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After a seven-year hiatus, Chula Vista’s HarborFest is returning Aug. 22 with a renewed focus on the waterfront — and this time, visitors will be encouraged to get off the shore and onto the bay.
The free festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bayside Park, transforming the waterfront into a daylong celebration featuring water activities, live music, cultural performances, food, local vendors and family entertainment.
Mirella Leung Lopez, communications officer with the city of Chula Vista, said the return comes at a time when Chula Vista’s bayfront has continued to evolve with new parks, trails, recreational opportunities and public spaces.
“HarborFest has always been a celebration of Chula Vista’s connection to the bay, and now is the right time to bring it back,” Leung Lopez said.
The festival’s centerpiece is The Water Way, a collection of interactive activities designed to make the bay part of the event rather than simply its backdrop.
Visitors can try kayaking and paddleboarding with instructors from Chula Vista Water Sports, take part in fishing activities and water rollers, and climb aboard the Seal Tour for a guided adventure offering views of San Diego Bay and opportunities to spot local wildlife.
“We wanted activities that everyone could enjoy, whether it’s their first time on the water or they’re experienced paddlers,” Leung Lopez said. “Professional operators will provide safety equipment and guidance, making these experiences approachable for families, beginners and visitors of all ages.”
The return of HarborFest also provides an opportunity to look at the bayfront’s natural history.
Chula Vista’s shoreline was once characterized by tidal wetlands, salt marshes and coastal ecosystems that supported a variety of wildlife. Today, protected wetlands remain an important part of the South Bay environment.
Community organizations such as the Living Coast Discovery Center will help visitors learn more about the bay, its wildlife and the natural resources that continue to shape the region.
“The bay has been at the heart of Chula Vista for generations, and HarborFest gives people the opportunity to experience that connection firsthand,” Leung Lopez said.
The festival also reflects the changing role of the waterfront, which has increasingly become a place for recreation, outdoor activities and community gatherings.
“HarborFest showcases the vision of a waterfront that is a thriving recreational destination while protecting and celebrating its natural coastal resources,” Leung Lopez said.
There will be plenty to do on land, too.
The festival will feature live entertainment, cultural performances, Lucha Libre wrestling, a curated artisan marketplace, local food vendors and the Ships of the Land Car Show.
Families can head to Mermaid & Mariner Cove, a dedicated children’s area with activities and entertainment.
Leung Lopez said families attending for the first time should make The Water Way a priority because getting onto the bay is what makes the festival different from a traditional street festival.
“Getting out on the bay is one of the things that makes HarborFest so unique,” she said.
The event also gives local businesses, artists, food vendors and community organizations an opportunity to introduce themselves to residents and visitors.
“HarborFest gives us an opportunity to showcase the people, businesses and organizations that make Chula Vista special while introducing them to thousands of residents and visitors,” Leung Lopez said.
At its core, organizers hope the festival will strengthen the community’s connection to the waterfront.
“We hope people leave with a greater appreciation for Chula Vista’s waterfront and everything it has to offer,” Leung Lopez said. “Whether they get out on the water for the first time, learn something new about the bay, discover a local business or simply spend the day with family and friends, we want them to create lasting memories and feel an even stronger connection to Chula Vista and the bay.”
