Downtown El Cajon

04/15/2025

🎉🌵🐎 Olaf’s Birthday Bash at the Hidden Gem of El Cajon!
Downtown El Cajon | April 30th | 3–6PM

Hey El Cajon! Did you know there’s a whole museum full of stunning Western art and peaceful gardens tucked right in the heart of Downtown? 🤯

Come celebrate the legendary Olaf Wieghorst—an artist who captured the spirit of the Wild West—with a modern twist!

We’re throwing a Birthday Party in his honor on April 30th and YOU’RE INVITED!

• Explore jaw-dropping Western artwork
• Stroll through serene hidden gardens
• Enjoy light refreshments
• Snap Insta-worthy pics
• Discover a side of El Cajon you’ve probably never seen!

🗓 Wednesday, April 30
⏰ 3PM–6PM
📍 Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center
131 Rea Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
RSVP to Helen: 619.599.3686 | [email protected]
(Space is limited—don’t sleep on this!)

Bring your friends, your curiosity, and your camera—we’ll bring the good vibes. 🧡 Let’s put this underrated museum on the map!

04/02/2025

This vibrant festival will feature over 50 artists from the U.S. and Mexico, showcasing work in painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, ceramics, woodwork, photography, and more.

Beyond the art, ARTIVAL offers live music, family-friendly fun, and a lively wine and beer garden spotlighting regional and international wines, local craft breweries, and distilleries. Whether you're into art, music, or sipping something special-there's something for everyone.

Artists apply at artivalsandiego.com

03/08/2025

Major Investment News: Downtown El Cajon is Poised for Transformation!

The Downtown El Cajon Business Partners (DECBP) has just made a game-changing move by hiring New City America, led by renowned urban revitalization expert Marco Li Mandri, as Executive Director. Li Mandri’s track record includes transforming San Diego’s Little Italy and Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Village (TAVA) into vibrant business and entertainment districts. Now, he’s bringing that expertise to Downtown El Cajon.

Why Residents, Investors & Business Owners Should Pay Attention:
✅ Proven Leadership: Li Mandri has revitalized 90+ business districts nationwide, increasing property values and business success.
✅ Business-Friendly Growth: The City Council is working to expand nightlife opportunities and attract new restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
✅ Homelessness Solutions: DECBP and City leadership will implement proven outreach programs that have successfully cleaned up other urban districts.
✅ Cultural & Economic Development: A focus on new business attraction, event programming, and placemaking will bring more foot traffic and commercial activity downtown.

“Downtown El Cajon has incredible potential. By using the same revitalization strategies that made Little Italy and Third Avenue thrive, we’re creating a safer, more vibrant downtown that businesses, investors, and the community will be proud of.” – Marco Li Mandri, New City America

The City of El Cajon, local businesses, and property owners are united in revitalizing the downtown core into a destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment. With a business-friendly climate and expert leadership now in place, the time to invest in Downtown El Cajon is now.

01/26/2025

12/20/2024

🎶✨ 𝑾𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 to Live Nation Shows at The Magnolia in Downtown El Cajon! ✨🎶

Start the new year with unforgettable performances at The Magnolia, right here in Downtown El Cajon! We’re giving YOU and a guest the chance to attend one of FIVE incredible shows—for free.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑾𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒐
📅 Frank Black – January 19
📅 Mania: The ABBA Tribute – January 25
📅 Azúcar! A Tribute to the Queen of Salsa featuring Havana Secret – January 31
📅 La Mafia: Estoy Tocando Fuego Tour – February 7
📅 Brian Regan – February 16

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓
1️⃣ Create a fun and creative video with the friend you want to take to the show. Tell us why you deserve to win tickets and why that show is perfect for you both.
2️⃣ Post your video on Facebook or Instagram.
3️⃣ Make sure your post is set to public so we can see it and share it!
4️⃣ Tag Downtown El Cajon in your post and use the hashtag .
5️⃣ Your video must focus on ONE show only. Want to enter for multiple shows? Create a separate video for each!

𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑹𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔
✅ Your entry must include you and your guest in the video.
✅ Videos must be posted by 11:59 PM on December 30, 2024.
✅ Winners will be announced on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2024) on our social media pages.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑾𝒊𝒏
🎟️ One pair of tickets for you and your chosen guest to attend the show you entered for.

𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔
📣 Make your post public so we can see and share your amazing entries!
📸 Feel free to get creative—whether it’s singing, dancing, acting, or a heartfelt message, we want to see what makes you and your concert buddy stand out.
🏙️ Showcase your El Cajon pride for extra style points!

𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅!
This is your chance to make memories and enjoy live entertainment at its finest. Tag your concert buddy and start creating! We can’t wait to see your entries—and maybe share them with our followers, too!

11/27/2024

Ready to show off your decorating skills?

On Saturday, November 30th, Joy from will have free Christmas cookies for you to decorate as part of our HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON MAIN event from 2-8PM!

11/27/2024

🎅 Get your list together!

Santa will be at the this Saturday starting at 2PM to get your wishlist and pose for some free photos! 📸

11/27/2024

🎵🍷🍺🥂 THIS SATURDAY!

Join us at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum Gardens as they host a 21+ Beer and Wine Garden as part of this weekend’s HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON MAIN! Enjoy holiday music and Christmas “spirits” under the stars in an illuminated holiday garden setting. 🌟

And while you’re visiting, check out the Holiday Lights Art Walk on Main Street from 2-8PM.

11/21/2024

✨ WIN TICKETS ✨

🎟️ FREE scavenger hunt + massive prizes = YOUR best holiday adventure yet! Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon and Live Nation are making the holidays magical with a chance to score 13 pairs of tickets to amazing shows at The Magnolia.

