And just like that, another weekend. If you’re seeking a way to fill it, look no further: This week’s roundup of things to do in San Diego includes a rollicking rodeo in Ramona, a scenic bike race, and a concert from a group of local icons who made it big, plus 12 more San Diego events.
Dive into SeaWorld San Diego’s Bayside Brews and BBQ as part of the theme park’s ongoing 60th anniversary celebration. More than 60 craft beers from local breweries will be on tap, and the food menu is packed with Baja, Texas, and Bourbon-style BBQ selections from executive chef Zuric Ramirez. Admission to Bayside Brews and BBQ is included with park admission; single-day tickets to SeaWorld San Diego start at $48.49.
Taste of Eastlake 2024 at Chula Vista Elite Training Center
August 23
Support local kids’ education by stopping by the Taste of Eastlake this Friday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Chula Vista Elite Training Center. This 21-plus event from the Eastlake Educational Foundation will include an auction, live entertainment, and an array of South Bay vendors offering flavors from around the globe. Proceeds from this event will fund STEAM programs in the community’s K-12 public schools. General admission tickets to Taste of Eastlake are $75 and can be purchased here.
2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista
Crossing South Festival at Liberty Station
August 24
Crossing South star Jorge Meraz is taking the Baja California experience to Liberty Station’s Ingram Plaza from 12 to 4 p.m. At Saturday’s Crossing South Festival, get a taste of Baja California’s finest food and wine, peruse several tour and travel booths, and enjoy live music. Tickets are $75 for general admission, $68 for kids, and $145 for VIP, which includes perks like a meet and greet with Meraz, a free wine bottle voucher, priority seating, and much more.
2751 Dewey Road, Point Loma
Dockside Night Market: “Local Fish, Global Flavors” Dinner
August 25
The San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group and Puffer Malarkey Collective are collaborating on a night of seafood sampling from 6 to 10 p.m. this Sunday at the Tuna Harbor Market Pier. Stop by Seaport Village and try locally sourced seafood in creative dishes from a handful of local chefs. There will also be a cash bar and a live music lineup featuring Sounds by Nikki, Good Gravy Street Blues, and The Barnacle Boys. Tickets to this 21-plus event are $100 and come with one tasting from each chef.
598 Harbor Lane, Embarcadero
Courtesy of North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Lady Dottie & The Diamonds with Rey Wolf at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room
August 23
This Friday, artist Rey Wolf will serenade the crowd at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room at 8 p.m., followed by a 10 p.m. concert from Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, a blues group fronted by Alabama-born Dorothy Mae Whitsett. No reservations are required for this show at the Lafayette Hotel’s sultry and sophisticated nightclub, though seating is first-come, first-served.
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Sondheim Tonight! A Celebration of Genius at the Rady Shell
August 23
This Friday, the Rady Shell will host a concert dedicated to musical theater’s favorite maestro. Conducted by Rob Fisher, Sondheim Tonight! A Celebration of Genius will feature the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, a handful of veteran Broadway vocalists, a singing ensemble of San Diego State students, and guest singer Len Cariou, who portrayed Sweeney Todd in its original production. The concert program will encompass Sondheim’s many iconic scores, from Company to Into the Woods. Tickets for Sondheim Tonight! range from $33 to $119.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Flair Festival at The Movement Warehouse
August 24
Support local musicians and small businesses in Pacific Beach this Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. At The Movement Warehouse’s Flair Festival, local craft vendors will sell crocheted clothing, handmade jewelry, surf photography, and more. Get familiar with San Diego’s up-and-coming musical talents with Saturday’s live music lineup, featuring five local bands playing alt-rock, pop, and emo, plus a DJ set from Krook. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $10 or for $12 at the door the day of.
1425 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Slightly Stoopid & Dirty Heads at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
The fourth edition of the Oceanside Museum of Art’s Street Level series will revolve around the group exhibition More Disruption: Representational Art in Flux, which features more than 50 artists. This month’s party will feature live music from Montalban Quintet and Nicey Nice featuring Marcelo Radulovich, bites from Epic Eatz Food Truck, and appearances from More Disruption artists Miguel Camacho-Padilla and David Fobes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Admission to Street Level is free for museum members and children ages 17 and under, while adult tickets are $15.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
DEBUTS from The Rosin Box Project
August 24–25
The Rosin Box Project (TRBP) will presents two ballet shows this weekend at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Audiences at DEBUTS will witnessed brand-new choreographed works from the duo FLOCK (Alice Klock and Florian Lochner), Ballet West principal dancer Emily Adams, and TRBP resident artist Katie Spagnoletti. You’ll also catch a preview of a bold new project from TRBP’s Artistic Director Carly Topazio. Tickets for Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday’s (6 p.m.) performances are $30 each.
340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido
LeucadiART Walk
August 25
Leucadia 101 Main Street’s free art extravaganza invites attendees to stroll or trolley along one mile of the 101 and check out eight unique artist plazas featuring works selected to be part of the juried show. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees can browse and buy artwork and enjoy live art demonstrations, music, and dance performances. The LeucadiART Walk will also feature a makers’ market, a beer garden, and Encinitas-based artist Mikey Kettinger’s The Flowers Project installation.
North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
Courtesy of San Diego Wave FC
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Ramona Rodeo at Fred Grand Arena
August 22–24
The PRCA Rodeo makes its yearly stop at Fred Grand Arena this weekend. Ramona’s newest Rodeo Queen will preside over three days of Wild West theatrics, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding. Attendees can enjoy the brave stunts and check out special events like the nightly post-rodeo concerts or Saturday morning’s Cowboy Church. General admission tickets for the Ramona Rodeo are $20 for Thursday and $25 for Friday and Saturday.
421 Aqua Lane, Ramona
San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets at Petco Park
August 22–25
The Padres will look to separate themselves in the Wild Card race and challenge the Dodgers’ division lead as they begin a pivotal four-game series against the New York Mets beginning this Thursday at Petco Park. Cheer on the Pads and enjoy weekend festivities like a bucket hat giveaway (Thursday) and festive Party in the Park (Friday). Tickets for this weekend’s series, which start at $37.95, can be purchased here.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
San Diego Wave FC vs. Angel City FC at Snapdragon Stadium
August 24
Saturday’s match against Angel City FC at Snapdragon Stadium is a huge opportunity for the Wave to not only get a much-needed win but one-up their regional rivals. Before the game kicks off at 1:30 p.m., fans are welcome to enjoy a pre-match fan fest with food trucks, live music, and a beer garden. Plus, the first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Naomi Girma bobblehead, celebrating the two-time NWSL Defender of the Year and—dare I say it!—the world’s best player.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
Bike the Bay
August 25
See stellar views of the South Bay and downtown during the 17th annual Bike the Bay, a primarily flat cruise on two wheels that features a rare chance to ride across the Coronado Bay Bridge. Participants who sign up for Bike the Bay will start and finish at Embarcadero Marina Park. At the end of their 25-mile workout, riders can hang out at festival featuring food, a beer garden, and live entertainment.
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.
