Hop all over San Diego this weekend for sports, live music and egg-stravagant Easter events. San Diegans can cheer on both the Gulls and the Mojo as they make their respective playoff pushes. Local concerts include the improvisational Reggie Watts at the Epstein Family Amphitheater and a tribute performance of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Time Out at Jacobs Music Center. And when Easter Sunday comes around, families can celebrate the holiday by exploring the Makers Arcade Spring Fair or dining at Arlo’s Easter Golden Egg Buffet Brunch.
Chef’s Dinner: The Study of Peas + Fava at The Kitchen at MCASD
April 2
For its first Chef’s Dinner of 2026, The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego is looking to the legume family for its star ingredients. The four-course prix fixe menu will include optional wine pairings and a welcome bite, plus dishes like olive oil poached halibut with pea and artichoke barigoule, as well as angel food cake with sweet pea mint ice cream, and white chocolate and lemon verbena curd for dessert. Indoor and outdoor seatings for The Study of Peas + Fava dinner are available this Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Reservations are $95 per person online.
Sip from a selection of over 80 locally crafted brews while taking in live musical performances during the 16th annual North Park Festival of Beers. This Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., hang out in front of the LaFayette Hotel and enjoy food vendors, sets from Louis XIV and The Film Company, and unlimited two ounce beer tasters. Ticket options include $56 for general admission (entry at 1 p.m.), $41 for designated driver entry and $72 for VIP passes, which come with special beer sampling from noon to 1 p.m. As always, a portion of event proceeds will go toward the San Diego Music Foundation’s Taylor Guitars in Schools program.
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Easter Golden Egg Buffet Brunch at Arlo
April 5
Dine out with the whole family this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arlo’s Easter Golden Egg Buffet Brunch. The holiday spread will include a seafood station, themed cocktails and sweet and savory breakfast classics, as well as a live DJ, pop-up jewelry shopping from Kendra Scott and an appearance from the Easter Bunny. Reservations (not including tax and gratuity) are $99 per adult—and include a complimentary glass of sparkling wine—$40 for kids ages 5-12 and free for kids ages 4 and under. Families are also welcome to bring baskets so their young ones can take part in one of Town and Country’s easter egg hunts on Martini Lawn.
500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Calum Scott at The Observatory North Park
April 1
April 2026 marks 11 years since Calum Scott’s solemn cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” that took him from the stage of Britain’s Got Talent to viral chart success worldwide. Since then, he’s released three albums, the most recent being the nostalgic Avenoir, released last October. Now on the West Coast leg of his international tour, Scott is stopping by The Observatory North Park this Wednesday (7 p.m.) with indie pop artist Ber, whose debut album Good, Like It Should Be drops this Friday. Tickets range from $50 to $87 for this concert.
2891 University Avenue, North Park
Acoustic Evenings Series at The Athenaeum
Fridays from April 3-24
Every Friday night in April (7:30 p.m.), the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library will present an unplugged concert as part of its Acoustic Evenings series. Up first this Friday is independent rapper and former MacGregor frontman Wax. Also on the bill are a pair of duos: Lisa Sanders and Karen “Brown Sugar” Hayes, players of intimate folk, rock, gospel and more, and Jimmy and Enrique, comprising the world music stylings of guitarist Jimmy Patton and percussionist Enrique Platas. Tickets are $19 for Athenaeum members and $24 for non-members.
Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Time Out at Jacobs Music Center
April 4
Released in 1959, Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet was a milestone release, with the only thing more pleasingly irregular than its time signatures being its honor as the first jazz album to sell one million records. As part of the Jazz @ The Jacobs Series, a quartet of modern-day jazz musicians will once again perform Time Out in full this Friday at Jacobs Music Center. Following a pre-show set from Gilbert Castellanos’ Young Lions Jazz Conservatory at 6:30 p.m., pianist Josh Nelson, alto saxophonist Nicole McCabe, bassist Luca Alemanno and drummer Joe LaBarbera will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $63 to $80 for this concert.
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
Reggie Watts at Epstein Family Amphitheater
April 4
With his musical acumen, improvisation skills and comfort with catching audiences off-guard and bewildered, Reggie Watts has all the marks of a live comedy dynamo. Despite being known for his time as an eccentric sidekick for Comedy Bang! Bang! and The Late Late Show with James Corden, Watts’ absurdist talents are on best display when he’s the center of attention. Watts’ performance this Saturday (8 p.m.) at Epstein Family Amphitheater will feature multi-instrumentalist Salami Rose Joe Louis as a special guest. Tickets range from $30 to $50 for this concert.
