The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of October 5, 2026

The Craving is ThereSanDiego's weekly guide to what's worth eating and drinking in San Diego right now. Every Tuesday, we surface new restaurant openings, standout happy hours, limited-time menu specials, and upcoming food events across the city - so you know what's happening before everyone else does.
Annual Beachside Winter Wonder Is Back At Belmont Park For Its 4th Year
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Winter Wonder at Belmont Park Returns With a Million Twinkling Lights
  • Belmont Park
Winter Wonder at Belmont Park is back, and this year they’ve cranked things up with over one million twinkling lights transforming the beachside destination into...
San Diego’s Best Holiday Pop-Up Bars to Sip, Savor, and Get a Little Toasty
If you’re the kind of person who gets excited about themed holiday experiences rather than just tolerating them, we’ve got your guide to the biggest...
Annual OB Holiday Parade Parking Lot Party
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Ocean Beach Holiday Parade Gets the Perfect After-Party at Kilowatt
  • Kilowatt Brewing Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach’s Annual Holiday Parade is back, and Kilowatt Brewing is doing what they do best – throwing a parking lot party that captures everything...
societe makers market holiday edition
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Find One-of-a-Kind Gifts at Societe Makers Market
  • Societe Brewing Company
If you’re tired of scrolling through generic gift options online, the Societe Makers Market at Societe Brewing offers a better alternative. More than 25 local...
December at The Conrad
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Contemporary Mexican Tunes, Rising Classical Stars, and Free Holiday Open House at The Conrad
  • The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
La Jolla Music Society is closing out December with a solid lineup that spans Latin GRAMMY winners, cutting-edge modern dance, rising classical stars, and their...
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World Ballet Company Brings The Nutcracker to San Diego
  • Balboa Theatre
Some holiday traditions just work, and The Nutcracker is one of them. World Ballet Company’s production returns with the kind of scale and craft that...
San Diego Civic Theatre
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Embrace the Wonder of The Nutcracker With the Golden State Ballet
  • San Diego Civic Theatre
The Nutcracker is the ultimate holiday tradition, and this year’s production promises pure magic. With Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the San Diego Symphony,...
Little Italy tree lighting
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Jingle All the Way to This Year’s Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
  • Piazza della Famiglia
Little Italy is transforming into a winter wonderland for its annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Village, and if you’re looking for a neighborhood holiday celebration...
Holiday At Petco Park Returs Bigger And Better For Its 3rd Year
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Holiday Wonderland Returns to Petco Park
  • PETCO Park
Holiday Wonderland is back at Gallagher Square for its fifth year, and if you’ve been looking for a comprehensive holiday experience that goes beyond just...
outdoor lifestyle shopping center
Celebrate the Season at The Forum Carlsbad’s Tree Lighting
The Forum Carlsbad is bringing back its Tree Lighting Celebration for the 23rd year, and if you’re in North County looking for a holiday event...
The Mental Bar Art Show
December Events at The Mental Bar
The Mental Bar is running two solid December events that give you reasons to visit beyond just grabbing a drink. We’re talking weekly Pilates sessions...
The Jingle Bar Christmas pop-up bar
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Experience Christmas Magic at the Jingle Bar San Diego
The number one most talked about Christmas pop-up bar is finally opening in San Diego, and if you’ve been following Jingle Bar’s success in other...
Holiday Gondola Cruises
Set Sail Into the Season With Holiday Gondola Cruises
The Gondola Company is running Holiday Gondola Cruises through the Coronado Cays, and if you’ve been looking for a date night or group outing that’s...
Featured
most-popular outdoor cinema
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RCC Embarcadero: Your Holiday Season Destination for Fireside Films and Festive Fun
  • Manchester Grand Hyatt
Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero at the Manchester Grand Hyatt has announced its December slate, and if you’re looking for something to do this holiday season...
Campland on the Bay holiday programming
Holiday Magic and Timeless Traditions Shine at Campland on the Bay
Campland on the Bay is running holiday programming from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, and if you’ve been looking for a way to spend the...
Tower 16 CoWork
Tower 16 CoWork Opens Flagship Location in Encinitas
Tower 16 CoWork just opened its flagship coworking space in Encinitas, and if you’re tired of working from coffee shops or your kitchen table but...
Birch Aquarium Meditation Ocean
Birch Aquarium Opens Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base
Birch Aquarium at Scripps just opened Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, and if you’ve been looking for something that blends art, science, and actual meditation...
Gaslamp Pet Parade
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Santa Paws Brings the Gaslamp Pet Parade Back for the Holidays
If you’ve been waiting all year to dress your pet in a ridiculous holiday outfit and parade them through downtown San Diego, December 13 is...
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Third Avenue Transforms for the Annual Starlight Parade and Tree Lighting
The Starlight Parade is back for its 61st year, and it’s the kind of tradition that draws thousands for good reason. Third Avenue transforms into...
Feather Joe Welcomes You To Father Joe's 21st Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K!
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Run, Walk, or Trot for a Cause at Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving 5K
  • Balboa Park
Event to reunite San Diego community for a lively family and dog-friendly run and post-race festival
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Surfin’ Santa Swaps His Sleigh for a Surfboard at Seaport Village
Santa’s trading his sleigh for a surfboard again, and honestly, it makes way more sense for San Diego. Surfin’ Santa returns to Seaport Village, delivering...
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Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll Returns for Its 9th Year
The Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll is back and ready to kick off the holiday season the right way. This neighborhood tradition returns Saturday, November 29,...
Liberty Station Tree Lighting Ceremony at 2022 Salute The Season
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Liberty Station Kicks Off Salute the Season With the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Liberty Station
Mark your calendars for the kick-off of the holiday season at the 2025 Salute the Season main event, the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony! Gather your...
Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort
Lakehouse Resort Transforms Into North County’s Ultimate Winter Paradise
Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort is turning San Marcos into one of North County’s premier holiday destinations. From twinkling lights reflecting off Lake San Marcos...
Upcoming Events
The Beach Boys
Catch the Beach Boys Live at the Rady Shell – With the Full San Diego Symphony
June 27, 2026
7:30 pm
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Experience the magic of The Beach Boys at The Rady Shell concert with the San Diego Symphony for a perfect summer night.
Lee Foss
Chicago House Royalty Lee Foss is Heading to Quartyard
June 27, 2026
4:00 pm
  • Quartyard
Get ready for FNGRS CRSSD with Lee Foss, where classic house meets techno for an electrifying night under the stars.
Insomniac's Into the Horizon Festival crowd at Waterfront Park San Diego
Lose Yourself in Two Days of EDM at the Horizon Festival
June 27, 2026
3:00 pm
  • Waterfront Park
Insomniac’s Into the Horizon Festival is coming to Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego for a two-day electronic music event on the city’s most iconic...
Love is a Drag Bombshells and Brunch Pride event at Pacific Beach AleHouse Beer Garden
Celebrate Pride at Love is a Drag: Bombshells & Brunch at Pacific Beach AleHouse
June 27, 2026
12:00 pm
Pacific Beach AleHouse is bringing the heat for Pride with Love is a Drag: Bombshells & Brunch – a Love Island-inspired drag brunch taking over...
Natsu Nights summer night market series at Japanese Friendship Garden
Spend a Summer Evening at the Japanese Friendship Garden During Natsu Nights
June 27, 2026
12:00 pm
  • Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum in Balboa Park is hosting Natsu Nights, a summer night market series that transforms the garden into something a...