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!
Honor Native American traditions at the Barona Powwow, give back during Margaritaville’s Day of Service, or head to the mountains for Julian’s Grape Stomp Festa.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of September 3
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
From country chart-topper George Birge to the iconic indie rock sounds of The Charlatans UK and the explosive drum & bass energy of Chase & Status, San Diego’s concert calendar is packed with can’t-miss performances.
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
Don’t Miss the Final Rally at Urban Pickleball
Serve, rally, and socialize at Downtown San Diego’s first-ever street-style pickleball series. Play beneath the skyline, enjoy live DJs, browse the Game Day Market, score Paddle Hour specials, and soak up the lively Gaslamp atmosphere. All skill levels are welcome.
Catch the Final Sunset Luau on the Bay
Don’t miss the season’s final Sunset Luau on Mission Bay, featuring authentic Polynesian music and dance, a welcome Mai Tai, an all-you-can-eat island-inspired buffet, family-friendly activities, and an unforgettable evening of hula, fire dancing, and waterfront celebration.
Friday
Experience the Barona Powwow
Celebrate the rich traditions of Native American culture at the Barona Powwow, where vibrant dance competitions, powerful drumming, artisan vendors, and authentic food come together in a free, family-friendly gathering that honors heritage, community, and generations of tradition.
Give Back at Margaritaville’s Day of Service
Celebrate community while supporting a great cause at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego’s annual Day of Service. Enjoy live music, tropical cocktails, rooftop vibes, and fundraising activities that benefit the San Diego Music Foundation—all while helping keep Jimmy Buffett’s legacy of giving alive.
Dive Into Labor Day Fun at Campland on the Bay
Campland on the Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort are throwing everything they’ve got at Labor Day weekend, with waterfront camping, live music from West of 5, an EDM night, pop-up mini golf, and games like dodgeball and GaGa ball keeping every age group busy.
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.
Saturday
Stomp Into the Fun at Julian’s Grape Stomp Festa
Kick off your shoes and join Julian’s Grape Stomp Festa for a lively day of grape stomping, entertainment, family fun, and mountain-town charm. Sip local wine, enjoy games and music, and celebrate nearly three decades of this beloved tradition together.
Meet the Two Juvenile Red Octopuses at Birch Aquarium
Get an up-close look at two juvenile Red Octopuses making their public debut at Birch Aquarium. Discover their remarkable journey from tiny hatchlings to thriving juveniles and witness a groundbreaking milestone in marine animal care and conservation.
Catch a Movie Under the Stars at Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club is bringing its A-game to September, from a pet-friendly Moana screening to new 2026 releases and a Halloween-ready thriller lineup, all with sweeping San Diego Bay views atop the Porto Vista Hotel. Don’t miss the Steel Magnolias tribute to Dolly Parton, benefiting the Dollywood Foundation.
Sunday
Fire Up What’s Left of Summer at SeaWorld
Savor smoky barbecue, sample refreshing craft brews, and rock out to live performances at SeaWorld San Diego’s Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ. Bring your appetite, gather your crew, and enjoy one of the season’s tastiest waterfront celebrations with thrilling entertainment.
Watch Southern California Change, One Canvas at a Time
The coastline you grew up with keeps rearranging itself. Changing Terrain gathers more than 60 artists from Southern California and Baja at Oceanside Museum of Art, including nine who showed in the museum’s 2013 landscape exhibition. Thirteen years later, they’re reading the same region very differently. Worth the drive up.
Shop Third Avenue Like a Local
Fill your tote at Chula Vista Farmers’ Market, where 100-plus vendors bring produce, flowers, wine, skincare, artisan goods, and ready-to-eat bites to Third Avenue. Bring cash, arrive hungry, meet local makers, and turn Sunday shopping into a community ritual together.
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
Shop Local at the Ocean Beach Makers Market
Discover handcrafted jewelry, artwork, ceramics, candles, and more at the Ocean Beach Makers Market, where local artists showcase one-of-a-kind creations. Stroll through this free community event, support independent makers, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in one of San Diego’s favorite beach neighborhoods.
Dance the Weekend Away at CRSSD Festival
Experience world-class house, techno, and indie-electronic music at CRSSD Festival, where top artists perform across three waterfront stages. Soak in stunning harbor views, enjoy craft drinks and local eats, and celebrate a great weekend of music in downtown San Diego.
Discover San Diego’s Top Brews at the Capital of Craft Beer Festival
Experience San Diego’s ultimate beer celebration at Broadway Pier. Sip unlimited samples of over 70 premier craft brews from the region’s best independent breweries. Enjoy vibrant live music, delicious local food vendors, and unique artisan markets right by the scenic waterfront.
Catch 75 Free Bands at the Adams Avenue Street Fair
Explore Southern California’s largest free two-day music festival in Normal Heights. Wander across 10 blocks to enjoy 75 musical acts live on six stages. Hit three beer gardens for full craft pours, try carnival rides, and shop 300 unique exhibitors.
Raise a Glass at the San Diego Spirits Festival
Discover premium spirits, handcrafted cocktails, gourmet bites, and live entertainment at the San Diego Spirits Festival in La Jolla. Sip unlimited tastings from more than 65 brands, explore oceanfront views, and celebrate one of Southern California’s premier cocktail experiences. San Diego Spirits Festival.
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See you there, San Diego!
