Just as seasons for the Clippers and Sockers come to a close with Fan Appreciation Nights, a new set of 162 games will begin for the Padres on Opening Day. The return of Padres baseball also means the Friar faithful can check out Margaritaville Hotel’s Padres’ Kickoff Rooftop Party and the celebratory East Village Block Party. Those who prefer an outing at the theater over a day at the ballpark can see local productions of The Lehman Trilogy and Matt & Ben or the debut of works by women+ playwrights at the Lamoise New Works Festival. Plus, fans of live music can see Lang Lang, Digable Planets and fifteen San Diego County choirs in concert this week.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Padres’ Kickoff Rooftop Party at 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar
March 26
A few blocks from the Padres’ home opener at Petco Park, fans can say cheers to the new season during the free Padres’ Kickoff Rooftop Party at Margaritaville Hotel. This Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at the hotel’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, patrons can catch a set from DJ Chino of iHeart Radio Channel 93.3, plus enjoy photo ops, lawn games, mini golf and Padres merch for sale from The Finnish Long Drink. There will also be a themed game day menu, featuring items like the Grand Slam Philly Fries and the dragon fruit-infused Ballpark Paloma. RSVP here.
435 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp
Tour de France Wine Dinner at Little Frenchie
March 29
Take a gastronomic trek around France with Little Frenchie this Sunday at 6 p.m. during the Tour de France Wine Dinner. This four-course prix fixe meal will feature complimentary wine pairings and emphasize the unique culinary strengths of four French regions: Lyon, Provence, Burgundy and Normandy. Guests will be guided through the significance and history of the evening’s pairings by Rafael Peterson of H. Mercer Imports. Reservations are $150 per person.
1166 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Lang Lang at Jacobs Music Center
March 26
Chinese pianist Lang Lang is among the world’s most well-known classical musicians, with his talents taking him everywhere from the Grammy Awards, to private shows for heads of state, to multiple Olympic opening ceremonies. His mastery of the keys, done with wonderful enthusiasm and dexterity, leaves no awe-inspiring detail behind. This Thursday (7:30 p.m.), Lang Lang will play a selection of recognizable pieces from Mozart, Liszt and Beethoven in concert at Jacobs Music Center. Tickets start at $95 for this concert.
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
Digable Planets at Belly Up
March 27 & 28
The melding of jazz and hip-hop has rarely sounded sweeter than on Digable Planets’ second album Blowout Comb. Though it proved to be their final project, it eternally cemented the group as one of the forebears of jazz rap, alongside acts from the Native Tongues movement like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. In celebration of Blowout Comb’s 30th anniversary, Digable Planets will perform back-to-back nights at Belly Up, where they’ll be joined by San Diego artists Ric Scales (Friday) and Blame One (Saturday). Tickets start at $60 for both concerts.
143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
San Diego Writers Festival
March 28
Aspiring writers and readers ranging from casual to voracious can enjoy a day of literary panels, workshops and readings this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the 7th annual San Diego Writers Festival. Held at the Coronado Public Library and Coronado Performing Arts Center, this year’s event will feature best-selling and emerging writers of romance, mystery, historical fiction and more. The lineup includes talks covering trauma, spirituality, and artistry in the age of AI, and a keynote discussion with novelist Jodi Picoult. RSVP for the free festival here.
640 Orange Avenue & 650 D Avenue, Coronado
San Diego Sings! Festival at The Conrad
March 28
Fifteen San Diego County choirs will fill The Conrad with vocal harmony during this Saturday’s San Diego Sings! Festival. Organized by the Choral Consortium of San Diego, audiences can catch performances by the San Diego Women’s Chorus, Encore Vocal Ensemble and the San Diego Children’s Choir. The performers will be split into three concert performances (11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.) inside Baker-Baum Concert Hall. Tickets are $23 for each of the three concerts.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
The Lehman Trilogy at Cygnet Theatre
March 25 – April 26
Across 150 years, Lehman Brothers evolved from the humble dreams of three immigrant siblings into a Wall Street behemoth. Of course, that was until the 2008 financial crisis. Their unlikely true story, envisioned as a tragic example of the American Dream, will play out in the Cygnet Theatre’s upcoming production of The Lehman Trilogy. In this adaptation of Stefano Massini’s Tony Award-winning play, a versatile cast of three actors will portray over 70 characters. Tickets are $73 for the production’s preview shows on Wednesday-Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m., and $83 for the performance Sunday at 1 p.m.; Saturday’s opening night show is sold out.
