Lemon Fest returns to St. John of the Cross Catholic Parish in Lemon Grove, running Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026. Now in its eighth decade, the parish’s annual fall festival is a long-running East County tradition that draws families from across Lemon Grove and the surrounding communities.
The free, family-friendly weekend features traditional carnival games and rides, a beer garden, live entertainment, and a wide spread of cultural food booths reflecting the parish’s diverse congregation. A raffle and silent auction round out the fundraiser, which benefits the parish and its school.
Lemon Fest is a neighborhood institution in Lemon Grove, blending faith-community fundraising with the kind of carnival atmosphere that has made it a fixture on the East County fall calendar for generations.
