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!
Get competitive at the OMBAC on Third Pickleball and Cornhole Tournaments, indulge in culinary delights at the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, and discover compelling stories at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of November 5
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
Día De Los Deftones brings heavy riffs and atmospheric intensity, HUGEL delivers Afro-Latin house grooves built for dancing, and The Psychedelic Furs return with distinctive vocals and enduring new wave favorites, giving San Diego three very different reasons to head out.
Check Out the Latest News from the San Diego Food and Drink Scene
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
Step Into Christmas Magic at The Barn
Explore themed Christmas trees, a life-sized gingerbread barn, and a candy shop trailer at The Barn Redefined in Poway. Christmas at the Barn pairs festive decorating inspiration with opportunities to support children in need through donations benefiting Anvil of Hope.
Shake Things Up at the Snake Oil Mixology Experience
Get hands-on with the art of cocktail making at the Snake Oil Mixology Experience. Learn mixing techniques, experiment with flavors, and create your own cocktails in an interactive setting that’s perfect for a fun outing with friends or a date night.
Savor the Flavors of Baja on a Culinary Expedition
Take your taste buds on a journey through Baja’s culinary scene. Discover regional flavors, explore the area’s food culture, and enjoy a delicious adventure inspired by its rich traditions and creative cuisine. It’s a flavorful escape for curious food lovers.
Watch the Reaper’s Kid Fall for a Human Teen
Reaping souls is the family business, and Diana is next in line. One test stands between her and the big job, until she falls for a dorky human teen. GRIM lands at La Jolla Playhouse as a world premiere, with songs from Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying and Hamilton’s choreographer staging it.
Friday
Savor Eight Days of Culinary Delights at San Diego Food + Wine Festival
Get ready for San Diego Food + Wine Festival’s 22nd anniversary! Sample creations from acclaimed chefs, sip from over 800 wines and spirits, and discover new culinary districts. Don’t miss the Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta’s first combined waterfront weekend.
Catch the Grinch and Scrooge at The Old Globe
The Old Globe brings holiday favorites to life with How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, its Spanish-language counterpart, and Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show. Expect Who-ville magic, familiar songs, and a playful local spin on Dickens’ classic ghostly tale.
Discover Incredible Stories at the San Diego Asian Film Festival
Celebrate Asian and Asian American storytelling at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Discover compelling films, fresh perspectives, and emerging talent through screenings that spotlight diverse voices and cultures. Connect with fellow film lovers and experience cinema that inspires conversation.
Shop Local Treasures at Waves & Makers Night Market
Spend an evening discovering unique finds at Waves & Makers Night Market. Browse handcrafted goods, shop creations from local artisans, and support small businesses. Enjoy a lively atmosphere while exploring one-of-a-kind treasures and connecting with San Diego’s creative community.
Find Your Match at Love Isn’t Blind’s Live Dating Show
Skip the dating apps and enjoy a night of romance, laughter, and unexpected connections at Love Isn’t Blind. Watch singles navigate a live dating experience where personality takes center stage, and see whether sparks fly before the night ends.
Saturday
Toss, Dink, and Cheer at OMBAC on Third in Chula Vista
OMBAC on Third turns Third Avenue into a pop-up arena with 10 pickleball courts and 30 cornhole lanes. Register to play or cheer from the sidelines for free, with craft beer and music all around. Proceeds support the Chula Vista Fire Department Heritage Foundation.
Join a Guided Saturday Run at Fit Run Club East Village
Lace up and join Fit Run Club for a guided Saturday run in front of Fit East Village, led by one of the gym’s instructors. Runners of every level are welcome, so focus on your pace and let every mile feel better together.
Lace Up for the Salute to Paws 5K & Gratitude Festival
Bring your four-legged friends for a day of fitness, fun, and appreciation at the Salute to Paws 5K & Gratitude Festival! Enjoy a community run, festive activities, and a celebration honoring those who serve, alongside their loyal canine companions.
