What’s on stage, in studio, and… performing at a trolley station? The 2013–2014 arts season! San Diego’s best plays, musicals, dance performances, and visual art exhibits are all right here in our annual guide. But don’t just read this and then go see a movie. There’s a museum ticket with your name on it!
“Music, art, and dance are the weapon of the future,” says DJ and cultural leader Makeda “Dread” Cheatom. She would know, having witnessed their power firsthand as a collaborator of some of the most legendary stars in reggae music—and as the founder of San Diego’s Bob Marley Day and the World Beat Cultural Center in Balboa Park.
“I grew up in Linda Vista, and it was where all the people from the South and the Midwest came, ’cause they were working at the defense plants,” she recalls. “I got into reggae music, and I met Bob Marley. Later on, I produced [a show with] him. They weren’t playing his music on the radio, and I would go to the radio stations, and I would say, ‘Hey, you know, reggae music, Bob Marley.’ [They’d say,] ‘I’m sorry, we don’t know him.’
“So, I went back to school for telecommunications at City College. I got on 91X—I had a show with Demaja Lee, and we started producing reggae music, and we brought it to the clubs. Women didn’t DJ back in the day like that, but there I was. I produced Peter Tosh’s last show in California, here in San Diego—The Mama Africa Tour.
“I realized when I was very young that I was from Africa, and I wanted to learn everything about my African heritage. We didn’t have any Black or African cultural centers in San Diego. [In the late 1980s], there was a hearing [to pitch use ideas for] the House of Charm, which is now the Mingei Museum. My mother died that day, and everyone told me not to go to the meeting. But I remember my mother scrubbed all those floors—you know, she was a maid. I knew I had to win this building for my mother, my father, and all the African descendants in San Diego.
“They were arguing over this house, and I stood up there, and I knew I wasn’t gonna get that building. So, I said, ‘I just want that dilapidated old water tower [in the park],’ and everybody laughed. But I kept going to city council, and I finally got the building. It had all kinds of junk in there, asbestos. They just left me a construction dumpster, and we got the place cleaned, and we had a cultural center. All cultures are here, from Brazilian to African to Mexican, Cuban, and Japanese. That’s what World Beat is about—all of us in oneness. It’s about humanity.”
Amelia Rodriguez is a writer and journalist and winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her five-year Duolingo streak.
Christopher Ashley is a failed child actor, a former computer programmer, and a Yale alum. He’s also San Diego’s Hal Prince. In 18 years as one of the most acclaimed artistic directors in the history of La Jolla Playhouse, he produced 20 world premieres that went on to Broadway, including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Outsiders, and the Idina Menzel–led Redwood. Now, he’s saying goodbye. It’s a formidable loss for the city’s underrated theater scene.
Following a lifetime of acting (poorly, he claims) in summer theater programs, Ashley switched to directing in high school. A successful New York theater career (the programming stint was just to pay off those Yale loans) eventually brought him to LJP in 2007. His tenure transformed the institution into a nationally acclaimed proving ground for fresh, fearless works.
Courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse Escape to Margaritaville (2017)
“In the earlier incarnations of the playhouse, there was much more of a mix of revivals and new work. I have really leaned us into new work. We’ve done [57] world premieres in my time here,” he says. “Everybody at the playhouse really takes seriously the idea of the new and the next. Being a doula to new projects is really satisfying—I get to run a theater during a golden age of American writing for the theater.”
Courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (2023)
Central to that mission is the 12-year-old Without Walls (WOW) Festival, an annual spring showcase of site-specific and immersive performances. “We were on the leading edge of a kind of work that is starting to really take hold in America,” Ashley adds. “These shows really challenge the relationship between audience and artist. People go because they know it’s going to happen only tonight and never again. Theater offers community—[an opportunity] to come together to experience a story—and that feels more powerful in this moment than it ever has before.”
Courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse Memphis (2008)
The sentiment is especially poignant in light of Ashley’s imminent return to New York as artistic director of Roundabout Theatre Company. But he’ll never forget his time here. “It’s the main chapter in my life,” he says. “I don’t know that San Diego gets quite the credit it deserves for what a great city for the arts it is.” Thanks to Ashley, though, it’s begun to receive its fair share of star billing.
Amelia Rodriguez is a writer and journalist and winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her five-year Duolingo streak.
December is somehow already here, and San Diego is closing out the year with one last festive hurrah. As 2026 peeks around the corner, the city is glowing with holiday theater productions, twinkling light displays, cheerful concerts, and end-of-year celebrations. From Santa Runs and over-the-top boat light shows to local makers markets and family-friendly festivals, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in San Diego this month. Whether you’re chasing holiday cheer, planning weekends with visiting family, or looking for the best festive events in San Diego this December, you’ll have no problem filling your calendar before the ball drops.
Courtesy of Fever Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month
Mariachi Sol de México at Balboa Theatre
December 4
Latin Grammy nominee José Hernández leads Mariachi Sol de México for a festive, family-friendly fiesta featuring classic mariachi tunes and beloved holiday hits at the Balboa Theatre in downtown.
