Learn, savor, and see something new this weekend in San Diego. Educational opportunities include An Evening of Exploration at Speckle Rock Vineyards, along with the history and performing arts fusion of Cotton. Or check out some socially conscious art, such as the Postcards from the Left Coast show at The Studio Door or Tuyo Theatre’s production of Everything You Need to Know About Abortion in One Hour or Less. Consider checking out The Old Globe’s Powers New Voices Festival or one of two local world premiere productions: Louisa Gillis and Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
An Evening of Exploration – The Noble Grapes at Speckle Rock Vineyards
January 14
This Wednesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Speckle Rock Vineyards, wine scholar Al Fischer will lead a group of oenophiles through an interactive tasting experience. At An Evening of Exploration – The Noble Grapes, wine enthusiasts will learn the heritage, flavors, and optimal companions of the six noble grapes: cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, riesling, sauvignon blanc, merlot, and chardonnay. Guests will try each of the noble grapes, plus a sample of sparkling wine. Tickets are $55 for this wine class, and check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.
16138 Highland Valley Road, Escondido
YPAC Annual Food Tour: Flavors and Stories
January 18
Support the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum with the Young Professional Advisory Committee’s Annual Food Tour, which explores the unique eats and history of the city’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., attendees will take a guided tour around the Convoy District, where they will eat hand-picked bites at five restaurants and learn about the neighborhood’s cultural heritage. Tickets are $108 for this event.
Convoy District
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Borrego Springs Film Festival
January 14–18
Venture out to the northeastern corner of San Diego County for five days of independent cinema at the 13th annual Borrego Springs Film Festival. Beginning Wednesday, movie lovers can watch new films; chat with filmmakers; and partake in special events like an evening gala at Rams Hill Golf Club (Friday), an exclusive party at The Arches (Saturday) and the closing night awards soiree (Sunday). Tickets for each of the 15 film blocks at Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center are $10 and the full festival pass is $175. Free events include five screening sessions (Wednesday & Thursday) and two film panels (Friday & Saturday) at Borrego Springs Library.
Borrego Springs
COTTON at The Conrad
January 16
This Friday at 7:30 p.m., the La Jolla Music Society and the San Diego Opera present Cotton, which combines recorded poetry readings, John Dowell’s photography, and music from Damien Geter to examine our country’s relationship to cotton and its lasting impact on Black Americans. The day prior at 2 p.m., members of the Cotton creative team will speak about the project with composer Anthony Davis in a free panel (registration is required). Tickets for Friday’s multimedia concert are sold out, but a waitlist is open in case seats become available.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Braxton Cook at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room
January 16
Inspired by a period of upheaval and an intense touring schedule, jazz and R&B multi-hyphenate Braxton Cook looks ahead to the future on his newest album Not Everyone Can Go, released this past August. The meditative project prominently features some of Cook’s finest romantic songwriting to date, as well as the blissful sounds of his alto saxophone. Hear tracks from Not Everyone Can Go and Cook’s earlier catalog at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room this Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 for this 21+ concert.
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Martin Luther King Jr. 5K, Festival, and Parade
January 18
Commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. this Sunday with a slate of activities hosted by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the San Diego Alpha Foundation. Kicking off at 9 a.m. is the 5K walk/fun run; participants will do a 3.1-mile out-and-back tour of the Embarcadero or the one-mile cruiser option, and registration is $40. Then, at 11 a.m., the MLK Parade will march down Harbor Drive from Ash Street to Pacific Highway with floats, bands, drill teams, and several community organizations. Plus, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterfront Park, the public can check out the free Harmony Health Fest, with food and resource vendors, fitness demonstrations, health screenings, and much more in store.
Embarcadero
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic with DJ Mikey Beats at Music Box
January 18
George Clinton is not only the grand leader of funk’s most psychedelic and revolutionary collective—he also happens to be your favorite artist’s favorite artist, a titan of bold fashion and Afrofuturism, and the spark plug for West Coast hip-hop’s g-funk golden age. This Sunday at 8 p.m., Clinton, alongside Parliament Funkadelic and DJ Mikey Beats, will bring the funk to Music Box. Tickets are $82 for this concert.
1337 India Street, Little Italy
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Louisa Gillis at North Coast Repertory Theatre
January 14–February 8
In Louisa Gillis, a world-premiere thriller from playwright Joanna McClelland Glass and director David Ellenstein, a multi-generational family is forced to deal with the fallout of a lingering event from four decades prior. Tickets are $59 for the production’s four preview performances Wednesday through Friday and $67 to $81 for all successive shows, including two this Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at North Coast Repertory Theatre.
