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15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: November 12–17

Pedal for brews in Miramar, see an adaptation of a Stephen King classic in the East Village, and get lit at the San Diego Botanic Garden
Things to do this weekend in San Diego Nov. 6-10, 2024 featuring concerts at Gallagher Sqaure at Petco Park
Courtesy of Petco Park Events

Daytime temperatures will soon duck into the mid-60s in San Diego, but the city’s arts scene never takes a break for the chill. This week’s live music lineup includes a pair of concerts at Gallagher Square and a tribute to the region’s punk rock prowess at Punk in the Park. San Diegans can also flock to the theater for a trio of productions, and lovers of naan or cold beers will find much to enjoy at this week’s food and drink festivities. No matter what appeals to you the most, there are plentiful things to do in San Diego this weekend. 

Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Things to do this weekend in San Diego Nov. 6-10, 2024 featuring Chefsgiving Thanksgiving dinner at the Pendry Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter
Courtesy of Pendry Hotels

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Chefsgiving at Pendry San Diego

November 14

Several of the city’s finest chefs will serve up an early Thanksgiving feast this Thursday at Pendry San Diego’s Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile from 6 to 9 p.m. NBC San Diego reporters Joe Little and Audra Stafford host Chefsgiving, an event in which local chefs will prepare dishes like duck carnitas, lobster mac n’ cheese, and dark chocolate truffle torte (see the full menu here) with wine pairings from The Prisoner Wine Company. Tickets for this 21-plus dinner are $150 per person, which includes a $30 donation to the San Diego Food Bank. 

425 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp 

Bikes & Beers San Diego

November 16

This Saturday, push your pedals to the max for an ice-cold reward at AleSmith Brewing Company. At Bikes & Beers, cyclists can take a GPS-guided tour of San Diego, with a choice of a 15-, 30- or 45-mile race out and back with refreshments and rest stops along the way. Upon their return, riders can enjoy an afterparty featuring live music, games, raffles, and pint glasses full of beer. Ticket options range from $30 to $85 for Bikes & Beers. 

9990 AleSmith Court, Miramar 

Things to do in San Diego this month October 2024 featuring Dia de los Muertos event in Chula Festival

World Naan Festival

November 16

The Encore Event Center hosts the second annual World Naan Festival from 12 to 4 p.m. this Saturday. Attendees can enjoy six naan tastings and several samples from each food vendor, along with cooking demonstrations and competitions, live music, henna design, and cultural dance performances. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3 to 12 years old. 

8253 Ronson Road, Kearny Mesa 

Fall Artisan Market & Wine Tasting Fest

November 16

This Saturday, the Mission Bay Beach Club will welcome local retail and artisan vendors and winemakers for the Fall Artisan Market & Wine Tasting Fest. The free market will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music and plenty of chances for holiday shopping. The wine fest takes place from 2 to 5 p.m., and a $40 ticket gets you samples of 15 wines. 

2688 East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay

Things to do this weekend in San Diego Nov. 6-10, 2024 featuring Punk in the Park punk music festival at Snapdragon Stadium with a lineup flyer
Courtesy of Snapdragon Stadium

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend

Rainbow Kitten Surprise at the Rady Shell

November 12

At a Tuesday night show at the Rady Shell, alt rockers Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform tracks from Love Hate Music Box, the band’s latest album. Madi Diaz, whose new album Weird Faith features the countrified banger “Don’t Do Me Good” with Kacey Musgraves, will open. Tickets for Tuesday’s concert start at $74.60 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster

222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero 

Valley Arts Festival

November 15

Celebrate Oceanside’s indigenous community at the annual Valley Arts Festival at Heritage Park, put on by the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians of the Luiseño Nation from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday. This year’s festival features an educational kíicha, the traditional dome-shaped shelter of the Luiseño people. Friday’s entertainment will include Native American drumming, blues, and storytelling, as well as interactive community murals, dancing demonstrations, and activities like rock and gourd painting, basket weaving, and jewelry making. 