In the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, the floats literally float—80 boats will traverse the bay, decked out in dazzling lights and Christmas décor, for the viewing pleasure of more than 100,000 attendees.
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings at Star Theatre
December 19
Score serious romantic brownie points by treating your sweetheart to a Christmas concert by candlelight. A string quartet at the Star Theatre in Oceanside will serenade audiences with instrumental versions of “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” and other favorites.
Noel Noel at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
December 19–21
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Master Chorale, and Children’s Choir will all take the stage at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for Noel Noel, three nights of Christmas tunes and cheerful sing-alongs.
Photo Credit: Johann Milio
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
Balboa Park December Nights
December 5–6
Enjoy free access to the Mingei International Museum and the Japanese Friendship Garden, paint mini figures at the Comic-Con Museum, pick up handmade ceramic gifts at the Institute of Contemporary Art, and meet Santa Claus at the Automotive Museum as part of Balboa Park December Nights.
Spend an evening in a magical world of sugar plum fairies, leaping nutcrackers, and villainous mice with the Golden State Ballet’s breathtaking performance of The Nutcracker at the San Diego Civic Theatre.
Photo Credit: 3Pix Studios
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
Nitro Circus at Pechanga Arena
December 6
Action movies not quite high-stakes enough for you? Head to Pechanga Arena for Nitro Circus, a heart-pumping display of gravity-defying tricks from fearless motocross, skateboard, and scooter athletes.
Think of the Del Mar Fairgrounds’ Coastal Christmas as winter’s answer to the county fair—the family event features a sparkling holiday light trail, an ice-skating rink, a wine walk, a kids’ zone, and more.
San Diego Santa Run
December 13
If St. Nick needed a few doppelgängers to help him hit every house on Christmas Eve, he’d simply need to head to Pacific Beach, where more than 40,000 participants will don his iconic suit for the San Diego Santa Run, the city’s silliest 5K.
Gaslamp Pet Parade
December 13
Get your furry family members outfitted in ugly sweaters or elfin attire and join the annual Gaslamp Pet Parade. Afterward, animals and their owners can head to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter for free photo ops, fun games, and a costume contest awards ceremony.
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
November is here, and San Diego is buzzing with events and activities to kick off the holiday season. From community street fairs and local 5Ks to the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Navy and Marine Corps, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city this month. Sports fans can catch the Rady Children’s Invitational, one of San Diego’s hottest sports events, while art lovers can enjoy La Jolla Playhouse’s new play and the Coronado Island Film Festival. With so many exciting San Diego events in November, there’s something for everyone before Thanksgiving and the holidays arrive!
Photo Credit: James Tran San Diego Food + Wine Festival
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Month
San Diego Food + Wine Festival 2025
November 7–9
Celeb chefs, James Beard Award nominees, and local culinary innovators lend their star power to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival’s stacked lineup of events across the city, including an epic grand tasting on November 8 at the Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Bikes & Beers San Diego, a 15- to 45-mile cruise through the county (with plenty of refreshment stops), begins and ends at AleSmith Brewing Company in Miramar. Relax after your ride with a couple of pints, included with your registration fee.
Photo Credit: Kambria Fischer Celebrating Women
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month
San Diego Magazine‘s Celebrating Women 2025
November 5
The county’s movers and shakers will gather at downtown’s UCSD Park & Market for Celebrating Women, an evening honoring local women leaders across industries. Expect empowering speakers, networking and professional development opportunities, women-owned pop-up shops, tasty hors d’oeuvres, and plentiful drinks.
Back for its 10th anniversary, the Coronado Island Film Festival is a glamorous five-night celebration with premieres, parties, red carpets, and culinary pairings, plus a short film exhibition.
Encinitas Street Fair
November 23
The annual Encinitas Holiday Street Fair kicks off winter festivities with live music, local vendors, and twinkling décor along the 101 South Coast Highway.
Photo Credit: Sophy Hooland Working Girl at the La Jolla Playhouse
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
Working Girl at the La Jolla Playhouse
November 1–December 7
La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere adaptation of the Oscar-nominated 1988 rom-com Working Girlgets a musical boost from an industry icon: Cyndi Lauper, who wrote the lyrics and score.
Bibbidi, bobbidi, ballet—Cinderella trades her glass slippers for pointe shoes in a dazzling dance adaptation of the classic fable at the San Diego Civic Theatre.
Hit your step goals and support breast cancer research while you’re at it. The San Diego arm of the nationwide Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk will take participants on a 1.5- or 2.5-mile stroll through Balboa Park.
Ride the Point Fundraiser
November 8
Altruistic athletes pedal five-to 62-mile routes in Point Loma each year for Ride the Point, a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research held in honor of late cyclist Jim Krause. Afterward, explore a wellness-focused expo at Oggi’s in Liberty Station.
Silver Strand Half Marathon
November 9
The Silver Strand Half Marathon leans into the seaside setting of its 13.1-mile, 10-mile, and 5K routes between Coronado Island and Imperial Beach with aloha-print participant shirts, surfboard-shaped medals, and a post-run beach party featuring live music and beer.
