The Big List of Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend

Check out this week’s Big List of Things To Do in San Diego this weekend and make your plans!

Sake enthusiasts can savor their favorite brews at the 8th Annual Sake Festival, while beach lovers will enjoy the sun-soaked fun at Pacific Beachfest 2024. And don’t miss the family-friendly Bates Pumpkin Festival, perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.

If that’s not enough… there is plenty more below! Have a great weekend!

Top Concerts in San Diego This Week

From Nicki Minaj’s show-stopping hip-hop extravaganza to Green Day’s punk rock revolution and a nostalgic performance by Drake Bell, there’s something for everyone.


The Dish

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!


A Beer Lover’s Ultimate Guide To La Mesa Oktoberfest

Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego

Dig the lederhosen and dirndl out of the closet and grab your best stein. It’s that time of year again for the most famous German tradition: Oktoberfest! And given our city’s love of beer, you have a lot of options to celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego. Here’s a guide to help you plan your celebration!


Watch a Movie With a View at Manchester Grand Hyatt

Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero is rolling out the red carpet for a fall season that’s bound to be legendary. With over 160 films lined up through November 9, we’re in for a treat that’ll keep us entertained well into the chilly nights.


San Diego Watercolor Society

October Brings a Creative Whirlwind to ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station

This October, ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station is bursting with creativity. From thought-provoking data discussions to vibrant art exhibitions, there’s something to spark everyone’s imagination.


9 Ways to Celebrate Fall in San Diego

There is NO bad time to live in San Diego, but if we have to pick a favorite time of year, fall tops our list! After a long, hot summer, it feels great to get that subtle shift in weather that reminds you that we do actually have some sort of seasons here (shhhhh…our little secret to keep the East Coasters away!).


Friday, October 4

HalGloween

Get Your Glow On at San Diego Zoo’s HalGLOWeen

San Diego Zoo’s HalGLOWeen is back, and it’s bringing a glow to your October weekends with a full-on luminous spectacle that’ll have you seeing the Zoo in a whole new light—literally!


El Chingon National Taco Day

Score Tacos for Life at El Chingon!

Our favorite “Bad Ass Mexican” joint, El Chingon, is back with a bang this National Taco Day, and they’re dishing out a deal that’s hotter than their salsa. A needle, a tattoo, and a lifetime supply of tacos—El Chingon is making taco dreams come true.


Embodied Pacific exhibition at Birch Aquarium

Birch Makes Waves With Ocean Unseen

Get ready to have your mind blown when Birch Aquarium drops “Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen.” This isn’t your average art show. We’re talking about a full-on fusion of cutting-edge science and contemporary art that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about our big blue backyard.


big list of things to do in san diego this weekend

Gaslamp’s Ultimate Cocktail Adventure Kicks Off

Get ready to embark on a boozy journey through San Diego’s most electrifying neighborhood! The Gaslamp Quarter is rolling out the red carpet for cocktail enthusiasts with its brand-new Craft Cocktail Crawl. It’s time to put on your drinking shoes and dive into a world of master mixology.


Imaginarium San Diego

Imaginarium Lights Up San Diego

A dazzling world of light and fantasy is about to turn our city into a glowing wonderland. Imaginarium, the all-ages light festival that’s captivated audiences across the country, is making its San Diego debut at Las Americas Premium Outlets.


Family Halloween Fun in SeaWorld San Diego

Set sail on a pirate-themed Halloween adventure featuring interactive activities, trick-or-treating, and enchanting moments. Enjoy pirate parades, candy quests, and a pumpkin patch with more treat stations than ever. Perfect for families, the event runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from September 6 to November 3.


New Fall Experiences at Birch Aquarium

While we’re all eagerly awaiting the grand debut of Living Seas next summer, the aquarium is treating us to a tidal wave of new experiences: Riveropolis, a hands-on water play adventure; the Coral Classroom, offering a behind-the-scenes look at coral conservation; and an expanded Animal Ambassador Program featuring a new Laughing Kookaburra.


Saturday, October 5

The Taste of North Park Returns

North Park, recently crowned as one of the “16 Most Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods” in the U.S. by Travel Mag, is bringing back its beloved Taste of North Park. This year marks the 13th edition of this culinary adventure, and it’s going to be epic!


