OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off | Ocean Beach San Diego CA

OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off

The 43rd Annual

Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival offers attendees eclectic fun in the sun for all ages. More than 70,000 visitors will attend the Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off from 10am to 8pm on Saturday, June 24, 2023, for a tasty festival nosh, art, beachfront entertainment, shopping, and more. Entry to the Street Fair is always free! The Chili Competition featured tastings from amateur entrants competing for the titles of Hottest Chili, Judges' Award, and Grand Prize: People's Choice Award.

Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off logo

 

Click to view Vendor Applications page

Vendor Applications

Vendor applications are listed on the following page. Please complete the application which best describes what you will sell at the event. Many changes have been made to this event including but not limited to the layout. These changes have been made due to the City of San Diego’s updated Fire Marshall Requirements and the Spaces as Places program which allows eateries to utilize parking spaces. Because of the updated layout past vendors will not be guaranteed a specific location, and no space requests can be taken at this time to ensure the Fair is a success and safe for all vendors and patrons.

Click to view Chili Cook-Off - 11:00 AM page

Chili Cook-Off - 11:00 AM

The Chili Cook-Off competition is held in the grassy area between Newport Avenue and the Pacific. Competitors will show off their chili cooking chops by competing for great prizes... not to mention the satisfaction of winning! Is eating (rather than cooking) delicious chili more your speed? Put your tastebuds to the test and cast a vote alongside the judges! Chili tasting begins at 11am.

Click to view Three Stages of Continuous Music page

Three Stages of Continuous Music

There will be three stages of nonstop music throughout the day at the Annual OB Street Fair. Music genres will include acoustic, rock, blues, alternative, Americana, and more. The audiences will be entertained by musicians from everywhere - including right here in our own backyard. Don't miss all the fun - mark your calendars for Saturday, June 24th!

Click to view Beachside Beer Garden page

Beachside Beer Garden

The Beachside Beer Garden will be rockin' all day for guests 21+ looking to enjoy an ice cold brew with an ocean view. It will be right next to the main stage with live music from 11 am to 8 pm. Also, we'll have the Hodad's Burger Eating contest, and the Chili Cook-Off winners announcement. Both beer and mixed drinks will be available.

Click to view Artists Alley page

Artists Alley

Peruse handmade items from local and regional artists and crafters in this special section. Enjoy shopping for artists' handcrafted and unique items along with their entertaining art demonstrations! Read more to see our Artists Alley vendors, and keep checking back as we continue to add vendors!

Click to view OB Dirty Birds Wing Eating Contest page

OB Dirty Birds Wing Eating Contest

Love chicken wings and keeping Ocean Beach clean, beautiful, and fun? Great, it's a win-win. Sign up for the Annual Street Fair's Dirty Birds Wing Eating contest and the proceeds support OBMA's Friends of OB Clean & Safe Program. The contest is held on the MainStage on Saturday from 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Click to view Community Mural page

Community Mural

Join in the fun and paint a square of the mural. Children and adults of all ages are welcome in creating these masterpieces! The squares sell out very quickly, so come early to buy your space. Squares are $20. You will receive a palette of paint along with your square.

Click to view Seaside Family Fun Zone page

Seaside Family Fun Zone

The Seaside Family Fun Zone at the Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair is tons of fun for the whole family! New Location! The Kids Fun Zone is located Saratoga Park near the main lifeguard tower.

Click to view Rock & Roll San Diego and Paper Moon Music page

Rock & Roll San Diego and Paper Moon Music

Rock & Roll San Diego will return for the Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off with Paper Moon Music. Channel your inner rock star and learn how to play a song in just 15 minutes!

Click to view FREE Trolley & Bike Valet page

FREE Trolley & Bike Valet

Ride to the festival for free! Go green and avoid the hassle of parking by riding a bike or taking a trolley to the Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival. We will offer a free bike valet as well as five free trolleys from our friends at Old Town Trolley Tour Company. Trolleys run continuously, so no one will miss any of the fun!

Click to view Replacement ADA Parking page

Replacement ADA Parking

20 ADA spaces will be replaced. 10 - Santa Monica Ave. + 10 - Newport Ave. ADA drop off location on corner of Santa Monica Ave. & Bacon St. ADA signage provided by ACME Supply.  

Photos from past OB Street Fairs

Photos from Past OB Street Fairs

The Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival has been an OB tradition since the late 70s. Click to check out Photos from past Street Fairs!

Videos of the Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off

Videos of the Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off

Experience the fun of recent Street Fairs with these cool videos! View Street Fair Videos

Click to view Official T-Shirts & Merchandise page

Official T-Shirts & Merchandise

Eager for this year's new t-shirt design? Looking to purchase a shirt from one of the previous Street Fair & Chili Cook-Offs? Look no further! Click Here to View All Merchandise.      

History of the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival

History of the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival

In 1984, Ocean Beach had its first Chili Cook-off Festival with Mike Akey, current board of directors member of the OB MainStreet Association, as its founder. Back in the 1970s, Mike and his father Angie Scaramuzzo were chili enthusiasts and often traveled to chili cook-offs in the likes of Las Vegas, Balboa Island, Cabo San Lucas, and Guadalajara, just to mention a few. Mike’s dad once went to the world competition in Rosemond, California (a ghost town), to compete with his “Scaramuch Chili.” Angie also founded the Lake Havasu City Chili Cook-Off which is still going on today. Mike thought about starting a cook-off in OB and made the decision to do so in 1984...

Click to view Artist Alley Vendor Check-In page

Artist Alley Vendor Check-In

2023 OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Dear Artist Alley Vendor, Thank you for participating in the 43rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off. Here are the links you will need to gather all the information about Saturday, June 24th.

Click to view Merchant and Food Vendor Check-In page

Merchant and Food Vendor Check-In

Dear merchandise and food vendors, non-profits, and organizations, Thank you for participating in the 43rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off. Here are the links you will need to gather all the information about Saturday, June 24th.

Click to view Sponsors, Volunteers, and Chili Cookers page

Sponsors, Volunteers, and Chili Cookers

Fair Sponsorship, Volunteer, and Chili Cooker Opportunities are available for the 43rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off. Each year approximately 50,000 people come out to enjoy this event which is a family-oriented experience, filling six square blocks with vendors selling arts, crafts, merchandise, food, and activities.

Subscribe to Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off