Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Check out this week’s Things to Do in San Diego this weekend and make your plans!
Memorial Day weekend brings plenty of specials and celebrations across the city, SeaWorld launches its dazzling new Ocean of Dreams synchronized drone show, and Verbatim Books invites readers to linger a little longer with its charming In the Park Til Dark gathering.
If that’s not enough…there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of May 21
Top Concerts in San Diego This Week
Want to know where to find amazing artists in concert every week in San Diego? This is your go-to list!
The Craving
The Craving is your source for the latest menu updates, new cocktail programs, happy hours, and special offers from San Diego’s best restaurants and bars.
Rooftop Cinema Club has the Perfect Lineup to Kick Off Summer
Movie nights get a major upgrade this May with over 80 films, themed events, and skyline views in Little Italy. From fan-favorite classics to sing-alongs, dog-friendly screenings, and special nights, this open-air cinema experience delivers the perfect mix of entertainment, atmosphere, and rooftop vibes.
Memorial Day Specials Around San Diego
Memorial Day is just around the corner, and many San Diego businesses will be offering great specials! Honor the occasion with friends by taking advantage of tasty food specials and raising a glass to the outstanding men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Thursday
Verbatim Books is Taking Reading Outside – and it’s Free
Verbatim Books’ In the Park Til Dark is a monthly outdoor gathering at Bird Park where the whole idea is beautifully simple: bring a blanket, bring a snack, bring whatever you’re currently reading, and enjoy the evening.
Pedal Your Way Across San Diego for Bike Anywhere Day
Join a region-wide celebration of biking that invites you to ride anywhere – from work to the beach – while exploring San Diego’s extensive bikeways. Stop by fun pit stops for freebies, snacks, and community vibes, all while promoting a healthier, more sustainable way to get around.
Organica: Flora to Fauna Opens at the Granger Hotel
The Granger Hotel has a new exhibition worth seeking out. Organica: Flora to Fauna brings together fourteen regional artists from Southern California and across the border, curated by Jennifer Findley – Director of Arts and Culture at Oram Hotels and founder of JFiN Collective.
Friday
The Nat After Dark
Every Friday night, the San Diego Natural History Museum stays open late for Nat at Night. Five floors of exhibits, rooftop drinks, small bites from Wolf in the Woods, tacos from The Craft Taco, and admission that drops to half price after 5 PM. Science has never looked this good.
Last Day to Roll Up Your Sleeve & Back Your Crew at San Diego’s First Responder Blood Drive
Join a meaningful community effort where giving back meets a little friendly competition. Support your favorite first responder team as agencies go head-to-head in donation counts, all while helping save lives. It’s a simple, powerful way to make an impact and show up for those who serve San Diego.
SeaWorld San Diego Is Lighting Up the Night Sky This Summer
SeaWorld’s new nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, sends 600 synchronized drones into the sky for a 12-minute aerial display of sea creatures and neon light formations. It’s California’s first nightly drone show, and it runs all summer alongside a new Shark Encounter exhibit and live concerts.
Grand Social is Back at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s outdoor music series runs every Friday and Saturday this summer – live performances across three levels with bocce courts, wood-fired dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and private fire pit cabanas. May kicks off with Yacht Rock, Americana, Cuban Latin, and a 90s night.
Start Your Day With Purpose at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
Gather with community leaders, advocates, and allies for a morning honoring the legacy of Harvey Milk. Celebrate diversity, recognize changemakers, and uplift voices working toward equality in this meaningful event that brings people together in the spirit of unity, hope, and lasting impact.
SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular is Here
A nightly drone show, a new Shark Encounter exhibit, reimagined animal experiences, and live concerts every Saturday through late August – SeaWorld San Diego is stacking the lineup this summer. Plenty of reasons to go more than once.
Movies on Del Beach is Back and the 2026 Lineup is Massive
There’s something about watching a movie on the beach that just hits differently. The sound of the ocean in the background, a cool breeze rolling in off the water, and a great film lighting up the screen – it’s the kind of night that stays with you. Movies on Del Beach is back with a packed schedule, and the lineup covers pretty much every mood you could be in.
Saturday
The Best Free Saturday Morning in San Diego
Fit Athletic is bringing a free, all-levels vinyasa flow class to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park – one of the most beautiful open-air waterfront settings in the city. Led by instructor Viktoria Talbot, this one-hour session welcomes all skill levels. Space is limited, so lock in your spot early.
