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!
Comic-Con takes over downtown this weekend, but there’s plenty happening beyond the convention center. Lace up for the Joggin’ for Frogmen 5K, sample local flavors at Taste of Eastlake, and fill your weekend with concerts.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of July 23
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
Catch comedy superstar Nate Bargatze on his Big Dumb Eyes World Tour, experience the powerful return of Evanescence on their 2026 World Tour, or see rising country-folk sensation Sam Barber live.
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
Step Into the World of Comic-Con
Step into the world’s biggest celebration of comics, movies, TV, gaming, and fandom. Explore immersive exhibits, attend exclusive panels and screenings, admire incredible cosplay, and discover unforgettable experiences that make Comic-Con an iconic San Diego tradition.
Fuel Up With Comic-Con Food & Drink Specials
Take a break between panels and explore Comic-Con-inspired eats, cocktails, brunches, cosplay events, and rooftop parties happening across San Diego. From themed ramen and superhero drinks to exclusive menus and photo-worthy experiences, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the fun going.
Rock Out at Summer Nights at the Garden
Trade the usual Thursday plans for live surf rock surrounded by lush gardens and scenic pathways. Wander 37 acres, spread out a blanket, enjoy a picnic, and soak up classic hits from The Surf Birdz in one of San Diego’s most relaxing outdoor concert settings.
Enjoy Free Summer Concerts Under the Stars at Twilight in the Park
Twilight in the Park returns to Balboa Park with a 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.
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.
Dive Into Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium
Celebrate Shark Summer with hands-on activities, shark feedings, expert talks, themed dive presentations, and interactive exhibits for all ages. Discover the vital role sharks play in our oceans while enjoying jaw-some family fun and supporting marine conservation efforts.
Friday
Savor the Best of Eastlake While Giving Back
Treat your taste buds to an evening of bites and sips from local restaurants, breweries, and wineries while supporting EastLake schools. Enjoy live entertainment, community spirit, and an unforgettable culinary experience that helps fund innovative education programs.
Suit Up for a Comic-Con Bar Crawl
Keep the Comic-Con celebration going after the convention with this themed Gaslamp bar crawl. Dress as your favorite hero or villain, explore participating venues, enjoy exclusive drink specials, and compete in a costume contest while partying with fellow fans.
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 a Haunted Night at the Gaslamp Quarter’s Davis-Horton House
The Davis-Horton House is opening after dark for one night only – ghost hunting, tarot readings, haunting vignettes, courtyard movies, and cocktails across six rooms of one of the Gaslamp’s most historic buildings. Walk-up tickets are $55 at the door and capacity is tight, so get there early.
Explore Art Through a New Lens at Signals in the Noise
Discover thought-provoking contemporary works that examine perception, technology, and the patterns hidden in everyday life. Signals in the Noise invites us to engage with immersive installations and compelling artwork that challenge how we see and interpret the world.
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, an outdoor concert series bringing live music, community vibes, and warm summer nights to Prescott Promenade. Rotating performances, local flavor, and plenty of reasons to keep coming back all season.
Saturday
Run for a Cause at the Joggin’ for Frogmen 5k at Liberty Station
A family-friendly 5k honoring Naval Special Warfare service members and veterans, with proceeds supporting fallen heroes’ families. Walkers, runners, and strollers all welcome, plus a Tadpole Trot for kids, a Vendor Village, and a post-race beer courtesy of Mike Hess Brewing.
Wander the Japanese Friendship Garden After Dark at Natsu Nights
On select Saturdays through August, Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden stays open late for Natsu Nights – a themed night market series with rotating vendors, discounted evening admission, and winding garden pathways after dark. Three different themes, three completely different evenings.
Pedal Into the Bicycle Film Festival
Discover inspiring cycling stories from around the world as the Bicycle Film Festival returns to San Diego. From adventure documentaries to urban bike culture and powerful community stories, this global celebration brings together filmmakers, cyclists, and anyone who loves the freedom of two wheels.
Step Into Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World
Experience the glamour and artistry of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated photographers. Featuring iconic fashion and portrait photography, this rare exhibition offers an intimate look at Cecil Beaton’s work.
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, and the lineup is stacked.
Sunday
Skate the Bay at Ringer’s Roller Rink’s Seaport Village Grand Opening
Ringer’s Roller Rink is opening a second location right on the San Diego Bay at Seaport Village, and the grand opening includes free public skating, live DJ sets, skate performances, and giveaways. An open-air rink with harbor views – this one’s hard to pass up.
Score Vinyl, Eat Well, and Catch All-Day DJs at This Free Summer Market
Four of San Diego’s top HiFi collectives are taking over The Woo SD for a free, all-ages Summer Market. Expect 40+ vendors, vinyl records to dig through, Japonesia goods and food, coffee and matcha, and all vinyl DJs spinning on the Ohmega HiFi sound system all day long.
Glide Through the Coronado Cays on a Private Gondola Cruise
Euro Summer vibes without the flight – The Gondola Company’s private Venetian-style cruises through the Coronado Cays are one of San Diego’s most underrated evening experiences. Sunset or after dark, it’s the kind of night that’s hard to top for a date or a celebration.
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.
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
Dive Into the Psychedelic Tiki Escape
Trade the everyday for a tropical getaway at Tiki Oasis. Sip creative cocktails, catch bartender battles, feast on island-inspired bites, and soak up colorful Polynesian vibes, live entertainment, and immersive experiences that transform Hotel Circle into a vibrant island escape.
Break out the Paddles for Another Round of 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.
Honor Loved Ones at the Toro Nagashi Festival
Experience the beauty and meaning of Toro Nagashi as glowing lanterns float through the Japanese Friendship Garden in a moving tribute to loved ones. Enjoy cultural performances, traditional activities, and a peaceful evening celebrating remembrance, hope, and the spirit of community.
Sip Your Way Through the San Diego Brew Fest
Raise a glass at San Diego Brew Fest with unlimited tastings from more than 70 breweries, live music, lawn games, and some of the city’s favorite food trucks. It’s the perfect way to sample craft brews while soaking up a lively outdoor festival atmosphere.
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See you there, San Diego!
