The Fray with Dashboard Confessional: July 25, 2026 at SDSU's Open Air Theatre

Overview

The Fray's Summer of Light Tour lands at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. — a nostalgia-soaked night of 2000s alt-rock and emo anthems, with co-headliner Dashboard Confessional and opener Colony House, all under the stars at SDSU's iconic outdoor venue.

It's one of the most feel-good throwback concerts of the San Diego summer — and it's perfect for fans who came of age on "How to Save a Life," emo and acoustic-rock devotees, and anyone (including Comic-Con weekenders) looking for an outdoor singalong under a warm July sky.

What You Actually Need to Know

• Artists: The Fray (Summer of Light Tour), with Dashboard Confessional and Colony House
• Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
• Time: 7:00 p.m. (doors at 6:00 p.m.)
• Where: Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU — 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182
• Tickets: Prices vary; available via Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and AXS
• Good to know: It's an outdoor, clear-bag-only and cashless venue
• Bonus: It falls during San Diego Comic-Con weekend — a great offsite night out

The Lineup

This is a stacked bill of emotionally charged rock:

• The Fray — the Denver band behind "How to Save a Life," "Over My Head," and "You Found Me," whose soul-searching, arena-sized alt-rock earned four Grammy nominations and a 4x-platinum debut album.
• Dashboard Confessional — Chris Carrabba's beloved emo and acoustic-rock project, a defining voice of the early-2000s scene known for raw, singalong-ready anthems.
• Colony House — the energetic indie-rock band opening the night.

Three acts, one deeply nostalgic evening.

The Experience

The Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre is one of San Diego's best outdoor venues — an intimate amphitheater on the SDSU campus where summer shows play out under the open sky. Pair that setting with a lineup built on heart-on-sleeve anthems, and you've got a night designed for collective singalongs.

Throughout the evening:

• An outdoor amphitheater with a warm, communal summer-night feel
• Back-to-back nostalgia as three acts roll through fan favorites
• Big singalong moments on the songs that defined a generation
• A relaxed, all-ages-friendly crowd reliving the 2000s

When and Where

Saturday, July 25, 2026 — show at 7:00 p.m., doors at 6:00 p.m.

Location: Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182.

The Open Air Theatre sits on the San Diego State University campus in the College Area, about a 20-minute drive from downtown and directly served by the MTS Trolley's SDSU station — an easy trip even on a busy summer Saturday.

About the Summer of Light Tour

The Fray burst onto the scene in the mid-2000s with a profoundly life-affirming brand of alt-rock — timeless but inventive, arena-sized but rooted in raw emotion. Their breakout single "How to Save a Life" spent a remarkable 58 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and became closely tied to a generation of TV and radio. Paired with Dashboard Confessional — one of emo's most enduring acts — the Summer of Light Tour is a celebration of the songs that soundtracked the 2000s.

Why It Works

A few specific reasons this show is worth your Saturday night:

1. The nostalgia is real. These are the anthems a whole generation grew up on.

2. It's a co-headline bill. The Fray and Dashboard Confessional together, plus Colony House.

3. The venue is perfect. An intimate outdoor amphitheater under the summer stars.

4. It's a Comic-Con weekend escape. A doable offsite night away from the convention crowds.

5. Easy to reach. Trolley access right to the SDSU campus.

Who It's For

• 2000s alt-rock and emo fans — this lineup is your era
• Nostalgia seekers — a night of songs you already know by heart
• Comic-Con attendees — a fun offsite break from the convention
• Groups and date nights — an easygoing outdoor singalong
• Live-music lovers — three acts in one great venue

How to Make a Night of It

• Take the Trolley — the SDSU station drops you near the venue
• Arrive by doors (6 p.m.) — to catch Colony House and settle in
• Go cashless — the venue is card-only, with cash-to-card kiosks on site
• Pack light — it's a clear-bag-only venue
• Comic-Con crews: it's about 20 minutes from downtown — an easy evening reset

Tickets

Ticket prices vary by seat and demand. Buy through official channels to avoid resale markups, and book ahead — this nostalgia-heavy bill is a strong draw, especially on Comic-Con weekend.

Get tickets and show details →

Good to Know

• Show at 7:00 p.m., doors at 6:00 p.m. (times subject to change)
• Cashless venue — cards only, with cash-to-card kiosks available
• Clear-bag-only policy — check the venue's bag rules before you go
• Take the Trolley — the SDSU station makes for an easy trip
• It's outdoors — bring a light layer for after sunset
• Comic-Con weekend — plan for extra traffic around town

For more events happening in San Diego this summer, check out our full July events calendar or browse our College Area neighborhood guide.