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!
From coastal cocktail tastings at the Spirits Festival to Encinitas Oktoberfest, indoor soccer’s USA vs. Mexico clash, and the Taste of College Area, San Diego offers an incredible weekend lineup.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of September 24
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
From MOCHAKK’s electrifying dance party and the return of CRSSD Festival to Billy Strings’ bluegrass brilliance and Dogstar’s heartfelt rock, there’s something for every music fan.
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
Head North for Three Days at Same Same But Different
Of The Trees, LSDREAM, Gramatik, and Tape B headline three days on the beach at Lake Perris, with a pre-party from San Diego’s own Tiger Fox. Ferry out to Nakey Island, a boat-access-only escape with hidden beaches, kayak races, treasure hunts, and a stage of its own. Bring a swimsuit.
Turn Your Wine Getaway Into an Art Adventure
Retired wine barrels become colorful works of art along Temecula Valley’s free, self-guided Barrel Art Trail. Wander wineries, Old Town, and local businesses while discovering unique creations by regional artists, then unlock exclusive offers with the trail’s digital pass.
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.
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.
Friday
Sip, Savor, and Celebrate at Estancia
Gather under the stars for Estancia La Jolla’s annual Whiskey & Wine Party, featuring Southern-style barbecue, premium whiskey, bourbon and wine tastings, live music, and cozy bonfires. Raise a glass, indulge in comfort food, and enjoy an unforgettable evening in La Jolla.
Collect Stamps at 26 San Diego Vintage Shops
Vintage clothing, antiques, furniture, collectibles, and decor are spread across 26 independent shops, and every one of them is handing out stamps. Grab a Crawl postcard at your first stop, then keep going. Eight shops enters you for one of 26 gift cards worth $25, 12 for more than $1,300.
Meet Your Match at a Show Where Nobody Talks
Nobody on stage is allowed to speak. Love Isn’t Blind brings its comedy dating show back to the Hilton Gaslamp, where men compete for one bachelorette through mom calls, unlocked phones, and pure body language. The winner is sent straight to the bar with her for an immediate first date.
Dive Into a Sea of Halloween Magic
Pirate-themed adventures, trick-or-treat stations, festive entertainment, and the California debut of the all-new Baby Shark™ Halloween Show make SeaWorld Spooktacular a seasonal favorite. Gather the family, snap festive photos, and enjoy some good ‘ole Halloween fun.
Experience the Thrills of the Poway Rodeo
Round up the family for the Poway Rodeo, where heart-pounding rodeo competitions, skilled cowboys and cowgirls, and Western traditions take center stage. Enjoy exciting entertainment, community spirit, and a fun-filled celebration that has been a local favorite for generations.
Look to the Skies at America’s Air Show
Celebrate 250 years of American aviation and innovation at America’s Air Show with breathtaking military demonstrations, civilian aerobatics, vintage aircraft, iconic warbirds, and immersive flight line experiences. Bring the whole family for a weekend honoring the past, present, and future of flight.
Saturday
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.
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.
Get Loud for USA vs. Mexico at Frontwave Arena
North County gets an international rivalry. The men’s indoor soccer Continental Cup brings USA and Mexico to Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, with top talent from both countries on a floor that keeps you close to the action. Expect players from the 16-time champion San Diego Sockers, currently marking 50 years.
Bring Your Best Costume to Movie in the Park
University Heights’ fall Movie in the Park brings a community-chosen film, plus a baking competition, a Thriller dance lesson, concessions, and face painting. Bring a blanket, your best costume, and maybe a baked good, then settle in for a full night under the stars.
Find Your Island Spirit at Pacific Islander Festival
Music, dance, authentic island cuisine, and vibrant cultural traditions take center stage at the Pacific Islander Festival. Wander through performances, artisan displays, and family-friendly activities while discovering the rich heritage of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia at this annual celebration.
Laugh Along at About Last Night’s Dating Disasters
About Last Night brings San Diego locals on stage to share cringeworthy dating disasters, then musician Jimmy Berry turns each story into an original song on the spot. This live storytelling show has entertained thousands since 2016, and it tends to sell out fast.
Dine Under the Harvest Moon
Experience a special evening at the Ilan-Lael Foundation, where art, nature, and fine dining come together beneath the stars. Explore the iconic property, savor a chef-curated seasonal meal, enjoy inspiring poetry, and support an iconic San Diego cultural landmark.