Rady Children’s Invitational Basketball Tournament
November 27–28
For its third year, the Rady Children’s Invitational heads to its new home at the Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego, a bigger stage for this showdown of top college hoops.
Sloane Moriarty is a rising Junior at the University of California, Berkeley where she studies English and Education and writes for the Daily Californian newspaper. When she is not at a coffee shop doing work, you will find her in front of a bowl of pasta and a good book.
October is here, and San Diego is coming alive with spirits and festivities. The month kicks off with lively Oktoberfest events, including large celebrations in La Mesa and Ocean Beach. Once you’ve had your beer and bratwurst fix, check out the second annual San Diego Tijuana Jazz Fest or the San Diego International Film Festival for a little a&c, or check out the grand opening of the Navy SEAL Museum in downtown. As Halloween approaches, the city will host a trick-or-treat event in Little Italy, a live theater production of Dracula, and Halloween movies in the park. Let’s get spooky, San Diego!
A free “Taste Trolley” carts ticketholders between more than 50 local businesses providing delicious samples at Taste of Oceanside. The day before the main event, culinary connoisseurs can dig into a VIP kickoff curated by Michelin-starred chef Roberto Alcocer.
Featuring work from over 170 artists from across the United States and Mexico and sips from 35 international wineries, breweries, and distilleries, the free, family-friendly La Jolla Art and Wine Festival is back for another year.
La Mesa Oktoberfest
October 3–5
A bit of bratwurst, a pinch of polka, and a boatload of beer—the recipe for the perfect weekend at the all-ages La Mesa Okoberfest, where three biergartens, live music, a Ferris wheel, kids’ activities, a dachshund race, and more await.
OB Oktoberfest
October 10–11
In addition to live bands and DJs, the 21-plus OB Oktoberfest brings pretzel-tossing and bratwurst-eating contests, two-for-one beer specials, and a pageant to the sand in Ocean Beach.
Photo Credit: Daniela Murillo San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Fest
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month
2nd Annual San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Fest
October 2–5
The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Fest returns for its second year, offering free and ticketed performances from genre power players at venues on both sides of the border.
Fall for the San Marcos Harvest Fest’s live music and global sips and tastes. Little ones can learn about farming with a composting station, mini greenhouse, and animal visitors.
23rd Annual San Diego International Film Festival
October 15–19
The city will take on a touch of Hollywood glitz and glam for the 23rd annual San Diego International Film Festival, featuring five days of screenings, networking events, and red-carpet parties.
Barrio Logan Dia de Muertos Celebration
October 26
Barrio Logan celebrates Dia de Muertos with a free event highlighting the neighborhood’s culture, history, and creativity, featuring vendors, local art, craft activities, live performers, and more.
Courtesy Voss Events Werq the World Tour
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
Navy SEAL Museum Grand Opening
October 4
Downtown’s new Navy SEAL Museum opens its doors, inviting visitors to view a moving documentary, explore educational animations, and become SEALs for a day with a pulse-pounding virtual reality mission.
Ru Paul’s Drag Race Werq the World at Harrah’s Resort
October 10
Some of the most legendary alums of RuPaul’s Drag Racewill make a stop at Harrah’s Resort in Valley Center, serving sickening impressions of icons like Britney, Mariah, and Beyoncé in the Werq the World Tour.
Pack your picnic blanket and popcorn and head to Escaya Park for a stay at the monsters-only Hotel Transylvania, the final showing in Chula Vista’s Movies in the Moonlight series.
Trick or Treat on India Street
October 26
Local kids will don costumes and collect candy from Little Italy businesses at the annual Trick-or-Treat on India Street. Once they’re set on sweets, head to the Piazza della Famiglia for photo ops with Jack Skellington.
A Haunting in Venice Cruise in Coronado Cays
October 26–31
Glide through the winding canals of the Coronado Cays with a phantom gondolier lurking behind you on The Gondola Company’s Halloween-inspired A Haunting in Venice Cruise.
The Navy Seal Museum
Newly Opened
The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego just opened its doors on Kettner Boulevard, right by the Santa Fe Train Station (and just steps from the bay). Check out the immersive, hands-on experience that pulls back the curtain on the exclusive world of SEALs, with interactive exhibits, rich storytelling, and virtual reality experiences. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed on Tuesdays).
Sloane Moriarty is a rising Junior at the University of California, Berkeley where she studies English and Education and writes for the Daily Californian newspaper. When she is not at a coffee shop doing work, you will find her in front of a bowl of pasta and a good book.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let theBalboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.
16 Museums, One Pass
Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:FleetScience.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Phone: 619-238-1233
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:Niwa.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m. Phone: 619-232-2721
The Old Globe
A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:TheOldGlobe.org Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 619-234-8291
San Diego History Center
History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101 Website: SanDiegoHistory.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday Phone: 619-232-6203
San Diego Junior Theatre
Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:JuniorTheatre.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 619-239-1311
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Website: SDNat.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer Phone: 619-232-3821
WorldBeat Cultural Center
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 Website:WorldBeatCenter.org Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Phone: 619-230-1190
Event Calendar
Throughout 2026: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
June 8–Aug. 7: Theatre Summer Camps
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
