Now that the rain has (almost) passed, take advantage of the impending blue skies by seeing all that San Diego has to offer. This weekend is a great time for sipping, whether it be cozy drinks at the Coffee & Tea Fair, cold beers at San Diego Brew Fest or the music and libations mashup of Le Salon de Musiques and Savor Every Note. It’s also packed with plenty of arts and culture, from War’s concert at The Magnolia to Sparks Gallery’s A Tale of Two Cities, a month-long artwork swap with BG Gallery in Santa Monica. There’s also the San Diego Resolution Run, the Athenaeum’s SoundON Festival and the San Diego Mojo’s home opener, just to name a few. So explore to your heart’s content, and leave the umbrellas behind.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
North Park Coffee & Tea Fair
January 10
During this month’s North Park Sustainable Market, taking place this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., visitors can shop the free Coffee & Tea Fair. The artisanal spread at North Park Mini Park will feature creative drinkware, handcrafted teas and a lineup of San Diego-area roasters; proceeds from the fair will go toward Feeding San Diego. Plus, the Sustainable Market will include a variety of eco-friendly vendors, music, games and adoptions from A Way Home For Dogs.
3812 29th Street, North Park
San Diego Brew Fest
January 10
New year, new you and a whole host of brews. The 21+ San Diego Brew Fest will bring the beer back to NTC Park this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Peruse a selection of 200 beers from dozens of local participating breweries, plus food trucks, lawn games, and live music from a lineup of cover bands. Ticket options include general admission ($62) which grants unlimited samples and entry at 1 p.m., as well as early admission ($79) which comes with an hour of specialty beer sampling from noon to 1 p.m.
2455 Cushing Road, Liberty Station
Classical Music and Libations
January 11
Accentuate your experience with curated libations at a pair of intimate classical music concerts. This Sunday at 4 p.m. the La Jolla Woman’s Club will host Concert 4 of its Le Salon de Musiques season, highlighting significant works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Franz Liszt and Ferdinand Hiller, followed by a high tea buffet with champagne; tickets are $120 ($69 for students). Also happening Sunday is the second installment in Mainly Mozart’s Savor Every Note series, with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception (4 p.m.) and a performance (5 p.m.) led by National Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef; at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club tickets range from $131 to $289.
7791 Draper Avenue, La Jolla | 15150 San Dieguito Road, Rancho Santa Fe
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
SoundON Festival
January 8-10
The 18th annual SoundON Festival, put on by San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, will highlight modern breakthroughs in orchestral music through the theme of “Mythography.” Across three consecutive nights at 7:30 p.m., the NOISE Sextext and four guest musicians will perform world premieres of international compositions and weigh the esoteric nature of myth-making. Festival passes ($74 for members; $89 for nonmembers) and individual concert tickets ($26 for members; $32 for non-members) can be purchased online.
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
Poway Winter Festival
January 9 & 10
Experience a snowy San Diego during Poway’s annual Winter Festival, a frosty two-day takeover of Poway Community Park. This free festival will include a variety of family-friendly activities, including bounce houses, snow play areas, a synthetic skate rink, marshmallow roasting and winter wonderland characters. Attendees can also check out food vendors, face painting and pony rides this Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday from 3:30-8:30 p.m.
13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway
San Diego Short Film Festival
January 10
Spend a day at Digital Gym Cinema watching up to 46 short films from local storytellers at the quarterly San Diego Short Film Festival this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. The movies will be split into five 90-minute blocks, each separated by a 15-minute intermission, with selections across several genres, including drama, sci-fi and animation. The screenings will lead into a cocktail and appetizer reception at 5:30 p.m. and an awards banquet from 6-10 p.m. with food from Mr. G’s Bistro. Tickets are $20 for each film block and $62 for the awards banquet.
1100 Market Street, East Village
War at The Magnolia
January 10
Despite what their name suggests, War acts as a harmonious melting pot, a peaceful convergence of rhythms and musical styles. The Long Beach funk legends spent years exploring avenues of R&B, Latin and rock n’ roll while preaching messages of empathy and unification on seminal records like Why Can’t We Be Friends? and The World Is a Ghetto—plus it’s impossible to forget the tune of “Low Rider.” Hear Lonnie Jordan and the band play War’s greatest hits during their performance this Saturday (7 p.m.) at The Magnolia. Tickets start at $82 for this concert.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
A Tale of Two Cities at Sparks Gallery
January 7 – February 7
San Diego’s Sparks Gallery and Santa Monica’s bG Gallery are exchanging artists for A Tale of Two Cities, a month-long exhibition celebrating the artistic identity of both cities. This collaborative exhibition will open Wednesday and remain on display concurrently in LA and SD, bridging the 133-mile distance between the galleries with a selection of artwork geared towards each city’s inhabitants. A Tale of Two Cities will have a free opening reception at Sparks Gallery Sunday, Jan. 25 from 5-8 p.m.; RSVP here in advance for a complimentary drink ticket, with proceeds going to a local nonprofit.