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
Courtesy of Trinity Theater Company
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Strange Snow at PowPac
Through April 19
Prior to the Vietnam War, the concept of American soldiers returning home from battle with post-traumatic stress disorder was not yet accepted. The subsequent struggle for many veterans to reacclimate is where PowPac’s adaptation of Strange Snow finds its central conflict. In Stephen Metcalfe’s stage drama, outgoing Vietnam vet Megs attempts to lift the spirits of David, his struggling old comrade in arms, with the help of David’s sister Martha. General admission is $27, with performances this Friday (7:30 p.m.), Saturday (2 and 7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.).
Two intriguing exhibitions will premiere just steps away from each other during La Jolla’s monthly First Friday Art Walk. Typically a platform for local artists to flaunt their unique eccentricities, Thumbprint Gallery is opening its doors to 13 visiting creatives for its upcoming group exhibition Out-of Towners (on display through April 25); its opening reception will take place Friday from 4-9 p.m.Around the corner, the showroom of Unscripted Spaces will host In Situ: La Jolla, opening Friday from 4:30-7 p.m., a melding of interior design and diverse artwork for Activated Spaces (on display through September); RSVP for its reception here.
Thumbprint: 920 Kline Street, La Jolla | Unscripted Spaces: 7730 Girard Avenue, La Jolla
True Shot Jean at Trinity Theater Company
April 3 & 4
A young girl’s audacious cross-country journey, set amidst the burgeoning California Gold Rush, is the focus of Aaron Fields’ new musical comedy True Shot Jean. When word of an injury to her mine-worker father reaches Liza Jean’s family, her brothers resolve to find him, while Liza Jean is tasked with staying behind. When Liza decides to head West on her own, she navigates unexpected troubles and colorful characters in pursuit of family reconciliation. Tickets are $20, with performances this Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 & 7 p.m.) at Trinity Theater Company.
1640 Camino Del Rio North, Mission Valley
Kahlo, Dali & Freud present: Your Unconscious Mind at CCAE’s Studio One
April 3-19
Though they all occupied space within the Surrealism movement, the paths of Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali and Sigmund Freud never converged all at once, until now. During Your Unconscious Mind, Brilliant Spectrum Art invites audiences to dress in pajamas, partake in collective art-making, and even receive a few creative pointers from the trio within an immersive classroom setting inside the Studio One theater at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Tickets are $20, with performances this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
340 North Escondido Blvd, Escondido
August Wilson’s Fences at The Old Globe
April 4–May 3
Beginning Saturday at The Old Globe, see a production of August Wilson’s Fences, the third and most acclaimed installment in Wilson’s famed Century Cycle—10 iconic American plays, all set in his native Pittsburgh, PA. Fences centers on a fractured working-class family, headed by sanitation worker and former Negro League baseball player Troy Maxson, which due to failed sporting dreams, growing father-son resentment and a heartbreaking secret, threatens to break for good. Tickets start at $40, with performances this Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Gulls Doubleheader at Pechanga Arena
April 1 & 3
With just eight games left, the San Diego Gulls will need a strong finish to hold off the Tucson Roadrunners for the Pacific Division’s final postseason spot. The playoff push will commence with a two-game homestand at Pechanga Arena beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. with, fittingly, a game against the Roadrunners; tickets start at $20. Then, Friday at 7 p.m., the Gulls will face off against the Bakersfield Condors as they celebrate Mexican Heritage Night with live banda music and $5 beers; single tickets start at $19 and special ticket packs, which come with a themed Mexican Heritage Night scarf, range from $34 to $69.
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
A Day at the Park: Pepper Park
April 4
Enjoy a free afternoon by the bay this Saturday as part of Port of San Diego’s A Day at the Park series. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National City’s Pepper Park, there will be food vendors, family-friendly activities and live performances, including from PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company and Sabrosas Latin Orchestra. Plus, attendees can take advantage of complimentary shuttle service from Paradise Valley Hospital and Olivewood Elementary. Sign up for event reminders here for the chance to win a Pepper Park water bottle while supplies last.
