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!
Dig into smoky flavors at the 3rd Annual Downtown Oceanside BBQ Competition, sample bites from neighborhood favorites at Taste of Little Italy, welcome summer at Del Mar’s Seaside Solstice Party, and enjoy live music, art, and culture at Kinfolk Fest.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of June 18
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
It’s heating up this week with a lineup that spans pop, country, and R&B. Catch Madison Beer on The Locket Tour, country star Parker McCollum, Khalid’s It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour, and KSON NASCAR Countryfest featuring rising singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. for an unforgettable week of live music.
Eat, Drink, and Enjoy the Best of San Diego
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.
Thursday
Enjoy Free Summer Concerts Under the Stars at Twilight in the Park
Twilight in the Park returns to Balboa Park with a beloved season of free outdoor concerts featuring everything from big band and jazz to Latin, rock, and community ensembles. Bring a blanket, settle in under the trees, and enjoy one of San Diego’s favorite summer traditions.
Savor the Flavors of Little Italy
Taste of Little Italy is back, inviting food lovers to stroll through one of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhoods while sampling signature dishes from top local restaurants. Enjoy a culinary experience filled with incredible flavors, community spirit, and the charm that makes Little Italy a favorite destination.
Celebrate 20 Years of Summer at Del Mar’s Seaside Solstice Party
One night, 15+ restaurants, top-shelf drinks, live music, and a Pacific Ocean backdrop. Del Mar’s Summer Solstice turns 20 this year, and Powerhouse Park is the place to be. General admission is $145 – and it sells out every year.
Spend a Magical Evening With Verbatim Books’ In the Park ’Til Dark
Verbatim Books invites readers, writers, and curious minds to gather for In the Park ’Til Dark – a charming outdoor experience celebrating books, community, and connection. Expect an evening filled with literary conversation, creative energy, and the simple joy of lingering outdoors with fellow book lovers.
Wander Through Organica: Flora to Fauna 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.
Soak Up the Fun at SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular
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.
Friday
Sip and Celebrate at Estancia La Jolla’s Agave Fest
Agave Fest returns to Estancia La Jolla with an elevated celebration of tequila, mezcal, and agave spirits. Enjoy tastings from top producers, craft cocktails, live entertainment, and flavorful culinary pairings while exploring the rich culture and traditions behind every pour.
Dive Into Ocean Discovery With Birch Aquarium’s Summer Camps
Birch Aquarium’s Summer Camps blend marine science, outdoor exploration, and hands-on fun for young ocean lovers. From aquarium adventures and animal encounters to surfing, snorkeling, and beach discoveries, these immersive programs turn San Diego’s coastline into the ultimate classroom.
Find the Ultimate Spots to Watch the World Cup
San Diego is going all in for the FIFA World Cup this summer. Watch parties, drink specials, and fan activations are popping up across the city. Here are the best spots to catch every match.
Meet the Plastics in Mean Girls at Moonlight
Join Cady Heron as she navigates the wild social jungle of high school in Mean Girls, the hit Broadway musical from Tina Fey. Packed with sharp humor, catchy songs, and unforgettable characters, this fan-favorite comedy is so fetch.
Unwind After Hours at 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.
Spend Your Fridays at Downtown El Cajon’s Music on Main
Downtown El Cajon is turning up the energy with the return of Music on Main, a beloved outdoor concert series bringing live music, community vibes, and warm summer nights to Prescott Promenade. Expect rotating performances, local flavor, and plenty of reasons to keep coming back all season.
Celebrate 100 Days of Summer Fun at Belmont Park
Belmont Park is going all out with 100 Days of Belmont, a season-long celebration packed with ride specials, food deals, birthday-themed treats, live music, and boardwalk fun. Whether you’re chasing thrills or soaking up the beachside atmosphere, there’s something happening all summer long.
Saturday
Taste BBQ and Support a Great Cause
Sample mouthwatering ribs, brisket, chicken, and more as local pitmasters compete for bragging rights and the People’s Choice Award. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, a vendor marketplace, and raffle prizes—all while supporting Rady Children’s Hospital and its lifesaving programs.
Crack the Code in Decoding DaVinci
Step into a real-life mystery where UC San Diego becomes your game board. Part scavenger hunt, part immersive theater, and part outdoor escape room, Decoding DaVinci challenges participants to uncover clues, solve puzzles, and outsmart secret enemies in a thrilling adventure.
