After attending the Chula Vista Rewind Festival at Côta Vera, it is going to be tough to narrow down my top three summer events in Chula Vista for 2026. I have mentioned before that every time this event came around, I somehow ended up out of town and missed it. So when the third annual Rewind Festival got announced, I cleared my calendar and made sure I was there this time. It did not disappoint. The event took over Central Square Park with live music, a beer garden, food truck alley, free activities for the kids, a retro arcade, and so much more. If you missed it this year, stay tuned, because I am already planning to be back for the 4th annual. And if you made it out, I would love to hear what you thought over on my Facebook page.
Live Music at the Chula Vista Rewind Festival
The lineup ran three tribute bands back-to-back, and the energy kept building all afternoon. Fooz Fighters opened things up with a great set tributing the Foo Fighters, setting the tone early. Then No Duh took the stage, and that is when things really got going. That No Doubt tribute had people up and dancing within minutes, bringing the kind of ska energy that made it feel like a real 90s show had dropped into the middle of Chula Vista. The night wrapped up with The Temptation, who did a great job covering New Order and closed the evening on a high note.
80s Nostalgia All Over Central Square Park
Beyond the music, Côta Vera leaned fully into the 80s theme. They had a Back to the Future DeLorean on display that was almost an exact replica, and it looked incredible up close. Right next to it was Marty McFly’s 1985 Toyota truck, another crowd favorite for photos. Between those and the other 80s displays scattered around the park, there were photo ops everywhere you looked.
Beer Garden and a VIP Surprise
The beer garden was a great spot to post up, watch the bands, and enjoy a beer between sets. I also got access to the VIP lounge, where they were pouring some really good wine; I wish I could remember the company that provided it, along with short ribs from local Chef George. That was a nice touch on top of everything else going on.
A Crowd That Came From All Over South County
I figured this would be a solid neighborhood turnout, but the Chula Vista Rewind Festival pulled people in from all over South County, not just Côta Vera residents. Central Square Park stayed packed most of the afternoon, which says a lot about how much this event has grown in just three years. It was also great seeing so many familiar faces out there. A lot of community members came up and said hi, which I always love when I am out and about in Chula Vista.
Food, Vendors, and a Free Arcade for the Kids
The food truck alley and vendor booths kept everyone fed all day. I grabbed the birria nachos from La Central, and they did not disappoint. I also swung by Reflect Coffee for a Mexican mocha that hit exactly right for an afternoon in the sun. Kids had plenty to do too, with activities running throughout the park and a retro arcade that stayed free to play all day.
Free for Every Family in Chula Vista
What really stuck with me is that this whole festival- live music, arcade, activities for the kids, and all- cost nothing to attend. Côta Vera deserves a big shout-out for putting this together and keeping it free, so families across Chula Vista can come out and enjoy it without worrying about admission costs.
I am already looking forward to the 4th annual Rewind Festival next year. If you want to stay in the loop, keep an eye on Côta Vera’s Instagram for updates. For more free community events around Chula Vista, check the Chula Vista Living event calendar and follow along on Instagram and Facebook @livingchulavista for ongoing coverage.