3299 Tidelands Avenue, National City
Makers Arcade Spring Fair
April 4 & 5
For its 2026 Spring Fair, happening this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Makers Arcade has assembled a lineup of over 140 local artisans, makers and crafty businesses at a first-time venue: Balboa Park. Fair visitors can shop accessories, clothing, artwork and decor galore, plus check out make-and-take craft stations, food trucks, photo booths, pop-up bars and interactive art installations. Admission is $5 for adults, $10 with a limited-edition shopping bag add-on, and free for children ages 12 and under; admission proceeds support the San Diego Made nonprofit.
624 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego Mojo vs. Dallas Pulse at Viejas Arena
April 5
Since the San Diego Mojo began play in the 2024 Major League Volleyball season, the cornerstone of their defense has been Shara Venegas, the team’s libero and world-class dig master. Recently, Venegas was named an MVL All-Star for the second consecutive year, and appeared in Saturday’s MVL All-Star Match with fellow Mojo players Marlie Monserez, Marin Grote. To commemorate her time as the Mojo’s all-important specialist, the first 1K fans in attendance at the Mojo’s match Sunday (5 p.m.) against the Dallas Pulse will receive a diving Venegas bobblehead. Tickets start at $29 for this match.
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.
As summertime inches closer to the shores of San Diego, there are plenty of reasons to be ecstatic. For one thing, there’s the impending arrival of the summer solstice (Sunday), and three days before that, Del Mar’s own Summer Solstice will return for its yearly golden hour. There are also plenty of local Juneteenth events, such as Kinfolk Fest, the Cooper Family Foundation’s Juneteenth Celebration, and The Freedom Table, a new, food-centered event from the originators of Juneteenth San Marcos. We’re also less than three weeks away from America’s 250th anniversary, and the celebrations range from the San Diego History Center’s America 250: San Diego 1776-2026 to NASCAR’s weekend of racing at Naval Base Coronado.
Cbar has planned a week’s worth of festivities to mark its first birthday, and everyone can get in on the fun. The 1-Year Anniversary Week celebrations continue with a special edition of the Sips & Shells craft series ($50) on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m., half-off pastries with any purchase of a barista drink (plus an anniversary summer wine flight) on Wednesday and a five-course winemaker dinner on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. ($130). Finally, the birthday bash will conclude with live music on Friday (Will Fedak) and Saturday (Cappo Kelley) from 6-9 p.m.
2917 State Street, Carlsbad
Taste of Little Italy
June 16 & 17
Little Italy’s annual food crawl has so many options that it warrants splitting into two evenings, each boasting a diverse lineup of 20 neighborhood vendors. During the Taste of Little Italy, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-8 p.m., attendees can make their way from the Piazza della Famiglia to nearby dining destinations for bites like esquites, sausage rolls, hot chicken tenders, and forkfuls of handmade pasta. Each night will also include live music and stops for drinks, desserts, and vegetarian items. Tickets are $71 per day.
As spring makes its golden transition into summer, welcome the new season with open arms and a big appetite during Del Mar Village’s marquee tasting event this Thursday from 5-8 p.m. With the Summer Solstice celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year’s iteration will include dozens of food and drink offerings from Del Mar Village vendors, soulful tunes from Christian Jules Taylor, live art by Sarah O’Connor, and wave-crashing views at Powerhouse Park. General admission (21+) is $157 and comes with unlimited tastings as well as a commemorative tasting glass, while VIP tickets are sold out; proceeds support the Del Mar Village Association.
1658 Coast Boulevard, Del Mar
The Freedom Table at TERI Campus of Life
June 19
After hosting the first-ever Juneteenth San Marcos festival in 2025, Lionel and Natalie Saulsberry have upped the ante with The Freedom Table, an elevated observance of community, culture, and the culinary arts. This Friday from 4-9 p.m. at TERI Campus of Life, guests can enjoy storytelling, art installations, live music, curated cocktails, and a chef-led dining experience, all in recognition of Juneteenth’s lasting importance. Ticket options include general admission ($261), plus two charitable ticket options: supporter ($313) and impact ($417), with a portion of sales going towards the youth nonprofit Achievement in Motion.