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.
Spend the Weekend at Mellano Farm Stand’s Harvest Festival
Mellano Farm Stand’s Harvest Festival runs six straight weekends, packing in a pumpkin patch, U-Pick Marigolds, a corn maze, and tractor-drawn farm rides. Add live music, food trucks, a Kids Zone, and a pumpkin pie eating contest, and you’ve got a full day of fall.
Race Into the Action at the Dragon Boat Festival
Cheer on thrilling dragon boat races as teams compete on the water during the San Diego International Dragon Boat Race. Enjoy colorful lion dances, cultural performances, food trucks, local vendors, and a lively waterfront celebration the whole family can experience.
Celebrate Plant-Based Living at San Diego VegFest
Explore more than 100 exhibitors, enjoy delicious plant-based cuisine, hear inspiring speakers, and experience live entertainment, wellness activities, and family-friendly fun at San Diego VegFest. Bring the whole family – including your dog – and discover a vibrant community celebrating healthy, sustainable living.
Feel the Thrill at Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
Experience nonstop excitement as Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire roars into town with giant monster trucks, spectacular stunts, dazzling special effects, and fiery action. Bring the whole family for a high-energy show packed with larger-than-life 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.
Sunday
Celebrate 30 Years of Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire
Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire turns 30 with authentic German food and beer, live oompah bands, and more than 130 local artisans lining the streets. Kids get carnival rides and a dog costume contest, while grown-ups sip local and German-style brews in the beer garden.
Sip and Savor at Taste of Rancho Santa Fe
Taste of Rancho Santa Fe turns 12, bringing tastings from more than 70 restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries to The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Live music from Ryan Hiller kicks things off, DJ Chris Cantore takes the After-Party, and every ticket supports the community.
Sip, Shop, and Spin at Vinyl at the Market
Vinyl at the Market returns to Liberty Public Market on the final day of Craftoberfest, pairing more than 15 vendors of records, CDs, and tapes with live DJ sets, craft beer, and 30-plus food stalls. Dig through crates and make a full afternoon of it.
Discover the Art of Sake
Raise a glass at the San Diego Sake Festival, where premium sake, shochu, Japanese culture, live entertainment, and delicious food come together for an unforgettable tasting experience. Meet brewers, discover new favorites, and celebrate one of San Diego’s premier culinary events.
Taste Your Way Through the College Area
Discover one of San Diego’s most diverse dining neighborhoods on a self-guided tasting tour featuring more than 20 restaurants, cafés, pubs, and eateries. Hop aboard complimentary trolley rides, explore local favorites, and savor flavors from around the world at your own pace.
Discover a Powerful New Perspective at OMA
Experience The Gathering, Punjabi-American artist Rupinder Kaloti’s museum debut at the Oceanside Museum of Art. Through vibrant, hand-crafted works, the exhibition reimagines the immigrant experience with themes of resilience, ancestry, and joyful transformation.
Toast to Temecula Valley’s Wine Country
Award-winning wineries, vineyard experiences, chef-driven dining, and scenic rolling hills make Temecula Valley the perfect destination for California Wine Month. Gather your friends, raise a glass, and discover unforgettable tastings, exclusive events, and the region’s celebrated wine country charm.
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.
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
Raise a Stein at Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Beachside brews, live music, German-inspired fare, contests, and festive entertainment return to Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. Gather your friends, raise a stein, and enjoy two days of coastal celebration packed with local flavor, lively entertainment, and classic Oktoberfest traditions.
Sample Local Favorites at Taste of Coronado
Sample signature bites and drinks from Coronado’s top restaurants, bars, and shops during this self-guided culinary tour. Walk, bike, or ride the trolley between tasting stops, discover island favorites, and support the local community with every delicious stop.
Dive into the Vibes at Mission Bayfest
Mission Bayfest is returning to Mariner’s Point Park with incredible reggae beats and sun-soaked energy. Snag your tickets to catch killer live music, eat local food, and party with breathtaking, 360-degree waterfront views.
Savor the Flavors at Celebrate the Craft
Celebrate the Craft is back at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, bringing together Southern California’s finest chefs, vintners, and artisans. Treat yourself to incredible farm-to-table pairings, meet the creators, and soak up breathtaking, 360-degree ocean views overlooking the iconic golf course.
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See you there, San Diego!