530 6th Avenue, Gaslamp
Of Mice and Men at Lamplighters Community Theatre
January 9 – February 1
John Steinbeck’s tale of shattered dreams amidst the Great Depression will be adapted for the stage in a new production at Lamplighters Community Theatre, directed by Teri Brown, beginning this Friday. In Of Mice and Men, companions George and Lennie are hired to work as ranch hands on a farm under the vindictive Curley, and when their goal of land ownership looks closer than ever, the cruel world closes in for the taking. General admission is $30, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. this week.
5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa
Chris Blanco Installation at Art Scene West
January 10-25
Photographer Chris Blanco finds inspiration in astrology and emotions, orchestrating images that are rich with symbolism and surreal details. For his newest work, opening Saturday, Blanco has put together an immersive installation at Art Scene West, using the gallery as his canvas to create a new visionary scene featuring elements of his past works. Art Scene West visitors can meet Blanco and learn more about his process during the installation’s free opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 4-7 p.m.
803 West Harbor D, Embarcadero
WOOD: A Furniture Show XVI at Escondido Arts Partnership
January 10 – February 27
Woodworking is one of the world’s most unique artforms, and every year, the Escondido Arts Partnership focuses on its nuances and complexities through the collective’s free annual WOOD showcase. Beginning this Saturday, WOOD: A Furniture Show XVI— curated by Brian Murphy of Murphy’s Fine Woodworking—will feature a range of modern and traditional wood pieces made by regional furniture makers and woodworkers.
262 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Resolution Run
January 10
Turn your 2026 cardio ambitions into reality by taking part in the San Diego Resolution Run, with 5K, 10K and half marathon options Saturday morning in Mission Bay. Participants in the 10K and half marathon will begin at 7:15 a.m. followed by the 5K at 7:30 a.m., with all racers invited to the vendor village to replenish themselves, eat healthy food and check out various wellness products. Registration is $60 for the 5K, $70 for the 10K and $116 for the half marathon, all who sign up will get a race T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and chip-timed results.
1740 East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
David Spade: I Got A Feel For It at Balboa Theatre
January 10
Known for his contributions to Saturday Night Live, sitcoms like Rules of Engagement, and the Adam Sandler cinematic universe, David Spade is arguably at his most adept as a stand-up. Spade’s blend of snark and insecurity make his observations cut through humorously, even when discussing topics as mundane as entering the ocean, as seen in his 2025 comedy special Dandelion. San Diegans can see Spade on his I Got A Feel For It tour Saturday night (8 p.m.) at the Balboa Theatre. Tickets start at $55 for this performance.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Monster Jam at Snapdragon Stadium
January 10-11 & 24-25
There’s something forever breathtaking about stunt drivers launching massive four-wheel trucks into the air through an array of gravity-defying feats. With the return of Monster Jam to Snapdragon Stadium, see 12,000 pound monster trucks race, flip and launch over other vehicles in a series of motorsport competitions. Tickets start at $43, with performances Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Those searching for a more up-close experience can also purchase VIP add-on options like trackside access, the Monster Jam Pit Party and driver meet-and-greets.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
SeaWorld San Diego Inside Look
January 10-11 & 17-19
Get behind-the-scenes access to SeaWorld San Diego this Saturday and Sunday during the first weekend of Inside Look. Attendees will be able to converse with the SeaWorld Rescue Team, take the Bayside Skyride to the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and hear from otter, sea lion, dolphin and orca trainers. This educational initiative also highlights regional conservation groups and features exclusive animal presentations, allowing visitors to observe local marine life closer than ever. Inside Look is included with SeaWorld San Diego admission, which starts at $69.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
PARTNER CONTENT
San Diego Mojo vs. Orlando Valkyries at Viejas Arena
January 11
Coming off the heels of an up-and-down 2025 campaign, the San Diego Mojo will look to serve up a victory and regain their winning … mojo during Sunday’s home opener (4 p.m.) at Viejas Arena. The Mojo enter the new year with several fresh faces and many returning players, including Bonsall’s own Kendra Dahlke, who led the team in points and kills last season. After they begin 2026 against the Omaha Supernovas on the road this Thursday, the Mojo will host the reigning MLV champion Orlando Valkyries, led by Carlsbad native Brittany Abercrombie. Tickets start at $29 and include a home opener T-shirt giveaway for fans.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, College Area
