San Clemente’s best events happen on a handful of Saturdays. Here are those weekends in order, with times and places from the Downtown Business Association and the City of San Clemente.
Saturday, October 17
Pumpkin Splash
When: 12 to 4 p.m. · Where: San Clemente Aquatics Center, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa
A pumpkin-themed event at the aquatics center. City calendar.
Saturday, October 24: the big Halloween Saturday
Monster Dash and Creepy Crawl Fun Run
When: 7:30 to 11 a.m. · Where: Community Center, 100 N. Calle Sevilla
A morning fun run to start the day. City calendar.
Treat Street on Avenida Del Mar
When: 3 to 5 p.m. · Where: Avenida Del Mar, downtown
Trick-or-treating at the downtown shops, hosted by the Downtown Business Association. SCDBA events.
Saturday, November 7
Village Art Faire
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Where: The lawn areas around the San Clemente Library and Community Center
The faire happens on the first Saturday of each month, so it also returns on December 5. SCDBA events.
Saturday, November 28
Shop Small Saturday
When: All day · Where: Participating San Clemente merchants
The weekend after Thanksgiving, the downtown shops make the case for buying local. SCDBA events.
Saturday, December 5: two events in one day
Village Art Faire
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Where: Library and Community Center lawns
The monthly faire again, in a holiday setting. SCDBA events.
Puttin’ on the Glitz at Santa’s Village by the Sea
When: 4 to 9 p.m. · Where: Avenida Del Mar, downtown
San Clemente’s holiday kickoff, presented by the city and hosted by the Downtown Business Association. In 2025 the evening included Santa, a tree lighting, a gingerbread contest and a snow hill; check the city page for this year’s lineup. City calendar.
Friday to Sunday, December 11 to 13: next door in Dana Point
Boat Parade of Lights
When: Nightly at 6:30 p.m. · Where: Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point’s 51st annual boat parade, viewable from the harbor’s boardwalk and parks. Dana Point Harbor.
Most of the dates above are Saturdays, so a calendar reminder for each is all it takes to catch them.
Thinking about making San Clemente home? Rudy would be glad to talk it through. The four-question Home Strategy Quiz takes about a minute, and he will follow up personally.
Dates and times were checked on the organizers’ and cities’ own pages on October 3, 2026. Events can change or sell out, so open the linked page before you head out. This site is not affiliated with any event listed here.
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