Dive into culture and creativity this weekend with a flood of festivals, theater shows, art exhibitions, and more to check out from OB to Oceanside. Budding writers will learn much from hearing the always-observant Fran Lebowitz speak, while theater aficionados can watch a production of the fiery dark comedy Barbecue or grab a ticket to Beyond Prison Walls, short plays from six incarcerated playwrights. And food lovers, golf fans, and fine art enjoyers, worry not—you’ll have plenty of things to do this weekend, too.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Georges at the Cove’s Inaugural WhistlePig Beefsteak Dinner
January 24
Georges at the Cove welcomes local guest chefs Mike Reidy from The Fishery and Nine-Ten executive chef Jason Knibb for its first-ever WhistlePig Beefsteak Dinner this Friday at 6 p.m. Perched at communal banquet table seating, patrons will enjoy a family-style meal with a seafood appetizer, salad, multiple cuts of meat, sides, and dessert. Tickets to this dinner are $220 and include food, two cocktails, and three one-ounce pours of WhistlePig whiskies.
1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Pure Project Ninth Anniversary Party: Crops & Hops
January 25
This Saturday at Pure Project’s flagship taproom in Miramar, the brewery is hosting a ninth anniversary shindig with games, bands, food trucks, and many, many beers from 1 to 5 p.m. General admission ($42) tickets for this hoppy birthday celebration come with six drink tokens, a limited-edition ninth anniversary glass, and an included $1 donation to Coastal Roots Farm. Book a VIP ticket ($71) to access an exclusive tap list from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
9030 Kenamar Drive, Miramar
Bartend for a Cause at Oxford Social Club
January 25
San Diegans are invited to fundraise for their neighbors to the north at Oxford Social Club’s Bartend for a Cause fundraiser this Saturday. A portion of the event proceeds will go towards the California Fire Foundation and Direct Relief as they assist victims of the ongoing wildfires in the LA County region. The night will include music from DJ Crooked, guest bartenders crafting signature drinks, and a special Hennessy VSOP cocktail on the menu. There will also be a donation box set up for guests to directly donate to the featured organizations.
435 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
San Diego Restaurant Week
January 26–February 2
San Diego Restaurant Week returns this Sunday for eight days of dining out on the town. The California Restaurant Association has assembled a comprehensive list of potential eats—more than 100 restaurants in dozens of neighborhoods are offering multi-course menus beginning at $30. You can sign up for SDRW’s Eight Days of Dining contest for the chance to indulge in dinner for two at eight local restaurants.
Citywide
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Lettuce + GZA at The Sound
January 22
The legendary Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA will deliver a performance of his landmark 1995 album Liquid Swords in honor of the record’s 30th anniversary. Backed by funk sextet Lettuce, GZA appears at The Sound this Wednesday, with tickets starting at $56.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Marley Fest San Diego at The Holding Company
January 24
Roots Reggae pioneer Johnny Clarke will headline the lineup for Marley Fest San Diego, a 21-plus musical tribute to the genre’s revered hero at The Holding Company this Friday night. Fans can expect reggae performances from the Fully Fullwood Band, GONZO, Ocean Natives, Dukes of Roots, and more. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the festival (and the venue’s happy hour runs til 6 p.m.). Tickets are $38 for general admission and $107 for a VIP table seat.
5046 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
San Diego Lunar New Year Festival
January 24–26
Kick off the year of the wood snake at the free San Diego Lunar New Year Festival this weekend at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. Highlights include a massive wall of lanterns, lion and dragon dances, an adult soccer tournament, live performances, and 20 food vendors, along with contests for pho-eating, boba-drinking, and dumpling-wrapping.
4455 Wightman Street, City Heights
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Barbecue at Coronado Playhouse
Through February 2
Directed by Kimberly King, Barbecue revolves around the O’Mallerys’ attempts to convince a troubled family member to check into rehab during a family get-together. See the show Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.. Tickets are $27.
1835 Strand Way, Coronado
Stitched and Forged: The Art of Kelly Whitmer and Mônica Lóss at OMA West
Through May 11
Curated by Natalie Gonzalez, Stitched and Forged brings Kelly Witmer’s orb-like ceramics and Mônica Lóss’s colorful, pillowy sculptures to the Oceanside Museum of Art’s annex gallery at The Seabird.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
An Evening with Fran Lebowitz at Balboa Theatre
January 23
Fran Lebowitz—writer, cultural critic, and the walking, talking human embodiment of New York City—won’t need much prompting to say what’s on her mind at the Balboa Theatre this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Part of UC San Diego’s ArtPower Series, An Evening with Fran Lebowitz provides guests the chance to hear from a master of commentary on art, style, and modern life. Tickets start at $52 for this event, and admission is free for UCSD students.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Beyond Prison Walls at Conrad Prebys Theatre
January 23-25
San Diego State theater students bring the work of incarcerated writers to life with the 13th season of Beyond Prison Walls at the Conrad Prebys Theatre. This collaboration between Playwrights Project and SDSU features scripts from playwrights at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison. Students will direct and perform six short plays Friday through Sunday, with shows followed by a conversation with artists, program alumni, and reps from the participating correctional facilities. Reserve your free spot here.
5500 Campanile Drive, College Area
Graham100: The 100th Anniversary of the Martha Graham Dance Company at Civic Theatre
January 25
Renowned architects of modern dance and choreographed movement, the Martha Graham Dance Company is celebrating a century of performing arts with a special program at the Civic Theatre on Saturday night. The show will feature Graham’s beloved ballet Appalachian Spring and two newer pieces crafted by contemporary choreographers. The event will begin with a prelude interview hosted by Malashock Dance Executive Director Molly Puryear at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $37 balcony seats to $116 spots in the front orchestra.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
Brand New National Group Show at Level of Service Not Required
January 25–March 1
Explore work from an array of artists across several disciplines—including photography, video, and pottery—in Brand New, a group exhibition at La Jolla gallery Level of Service Not Required (LOS/NR). This Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., stop by the show’s free opening reception to see the art and nab complimentary flowers and ice cream (while supplies last). LOS/NR is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment.
7910 Ivanhoe Avenue, La Jolla
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Farmers Insurance Open
January 22–25
The West Coast Swing of the PGA Tour makes its way to Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open. The 2021 Masters Tournament champ Hideki Matsuyama and rising star Ludvig Aberg arrive as the odds-on favorites to win this year’s tournament. Grounds tickets, which come with general access to the Farmers Insurance Open and public attractions along the course, are currently $65 for full field days, $75 for Friday, and $85 for Saturday. There are also a handful of VIP experiences which offer all-inclusive food and drinks with seating perched next to the action.
11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars at Pechanga Arena
January 24–26
See Mickey, Minnie, and animated characters from Disney Pixar films strap on their skates at Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars. There will be two performances each day this Friday through Sunday at Pechanga Arena, with tickets ranging from $32 to $142. There is also a pre-show character experience add-on ($76) for kids ages 2 and up that includes photo opportunities with Elsa and Mirabel.
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
The Koi Club of San Diego’s 35th Annual Koi Show at Del Mar Fairgrounds
January 25–26
See hundreds of beautiful koi fish at The Koi Club of San Diego’s free annual showcase at Del Mar Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The event includes a koi auction, a judged koi competition, family-friendly activities, and a vendor market with koi-themed art, shirts, and supplies.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