555 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos
Talladega Nights Father’s Day Brunch at ARLO
June 21
In honor of NASCAR’s Coronado debut and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, ARLO is throwing a Father’s Day brunch for the dads who want to go fast. This Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., patrons can order from ARLO’s regular brunch menu, as well as a trio of holiday specials: the Dad’s Day Steak and Fries ($64), the Fit For a King Muffuletta Sandwich ($29), and the Big Daddy Brookie ($14). This shake and bake-approved meal will also include a DJ, cigar rollings, whiskey tastings and a Ricky Bobby costume contest. Reservations can be made online.
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.
Charitable gatherings, downtown music festivals and theater premieres—of both the heartwarming and thought-provoking variety—are among San Diego’s standout events this weekend. You can’t spell fundraising without ‘fun,’ and both elements are central at Poway OnStage’s Taste of the Towne and the Switchfoot Bro-Am. Listeners of blues, reggae rock and silky smooth jazz can check out the East Village Blues Fest, Field of Dreamz and the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, respectively. As for the city’s thespian community, new shows include Cygnet Theatre’s production of Broadway favorite The Spongebob Musical and the world premiere of the OnWord Theatre show Marti Gobel’s Adult Storytime: A Caregiver’s Guide To The Blues.
The tasteful appetizer to Switchfoot Bro-Am’s annual Beach Fest is the laid-back Benefit Party, returning this Thursday from 6-10 p.m. at Viasat. Guests will be treated to a curated dining menu, a performance by Switchfoot with special guests, and the chance to bid on live and silent auction items, including local excursions, apparel packages, and deluxe arts experiences. Individual ticket options include general admission ($300) and reserved seating ($450); the money raised will go towards youth-centered programming at six local nonprofits.
6155 El Camino Real, Carlsbad
Taste of Our Towne at Poway Center for the Performing Arts
June 13
Patrons of Poway OnStage are invited to Taste of Our Towne, the organization’s annual culinary fundraiser, this Saturday at 5 p.m. at Poway Center for the Performing Arts. The evening will begin with auctions, plus bites and libations from over a dozen local vendors before magician Chris Funk, aka The Wonderist, takes the stage for an interactive comedy show.General admission is $115 for Taste of Our Towne; proceeds from this event will benefit Poway OnStage’s Professional Performance Series and Arts in Education Initiative.
Rod Stewart at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 12
Before (potentially) riding off into the sunset, British rocker Rod Stewart is strutting his stuff stateside with the unconventional voice and unquestionable verve that’s propelled his nearly six decade-long solo career. Though the “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” artist’s days on the road may be dwindling, that’s even more reason to give him his flowers in the present. Stewart’s upcoming show this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre will feature prolific singer-songwriter Richard Marx as the opening act. Tickets start at $40.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Switchfoot Bro-Am Beach Fest
June 13
Following Thursday’s Benefit Party, the 22nd annual Switchfoot Bro-Am will switch (get it?) from its fundraiser to a free day at Moonlight Beach for Saturday’s all-day Beach Fest. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be surf competitions—including surf jousting—and from noon to 5 p.m., Sun Room, Telephone Friends, Kimiko, a handful of special guests and, of course, Switchfoot will perform for attendees. Additionally, throughout the day, there will be a variety of vendors and brand activations to explore. Admission is free with RSVP, while VIP pit tickets are $195.
As the mysterious saying goes, ‘If you build it, they will come,’ but instead of Iowa cornfields, this time the message is coming from inside SD’s home ballpark. This Saturday, Ocean Beach natives Slightly Stoopid will headline the first-ever Field of Dreamz Festival, and they’ve brought along a handful of ska, reggae and island-inspired rock acts for the ride. Doors will open at 3 p.m., and fans can see sets by Stephen Marley, Pepper, Sublime—whose first album with frontman Jakob Nowell drops Friday—and more. Ticket options include standard admission ($125), floor tickets ($188), plus All-Star VIP ($244) and Hall of Fame VIP ($610) passes.
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.
There’s a creative inertia that resides in San Diego, producing a near-constant stream of cool events. Fortunately, this weekend is no different. Those with an artistic inkling can search for inspiration at MCASD’s EXPO Design Market or admire the mixture of live performance and neighborhood charm during the North Park Music Fest. Foodies can dine (with wine) at Stake Chophouse & Bar during its ZD Wines Dinner or explore Barrio Logan’s standout eats at the Sabor Del Barrio. Plus, Pride Month is already in full swing in SD with the return of DISCO RIOT’s Queer Mvmnt Fest and the two-day Out & Abt Music Festival.
