The 47th Annual Festival held on the grounds of Mission San Diego de Alcalá the weekend of July 13th & 14th is family-friendly fun for all ages! The Festival commemorates the founding of the Mission – the first in California – and the city of San Diego.

Both days will feature live entertainment, an array of international foods, and games and activities for the kids. Docents will be available to provide tours of the Mission from 10 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday and from 12 noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Saturday highlights include the Ringing of the Mission Bells at noon. All five of the Mission bells will be rung, including the original bell dating back to 1802, which only occurs at this event! Saturday evening will feature dancing or just listening “under the stars” to San Diego’s favorite dance band, The Heroes.

The Festival culminates on Sunday with the Blessing of the Animals at 3:00 pm, a Mission tradition for the past 46 years. Admission is free.

Festival of the Bells Schedule

Saturday July 13 

• 10:00 AM:
  • Festival Opening with Mission Choir
  • Mission Tours (available until 4:00 pm)
• 10:30 to Noon: Entertainment
• 12:00 PM: Ringing of the Mission Bells with Mariachi Del Mar
• 2:00 to 7:00 PM: Entertainment
• 7:00 PM: The Heroes – Dancing
• 9:30 PM: Festival Close for Evening

Sunday July 14

• 11:00 AM: Festival Opens
• 12:00 PM: Mission Tours (available until 4:00pm)
• 1:00 PM: Entertainment
• 3:00 PM: Blessing of the Animals
• 4:00 PM: Entertainment
• 5:00 PM: Festival Closes

Both Days

• International Food Faire
• Kids Activities and Games
• Plant Boutique
• Second Hand Store “Festival Finds”
• Cantina
• Silent Auction and Opportunity Drawings

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