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!
We’ve got you covered with everything from nostalgic dance parties at Bed By 10pm and a stylish journey through Cecil Beaton’s iconic fashion photography at MOPA@SDMA, to friendly competition at the OTL Cornhole Tournament. Whatever your vibe, there’s plenty happening around town to fill your weekend with fun.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of July 9
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
From country superstars to legendary voices and unforgettable hip-hop, our concert calendar is packed. Catch Chris Stapleton, see Wynonna Judd and Melissa Etheridge light up The Rady Shell, or sing along with Afroman for a weekend of incredible live music.
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
Kick Back With Country Tunes at the Garden
Enjoy a summer evening of live country music as Miranda Ramos brings her high-energy performance to San Diego Botanic Garden’s Summer Nights series. Pack a picnic, explore the Garden after hours, and unwind with ocean views, great music, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
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
Celebrate Board & Brew Midway’s Grand Opening
Join the grand opening festivities at Board & Brew Midway with BOGO sandwiches, raffle prizes, and plenty of SoCal vibes. Enjoy handcrafted favorites, craft beer, and waterfront views while supporting a great cause, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Urban Surf 4 Kids.
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.
Find the Best Spots to Watch the World Cup
San Diego is going all in for the FIFA World Cup this summer. Watch parties, drink specials, and fan activations are popping up across the city. Here are the best spots to catch every match.
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
Dance Like It’s 1999, Then Be Home by 10
Relive the best club hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s at Bed By 10pm, the ultimate early-evening dance party for those who still love to dance without sacrificing the next day. Expect nostalgic anthems, immersive visuals, and good vibes all night… until 10.
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 Live Music and Sunset Views at Borrego Rooftop
Elevate your summer evenings with live music, skyline views, and Baja-inspired bites at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails. Sip a complimentary cocktail sample, gather around cozy fire pits, and soak in the laid-back rooftop atmosphere overlooking downtown San Diego and Petco Park.
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
Compete for Cornhole Glory on Fiesta Island
Grab a partner and put your cornhole skills to the test at the OTL Cornhole Tournament. Enjoy friendly competition, beach vibes, food, drinks, and a lively community atmosphere while battling for bragging rights and tournament prizes.
Explore Contemporary Art for Free
Take advantage of Free Second Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego with complimentary admission for all. Discover thought-provoking exhibitions, including the acclaimed Giants collection and powerful photography celebrating the culture and community of Barrio Logan.
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.
Join the Party and Dance Along With Hairspray at New Village Arts
Step into 1960s Baltimore and become part of the action in Hairspray at New Village Arts. Follow Tracy Turnblad’s journey to stardom in this Tony Award-winning musical filled with laughter, romance, unforgettable songs, and a powerful message of inclusion.
Crack the Code in Decoding DaVinci
Step into a real-life mystery where UC San Diego becomes your game board. Part scavenger hunt, part immersive theater, and part outdoor escape room, Decoding DaVinci challenges participants to uncover clues, solve puzzles, and outsmart secret enemies in a thrilling adventure.
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
Keep the Opening Day Celebration Going at The After Pony Party
Keep the excitement going after Opening Day with Rancho Valencia’s signature After Pony Party. Dance to live DJ sets, indulge in an endless five-star buffet and welcome cocktail, and celebrate in style at one of San Diego’s most glamorous summer soirées.
Catch California Coastal Sounds at Pacific Records Festival
Experience an afternoon of live music, coastal vibes, and emerging local talent at the free Pacific Records Festival. Enjoy performances from Pacific Records artists, scenic bay views, food vendors, and a laid-back community atmosphere.
Experience Island Vibes at Holo Holo Music Festival
Celebrate island culture with a day of reggae rhythms, live performances, and community spirit at Holo Holo Music Festival. Enjoy a great lineup, delicious island-inspired eats, and the aloha atmosphere that makes this San Diego festival a summer favorite.
Spend a Magical Evening With Verbatim Books’ In the Park ’Til Dark
Verbatim Books invites readers, writers, and curious minds to gather for In the Park ’Til Dark – an outdoor experience celebrating books, community, and connection. An evening filled with literary conversation, creative energy, and the simple joy of lingering outdoors with fellow book lovers.
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.
Subscribe for Weekly Picks (Every Thursday)
Every week, we round up San Diego’s best weekend plans and send them to 25,000 locals.
Get San Diego’s best weekend picks – free in your inbox every Thursday.
See you there, San Diego!
