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!
Raise a glass at the Capital of Craft Beer Festival, catch live music at the Adams Avenue Street Fair, or celebrate with steins, bratwurst, and festive fun at East Village Oktoberfest.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of September 17
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
We have everything from chart-topping hip-hop and classic rock to modern country and rising pop stars. Whether you’re catching Jack Harlow, Zach Top, Mötley Crüe’s The Return of the Carnival of Sins, or Freya Skye, there’s a show for every music fan.
Check Out the Latest News from the San Diego Food and Drink Scene
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
Putt Your Way Through North Park
Tee off on a one-of-a-kind mini-golf adventure through North Park’s favorite bars and restaurants. Sink putts at every stop, enjoy exclusive food and drink specials, and explore the neighborhood with friends during this fun-filled self-guided crawl.
Turn Your Wine Getaway Into an Art Adventure
Retired wine barrels become colorful works of art along Temecula Valley’s free, self-guided Barrel Art Trail. Wander wineries, Old Town, and local businesses while discovering unique creations by regional artists, then unlock exclusive offers with the trail’s digital pass.
Friday
Dive Into a Sea of Halloween Magic
Pirate-themed adventures, trick-or-treat stations, festive entertainment, and the California debut of the all-new Baby Shark™ Halloween Show make SeaWorld Spooktacular a seasonal favorite. Gather the family, snap festive photos, and enjoy some good ‘ole Halloween fun.
Meet the Two Juvenile Red Octopuses at Birch Aquarium
Get an up-close look at two juvenile Red Octopuses making their public debut at Birch Aquarium. Discover their remarkable journey from tiny hatchlings to thriving juveniles and witness a groundbreaking milestone in marine animal care and conservation.
Saturday
Discover San Diego’s Top Brews at the Capital of Craft Beer Festival
Experience San Diego’s ultimate beer celebration at Broadway Pier. Sip unlimited samples of over 70 premier craft brews from the region’s best independent breweries. Enjoy vibrant live music, delicious local food vendors, and unique artisan markets right by the scenic waterfront.
Catch 75 Free Bands at the Adams Avenue Street Fair
Explore Southern California’s largest free two-day music festival in Normal Heights. Wander across 10 blocks to enjoy 75 musical acts live on six stages. Hit three beer gardens for full craft pours, try carnival rides, and shop 300 unique exhibitors.
Claim a Bench at East Village Oktoberfest
Quartyard is rebuilding into a seated Munich bier hall for the 10th round of East Village Oktoberfest. Expect fest lagers, Märzens, and Mexican lagers from mostly local breweries, Munich plates with a Mexican spin from El Comal, plus a stein holding contest.
Discover Creativity by the Coast
Explore more than 150 artist booths at ArtWalk Carlsbad, featuring paintings, sculpture, glass art, fine jewelry, and photography. Enjoy live music, food trucks, interactive art activities for kids, and a vibrant oceanside atmosphere celebrating creativity from across the U.S. and Mexico.
Savor the Flavors of South Park
Treat your taste buds to the Taste of South Park, where acclaimed restaurants, cozy cafés, lively bars, and neighborhood favorites serve up signature bites. Stroll the charming streets, discover new culinary gems, and experience one of San Diego’s most beloved foodie events.
Rock Out at Birdstock Music Festival
Five stages of live music, pro skate and BMX demos, an Oktoberfest-inspired beer garden, family-friendly activities, and free admission make Birdstock Music Festival a standout community celebration. Wander Bird Rock, support local causes, and enjoy a full day of coastal entertainment.
Watch Southern California Change, One Canvas at a Time
The coastline you grew up with keeps rearranging itself. Changing Terrain gathers more than 60 artists from Southern California and Baja at Oceanside Museum of Art, including nine who showed in the museum’s 2013 landscape exhibition. Thirteen years later, they’re reading the same region very differently. Worth the drive up.
Set Sail at the San Diego Yacht Rock Festival
Climb aboard for a day of smooth hits, live performances, craft cocktails, great food, and waterfront vibes at Liberty Station. Gather your crew, sing along to your favorite soft rock classics, and enjoy an unforgettable celebration of yacht rock.
Celebrate Dogs at DogFest Southwest
Bring your four-legged friend to Liberty Station for DogFest Southwest, a family-friendly celebration featuring service dog demonstrations, live music, games, vendors, food, and fun for both people and pups—all while supporting the life-changing mission of Canine Companions.
Cheer On Swimmers at the 6th Annual Swim for SOF
The Honor Foundation’s 6th Annual Swim for SOF brings Navy SEALs, veterans, and supporters together for a 3.3-mile open water swim from Coronado to the USS Midway, honoring fallen teammates along the way. Cheer swimmers at the finish, then join the waterfront afterparty.
Sunday
Soak Up Point Loma’s Fresh Coat of Public Art
Point Loma Village is celebrating a bold new mural by Sarah Stieber on Rosecrans Street, plus 15 newly painted utility boxes around Cabrillo Elementary. Expect a reception, artist dedication program, and self-guided public art walk through the Village to see it all up close.
Get on the Pier Only Birch Aquarium Can Open
Birch Aquarium educators are taking you past the glass this fall. Sunset Pier Walks get you onto the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, normally closed to the public, for plankton, squid dissection, and shark science. Tidepooling Adventures put you at the water’s edge at low tide. Both sell out fast.
Run, Ride, and Celebrate at Dipper Dash 5K
Lace up for the Belmont Park Dipper Dash 5K and enjoy a scenic run along Mission Beach before celebrating with unlimited rides, a festive fall celebration, and family-friendly fun. Every step helps support the fight against childhood cancer.
Catch a Movie Under the Stars at Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club is bringing its A-game to September, from a pet-friendly Moana screening to new 2026 releases and a Halloween-ready thriller lineup, all with sweeping San Diego Bay views atop the Porto Vista Hotel. Don’t miss the Steel Magnolias tribute to Dolly Parton, benefiting the Dollywood Foundation.
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
Dance the Weekend Away at CRSSD Festival
Experience world-class house, techno, and indie-electronic music at CRSSD Festival, where top artists perform across three waterfront stages. Soak in stunning harbor views, enjoy craft drinks and local eats, and celebrate a great weekend of music in downtown San Diego.
Raise a Glass at the San Diego Spirits Festival
Discover premium spirits, handcrafted cocktails, gourmet bites, and live entertainment at the San Diego Spirits Festival in La Jolla. Sip unlimited tastings from more than 65 brands, explore oceanfront views, and celebrate one of Southern California’s premier cocktail experiences. San Diego Spirits Festival.
Raise a Stein at Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Beachside brews, live music, German-inspired fare, contests, and festive entertainment return to Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. Gather your friends, raise a stein, and enjoy two days of coastal celebration packed with local flavor, lively entertainment, and classic Oktoberfest traditions.
Sample Local Favorites at Taste of Coronado
Sample signature bites and drinks from Coronado’s top restaurants, bars, and shops during this self-guided culinary tour. Walk, bike, or ride the trolley between tasting stops, discover island favorites, and support the local community with every delicious stop.
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See you there, San Diego!
