Chula Vista Lemon Festival 2025: A Zesty Day of Fun for the Whole Family
Are you ready for a day filled with fun, family, and lemonade? The Chula Vista Lemon Festival returns on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Third Avenue between E and G Streets. This free, family-friendly celebration honors Chula Vista’s roots as the Lemon Capital of the World and brings the community together for music, food, crafts, and hands-on activities. I look forward to attending this event every year. It’s the perfect mix of fun activities, local vendors, and live music.
Celebrating Chula Vista’s Citrus Legacy
For decades, the festival has celebrated the city’s agricultural heritage while showcasing its vibrant downtown today. It is a chance to learn about local history, support small businesses, and enjoy a full day outside with friends and family. It also gives you the opportunity to visit the businesses along Third Avenue and learn more about what they have to offer.
“We do this event every year on Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista to really commemorate the agricultural legacy of Chula Vista as once being the lemon capital of the world,” said Dominic Li Mandri, district manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association.
If you have lived in Chula Vista for as long as I have, then you know this event is the essential end-of-summer event that draws a huge crowd. I still remember performing on stage for the Chula Vista High School dance squad. It’s unfortunate that there aren’t more local schools participating in the event.
What to Expect at the Chula Vista Lemon Festival 2025
Plan for a packed schedule with live entertainment on three stages, dozens of vendors, great food and drinks, and activities for all ages. They have finally brought back the one event we have all been asking for, the pie-eating contest. That is going to draw a crowd, so make sure you get there early to get a good spot. For a full shcedule about the event, be sure to follow the Downtown Chula Vista Association on Instagram.
- Lemon Pie Eating Contest for brave dessert fans
- Best-Dressed Contest with a citrus theme
- Little Lemons Kids’ Zone with games and crafts
- Lemon-Powered Science Display that blends fun with learning
“It’s a great way for kids to both have fun and also learn in the process,” Li Mandri said. “It’s just one way that we kind of incorporate the academic and the education within our program for the Lemon Festival. We thought this was a great novel idea to highlight education within our community, but also do so in a fun way that is interactive and immersive for our young Chula Vistans.”
Chula Vista Living Returns to the Lemon Festival 2025
The biggest news this year about the Chula Vista Lemon Festival is the return of Chula Vista Living as a vendor. Chula Vista Living had a booth at the festival back in 2007, when it was still a magazine and before social media became popular. I was a junior at Hilltop Middle School at the time, although I’m not sure if I attended the Lemon Festival.
Mr. Chula Vista himself will be there selling t-shirts and sticker packs. If you love his designs, this is your chance to purchase some custom items. You can find him in front of Craft on Third in space #99. He will also be selling products online very soon, so stay tuned for updates!
Plan Your Visit
Come for the contests, stay for the music, and take time to explore downtown. Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and an appetite. The festival is easy to enjoy at your own pace and has something for everyone.