Stake Chophouse & Bar is collaborating with Napa Valley’s ZD Wines—a family-run winemaking institution that’s been around since 1969—on an intimate four-course dinner this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Throughout the meal, each dish will be paired with a curated pour from ZD Wines, with patrons set to receive a chardonnay, pinot noir, and pair of cabernet sauvignons. Dinner guests will also be treated to insight on the night’s wine pairings from ZD Wines’ senior winemaker Chris Pisani. Reservations are $210 pre-paid through OpenTable.
Take advantage of all the dynamic attractions that the Barrio Logan Cultural District has to offer—and eat very well while you’re at it—during the third annual Sabor Del Barrio. This Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. attendees can devour their way through 35 neighborhood staples and traverse the tasting stops on foot, by bike, via a free trolley shuttle, or a combination of the three. Tickets are $40 online ($55 day of) and come with complimentary admission to Quint Gallery, the Athenaeum Art Center, and the Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center, plus a free tour of Tao of Clay.
Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival at Old Poway Park
June 6
Survey the depth of oral storytelling during the free annual Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Poway Park. Named for harmonica virtuoso, marine biologist, and longtime San Diegan Sam Hinton, this event highlights folk artists who specialize in time-honored traditions. Throughout the day, attendees can see performances by musicians with roots in Americana, Cajun, and Appalachian rhythms on the main stage, dance in the Templars Hall, and hear historical tales from the Storytellers of San Diego in the Porter House.
14134 Midland Road, Poway
North Park Music Fest
June 6
Psychedelic rockers Frankie and the Witch Fingers will headline an eclectic lineup at the North Park Music Fest. This Saturday, enjoy sets from noon to 1:45 a.m. from over thirty performers—including DJs, bands, and local acts—across a dozen North Park venues. Ticket options include general admission ($25 online, $35 day of) and VIP passes ($65) which come with lounge access at Granada House, line-skipping privileges and more; festival proceeds will go towards the North Park Business & Neighborhood Foundation. Plus, performances at Pure Pawsh, Visual Art + Supply, Overland, and Playground Art + Coffee will be open to the public.
North Park
Out & Abt Music Festival
June 6 & 7
The calendar has just flipped to Pride Month, and Out & Abt is celebrating in style. The two-day Out & Abt Music Festival begins Saturday from 3-10 p.m. at The Soap Factory with drag shows, circus acts, a manic pixie dream market, two stages of live music, and last but not least, a mechanical bull. The festivities will continue with an after party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Gossip Grill and conclude with an afternoon pool party at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego on Sunday from 1-7 p.m. Ticket options include weekend general admission passes ($70), and entry to the music festival ($30), after party ($17) and pool party ($27).
Citywide
Photo Credit: Kevin Berne
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
The Monsters at La Jolla Playhouse
June 2-28
Fresh off its Drama Desk Award-winning run in the Big Apple this past winter, The Monsters will have its first West Coast production beginning Tuesday in the Mandall Weiss Forum at La Jolla Playhouse. Written by and co-starring Ngozi Anyanwu, The Monsters finds its reconciliatory narrative in a young woman yearning to repair her relationship with her estranged older brother in the brutal and unforgiving world of mixed martial arts. The Monsters will have preview performances this Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 & 7 p.m., with tickets ranging from $30-$74.
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.
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
June Gloom isn’t stopping San Diegans from making the most out of the month. There’s something for every music lover, from swaying to smooth jazz at The Rady Shell to rocking out at Slightly Stoopid’s Field of Dreamz Festival. Art enthusiasts can visit the Mingei for an exhibit showcasing Native American and Pacific Rim heritage, while foodies can try the latest fried fad at the San Diego County Fair. Whatever your interests, it’s time to text the group chat and make some plans. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this month:
Khalid is headlining his first tour since 2019—this time for the R&B and pop showstopper After the Sun Goes Down—and he’s ready to dance through Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre.
Photo Credit: Angela Babby / Courtesy of Angela Babby
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
6/5–7/19
With a beat that can’t be stopped, New Village Arts will revive the joyful musical Hairspray, a fusion of teen pop stardom and racial integration in Civil Rights–era Baltimore.
6/13–9/13
Cat Gunn poignantly examines the impact of forced separation from ancestral lineage through If Only by the Light of a New Moon, their solo museum debut at ICA Central.
