one of these 6 FREE things to do this weekend in San Diego.

San Diego County Veteran’s Day Parade – Fri, Nov 11
Salute and honor our veterans alongside the San Diego County’s Veteran’s Day Parade, now in its 25th year. This year, the parade theme honors all of the men and women who served during Desert Storm. The parade will march along  Pacific Highway from Cedar to Harbor Drive. Find a spot along this route and cheer on the men and women that fought for us in Desert Storm and those who continue to fight for our freedom.

America’s World Cup Series – Sat, Nov 12 – Sun, Nov 20
San Diego is the third stop of this fleet and match sailboat racing event, where you’ll watch as the world’s top sailors compete in state-of-the-art AC45 wing-sailed catamarans just mere feet offshore throughout San Diego Bay. Known as some of the world’s most physically demanding boats, the AC45s will be making their first-even appearance in the U.S. and showcasing the newest sailing technology. Some optimal spectator spots include Harbor Island, Seaport Village, the Embarcadero, and Broadway Pier. After the races, fans can get up-close to best sailors in the world with the day’s racing highlights and first-hand reports from the sailing stars every race day on the AC Village stage. Enthusiasts will be able to listen to great bands and DJ’s and visitors will be able to enjoy local California cuisine, shops and specialty stands that will be open everyday

Kate Sessions Birthday Celebration – Sat, Nov 12
Celebrate the 154th birthday of one of San Diego’s first tree huggers and the person many would say is responsible for turning Balboa Park into the urban oasis that stands today. Held at the Marston House in Balboa Park, the celebration includes a bus tour of the park’s urban forest and guided walk by landscape historians. I mistakenly promoted it last week; thanks to Colette G. for catching!

Family Film Day – Sat, Nov 12
On the second Saturday of each month, the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival and the Museum of Photographic Arts hostFamily Fun Day, when they screen family friendly films from around the globe, followed by hands-on activities and museum tours. This Saturday, they’re showing Wall-E.  Films screen at 1pm; museum admission not required, though a donation of $5 is suggested.

Ray at Night – Sat, Nov. 12
From 6 to 10 PM this Saturday, see the Ray at Night Artwalk in North Park. Visit the Ray Street galleries, listen to live music and watch performance art. Both local and nationally known artists show their stuff with over 25 gallery and business venues

Dr. Seuss Touring Sculpture Garden – Through December 31
Dr. Seuss fans, head to the Hotel Del Coronado and reunite with some of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s most beloved characters, including the Lorax, the Grinch, Yertle the Turtle and the Cat in the Hat. This traveling sculpture exhibit first debuted at the Hotel Del Coronado in April 2009 and now is back on display adorning the hotel’s Windsor Lawn.

All play, no work. Let that be your motto this weekend as you can enjoy these FREE activities in San Diego.

Fall Back Festival – Sun, Nov. 6
This historic and cultural street faire in the Gaslamp Quarter is the world’s only festival that celebrates history by ‘falling back’ in time. The event is full of historical demonstrators and interactive activities, such as old-fashioned hay rides, mock gunfights with Wyatt Earp, or gold panning.

Friday Night Liberty – Fri, Nov. 4
Free open artist studios, galleries, performances at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Every first Friday 5-8pm with free parking and free admission. This Friday’s main event is Seduced by Dance with performances by Liberty Station residents San Diego Dance Theatre, Malashock Dance, San Diego Ballet, and Tango with Colette.

Carlsbad Village Street Faire – Sun, Nov. 6
The largest one-day street faire in the nation is now in its 38^th year and offers unique booths selling everything from clothes to antiques to home décor. The international food court features 50 food vendors, while the children’s area will have a bounce house, super slide and rock climbing wall. 8am-4pm

Kate Sessions Birthday Celebration – Sun, Nov. 6
Celebrate the 153^rd birthday of one of San Diego’s first tree huggers and the person many would say is responsible for turning Balboa Park into the urban oasis that stands today. Held at the Marston House in Balboa Park, the celebration includes a bus tour of the park’s urban forest and guided walk by landscape historians.

House of Pacific Relations Sampler Program – Sun, Nov. 6
A sampler of HPR’s calendar of lawn programs, when one country presents their music, dance, traditional costumes, arts, and foods.  During the program, visit the international cottages and immerse yourself in the cultures of countries such as Ireland, Lebanon, Iran, Norway, Germany, China, Scotland, and more.

Repeat after me. Free Fall Festivals…and plenty of them. Check out our latest line-up of fun and free ways to spend this warm weekend.

Chula Vista Centennial Celebration – Sat, Oct 15
Chula Vista turns 100 this Saturday!  The city is celebrating with a ‘party of the century’ at the Olympic Training Center where you’ll find two entertainment stages with local bands, DJ’s and performances; a margarita and craft beer garden, carnival rides, classic cars spanning the last 100 years, endless food options, a London Summer Olympics preview and a sparkling fireworks display. Free shuttle from Otay Ranch Center and free bike valet.  12-9:30pm

Art and Culture Fest – Sat, Oct 15
Southeast San Diego is San Diego’s most culturally diverse region. See for yourself with this 6th annual cross-cultural festival of dance, food, arts, crafts and music. Check out cultural workshops, three stages of live entertainment, live artists demos, a beer garden, a kids zone and an art contest. The event tops off with an ethnic food court and an international market. 12-6pm

Block Party – Sat, Oct 15 + Sun, Oct 16
To kickoff the opening of their new exhibit, TRASH, the New Children’s Museum is throwing a big community block party with live entertainment from local bands and performance groups, hands-on artmaking, foodtruck cuisine, trapeze acts, farmers market, environmental and community exhibitors, interactive demos, and raffle prizes.  TRASH features the work of 12 artists from around the globe focused on the kid-friendly and timely topic of trash.

Hillcrest Hoedown – Sun, Oct 16
Pony up, cowboy and grab your cowboy hat and spurs for this urban western fest in Hillcrest. This neighborhood always finds a reason to celebrate and autumn has brought out their desire to go country. The brand-new Hillcrest Hoedown features a grand stage of country-themed line-up, hourly line-dancing lessons, mechanical bull rides and competition, costume contest, petting zoo, hay rides, and court of tasty food options.  1-8pm

Escondido Downtown Street Faire – Sun, Oct 16
The second largest one-day street faire in the state draws more than 60,000 people and more than 600 unique vendors. Scale the 24” rock climbing wall, shop for one-of-a-kind arts, crafts, and clothing; sample foods from around the world, check out live music and performances, enjoy children’s rides and animal demonstrations by the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, and nosh on an old-fashioned pancake breakfast. 10am-6pm

Dempsey Holder Ocean Festival and Surf Contest – Sun, Oct 16
This family-friendly festival includes outdoor activity demos by REI’s Outdoor School, laser tag, hands-on activities, live music, food and the first binational surf competition. Imperial Beach Pier 7am-3pm