The first day of summer officially arrives this Thursday, June 20, bringing with it a host of sunshiney things to do in San Diego. Ring in the season by sampling Laotian cuisine in Mira Mesa, watching Scottish highland games competitors sling logs, or eating your weight in ice cream in North Park. If even that’s not enough for you, weekend warrior, fear not—we’ve got 11 more must-explore San Diego events.
Support independent beermakers throughout San Diego County at the third annual San Diego Beer Weekend. Check out events happening at San Diego Brewers Guild locations (including a free show from a Grateful Dead tribute band at Duck Foot Brewing in Miramar) and participate in the Guild’s social media contest to win prizes from local breweries. Throughout the weekend, San Diegans can also purchase commemorative glasses to contribute to the nonprofit and keep your favorite brewhouses running.
There’s a host of activities to check out at the 44th edition of the Ocean Beach Street Fair. Attendees at this free beachy festival can explore three live music stages, contribute to community murals, shop hand-crafted items in the Artist Alley, and cheer on competitors in burger- and wing-eating contests. But the fair’s crowning glory is the legendary chili cook-off. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., pay $2 for each chili tasting or buy the $25 master ticket to try them all and get the chance to vote for your favorite local chili recipe.
4800–5000 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
San Diego Lao Food Festival
June 22–23
Explore Laotian cuisine at the second annual San Diego Lao Food Festival. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Mira Mesa Community Park, sample a wide range of food options—both popular and lesser-known dishes and even Beerlao Lager straight from Southeast Asia. Plus, there will be a carnival with games, rides, arts and crafts, and live music. Single-day festival tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $6 and a weekend pass is $10. Unlimited ride wristbands are $30 and can be purchased here.
8575 New Salem Street, Mira Mesa
Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival
June 23
The weekend forecast is predicting weather in the mid-70s, and nothing beats the heat like an ice-cold treat, whether it be ice cream, gelato, or paletas. All of those and more can be found at the sixth annual Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival, with over 20 local vendors serving up desserts from 12. to 4 p.m. Proceeds will go to local food security nonprofit Berry Good Found Foundation. Tickets are $45 for general admission, which comes 10 one-ounce samples. $100 VIP passes include perks like access to an exclusive lounge with deluxe ice cream selections and an extra tasting hour from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
North Park Way between 30th Street & Granada Avenue, North Park
Courtesy of the San Diego Black Arts Festival
Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
The San Diego Black Arts Festival
June 21–23
This three-day festival from the San Diego Black Artist Collective empowers local Black artists at The Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, several playwrights, performers, and visual artists will showcase their original works and interpretations. Tickets start at $15 for all three performance dates.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
Pointeworks Inaugural Performance
June 20
Pointeworks, a performing arts collective founded last year by San Diegan Sophie Williams, will have its debut showcase this Thursday night at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall. Pointeworks’ cast of international dancers and soloists will present works from five female choreographers, including a world-premiere routine from Reka Gyulai. Tickets range from $58 to $98 and can be purchased here.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Del Mar Village Summer Solstice
June 20
Hosted by The Del Mar Village Association at Powerhouse Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Del Mar Village Summer Solstice brings together over 30 nearby restaurants and beverage partners to offer bites, wine, beer, and cocktails. You can also experience live music from Ben Benavente and the Stateside Bruddahs. VIP passes are sold out, but $130 general admission tickets can be secured here.
1658 Coast Boulevard, Del Mar
Courtesy of Sofar Sounds
Concerts & Theater in San Diego This Weekend
The Color Purple
Through July 21
New Village Arts’ stage adaptation of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple follows protagonist Celie’s four-decade-long journey toward a better life. Directed by Kandace Crystal and starring Carlsbad native Nio Russell, this production marries jazz, gospel, ragtime, and other genres in a soundtrack that chronicles the vast evolution and history of Black American music. Tickets are $33 for previews (Thursday and Friday). They increase to $55 or more beginning with opening night this Saturday.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad
Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival
June 20–29
Representatives from several of the country’s leading orchestras are teaming up for six shows to celebrate Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and other pillars of classical music at the annual Mainly Mozart Orchestra Festival. The festival begins with Mozart Piano Concerto 21 & Beethoven 6 this Thursday, followed by Mozart Symphony 31 on Saturday at the UCSD Amphitheatre and Gran Partita Matinee on Sunday afternoon at The Conrad. Tickets for individual shows (which range in price from $20 to $312.50) as well as several package options are currently on sale.
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla | 7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Nine The Musical
June 21–July 14
Director Blake McCarty transports audiences to 1960s Venice with Nine The Musical, based on Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical film 8½. Successful director and ladies man Guido Contini is trying to escape a creative rut. Meanwhile, the many women in his life plague his thoughts and visions, pushing him closer to the brink. Tickets for Nineare $27. There will be four shows this weekend, beginning with Friday’s opening night performance.
1835 Strand Way, Coronado
Summer Fun on the 101
June 22
Spend your Saturday jamming to live music at Leucadia Roadside Park. Summer Fun on the 101 takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. just up the hill from Surf Point in Encinitas. This free musical education fundraiser features a beer garden and an all-day music lineup that includes Albert Hurtado, Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, and TRUEBLOOD, winners of the Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Battle of the Bands. Proceeds from the event will help fund a musical studies scholarship for two high school grads (and budding musicians) from San Dieguito Academy.
860 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
Sofar San Diego
June 22
Rising artists Tonina, Taylor Rae, and Farayi Malek will show off their skills as singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists with an acoustic performance this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The California tour from music nonprofit Salt Lick Incubator and concert organizer Sofar Sounds will finish with a show at a surprise location in San Diego this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $25; the venue address will be revealed through email or text 36 hours before showtime.
Private Location, Point Loma
Courtesy of the La Mesa Village Assocation
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
La Mesa Classic Car Show & Music Event
June 20 (and each Thursdays through August 29, except July 4)
The next edition of the La Mesa Village Association’s free summer event series will take place this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. This week’s classic car show will be accompanied by a concert from 1950s-inspired rockabilly band Blame Betty. Match the theme with a swing dress or greased hair for “Rockabilly Night.”
La Mesa Boulevard and Spring Street, La Mesa
San Diego Scottish Highland Games
June 22–23
The history of Scottish highland games dates back several centuries, even before the life and times of Braveheart hero William Wallace. Nowadays, San Diegans can attempt these Olympics-style feats of strength and skill at Brengle Terrace Park on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whether you’re competing or spectating, attendees can dive into the ancestral roots of the Scottish clans, try authentic Scottish fare, and take in performances from highland dancers and bagpipe and drum bands throughout the weekend. Tickets are $20 per day.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
