Seaport Village's Annual Spring Busker Festival

Celebrate creative talent next to a beautiful waterfront view! Seaport Village is holding their 10th Annual Spring Busker Festival on March 5th and 6th. From all over the country, street performers travel to San Diego to show off their talents, ranging from sword swallowing to pogo stick tricks, knife throwing to juggling on unicycles, and, of course, music.

Buskers are street performers known for their unique and stand–out acts. Seaport Village holds the only Busker Festival in California. The two day festival will feature some of the nation's top performers while visitors shop, eat and enjoy the unique entertainment from 12pm to 6pm.

In you are in the 18 and older crowd, the fun does not stop there! Buskers After Dark is an adult–only portion of the festival. Performances will be uncensored and will include fire jugglers, comedians, acrobats, beverages and a DJ spinning from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m on March 5th. Beer, wine and great food specials will be available.

In the past, the festival has had performers like acrobats from Aerial Revolution, drummer and YouTube sensation Baard Kolstad, comedian Extreme Rahim and contortionist Kelvin Gordon. Each year, the Busker Festival allows their audience to vote for their favorite performer to win a People’s Choice award. In 2015, the audience crowned performer Derek McAlister as the winner. The prize was a $500 travel voucher to the airline of his choice. 

McAlister's pole climbing and fire juggling career was inspired after a Europe trip in 1999. After discovering his fascination with street performing, he created a show with his performing partner in 2001 and went on to perform all over the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Thailand.

His repertoire includes three different shows. "The Twin Tango" is a combination of clown, mime, dance and Chinese pole climbing mixed with a charmingly funny love story. "Franky J Kabaam" showcases juggling and escapology with some dazzle and flair. "Derek Derek" is McAlister’s first and oldest show he performs. It is a high–energy comedy street show with family–friendly banter. McAlister performs this show all over the world in English, French and Italian.  

The 2016 Busker Festival lineup has yet to be announced, but judging by their past performers, it is sure to be a memorable event. Entrance to the festival is free, but tipping the performers is encouraged. 

Seaport Village is located at 849 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Parking is available in the Seaport Village lots for $4 for three hours with validation and $3 every 30 minutes after. Because of high expectancy, there will be extra parking for $10 at the Hilton Hotel Bayfront parking lot, located on Park Blvd. Free shuttles will take guests back and forth from the Hilton Bayfront to Seaport Village and will run every 15 minutes from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

For more information regarding parking, shops, restaurants and entertainment in Seaport Village, call (619) 235–4014.