Trade the Tasting Room for a Floor of Exotic Cars
Wine tastings rarely happen on a floor of exotic cars. Latin Nights After Dark fills Gillie’s Auto Lounge with Spanish wine, an open bar, tapas, and Latin art, with two featured artists on hand and their originals for sale. All proceeds benefit the San Diego Automotive Museum. 21 and over.
Meet the Axolotls at Birch Aquarium
Explore The Axolotl’s Garden at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, where two axolotl habitats anchor a story-rich exhibition inspired by Mexican and Baja California ecology, mythology, and folklore. Discover endangered amphibians, other Mexican species, and conservation stories.
Sunday
Spend a Free Sunday With Contemporary Art at MCASD
MCASD opens its doors for free on the second Sunday of every month, no reservations needed. Wander the galleries, catch the final day of Hometown Heroes, explore Visiones Nocturnas, and bring the kids for Play Day to make some art of your own.
Hit the Scenic Course at the Silver Strand Half Marathon
Lace up for the Silver Strand Half Marathon and enjoy a scenic run along San Diego’s coastline. Take in beautiful ocean views, soak up the race-day energy, and challenge yourself on a course connecting Coronado and Imperial Beach.
Watch Art Come Alive at The San Diego Museum of Art
Museum as a Stage brings dance, music, and Shakespeare into The San Diego Museum of Art’s galleries. Discover performances by local arts companies, from Día de los Muertos ballet to family concerts, with select experiences included free with Museum admission.
Get on the Pier Only Birch Aquarium Can Open
Birch Aquarium educators are taking you past the glass this fall. Sunset Pier Walks get you onto the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, normally closed to the public, for plankton, squid dissection, and shark science. Tidepooling Adventures put you at the water’s edge at low tide. Both sell out fast.
Great Things to Do in San Diego
Spend a Full Day Exploring Liberty Station
Start with lunch at Liberty Public Market, climb aboard the U.S.S. Recruit, then settle into the wine garden at Carruth Cellars before a Cygnet show at The Joan. That’s four stops. Our updated Liberty Station guide has 17 more.
Discover Normal Heights, One of San Diego’s Best-Kept Secrets
Don’t let the name fool you. Normal Heights packs great coffee, vintage, brunch, and craft cocktails into one stretch of Adams Avenue. We cover the whole walkable strip, plus the spots locals keep coming back to.
Unleash Your Inner Kid at San Diego’s Best Arcades and Adult Playgrounds
Pinball, skee-ball-style lanes, and a cocktail in hand – San Diego’s grown-ups play harder than you’d think. Our guide rounds up the best arcades, bowling bars, axe-throwing, escape rooms, and more, from the Gaslamp to Mission Beach.
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. Every bar on this list has earned a regular place in our 2026 rotation.
Upcoming San Diego Events Worth Knowing About
Recharge and Dance at Belmont Park
SSBD Renew Wellness brings yoga, Pilates, mindfulness, and cold plunges to Belmont Park for a day of movement and music. Recharge with wellness activities, then keep the energy flowing with Tchami as this beachside gathering blends relaxation with dancefloor fun.
Hit the Ground Running with Diplo’s Run Club in San Diego
Lace up and get moving as Diplo’s Run Club comes to San Diego. Combine fitness and music in a high-energy experience featuring a community run, lively beats, and a festival atmosphere that brings runners and music lovers together for fun.
Sip Craft Brews and Support the Rails at Ales N’ Rails
All aboard for Ales N’ Rails at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum! Sip craft beers, explore impressive model train exhibits, and enjoy a fun evening supporting the museum’s exhibits and educational programs. Raise a glass for a great cause!
Lace Up and Give Back at the Thanksgiving Run
Kick off Thanksgiving with a run that gives back. Gather your family and friends, hit the course, and enjoy a festive morning of fitness and community spirit. Make every step count while celebrating gratitude and supporting a meaningful cause.
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See you there, San Diego!