220 Peyri Drive, Oceanside

Cowboy Bebop LIVE

November 15

Despite running for just over two dozen episodes at the turn of the century, Cowboy Bebop is one of the most enduring anime series of all time, with an international fan base, widespread acclaim, and even a live-action Netflix adaptation. Now, the intergalactic journeys of the Bebop’s bounty hunter crew will be soundtracked live by the 14-piece Bebop Bounty Big Band. As the animated adventures play out on the big screen at The Magnolia this Friday, the jazz ensemble will breathe even more life and love into a franchise that’s somehow still on the rise. Tickets start at $59 for this performance.

210 East Main Street, El Cajon

Concerts at Gallagher Square at Petco Park 

November 15 & 17

Though the nights are getting a bit frostier, outdoor concert season is still in full swing at Gallagher Square. On Friday night, rock bands Thrice and Manchester Orchestra will revisit their classics. Then, Sunday evening, Becky G will warm up the night with her Latin pop hits. Tickets for Friday’s show are on sale for $63.70 while tickets to Sunday’s performance will cost you at least $104. 

100 Park Boulevard, Downtown

Punk in the Park

November 16

Spend your Saturday jamming out to SoCal punk rockers at Snapdragon Stadium’s Punk in the Park. Several regional bands will take the stage throughout the day, including Streetlight Manifesto, Manic Hispanic, and headliners The Offspring and Pennywise. VIP festivalgoers will enjoy prime stage views, plus exclusive food, bars, and access to a seated lounge. Tickets for Punk in the Park range from $88.50 to $753.15. 

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley

Things to do this weekend in San Diego Nov. 6-10, 2024 featuring Roberto R. Pozos art exhibit at Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park
Courtesy of Imperial Valley Hope & Resilience
Painting by Roberto R. Pozos

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

Misery at Tenth Avenue Arts Center 

November 14–December 7

In this stage adaptation of Misery, one of Stepen King’s most unsettling stories, an author finds himself in the clutches of a superfan who “rescues” him from a bad car wreck and sequesters him in her remote cabin. The Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company will preview the show through Nov. 22, followed by opening night on Nov. 23 at Tenth Avenue Arts Center. Tickets are $40.

930 Tenth Avenue, East Village 

Trans Diaries at Diversionary Theatre 

November 15–16

For two nights at the Diversionary Theatre, a group of five trans and nonbinary artists will share personal stories on stage for Trans Diaries. Joshua Gershick and director Shakina Nayfack lead a cast of returning and debut performers for the production’s fifth year. See Trans Diaries this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; you can make your free reservation to attend here.

4545 Park Boulevard, University Heights

Tiny Beautiful Things at Scripps Ranch Theatre

November 15–December 8

Based on Cheryl Strayed’s real-life “Dear Sugar” anonymous advice column, Tiny Beautiful Things is a tearjerker about grief, trauma, and making it through tough times. This production, originally adapted by Nia Vardalos from Strayed’s book of the same name, will run for 13 shows. Tickets range from $29 to $35

9783 Avenue of Nations, Scripps Ranch 

Roberto R. Pozos at Centro Cultural de la Raza

November 15–December 22

Tepatitlan native and longtime San Diego resident Roberto R. Pozos’s newest painting exhibition will grace the walls of Centro Cultural de la Raza beginning this Friday. Pozos is known for his vibrant logo designs, as well as his contributions to the murals of Chicano Park. The opening reception for his exhibition is this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

2004 Park Boulevard, Balboa Park 

Things to do this weekend in San Diego Nov. 6-10, 2024 featuring Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas
Courtesy of San Diego Botanic Garden

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend

Under the Stars: A Festive Autumn Evening at the SD Air & Space Museum

November 14

Guests at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s “Under the Stars” evening will get an exclusive look after-hours this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature access to the museum’s Above and Beyond exhibit with space artifacts, private docent tours, live music from Gladish Night, and a buffet dinner. Tickets are $55.20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park

Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden

November 15–January 5, 2025

Every year, the San Diego Botanic Garden’s annual Lightscape installation creates an illuminated winter wonderland amid the usual natural flora. Those who want to see the installation will have the choice between value, off-peak and peak days, each with different ticket prices. This weekend, value tickets for non-members are available for $26 (adults) and $16 (children ages 3 to 12 years old). 

300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas

By Ryan Hardison

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.

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