Skip to main content

Special Events & Filming

Special Events & Filming

Civic Center Plaza
1200 Third Ave., Suite 1326
San Diego, CA 92101
619-685-1331
SpecialEvents@sandiego.gov
Film@sandiego.gov

City of San Diego Special Event

CELEBRATE SAN DIEGO THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS & FILM

Join us in celebrating San Diego, from our neighborhoods to the silver screen. Recognized for its array of festivals and sporting events of national and international stature to community-based celebrations, feature films, and TV shows, the City of San Diego is proud to host thousands of events and film productions that contribute to the spirit and vitality of our city.

The Special Events & Filming Department provides a portfolio of services designed to support San Diego's neighborhoods, as well as the city's special event, filming, business, and tourism industries. Through our one-stop special event permitting process, an event organizer can work with the City to plan all aspects of their event that relate to the use of public property. Securing filming authorization on public property is quick and simple, with no-cost processing and dedicated staff to assist you along the way.

ADVISORY FOR 2025 EVENTS: Due to public safety staffing constraints, all new events and historical events with a date change, are subject to availability. Your event date is not guaranteed. Special event permit applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and accepted only once deemed substantially complete.

Below is a list of impacted dates. This list is continually updated as more information is known. If you are interested in having your event on one of these dates, please contact the Office of Special Events and Filming first to determine availability.
PHONE:
619-685-1331 | EMAIL: SpecialEvents@sandiego.gov

2025 Impacted Dates

  • Sunday, March 9, 2025
  • Saturday, March 15, 2025
  • Saturday, March 22, 2025
  • Saturday, April 12, 2025
  • Saturday, April 26, 2025
  • Sunday, April 27, 2025
  • Saturday, May 17, 2025
  • Sunday, May 18, 2025
  • Saturday, May 31, 2025
  • Sunday, June 1, 2025
  • Saturday, June 21, 2025
  • Sunday, June 22, 2025
  • Friday, July 4, 2025
  • Saturday, July 19, 2025
  • Wednesday, July 23, 2025
  • Thursday, July 24, 2025
  • Friday, July 25, 2025
  • Saturday, July 26, 2025
  • Sunday, July 27, 2025
  • Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025
  • Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
  • Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
  • Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
  • Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
  • Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
  • Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
  • Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
  • Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025
  • Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

ADVISORY ALERT:

Please note that a minimum of 60 days is required to submit a Special Events permit application. In order to ensure adequate time for review, it is strongly recommended that you submit your permit application at least 120 days prior to the proposed event date, due to potential delays related to environmental review processes or internal/external stakeholder constraints.

Per the Special Events Planning Guide, the Host Organization will be billed the permit application fee (and late fees if applicable) based on the date the permit application has been determined to be substantially complete. For purposes of this online application, a permit application is deemed complete when the status is first changed to "Under Review" and not based on the application submission date.

  • $269 for applications received sixty (60) or more days prior to the event. Applications must be substantially complete.
  • $37 per business day late fee in addition to the $269 application fee for permit applications received less than sixty (60) prior to an event. Applications must be substantially complete.
  • Fee Changes Fiscal Year 2023 - Effective July 1, 2022
  • Fee Changes Fiscal Year 2026 - Effective April 1, 2025 (see below)

SPECIAL EVENTS & FILMING - FEE TITLECURRENT FEE

NEW FEE

 

Special Event Application Permit Processing Fee$269

$341

**effective July 1, 2025

 

Special Event Application Permit Processing Late Fee$37 per business day

$80 per business day

**effective April 1, 2025