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 scenic rides across the city for Bike Anywhere Day to the launch of SeaWorld San Diego’s dreamy new Ocean of Dreams show, this weekend is packed with ways to get out and enjoy the city. Plus, Memorial Day weekend specials are popping up all around San Diego – making it the perfect time to plan something fun.
If that’s not enough…there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of May 21
Top Concerts in San Diego This Week
Our live entertainment scene is heating up this week with an exciting mix of country, comedy, and pop performances. From Russell Dickerson’s feel-good country hits and Kesha’s electrifying Freedom Tour to Bert Kreischer’s laugh-out-loud Permission to Party show, there’s no shortage of unforgettable nights ahead.
The Craving
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.
Rooftop Cinema Club’s May Lineup
Movie nights get a major upgrade this May with over 80 films, themed events, and skyline views in Little Italy. From fan-favorite classics to sing-alongs, dog-friendly screenings, and special nights, this open-air cinema experience delivers the perfect mix of entertainment, atmosphere, and rooftop vibes.
Thursday
Verbatim Books is Taking Reading Outside – and it’s Free
One of North Park’s favorite community traditions is back for its third year, and it’s exactly the kind of evening San Diego was made for. Verbatim Books’ In the Park Til Dark is a monthly outdoor gathering at Bird Park where the whole idea is beautifully simple: bring a blanket, bring a snack, bring whatever you’re currently reading, and enjoy the evening.
Celebrate a Century of Art at The San Diego Museum of Art
The San Diego Museum of Art marks its centennial with Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions — a stunning exhibition showcasing major works added to the collection over the last 15 years. From Picasso and Monet to contemporary visionaries, this exhibition offers a rare look at the pieces shaping the museum’s next century.
Pedal Your Way Across San Diego for Bike Anywhere Day
Join a region-wide celebration of biking that invites you to ride anywhere – from work to the beach – while exploring San Diego’s extensive bikeways. Stop by fun pit stops for freebies, snacks, and community vibes, all while promoting a healthier, more sustainable way to get around.
Unlock San Diego’s Cultural Treasures With The Big Exchange
The Big Exchange turns your museum membership into an all-access pass, unlocking free entry to more than 50 cultural destinations across San Diego. Explore museums, gardens, aquariums, and historic sites, discover new favorites, and experience the region’s arts scene through this exciting, community-wide cultural celebration.
Get Inspired by Bold, Boundary-Pushing Art at Matrix Multiplied
Step into a dynamic exhibition where artists redefine printmaking through experimental, hybrid techniques. Discover layered works blending traditional methods with digital processes, collage, and sculpture. With multiple mediums and thought-provoking themes, this immersive showcase invites you to explore creativity, storytelling, and the intricate process behind each striking piece.
Friday
Memorial Day Specials Around San Diego
Memorial Day is here, and many San Diego businesses are offering great specials! Honor the occasion with friends by taking advantage of tasty food specials and raising a glass to the outstanding men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
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.
Grand Social is Back at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s outdoor music series runs every Friday and Saturday this summer – live performances across three levels with bocce courts, wood-fired dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and private fire pit cabanas. May kicks off with Yacht Rock, Americana, Cuban Latin, and a 90s night.
SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular is Here
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.
Start Your Day With Purpose at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
Gather with community leaders, advocates, and allies for a morning honoring the legacy of Harvey Milk. Celebrate diversity, recognize changemakers, and uplift voices working toward equality in this meaningful event that brings people together in the spirit of unity, hope, and lasting impact.
Movies on Del Beach is Back and the 2026 Lineup is Massive
There’s something about watching a movie on the beach that just hits differently. The sound of the ocean in the background, a cool breeze rolling in off the water, and a great film lighting up the screen – it’s the kind of night that stays with you. Movies on Del Beach is back with a packed schedule, and the lineup covers pretty much every mood you could be in.
Saturday
SeaWorld San Diego is Lighting Up the Night Sky This Summer
SeaWorld’s new nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, sends 600 synchronized drones into the sky for a 12-minute aerial display of sea creatures and neon light formations. It’s California’s first nightly drone show, and it runs all summer alongside a new Shark Encounter exhibit and live concerts.
The Best Free Saturday Morning in San Diego
Fit Athletic is bringing a free, all-levels vinyasa flow class to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park – one of the most beautiful open-air waterfront settings in the city. Led by instructor Viktoria Talbot, this one-hour session welcomes all skill levels. Space is limited, so lock in your spot early.
Carté Hotel in Little Italy Has a Packed May
Rooftop house music, a Memorial Day poolside BBQ, an intimate Sofar Sounds showcase celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon finish line party, and Padres watch parties with wagyu burgers and poke bowls. Carté Hotel is giving Little Italy a busy month.
Sunday
Roll Up Your Sleeve & Back Your Crew at San Diego’s First Responder Blood Drive
Join a meaningful community effort where giving back meets a little friendly competition. Support your favorite first responder team as agencies go head-to-head in donation counts, all while helping save lives. It’s a simple, powerful way to make an impact and show up for those who serve San Diego.
Step Into Stillness at Kate Tova’s Immersive Art Exhibition
Slow down and explore a deeply personal, visually striking exhibition that reflects on burnout, rest, and renewal. Wander through immersive galleries filled with dreamlike landscapes and dynamic works that invite reflection, healing, and pause – offering a rare moment to reconnect with yourself in today’s fast-paced world.
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
The Catalina Wine Mixer is the Perfect Excuse to Spend a Weekend on the Island
Escape to a sun-soaked beach party where fine wines, live music, and nonstop energy take over the shoreline. Sip curated tastings, dance to top DJs, and soak in oceanfront vibes at Descanso Beach Club. It’s a high-energy island celebration blending music, flavor, and coastal fun.
See How Contemporary Ballet Gets Made – Live Onstage
The Rosin Box Project pulls back the curtain with Incubator Lab: The Making, Magnified – three nights at the Light Box Theater at Liberty Station where dancers workshop new choreography in real time, right in front of the audience. It’s contemporary ballet at its most raw and unfiltered.
Feel the Rhythm & Soak Up the Sun at Fiesta del Sol
Kick off summer at this free, beachside celebration filled with live music, local art, delicious food, and family-friendly fun. Dance to nonstop performances, browse unique vendors, and enjoy oceanfront vibes.
Step Into an Enchanted Evening at Balboa Park’s Inaugural Garden Party
Balboa Park is doing something it’s never done before. The first-ever Balboa Park Garden Party is coming this summer, presented by Whittier Trust, and it’s drawing inspiration from the magic of a 1915 garden party, brought back to life in one of the most beautiful settings in San Diego.
KEX Fest is Back for its 8th Year and the Lineup is the Best Yet
Kettner Exchange’s annual food and beverage festival returns to Little Italy for its eighth edition, and if you’ve been before, you already know what a good afternoon this is. It’s the kind of festival where you can drift between a martini masterclass and a tarot reading without it feeling out of place.
Stretch, Sip, and Soak in the Views: Rooftop Pilates Experience
Start your day with an energizing rooftop Pilates session paired with stunning city views. Led by Ethereal Balance, this feel-good experience blends movement, relaxation, and social time. Enjoy a mat class, breakfast bites, a mimosa, and local vendor pop-ups – making it the perfect mix of wellness and weekend fun.
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See you there, San Diego!
