October 13
Secret Society of Adultologists: Old Hollywood
Friday the 13th brings a Halloween-inspired, Old Hollywood–themed event at the San Diego Natural History Museum. This 21-plus soiree features live music from The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, a costume contest, a photo booth, caricature drawings, and tarot card readings. There will also be craft cocktails and beer, as well as bites from Wolf in the Woods, Cutwater Spirits, Stone Brewing, Burning Beard, and more. Tickets (which include access to all exhibitions and activities) are $25 for museum members and $35 for non-members. | 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
Swiftie Celebrations
Taylor Swift has sold out stadiums and arenas all over the country as part of her wildly popular Eras Tour. Now, a pair of San Diego theaters are throwing special parties to commemorate the premiere of the music superstar’s new concert film experience Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. AMC Mission Valley’s free event takes place in front of the theater from 4 to 9 p.m. and will include a spin-to-win wheel, a friendship bracelet–making station, and a DJ playing Taylor’s greatest hits. No pre-registration or movie ticket purchases are required to attend. Regal Parkway Plaza’s Swiftie gathering will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. and feature a Taylor Swift cover band, photo opportunities, a bracelet-crafting station, and more. | 1640 Camino Del Rio North, Mission Valley | 405 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon
October 13–15
Del Mar Harvest Festival
This traveling arts-and-crafts showcase continues its nationwide tour with a stop at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. At this artisan vendor market, shop an array of art including sculptures, woodworks, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and Halloween accessories. Attendees can peruse the booths of hundreds of vendors while searching for seasonal finds, one-of-a-kind gifts, and must-have handcrafted items Friday through Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday). | 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
October 14
Jerry Takigawa: False Food
Escondido creative collective The Photographer’s Eye hosts a new fine art series from photo artist Jerry Takigawa. False Food focuses on the damaging impact of microplastics on Earth’s natural environment. Takigawa asks viewers to face the deadly toll that plastic has taken on albatrosses, who perceive the colorful contamination as food. Marine life is one of the populations most affected by pollution. An opening reception and book signing takes place this Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. False Food will be on display through November 18, and the gallery is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as by appointment. | 326 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
Ballast Point Little Italy 10-Year Celebration
Ballast Point Brewing is celebrating one decade at its Little Italy location with an all-day party from 11 a.m. to midnight this Saturday. Along with family-friendly fun and the release of 10 small-batch beers, the event will feature special menu items, including pretzel bites, duck confit nachos, the brewery’s “OG” kale salad, and beer-steamed mussels. Attendees will also catch five guest brewers and be able to purchase limited-edition anniversary glassware and merchandise (while supplies last). | 2215 India Street, Little Italy
San Diego Serbian Festival
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church hosts the 50th annual San Diego Serbian Festival from noon to 11 p.m. this Saturday, celebrating Serbian culture, heritage, and music. At the fest, you’ll find traditional foods like burek (a meat-filled pastry), sarma (cabbage rolls), and a variety of apple and cherry pita pastries, plus folk dance performances and Serbian bands. General admission to the festival is $5, while members of the military, first responders, and children 12 and under enter for free. | 3025 Denver Street, Bay Park
Courtesy of Takaaki Tanaka
October 14–January 7
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper
Japanese handmade paper, washi, is often an important element of traditional art styles, including painting, calligraphy, and origami. This new exhibition at the Mingei International Museum highlights nine contemporary Japanese artists who push the possibilities of washi in modern-day art by layering, weaving, folding, and shaping the paper to make textured, multi-dimensional work. Washi Transformed will be on display through January 7. | 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
October 15
Herederos (The Heirs)
As part of the La Jolla Music Society’s Global Roots Series, Latin Grammy–nominated group Mariachi Herencia de México performs an afternoon concert with La Santa Cecilia founding member La Marisoul this Sunday at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall. Their show, Herederos (The Heirs), will commemorate mariachi’s musical evolution with a bilingual performance that also draws upon the traditions of bolero, cumbia, tango, and more. Tickets for this performance are available from $35 to $73. | 7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Peter Sagal
Peter Sagal, host of National Public Radio’s weekly news quiz show Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, fronts this one-night-only event, taking a humorous look at current events and offering an exclusive look at the making of his show. The event at the Balboa Theatre will dive into the secrets behind Sagal’s 25 years of success on the airwaves. Tickets for the event range from $30 to $75. | 868 4th Avenue, Gaslamp
Escondido Grand Avenue Festival
Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido welcomes the city’s 30-plus year autumn tradition: the Escondido Grand Avenue Festival, a free community event featuring more than 400 vendors. The festival takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and includes live music, a beer and wine garden, and shopping from retail, craft, art, and food booths with tons of handcrafted items and international cuisine. | Grand Avenue, between Center City Parkway and Ivy, Escondido
XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon
The 36th annual XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon continues the city’s long history with the triple-threat event. (Fun fact: The first modern triathlon occurred in 1974 on Mission Bay’s Fiesta Island). All taking off from Bonita Cove Park, the event’s many race options for kids and adults include a traditional triathlon, a duathlon (running and biking only), and an aquathlon (running and swimming only). For beginners eager to try out the triathlete life but not ready for the whole enchilada, there will also be a mini distance triathlon. Those interested in participating in any event can register here. | 1100 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