Dive Into Summer at Liquid Sunshine Dayclub
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego turns up the heat with the launch of Liquid Sunshine Dayclub, transforming its iconic rooftop into a vibrant poolside party destination. Guests can expect energetic DJ sets, refreshing cocktails, sun-soaked vibes, and nonstop entertainment, making it the go-to summer escape for dancing, lounging, and celebrating in the heart of downtown San Diego.
San Diego’s AANHPI Eats Week is Back
Seven AANHPI-owned restaurants across San Diego are offering exclusive prix-fixe menus and specials for nine days in honor of AANHPI Heritage Month. Hakata ramen, Vietnamese-French cooking, Hawaiian fusion, and more – all from family-run kitchens with real stories behind the food.
Sunday
San Diego Museum of Art is Celebrating 100 Years With its Most Ambitious Exhibition Yet
One hundred years in, and the San Diego Museum of Art is putting it all on the table. Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions is the museum’s centennial exhibition, and it’s exactly what it sounds like – a deep dive into some of the most significant works added to the collection over the past decade and a half.
Step Into Stillness at Kate Tova’s Immersive Art Exhibition
Slow down and explore a deeply personal, visually striking exhibition that reflects on burnout, rest, and renewal. Wander through immersive galleries filled with dreamlike landscapes and dynamic works that invite reflection, healing, and pause – offering a rare moment to reconnect with yourself in today’s fast-paced world.
Great Things To Do in San Diego
Restaurants and Bars With the Best Outdoor Patios in San Diego
We asked our Instagram fam to tell us your favorite patios for outdoor dining, drinks, and relaxing in the fresh San Diego air. Here’s what you said.
North Park San Diego: The Complete Neighborhood Guide
This is the locals’ guide to North Park in 2026: what just opened, where to eat, where to drink, where to grab coffee, and how to spend an actual day here. We update it every month because North Park moves that fast.
Your 2026 Guide to San Diego’s Best Bars
We’re rounding up the best bars in San Diego right now, from laid-back neighborhood gems to standout cocktail spots. These are the places we keep coming back to in 2026.
Sip Local: Discover San Diego’s Hidden Wine Scene
Think you need Napa for great wine? Think again. San Diego is home to over 150 wineries, from urban tasting rooms to scenic vineyards. This guide highlights standout spots pouring everything from bold reds to crisp whites – perfect for a laid-back day of sipping, exploring, and discovering local favorites.
The Best Rooftop Bars in San Diego Right Now
From the classics that define the category to a few lesser-known spots that reward the people who know where to look, these are the San Diego rooftop bars worth planning a night around in 2026.
11 of the Best Hikes in San Diego…Most Within 15 Minutes of Your Door!
Ready to hit the trail without the long drive? These San Diego hikes are all close to home and packed with scenic views. From coastal paths to canyon climbs, it’s an easy way to get outside and reset.
Upcoming San Diego Events Worth Knowing About
Rooftop Pilates and a Mimosa at Andaz San Diego
Ethereal Balance is taking their mat class to the Andaz rooftop, followed by breakfast bites, a mimosa, and local vendor pop-ups. The ticket covers the class, a drink, a lite bite, and 20% off additional food.
See How Contemporary Ballet Gets Made – Live Onstage
The Rosin Box Project pulls back the curtain with Incubator Lab: The Making, Magnified – three nights at the Light Box Theater at Liberty Station where dancers workshop new choreography in real time, right in front of the audience. It’s contemporary ballet at its most raw and unfiltered.
Feel the Rhythm & Soak Up the Sun at Fiesta del Sol
Kick off summer at this free, beachside celebration filled with live music, local art, delicious food, and family-friendly fun. Dance to nonstop performances, browse unique vendors, and enjoy oceanfront vibes.
Anchored in Wellness Festival Returns to Liberty Station
Liberty Station’s Anchored in Wellness Festival is back for its third year, bringing a full day of movement, mindfulness, and feel-good energy to Ingram Plaza. This annual celebration highlights Liberty Station as one of San Diego’s go-to wellness destinations, where community, connection, and longevity take center stage.
North Park Music Fest is Back With 30+ Live Acts
North Park has always had one of the best music scenes in San Diego, and once a year it turns the whole neighborhood into one giant stage. North Park Music Fest is back for 2026, spreading more than 30 live acts across the venues, bars, and spots that make this neighborhood what it is.
Get Ready for the Inaugural Field of Dreamz Festival at Petco Park
An inaugural festival at one of the best outdoor venues in the country, curated by one of San Diego’s most beloved bands. This one is going to be a moment.
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See you there, San Diego!
