Top April Events in Chula Vista That Are Perfect for the Whole Family

April is here, and Chula Vista is showing up with a packed calendar of events that are worth getting off the couch for. Whether you have little ones at home, want to celebrate the planet, or just want a fun afternoon out, there is something on this list for you. Most of these events are completely free, family-friendly, and happening right in our own backyard.

Here is a quick look at three of the top April Events in Chula Vista:

• Chula Vista Day of the Child — Saturday, April 11 at Memorial Park. Free family event with booths, a car show, performances, and community resources.
• South Bay Earth Day — Saturday, April 18 at Chula Vista Bayfront Park. Live music, green vendors, a Fix-it Clinic, and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Make Believe at the Mall — Tuesday, April 21 at Otay Ranch Town Center. Free kid-focused event with character meet and greets, face painting, crafts, and a live DJ from 4 to 6 p.m.

Let’s break each one down.

Chula Vista Day of the Child — Saturday, April 11

Every April, Memorial Park in Downtown Chula Vista becomes the place to be for families. The Chula Vista Community Collaborative brings back its annual Day of the Child celebration on April 11th, and if you have never been, this is the year to go.

The event is completely free and packed with more than 100 booths where families can connect with local resources focused on keeping kids safe and healthy. Think pediatric offices, dental providers, and community organizations are ready to answer questions and offer support. Beyond the resource fair, you have school performances, face painting, vendor booths, and giveaways throughout the day.

The car show is the crowd favorite every year. Lowriders and classic cars draw huge crowds, and it is easy to see why. Last year, around 5,000 people came out, and this event just keeps growing.

The Day of the Child draws from two meaningful traditions — Mexico’s El Dia del Niño and the United Nations’ World Children’s Day — and brings that spirit home to the South Bay. The Chula Vista Community Collaborative has spent more than 30 years connecting families with the resources they need, and this event is a big reflection of that work.

I’ve been going to this one for years and it never disappoints. I’ll actually be there this year with a booth selling Chula Vista T-shirts and giving away free shirts and stickers, so come find me and say hi.

South Bay Earth Day — Saturday, April 18

South Bay Earth Day 2026 lands on April 18th at Chula Vista Bayfront Park (980 Marina Way), running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is the largest Earth Day event in South County, and it is free to attend.

Live music anchors the whole day. The main stage runs all afternoon, so bring a lawn chair, find your spot, and stay as long as you like. Beyond the music, you have over 40 green vendors, nonprofit booths, local food, and an Artist Alley showcasing environmentally conscious artwork.

Kids have their own dedicated Kid Zone, where they can decorate kitchen waste caddies, meet live animals from the Living Coast Discovery Center, and play conservation-themed games. There is also a tie-dye workshop where you can give old T-shirts new life — a hands-on reminder that sustainability can actually be fun.

One standout feature is the Fix-it Clinic. Bring a small appliance, a mechanical item, or anything that needs attention, and an expert will help you diagnose and repair it on the spot. It is one of those ideas that sounds simple but ends up being one of the most talked-about parts of the event every year.

If you can, get there by bike. Free on-site bike valet is available, and MTS public transit works great for this location. This is a zero-waste event, so every detail has been planned with that in mind.

Make Believe at the Mall — Tuesday, April 21

Otay Ranch Town Center is bringing some serious imagination to a Tuesday afternoon on April 21st. Make Believe at the Mall runs from 4 to 6 p.m. right alongside the weekly Otay Ranch Town Center Farmers Market, so you can do your Tuesday shopping and give the kids an experience they will be talking about for days.

This year’s lineup includes character meet-and-greets with Spider-Man, Hello Kitty, and Super Mario, superhero and fairy-tale make-and-take crafts, princess-inspired hairdos and crown-making, free face painting, and a live DJ keeping the energy going the whole time. All free.

This event has been a family tradition for years, and 2026 makes it even more special—Otay Ranch Town Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary, so expect the celebration to reflect that milestone.

And while you’re thinking about it, don’t forget about our two weekly farmers markets. The Downtown Chula Vista Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Otay Ranch Town Center Farmers Market runs every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.

What April events in Chula Vista are you planning on visiting?

April in Chula Vista is full of things to look forward to. Three free events, three different weekends, and zero reasons to stay home. Whether you are heading to Memorial Park for the car show, soaking up live music at the Bayfront, or letting your kids go full imagination mode at Otay Ranch, these are the kinds of days that turn into good memories.

Get out there, bring someone with you, and enjoy everything our community has to offer this month. For a full list of upcoming events, visit our event calendar on the website. And follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on everything happening around town — we post new events regularly, and you don’t want to be the last to find out.

Have an event we missed? Reach out and let us know so we can add it to the calendar.