BESHOCK Ramen And Quartyard Present The 2nd Annual San Diego Sake Festival

Sake Bliss at San Diego’s 8th Annual Sake Festival

The 8th Annual San Diego Sake Festival is coming to town, promising a day of pure sake indulgence. Whether you’re a seasoned sake sipper or a curious newcomer, this event is your passport to the rich world of Japan’s beloved brew.


Hawthorne Country Store Celebrates Chicktopia

Flocktoberfest at Hawthorne Country Store

Hawthorne Country Store is gearing up for its 21st Annual Flocktoberfest, and you’re invited to ‘meet the flockers.’ Curious about adding some feathered friends to your backyard? This is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with these charming little cluckers.


shopping booths along the boulevard

Fun Goes All Day at Pacific Beachfest 2024

Pacific Beachfest is hitting the quarter-century mark, and it’s promising to be the ultimate beach bash. The Pacific Beach Boardwalk is set to transform into a free festival that’s as cool as the ocean breeze.


Bates Nut Farm

Nuts for Crafts at Bates Pumpkin Festival

Ready to get crafty with your fall festivities? The Bates Pumpkin Festival Craft Fair is rolling into Bates Nut Farm, and it’s bringing a cornucopia of handmade goodies along for the ride. Grab your flannel, round up the family, and get ready for a weekend of harvest happiness!


Celebrate a Decade of Flavors at the Taste of Oceanside

Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering adventure through Oceanside’s vibrant food scene. The beloved Taste of Oceanside is back for its 10th anniversary, and it’s promising to be bigger and better than ever.


Prix Pictet Human

Prix Pictet Human Brings World-Class Photography to San Diego

The crème de la crème of global photography is in town, and it’s bringing a powerful message with it. The Prix Pictet Human exhibition is making its only U.S. stop right here in America’s Finest City at the San Diego Museum of Art, and it’s a visual feast you won’t want to miss.


SDWS Annual International Exhibition

Brush Strokes Go Global at San Diego Watercolor Society’s International Exhibition

The San Diego Watercolor Society is gearing up for its 44th Annual International Exhibition. Expect a global gathering of water-based wizardry that’ll make your eyes pop.


Sunday, October 6

Pumpkin Painting Party Bivouac Ciderworks

Get Your Creative Juices Flowing at the Pumpkin Painting Party

San Diego’s about to get a whole lot sweeter (and spicier) as Bivouac Ciderworks rolls out its Cider Season events. We’re talking pumpkin painting, moonlit paddles, and enough cider to float a boat.


Dive Into New Experiences With Birch Aquarium’s Outdoor Adventure Bundles

It’s time to break out those water shoes and binoculars because Birch Aquarium is taking us on a wild ride beyond their tanks. They’re rolling out some seriously cool Outdoor Adventure Bundles this fall, and you won’t want to miss out on these aquatic escapades.


San Diego Botanic Garden Exhibition

Check out the Amazing Bamboo Exhibition at SDBG

Get ready to be bamboo-zled by nature’s most versatile grass! We’re talking about the San Diego Botanic Garden’s latest exhibition—Bamboo: Beautiful Massive Grasses.


big list of things to do in san diego this weekend

Howl-O-Scream Unleashes ALL-NEW Nightmares and Performances at SeaWorld San Diego

The ultimate Halloween extravaganza is back, and it’s bigger, badder, and more bone-chilling than ever. Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego is gearing up to turn our peaceful seaside town into a playground of fear, and we’re here for every spine-tingling moment.


See you there, San Diego!

The Latest
Toys for Tots at Geppetto's in The Forum Carlsbad
Hold onto your Santa hats, folks! There’s a secret toy-giving superhero in Carlsbad, and they’re about to make a whole lot of kids’ holidays brighter....
Chef Moira Hill of Ironside Fish & Oyster
There’s a new chef in town, and she’s bringing a fresh wave of flavor to Little Italy‘s beloved seafood spot. Chef Moira Hill, a San...
Installations at the Station by Kaori Fukuyama
Get ready for a fresh splash of color at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station! They’re rolling out the welcome mat for a brand-new addition to their...
San Diego Civic Theatre event
Get ready to be swept off your feet, San Diego! Our beloved San Diego Opera is celebrating its diamond anniversary in style, bringing back the...
Gaslamp Quarter Transportation Guide
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is upping its game with their new Gaslamp Quarter Transportation Guide, making it easier than ever for us to explore this...
CH Projects Orchid Awards
We’re raising a toast to The Lafayette Hotel, which just snagged not one but two Orchid Awards from the San Diego Architectural Foundation. This stylish...