Reconnect, Recharge, and Find Balance at the IKIGAI Wellness Retreat
The IKIGAI Wellness Retreat invites us to slow down, reconnect with ourselves, and build meaningful community through a day centered on wellness and personal growth. Expect mindful movement, inspiring experiences, restorative practices, and a supportive atmosphere designed to leave you feeling refreshed and grounded.
Catch the San Diego Highland Games at their New Home in Mission Valley
Five decades of Scottish heritage, heavy athletics, Highland dance, bagpipe bands, and sheepdog trials – now at a new, more accessible home at Mission Valley River Park. The 50th edition is the biggest yet, and the caber toss alone is worth showing up for.
Celebrate Juneteenth at San Diego’s Biggest Block Party
Kinfolk Fest returns to Waterfront Park for a full day of live music, Afrobeats, R&B, Neo-Soul, 100+ Black-owned vendors, cultural food, cocktails, art activations, and community connection. Organized by SD Melanin, this is San Diego’s largest Juneteenth celebration – and one of the best days of the summer.
Step Into the Solstice at The Chapel at Liberty Station
Mark the longest day of the year inside a transformed Chapel at Liberty Station. Ten Six Pines brings immersive light and sound installations, live jazz from Riva, choreography by Beth Guerrette & company, and craft cocktails by Snake Oil – one night, limited capacity.
Cheer on America’s First Responders at the US Police & Fire Championships
The US Police & Fire Championships return to San Diego with an inspiring showcase of athleticism, teamwork, and community spirit. Watch first responders from across the country compete in Olympic-style events, celebrating the dedication, strength, and resilience behind the uniforms.
Catch a Movie Under the Stars With Rooftop Cinema Club
Little Italy’s rooftop movie experience atop the Porto Vista Hotel is heading into one of its biggest stretches of the year. Rooftop Cinema Club has built something around every major moment between now and the end of June – and the lineup is stacked.
Sunday
Celebrate Dad With These Father’s Day Specials Around San Diego
Whether he wants to enjoy his favorite feast, a day chillin’ by the beach, or just kicking back with a cold beer, these specials are all about celebrating dads this Father’s Day.
Check Out the San Diego County Fair
Planning a trip to the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar? Here’s what you need to know before you go. Because we want to keep your summer stress to a minimum (we care!), we’ve narrowed it down to a list of seven simple things you need to know.
Join the Party and Dance Along With Hairspray at New Village Arts
Step into 1960s Baltimore and become part of the action in Hairspray at New Village Arts. Follow Tracy Turnblad’s journey to stardom in this Tony Award-winning musical filled with laughter, romance, unforgettable songs, and a powerful message of inclusion.
Journey Through 100 Years of Art at SDMA
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 the Ring With La Jolla Playhouse’s Powerful New Drama, The Monsters
Sibling bonds, buried emotions, and the intensity of mixed martial arts collide in The Monsters, the latest production at La Jolla Playhouse. Written by and starring Ngozi Anyanwu, this gripping drama explores family, forgiveness, and the complicated love that never fully leaves us.
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.
Spend a Full Summer Day at the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off
The 46th OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off takes over Newport Avenue with free admission, two stages of live music, a competitive chili tasting, local art, eating contests, and an oceanfront beer garden. One of San Diego’s best all-day summer events – and it won’t cost you a thing to get in.
Taste Your Way Through One of San Diego’s Best Food Neighborhoods
The Annual Taste of Adams Avenue returns with a flavorful stroll through one of San Diego’s most vibrant corridors. Sample bites, sips, and local favorites from dozens of participating restaurants, cafés, pubs, and eateries while exploring the unique character of Adams Avenue’s neighborhoods.
Indulge in North Park’s Sweetest Celebration at the Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival
The Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival returns with a day of frozen treats, local flavor, and community impact. Sample creations from dozens of vendors, enjoy interactive experiences, and celebrate one of San Diego’s most delicious events – all while supporting a meaningful cause.
Savor Fire-Kissed Flavors at Heritage Fire San Diego
Heritage Fire brings together top chefs, premium ranchers, and live-fire cooking for an unforgettable culinary experience. Taste expertly prepared meats, discover bold flavors, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind gathering that celebrates craftsmanship, sustainability, and the art of cooking over open flames.
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See you there, San Diego!
