This article is part of Fresh Cup’s ongoing coverage of World of Coffee, heading to San Diego from April 10-12, 2026. We’ll continue to bring you stories, updates, and insights before, during, and after the event. See all coverage here.
This week, San Diego will become the center of North America’s coffee industry.
World of Coffee—the newly rebranded successor to the Specialty Coffee Expo—is held at the San Diego Convention Center from April 10 to 12, 2026. Over 15,000 professionals from more than 90 countries are expected to pack the show floor to taste coffees, learn about and launch new products, and meet with fellow professionals.
There’s a lot to do at the event, but the World of Coffee experience is not limited to the walls of the convention center. Panels, parties, and podcast live recordings dot the map around San Diego from sunrise to sunset. Make sure to plan ahead, RSVP if required, and drink lots of water.
The exhibition floor opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. (3 on Sunday). Here’s what’s happening after-hours (and some before) in San Diego this year.
Wednesday, April 8 — Sunset Showdown Latte Art Throwdown
Off-site events are starting early this year. Tenzo and Barista Magazine are kicking things off on Wednesday with the Sunset Showdown Latte Art Throwdown, hosted at Fuzz Coffee Roasters. It’s $20 to compete (first pour at 6:30 p.m.) with a $1,500 prize on the line, plus food from The Friendly and drinks from Fall Brewing and Juneshine. The Instagram post says to sign up online in advance or at Fuzz starting at 6 p.m.
All Week (April 9–12) — SEY House
SEY Coffee, in collaboration with Hyunah Coffee Club, is opening a free pop-up at Luce Loft, 1037 J St., for the full run of World of Coffee. Hosted by SEY’s director of research and education Lance Hedrick, the pop-up will feature cuppings with producers from around the world, a “playground” of coffee brewing equipment, and programming throughout the weekend with events from Bean Voyage and Raise the Bar. Free to visit, but RSVP via sending an email to house@sey.coffee; the pop-up is open on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 9 — Cup of Excellence Legends of Excellence Party
The Cup of Excellence recognizes outstanding coffee producers across the world, and the 2026 Legends of Excellence celebrates farmers who have won multiple Cup of Excellence awards. Food, drinks, and a raffle to round out the event. Free to attend, but donations are welcome. 4 to 6 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, Ballroom 20D Foyer and Garden Terrace. RSVP via eventbrite.
Thursday, April 9 — The Coffee People Podcast Live
The Coffee People Podcast will host a live podcast recording and happy hour at Coffee Cycle Roasting in Ocean Beach. Expect music and giveaways featuring Coffee Cycle, Color Magic, Hacea Coffee Source, Roastar, and more. 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 9 — Ultimate Brewmania
Now in its 8th edition, Ultimate Brewmania is a high-octane competition where baristas and roasters from across the country create one-of-a-kind signature drinks and pass them out to attendees, who vote on their favorites. Hosted by Minor Figures and Sur Coffee, the event includes cash prizes, a wrestling belt, and trophies for winners of the competition. Competitor slots are filled, but anyone is welcome to join the crowd at OB Beans Coffee Roasters, 4879 Newport Ave. from 5 to 8 p.m. RSVP via Partiful.
Thursday, April 9 — Technician Happy Hour
Service Layer and Synesso are hosting techs at Knotty Barrel, 844 Market St., for an event featuring a curated drink menu with N/A options, light tapas, and an easy space to connect with peers or learn about Service Layer, which calls itself “a cooperative of coffee technicians working together to promote local independent tech companies.” 6 to 8 p.m.
Friday, April 10 — Shoreline Supply Co. Opening Night Happy Hour
Shoreline Supply Co., a San Diego-based restaurant supply company, is throwing an opening night happy hour at Moniker Coffee in Liberty Station, 2860 Sims Rd. Patrons can enjoy specialty drinks with both N/A and alcoholic coffee options, food, a raffle, and tastings from companies including Monin, Minor Figures, Matchabar, Numilk, Mooala, Táche, and Dona. 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10 — Chance’s Coffee Throwdown
Chance’s Coffee, in collaboration with Califia Farms, is hosting a 30-barista bracket throwdown emceed by Yoshawn Smith, the 2023 Barista League USA champion. The event takes place at Chance’s Coffee, 3211 El Cajon Blvd. First place takes home $500, second $250, third $100, with swag courtesy of Califia Farms and Slow Pour Supply. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. RSVP via Partiful.