🗓️ Save the date and bring your A-game:
📅 Saturday, November 30th
⏰ 2–8 PM
📍 Downtown El Cajon

🚨 Here’s how it works:
Search for the “12 Days of Christmas” clues hidden in local businesses, fill your scavenger hunt passport, and enter to win. Easy, fun, and totally FREE to join!

But that’s just the beginning:
🎶 Live Music to keep the festive vibes alive
🍹 Craft Cocktails to sip and savor
⛸️ Ice Skating to glide into holiday magic
🎨 Art Walk featuring local artists
🌲 Tree Lighting Ceremony to dazzle your night
🎅 Meet Santa for unforgettable photos
📍 Downtown El Cajon will sparkle—don’t miss out!

💥 CALL TO ACTION: Tag your friends who LOVE scavenger hunts and live music! Share this post and let’s light up the season together. The more people who join, the merrier! 🎉

11/20/2024

🎨🥂 Sip, Stroll, and Spark Your Creativity at the Holiday Lights Art Walk!

This year, Holiday Lights on Main is leveling up with the debut of the Holiday Lights Art Walk, a vibrant showcase of 28 talented local artists from across San Diego County.

Discover stunning works like:
• Don Flores’ bold sculptures that redefine modern design.
• Summer Strutt’s handcrafted pottery, perfect for holiday gifting.
• Ross Adcock’s abstract paintings, bursting with color and energy.

🍹 Holiday Vibes Meet Craft Cocktails
Enjoy festive craft cocktails, stroll inside five open galleries, each hosting exclusive events to keep the holiday spirit alive.

✨ Make It a Night to Remember
Find unique treasures, meet the artists, and soak in the creative energy—all under the glow of holiday lights. Stick around for the tree lighting at 6 PM for the ultimate holiday moment.

📅 Saturday, November 30th | 3 PM – 8 PM
📍 Main Street, Downtown El Cajon

11/18/2024

🎫🎫 FREE TICKETS!

We’re thrilled to host the San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker will be performing TWO shows at the Magnolia in downtown El Cajon. We’ve partnered with to send you and a friend to see either the noon or the 4PM showing on December 21 at .

This is a fast paced, family friendly take on Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Featuring an international cast of more than 100 beautifully costumed dancers.

To enter, just do the following:

1️⃣ ‘LIKE’ this post
2️⃣ ‘FOLLOW’ this page
3️⃣ ‘TAG’ a friend you want to take, one tag = one entry
As many entries as you’d like.

Ends December 1st. Good luck!

11/08/2024

✨ El Cajon’s Holiday Lights on Main is back, and this year, it’s *bigger and brighter than ever!* Join us for an unforgettable night of festive fun, holiday shopping, and family-friendly activities that’ll light up your season.

🎨 Explore the new Art Walk with 28 talented vendors from the East County Art Association along Main Street – find the perfect handmade holiday gift while supporting local artists!

🕵️‍♀️ Pick up a Downtown El Cajon passport book and join the scavenger hunt through downtown shops for a chance to win exciting prizes!

🎅 Snap a FREE photo with Santa in the cozy Marriott lobby, where holiday magic comes to life!

☕ Sip on unique holiday coffee cocktails by Surje Coffee at their festive holiday bar – the perfect warm-up treat!

🍪 Kids, unleash your creativity by decorating Christmas cookies at Main Street Donuts and Deli!

🎶 Groove to live bands performing on the Prescott Promenade stage, enjoy the thrill of rides, and try out ice skating under the twinkling lights!

🌲 And don’t miss the annual Tree Lighting at 6:00 PM – the highlight of the night!

📅 Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 30th, from 3-8 PM. Gather with family, friends, and the community for El Cajon’s favorite holiday tradition! ✨

10/31/2024

🎃 👻 🧙 Trunk or Treat is TONIGHT!!!

Little ghouls and goblins of all ages are welcomed to dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy an evening of authentic trick-or-treating with their families in an urban fashion. Jumping from trunk-to-trunk, little witches and monsters will be hunting for Halloween treats and candy from our Classic Cruise attendees.

10/10/2024

🎃 El Cajon, are you ready to get spooky?! 🎃

HauntFest 2024 is coming in HOT on Friday, October 18 from 4-9 PM, and we’ve got everything to make this the wildest, creepiest Halloween party in San Diego County – and it’s totally FREE! 🕸️👻

👹 Costume Contest – Cash prizes for the best-dressed ghouls and goblins! Whether you’re a baby bat 🦇 or a full-grown freak, we’ve got a category for you.

🎢 Amusement Rides & Haunted Maze – Brace yourself for some thrills… if you dare. 👀

🍬 Candy Trail – Sweet treats await all you trick-or-treaters—bring your best candy bucket and go all out!

🚗 Haunted Car Show – Classic rides get a spooky makeover. These haunted wheels are a *must-see*. 🚘👻

🦎 Reptile Petting Zoo – Hold onto your nerves... and maybe a snake! 🐍

🎥 Outdoor Movie: Megamind – Watch it under the stars while you unwind from all the chaos.

🎸 Live Music by The Verge – Ready to rock? The Verge will have you dancing like a zombie all night long. 🎶💀

Plus, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and so much more to get you into the Halloween spirit!

Mark it down. Get your crew together. And come haunt Downtown El Cajon. Don’t ghost us! 👻

More info: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/---Get-Ready-for-HauntFest-2024.html?soid=1110174863117&aid=fz5eutWRNFY