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach
Powers New Voices Festival at The Old Globe
January 16–18
Experience new theatrical works from emerging local and national playwrights throughout the 13th annual Powers New Voices Festival at The Old Globe. The three-day event starts Friday (7:30 p.m.) with Celebrating Community Voices, featuring three 20-minute works by first-time San Diego playwrights, then continues Saturday and Sunday at 4 and 7:30 p.m. with four full-length play readings. All readings are free to attend, but reservations are required to ensure a spot. Pending availability, online reservations can be made beginning Tuesday at noon; a standby seating line will also open 30 minutes before each festival performance.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
Everything You Need to Know About Abortion in One Hour or Less
January 16–28
Set in December 2023 at an Oklahoma high school, a retiring educator uses her final day of instruction to teach her students a crash course on abortion in Tuyo Theatre’s newest production Everything You Need to Know About Abortion in One Hour or Less, created by pro-choice theater coalition the wish collective and directed by Dr. Maria Patrica Amon. This show will premiere at Bayfront Charter High School before traveling to eight additional San Diego County locations. General admission is $30, with performances this Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Jan. 16-18: 830 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center
January 17–18
This weekend, Bodhi Tree Concerts’ bilingual chamber opera will make its world premiere at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center. An adaptation of Duncan Tonatiuh’s book of the same name, Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote is a story of resilience, courage, and hopeful reunion. This production is composed by Anthony Davis and written by Allan Havis and features Spanish text by Laura Fuentes. Tickets range from $40 to $75, with performances Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.
900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista
Postcards from the Left Coast at The Studio Door
January 17–31
Purchase original four-by-six-inch artworks at the free Postcards from the Left Coast group show and benefit at The Studio Door, held in partnership with Fellowships of Older Gays. Each postcard-sized piece will be shown anonymously and listed for $25, with artist attribution revealed post-purchase. Proceeds from this group show will go towards Visual AIDS and POZabilities, with additional donations encouraged. Postcards from the Left Coast will have a free kick-off event this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and remain on display through the end of January.
3867 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest
Non-Objective Lessons: A Survey of San Diego Abstract Art at Art Produce Gallery
January 17–February 12
Space 4 Art begins its 2026 residency at Art Produce Gallery with Non-Objective Lessons, a look at the local abstract art scene featuring 14 SD artists. Curated by multimedia artist Katie Ruiz, the works on display include found materials, theoretical pieces and minimalist creations. This group exhibition is the first of seven Space 4 Art shows happening throughout the year at Art Produce Gallery. Non-Objective Lessons will kick off with a free opening reception this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.
3139 University Avenue, North Park
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Doug Smith: Wild Wolves of Yellowstone at The Conrad
January 15
Thirty-one years ago this month, gray wolves were officially reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, marking the launch of a hugely successful conservation project. Few played a bigger role in this monumental undertaking than Doug Smith, biologist, wildlife observer, and National Geographic Explorer. This Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Smith will take the audience on a visual journey through the park’s ecosystem, featuring previously unseen photos and videos. “Wild Wolves of Yellowstone” is sold out, but those still wanting to attend can join the waitlist.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
San Diego Rodeo
January 16–18
The third annual San Diego Rodeo rides into Petco Park this Friday through Sunday at 6 p.m. for three days of bucking, roping, and cowboy competitions. Rodeo attendees can keep the fun going each night at 8:30 p.m. with ticketed afterparties in Gallagher Square featuring musical guests Charley Crockett (Friday), Jamey Johnson (Saturday), and Cody Jinks (Sunday). Ticket options include weekend rodeo passes ($97–$286), afternoon tours ($66), after party admission ($55–$124), and single-day rodeo entry (starting at $35).
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
PARTNER CONTENT
Monster Energy AMA Supercross
January 17
Gear up for Round Two of 28 in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross this Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium. This event will showcase the best-of-the-best in off-road motorcycle racing and give fans the chance to enjoy timed qualifying, giveaways, autograph sessions, and more from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m during Fan Fest ($20). Motorheads will also be able to cheer on El Cajon native Christian Craig and Alpine hometowner Dilan Schwartz at the main event at 4 p.m. General admission starts at $59, with add-on VIP experiences starting at $35 per person.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
