Independent cinema screenings, fine dining experiences and broadway theater productions are just some of what’s on the menu for this three-day weekend. A pair of local businesses will be celebrating their respective anniversaries with festive parties, Zeta Sigma Lambda has organized a day full of Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities in the Embarcadero, and new ambitious art exhibitions are opening at the Athenaeum and ICA North. So no matter what your interests are, or where you reside in San Diego, there are quite a few things to do this weekend.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
The Whiskey House 10th Anniversary Party
January 15
The Whiskey House is summoning the era of flappers and zoot suits for its Roaring Twenties-themed anniversary party. The event includes a free food buffet for all attendees from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with sliders, wings, chorizo mac and cheese, and dessert. Attendees can also enjoy live, era-appropriate music, anniversary drink specials, a happy hour food and beverage menu, and limited edition anniversary shirts for purchase.
420 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
ARTIFACT at Night
January 16
During the first ARTIFACT at Night of 2025, chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson and Tony Coito are leading a culinary excursion to North Africa with a meal born out of the cuisine of Morocco. Dinner guests at the Mingei International Museum will be treated to a four-course meal full of Moroccan-inspired delicacies, such as the meat pie bastilla. Dinner is priced at $89 per person, including the $40 reservation deposit made when booking, with seatings from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
Burgeon’s Eighth Anniversary Invitational
January 18
Enjoy two-ounce tasters of limited-edition brews and an afternoon full of activities at Burgeon’s Eighth Anniversary Invitational, taking place this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The anniversary party will feature a guest lineup of 45 breweries from San Diego to Salinas, with an exclusive chance to try rare Burgeon Beer releases. Attendees can also enjoy games, live music and food from Thumbs Up Bacon & BBQ, Emberlicious Wood Fired Pizza, Mr. Ceviche. Tickets are $75 per person, with a portion of proceeds going toward SeaTrees’ Ocean+Positive Solution.
6350 Yarrow Drive, Carlsbad
Chef Nino Fjordside/Agnes Karrasch Collab Dinner at Matsu
January 20 & 21
San Diego foodies can revel in a unique dining experience to close out the holiday weekend, as Matsu teams up with chefs Nino Fjordside and Agnes Karrasch, formerly of the two-Michelin star KOKS restaurant in the Faroe Islands. Patrons will be treated to a six-course dinner inspired by Nordic cuisine and featuring local produce. Dinner is priced at $375 per person—with a $95 add-on option for wine pairings—and reservations can be made between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on OpenTable.
626 South Tremont Street, Oceanside
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
The 12th Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival
January 15-19
Independent cinema shines on screen at the Borrego Springs Film Festival, with this year’s lineup showcasing 93 films, along with a series of galas, after parties, and award ceremonies. Festival attendees can buy the full festival pass ($175) or individual block passes to specific screenings ($10 each). Those without a ticket can enjoy Wednesday’s lineup of free screenings at Borrego Springs Library, along with filmmaker and community panels that are open to the public.
590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs
Holo Holo Music Festival
January 18
Headlined by the sweet sounds of Common Kings, the Holo Holo Music Festival is back in San Diego, with its first event at the new Frontwave Arena, this Saturday starting at 4 p.m. The festival’s lineup is rounded out by Josh Tatofi, 8R08, K’Nova and Spawnbreezie performing reggae-tinged tunes, plus a cultural dance performance from Taupou Samoa. Tickets start at $78 for the Holo Holo Music Festival.
3475 Hero Drive, Oceanside
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Festival and 5K Run
January 19
Zeta Sigma Lambda’s San Diego chapter is celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a Sunday full of free events on the shoreline. This includes a community 5K run starting at 9 a.m. on the corner of Harbor Drive and Ash Street, as well as a parade with floats, bands, local organizations proceeding down Harbor Drive. Throughout the day at Waterfront Park (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) the free Harmony Health Festival will commemorate Dr. King’s legacy with vendors and exhibitors hosting wellness-themed activities, workshops and screenings.
Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
Julian Tan
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Anne of Green Gables at Patio Playhouse
Through January 19
Patio Playhouse’s loyal stage adaptation of Anne of Green Gables finishes its run at the community theater with six shows Thursday through Sunday. The adventures of orphan child Anne Shirley, originating from the book series by L.M. Montgomery and adapted by Joseph Robinette, is a sincere and imaginative coming-of-age story, with a lovable lead character. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased online.
201 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
Back to the Future: The Musical at Civic Theatre
January 14-19
Doc Brown’s time-traveling DeLorean zooms to the Civic Theatre stage this weekend for eight performances of Back to the Future: The Musical. As with the 1985 film, Marty McFly is transported 30 years into the past and must ensure he not only preserves the past, but doesn’t screw up the future. Featuring all the calling cards of the classic film as well as several original songs, this musical breathes new life into the sci-fi franchise. Tickets range from $51 to $200 for this production.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
12 Angry Men at Innovation Family Community Theatre
January 17-19
The Innovation Family Community is putting on a production of the illustrious courtroom play 12 Angry Men for Series II of their “Night of Drama.” When 12 men deliberate over whether an inner-city teen should receive the death penalty in a seemingly open-and-shut murder case, personal biases are challenged, heated debates ensue and the justice system is put to the test. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children for 12 Angry Men; the play will have four performances this weekend.
5454 Ruffin Road, Kearny Mesa
Julian Tan: End Trances at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
January 18 – April 19
Julian Tan’s new solo exhibition at the Athenaeum’s Joseph Clayes III & Carolyn Yorston-Wellcome Rotunda Galleries invites all to look toward the sky and make their own conclusions. The oil paintings of End Trances depict a massive white light beaming down upon people below, allowing each observer to contemplate what such an otherworldly occurrence would mean. The exhibition will have a free opening reception this Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and a gallery walk-through this Saturday at 11 a.m. (open to the public). The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
Ethan Chan & David Peña: Heavy as Ghosts at ICA North
January 18 – July 27
Through Heavy as Ghosts, ICA San Diego’s 2024 artists in residence Ethan Chan and David Peña present a two-headed examination of healing, with personal revelations on loneliness and grief. At ICA North’s free C You Saturday! event this weekend, there will be a durational performance piece by Chan, a panel discussion on grief and healing featuring Peña and special guests, and an all-ages collage making workshop inspired by the exhibition.
1550 South El Camino Real, Encinitas
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
January 17
See WWE stars brawl live at Pechanga Arena during Friday Night SmackDown, where dramatic storylines and theatrical athletics are a recipe for performance art in the ring. The card for SmackDown in San Diego includes a tag team clash between Motor City Machine Guns and Los Garza, the return of Solo Sikoa following his loss on Monday Night Raw, and the Women’s Championship between Bayley and reigning title holder Tiffany Stratton. Tickets start at $53 for Friday Night SmackDown.
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
Ralph Barbosa at Balboa Theatre
January 17 & 18
Listening to Ralph Barbosa tell jokes is a calming experience, with his deadpan delivery leaving audiences hanging onto every word of his stoner-esque musings. Over four stand-up shows at the Balboa Theatre this Friday and Saturday (performing at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. each night), Barbosa will be recording his next stand-up special. Tickets start at $61 for each performance.
868 Fourth Avenue, Downtown
San Diego State Aztecs vs. UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Men’s Basketball at Viejas Arena
January 18
After a heartbreaking loss to Utah State to close out 2024 and a beatdown at the hands of New Mexico this past weekend, the Aztecs are looking to regain their footing in the Mountain West standings. Saturday’s game against UNLV will be a middle-of-the-pack matchup against a familiar conference foe. Also, all fans in attendance will receive their very own stern-faced, arms akimbo Coach Dutcher bobblehead. Tickets are starting at $45 and can be purchased here.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, Rolando
SeaWorld Inside Look
January 18-20
Receive an in-depth zoology lesson from the SeaWorld Rescue Team’s animal care experts during SeaWorld Inside Look. This marine education series will include talks from otter, penguin and orca trainers, plus a special look inside SeaWorld Rescue Center. A new feature of Inside Look this year is a preview of Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience, set to open this Spring. Admission to SeaWorld Inside Look is included in the park admission; available activities may differ each day.
500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay
