By Kris Michell | Downtown Partnership News

Every season offers its own charms and ways to enjoy Downtown living, but summertime is when the most exciting events bloom and prosper.

Certainly, there’s Comic-Con — which begins the second week of July — one of the entertainment industry’s biggest events of the year. We’re also betting on our Padres to be an exciting presence all summer long.

But that’s only the beginning!

Downtown San Diego offers all kinds of one-shot and recurring events throughout the summer months with something for everyone. So let’s take a tour of our proverbial Downtown summer garden.

Healthy living in the city

Most immediately, next week is the second annual “Stretch Yourself with Scripps” yoga on the flight deck of the USS Midway.

This free, family-friendly yoga session will be led by expert instructors from Yoga One, a popular Downtown studio. The hour-long class on June 20 starts promptly at 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 7 a.m.

Last year’s downward dogging debut drew more than 400 participants — and it’s likely this year’s attendance will top it — so grab a friend and your yoga mat to take part in this unique experience.

Yoga on the Midway is part of the “Scripps Healthy Living in the City” program, an initiative offering healthy lifestyle options Downtown by offering free cooking classes, guided neighborhood strolls and outdoor yoga classes all year long. For more information about Scripps Healthy Living in the City, visit: downtownsandiego.org/healthyscripps/.

Sounds of summer

We will also see the return of the Downtown Partnership’s “Sounds of Summer” pop-up concert series, beginning June 26 and continuing through the summer on Friday afternoons.

The concerts will “pop up” in a variety of locations around Downtown and feature popular local artists. The series is part of the Partnership’s broader program of enlivening spaces throughout Downtown with cool cultural happenings and activities and will also feature special guest appearances by elected officials and local business leaders.

Swing into summer and hit the front porch

If the pop-up concerts don’t get you dancing in the streets, two new programs sponsored by U.S. Bank just might.

Beginning in June, they’ll offer swing dance classes on Broadway Pier all summer long. The free, hour-long classes will be held once a month on Thursdays and taught by the experts at Swing Dancing San Diego.

The first class will be held June 25 at 6 p.m. at U.S. Bank’s Downtown branch located at 1420 Kettner Blvd. Subsequent classes will be held on Broadway Pier. Check the schedule at: downtownsandiego.org/us-bank-summer-series.

U.S. Bank will also be sponsoring free “Front Porch Pilates” classes at Lane Field, the latest Downtown park which opened in March along Harbor Drive, thanks in large part to a significant donation from the bank. Front Porch Pilates will be held once a month on Thursdays and taught by the experts at Broadway Athletic and Swim Club. The first class is scheduled for July 16 at U.S. Bank’s Downtown’s branch. Subsequent classes will be held outdoors at beautiful Lane Field.

Gaslamp nights

This summer also sees the introduction of Gaslamp Night Plaza, which will feature uncommon experiences in a common space.

Seven times throughout the summer, Island Avenue will be blocked off to vehicular traffic and replaced with tables and chairs from 6 – 10 p.m. for family- and dog-friendly events and performances. Gaslamp Night Plaza is a collaborative effort between the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Gaslamp Quarter Association, and the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. For more information, visit nightplaza.com.

This is just a small sampling of what the summer in Downtown San Diego has to offer. We’re excited to share more as the season rolls on.

—Kris Michell is the president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a nonprofit, member-based organization that serves as the leading advocate for the revitalization and economic health of Downtown. To learn more about the Downtown Partnership, visit downtownsandiego.org.