Friday, April 10 — Goldchild After Dark
San Diego’s Goldchild Coffee will debut its new Coffee and Spirit menu, with a live listening set by DJ Big Chunk in partnership with Camel Gin. 5 to 7 p.m. The event is part of an impressive lineup of events at Goldchild including tea tastings, conversations with barista champions from around the world, and coffee science workshops. RSVP via Eventbrite.
Friday, April 10 — Covoya x Roast Magazine Party + Rooftop Podcast
Head to the Rustic Root, 535 5th Ave. in the Gaslamp District starting at 6 p.m. for food and drinks hosted by Covoya Specialty Coffee and Roast Magazine. At 7 p.m., the party moves upstairs, where the Covoya Coffee team will record a live podcast episode on the roof.
Friday, April 10 — Coffee to Cocktail with Mr. Black, Black & White Roasters + Ghost Town Oats
Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur teams up with Black & White Roasters and Ghost Town Oats at J & Tony’s, 631 Ninth Ave., for a high-energy coffee-and-cocktail party. Exhibitors get a complimentary welcome cocktail with their show badge. The main event is the first-ever Bartender-Barista Relay Race: teams of two race to pull a shot on the Fellow Series 1, shake the fastest espresso martini, and sprint it to the finish line. Doors at 6 p.m. and the relay race begins at 6:30 p.m. RSVP via Anyroad.
Friday, April 10 — Califia Farms Opening Night Party
Lou Lou’s Jungle Room at the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., is the spot for Califia Farms’ opening night party. The event features live music from San Diego’s Shuffle and Bang, vinyl DJ sets by Selector Korey Kingston, drinks and appetizers, and a tie-dye station from 8 to 10 p.m. The first 50 guests get a limited-edition swag bag. The party is 21+ and runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. RSVP is required via Partiful.
Saturday, April 11 — Born Ready 5K x World of Coffee Runners
The folks at Mazzer USA, Deadstock Coffee, World of Coffee Runners, and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters are hosting a waterfront run starting and finishing at Bird Rock’s downtown location, 1420 Kettner Blvd. There are two different start times: one at 6:30 a.m. and one an hour later, with an afterparty at Bird Rock Coffee kicking off at 8 a.m. Entry is free but donations benefiting the Girls Gotta Run Foundation are encouraged. Register in advance, then pick up your race shirt and bib at the Mazzer booth (#2324) on the show floor Friday, April 10. You can customize your bib at the booth. Register via Coffee Knowledge Hub.
Saturday, April 11 — SOURCE: Where Do We Go From Here? (Live Cafe Imports Podcast)
Cafe Imports returns with the second year of SOURCE, a live panel and podcast recording at Far Corner, 410 Tenth Ave. This year’s panel features Chris Baca (Cat & Cloud), Laila Ghambari (Guilder Coffee), Jeremy Lyman (Birch Coffee), and Kali Solack (Café Regina), talking about the challenges of running a coffee business right now. Coffee, conchas, and parfaits will be available, and attendees have the option to submit questions in advance when RSVPing. 8 to 10 a.m. RSVP via Eventbrite.
Saturday, April 11 — Lo-Fi Hours at Provecho! Coffee
Green coffee supplier Hacea Coffee Source is teaming up with Grounded Packaging, Spirit Tea, Swiss Water Decaf, and the Coffee People Podcast for a deliberately slow afternoon at Provecho! Coffee, 1955 Julian Ave. Acclaimed bartender Rosie Ruiz is shaking craft mocktails with Spirit Tea and Provecho! will be serving Swiss Water Decaf drinks, with music from DJ Sexy Foam, better known as Lem Butler, and food from Cardon Pizza. 4 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 — Drink & Drift 2
Green coffee company Algrano invites people to relax at Dorothy’s Wine Bar, 789 West Harbor Drive. Enjoy drinks and easy conversation before drifting off to wherever the night takes you. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 — La Marzocco’s Nautical Groove
La Marzocco closes out World of Coffee’s afterhours event with a party at Bloom Nightclub, 919 Fourth Ave.; enter on E Street. The nautical-themed party invites people to “grab your neck scarf, don a captain’s hat, and sail off into the sunset” and harken back to the San Diego vibes of the 1970s and 80s. The party is 21+ and goes from 8 p.m. to midnight. RSVP via Eventbrite.
Whoa! That’s a lot of events. Safe travels, and we’ll see you there.
