The 16th annual Santee Street Fair returns Saturday, May 23, with 300+ vendors, craft beer, live music, and free admission at Town Center Parkway.
The Santee Street Fair offers East County families a massive free community celebration with something for everyone on Memorial Day weekend.
The event serves as both entertainment and economic support for local Santee businesses, making it a true community celebration that strengthens regional connections while providing a full day of family-friendly activities.
The Santee Street Fair returns Saturday, May 23, bringing one of East County's largest community gatherings back to Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway. Honestly? Most people don't realize the scale of this thing. The event draws more than 30,000 attendees each year and connects local businesses, residents, and visitors through food and entertainment.
This year's Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival has more than 300 vendor booths, live music, a Kids Zone, and a craft beer festival featuring local and regional breweries. The Santee Street Fair location spans multiple blocks, so planning ahead for the Santee Street Fair parking and grabbing a Santee Street Fair map makes the day easier. The event supports local commerce while giving families a full day of entertainment.
The Santee Chamber of Commerce hosts the 16th annual Santee Street Fair on Memorial Day weekend, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free to the public and available for families throughout East County San Diego who want a full day out without spending on admission.
The Chamber designed the Santee Street Fair to strengthen relationships between businesses and residents throughout the region. John Olsen, Santee Chamber's president and CEO, noted the event was created to bring awareness to Santee businesses and encourage local shopping. The fair offers vendors and sponsors direct contact with thousands of potential customers in a single day. This builds visibility and customer relationships over time.
The Santee Street Fair has evolved into an East County San Diego tradition and connects the community through shared experiences. The Chamber focuses on creating opportunities for local businesses to grow within Santee. The event serves a dual purpose: providing entertainment while supporting the local economy.
Free Santee Street Fair tickets are not required, as admission remains open to all attendees. The Santee Street Fair location at the intersection of Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway provides central access for the region.
Over 300 vendor booths fill the Santee Street Fair location with shopping, food and local business displays. Attendees can browse artisan products and sample food from local eateries. Community organizations showcase their services throughout the day.
The Craft Beer Festival features breweries from all over San Diego County and is open to adults 21 and over. Pre-sale tickets are available online for $25 and include 10 beer tasters and a meal. Wristbands can also be purchased at the door for $25 for 10 tasters or $15 for 5 tasters. The beer garden opens at 11 a.m. and serves craft beer, wine and distilled spirits.
A large community stage hosts continuous live music and performances from local talents throughout the event. The entertainment lineup showcases musicians and performers from Santee and surrounding areas. This provides a platform for local artists.
The Kids Zone has carnival rides, games and prizes. Families can spend time in this dedicated area designed for younger attendees. Activities are separate from the adult beer garden.
On top of that, the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival features a Car Show and Student Art Show. These displays add variety to the event and give attendees multiple areas to explore beyond vendor booths and entertainment stages. The combination creates a full day of activities for different interests and age groups.
Early arrival helps you deal with the crowd of 30,000 attendees expected throughout the day. The fair runs all day on May 23, 2026. Morning hours offer easier access to vendor booths and shorter lines at food stalls. Families with young children find morning visits less overwhelming therefore.
Over 200 vendor booths spread across the Santee Street Fair location. We recommend you review vendor lists online beforehand if available. This approach allows attendees to prioritize specific products or local eateries they want to visit. Walking the entire event takes considerable time given its scale.
The intersection of Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway serves as the central hub. Use this intersection as a meeting point to help groups stay connected throughout the day. Cell phone service can become unreliable when 30,000 people concentrate in one area.
Santee Street Fair parking fills quickly during peak afternoon hours. Arrive before 11 a.m. and you get more parking options near the Santee Street Fair location. Bring cash to speed up purchases at vendor booths, though many accept cards.
Comfortable walking shoes make the most important difference when you visit hundreds of vendor displays. The event spans multiple blocks and requires substantial walking to experience everything from community organization booths to local eatery offerings.
The Santee Street Fair delivers everything East County families want in a Memorial Day weekend event. Therefore, mark your calendar for May 23 and plan to arrive early for the best parking options. This community celebration features free admission, 300+ vendors, craft beer and live music, with activities for all ages. We'll see you at Town Center Parkway for a great day.
Looking for more Memorial Day weekend ideas? Browse our San Diego Memorial Day weekend guide.
Q1. When and where is the Santee Street Fair taking place?
The Santee Street Fair takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway in Santee, East County San Diego.
Q2. Is there an admission fee to attend the Santee Street Fair?
No, admission to the Santee Street Fair is completely free to the public. However, if you want to participate in the Craft Beer Festival, wristbands are available for purchase at $25 for 10 beer tasters or $15 for 5 tasters.
Q3. What activities are available for children at the fair?
The fair features a dedicated Kids Zone with carnival rides, games, and prizes designed specifically for younger attendees. There's also a Student Art Show and various family-friendly entertainment throughout the day.
Q4. How many vendors and attendees can I expect at the event?
The Santee Street Fair features over 300 vendor booths offering shopping, food, and local business displays. The event typically draws more than 30,000 attendees throughout the day, making it one of East County's largest community gatherings.
Q5. What should I know about parking and planning my visit?
Parking fills quickly during peak afternoon hours, so arriving before 11 a.m. is recommended for better parking options. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the event spans multiple blocks, and consider bringing cash for faster purchases at vendor booths, though many accept cards.