2880 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma
Carmen at Civic Theatre
March 27-29
Infatuation takes a sinister turn in Georges Bizet’s Carmen. When soldier Don José becomes romantically entangled with the enigmatic smuggler Carmen he falls, and falls hard. But when her attention turns to another, José tries to remedy his unrequited love. The San Diego Opera’s production of Carmen will be sung in French, with visible English and Spanish translations, and feature a live score by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $53 for Friday (7:30 p.m.), $55 for Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and $64 for Sunday (2 p.m.) at the Civic Theatre.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
Matt & Ben at New Village Arts
March 27 – April 26
In 2002, Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers took aim at the bromance of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in their comedy Matt & Ben. In New Village Arts’ upcoming adaptation, with actresses Maya Sofia Enciso and Alejandra Villanueva portraying the duo, the lives of the then-struggling actor/writers are forever changed when they receive the Good Will Hunting script from a divine source. Matt & Ben will have preview performances this Friday (7:30 p.m.), Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.), with opening night set for Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for previews, $70 for opening night and $60 for all successive shows.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad
The Seed Keeper/El Guardián de las Semillas at OMA West At The Seabird
March 27 – June 21
Visualize the enduring roots of Indigenous ancestry through The Seed Keeper/El Guardián de las Semillas at Oceanside Museum of Art’s OMA West annex gallery. Created in partnership with Oceanside Public Library and National Endowment for the Art’s Big Read initiative, and curated by Natalie Gonzales, this exhibition builds upon Diane Wilson’s 2021 novel of the same name and highlights the preservation of cultural traditions by Native American female artists. The exhibition will have two free tie-in events: an Art for All workshop on Sunday, April 5 from noon to 2 p.m. and an exhibition celebration on Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30-7 p.m.
101 Mission Avenue, Oceanside
A Life in Color opening reception at Chula Vista Center
March 28
Color can be used to portray anything from subtle emotions to exact recreations, and the most meaningful part is that everyone’s relationship with color—artist or not—is singular. In the group exhibition A Life in Color from Art Through the Glass, over thirty artists will express their vivid relationships with color through a collection of multifaceted paintings, sculptures and mixed media works. A Life in Color will open this Saturday from 3-6 p.m. at Chula Vista Center with a free reception, offering the chance to gather insights from the participating artists.
555 Broadway Avenue, Chula Vista
Lamoise New Works Festival at MOXIE Theatre
March 28 & 29
Following a week of workshopping, eight women+ playwrights will premiere their new and original stories to the public during the MOXIE Theatre’s second annual Lamoise New Works Festival. Within these stage plays, audiences can expect themes of faith, beauty and community, and definitely some elements of absurdity. The festival will kick off Saturday at noon with 10-minute readings of five short plays, followed by full-length play readings on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. Reservations are free with a suggested donation of $25.
6663 El Cajon Boulevard, Rolando
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Wave FC doubleheader at Snapdragon Stadium
March 25 & 28
Through their first two games, San Diego Wave FC have shown a promising attacking spark, especially with Kenza Dali back to her creative brilliance in midfield. Add in the recent news of the Wave’s record-breaking deal with Catarina Macario and the squad’s hopes of championship contention have gotten a whole lot stronger. This week, the Wave will play host to a pair of NWSL sides in the Portland Thorns (Wednesday at 7 p.m.) and Chicago Stars FC (Saturday at 5:45 p.m.). Tickets start at $24 for Wednesday’s match and $23 for Saturday’s match.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
San Diego Padres vs. Detroit Tigers at Petco Park
March 26-28
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a monumental one for the San Diego Padres. The team is up for sale, they’ve lost All-Stars Robert Suarez, Luis Arráez and Ryan O’Hearn—not to mention Dylan Cease—and their title window may be closing (or, already closed). Yet, the Padres are within reach of three consecutive playoff berths for the first time in franchise history. Where will they end up? We’ll find out in six months. With hometown ace Joe Musgrove still sidelined, Nick Pivetta will take the mound Thursday for his first-ever Opening Day start as the Padres host the Detroit Tigers for three games at Petco Park. Tickets start at $59 for Thursday (1:10 p.m.), $34 for Friday (6:40 p.m.) and $45 for Saturday (5:40 p.m.).
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
San Diego Crew Classic
March 27-29
See pro, youth and collegiate athletes row around Mission Bay during the 53rd San Diego Crew Classic. Spectators can cheer on the crew competitors Friday (2:30-5 p.m.), Saturday (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), as well as enjoy rows of vendors and alumni organizations, VIP events, food trucks, and an outdoor beer garden at Crown Point Park. General admission is free to the public on Friday; on Saturday and Sunday, admission is $26 per day, $42 for the weekend, and complimentary for children under $12. VIP access to the rowing regatta is $120 for Saturday, $89 for Sunday and $167 for the weekend.
3699 Crown Point Drive, Mission Bay
East Village Block Party
March 28
Win or lose, San Diego loves its Padres–and we have the attendance numbers to prove it. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., East Village Association will throw its 14th annual East Village Block Party, bringing together the community for a proud celebration of Padres baseball. Attendees can check out live music, pet swag displays, retail vendors, food stands, a live mural creation, and a showcase for muscle cars and lowriders. Plus, all are invited to take part in a yoga flow class, an SD medallion-making activity or a wiffle ball derby during this free street festival.
J Street from 6th to 10th Avenue, East Village
PARTNER CONTENT
Fan Appreciation Nights at Frontwave Arena
March 28 & 29
The San Diego Clippers and San Diego Sockers will look to cement their playoff positions, and celebrate their faithful supporters, during their regular season finales at Frontwave Arena. On Saturday at 7 p.m., the Clippers, who sit just outside of the G League playoff picture, will close out their season with a replica Clippers jersey giveaway as they take on the Stockton Kings; tickets start at $18 for this game. The following afternoon at 3 p.m., the Sockers will cap off their 2025-26 campaign, and attempt to lock up the top playoff seed against the Kansas City Comets, with eligible fans to receive a Kraig Chiles replica jersey; tickets start at $15 for this match.
3475 Hero Drive, Oceanside