Proceed to Pride Month with the Out & Abt Festival, featuring a carnival-themed playground at The Soap Factory, an afterparty hosted by Gossip Grill, and the next day, a sapphic poolside bash at the Hard Rock Hotel.
6/10–7/5
Imagine and experience your favorite fairytale ending during the San Diego County Fair, which returns this summer with a new theme: Once Upon a Fair.
11 & 13
The return of the Switchfoot Bro-Am means two things: an elegant seaside fundraiser in North County and a free bash at Moonlight Beach full of sun, surf competitions, and live music.
For the first time, NASCAR will start its engines in San Diego. Naval Base Coronado will host this one-of-a-kind racing spectacle to commemorate the U.S. Navy’s semiquincentennial.
25
Itadakimasu! In other words: Let’s eat! Sample, then rank, the best Pan-Asian dishes from local eateries at Julep Venue during SD Mag’s 21+ Omakase Open, done to support the Convoy District.
28
If you ever needed a reason to eat ice cream and gelato, here’s a charitable one. Raise money—one waffle cone at a time—for Feeding San Diego during this year’s Scoop San Diego festival.
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.
Dive into the unexpected this weekend, where curated meals, experimental performances and behind-the-scenes experiences await. Foodies are invited to the first 2026 gathering of The Blank Table as well as Chef Onyi’s seasonal Rooted dinner at Millport. Broaden your artistic horizons with Project [BLANK]’s Working Title No. 5, or check out the genre-bending musical lineups at Seek Fest or Fiesta Del Sol. As an added bonus, The Rosin Box Project is pulling back the curtain and opening a trio of after-hours rehearsals to the public ahead of its new Incubator Lab show.
San Diego may be a craft beer capital, but it’s also home to a diverse array of wineries. During the San Diego County Vintners Association’s annual San Diego Wine Week, oenophiles can sample several of the best pours the region has to offer. The centerpiece event, Sunday’s all-inclusive SDCVA Wine Festival from 3-6 p.m., will feature over 20 local wineries at Bernardo Winery; general admission is $90. Additional Wine Week events include Vintners Table at Cordiano Winery (Thursday), San Diego Wine Country at the Bay at Mission Beach Women’s Club (Thursday) and the Seedling Soiree at Olivewood Gardens (Saturday).
Citywide
The Blank Table
May 28
The Blank Table series is an exercise in local culinary creativity, innovation and collaboration with the most secret of ingredients readily available: the element of surprise. On six Thursdays from May-October—with year seven of the series beginning this Thursday at 6 p.m.—60 patrons will be served a unique menu with five set courses, each with curated cocktail pairings. And to keep the air of mystery alive, the dinner location and menu will not be disclosed until 24 hours ahead of time. Tickets are $275 for Thursday’s dinner and a season pass for all six monthly dinners is $1,402; a portion of event proceeds will be donated to Feeding San Diego.
Surprise Location
Rooted: A Dinner Experience by Chef Onyi at Millport
May 30
Chef Onyinyechukwu Akpa welcomes food lovers to try a seasonal spread, dually inspired by her mastery of West African flavors and California’s seasonal ingredients, during the second edition of Rooted: A Dinner Experience at Millport. This Saturday from 6-9 p.m., chef Onyi will serve a five-course tasting menu, with dishes such as slow roasted beef, plantain upside down cake and akara, Nigerian black-eyed pea fritters. The meal will be entirely gluten-free, with vegan accommodations also available. Tickets are $115 and can be purchased here.
775 13th Street, Imperial Beach
Bridgerton & Blooms High Tea at Estancia La Jolla
May 31
Dearest reader, Estanica La Jolla opens up its grounds once a month for its outdoor Tea in the Garden series, and you’re in luck, because this month’s tea time is inspired by the enchanted English setting of Bridgerton. During the Bridgerton & Blooms High Tea this Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., guests can savor an afternoon worthy of the ton, complete with floral accoutrements, custom teas, cocktails, finger foods and enough sweets treats for Lady Whistledown to write home about. Tickets are $82.
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Courtesy of Fiesta Del Sol
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Juvenile with the 400 Degreez Band at House of Blues San Diego
May 29
Over the years, Juvenile has more than proven himself as an all-time emcee, with his breakout 1998 album 400 Degreez still a defining example of the South’s hip-hop brilliance. This Friday at 7 p.m. at House of Blues San Diego, Juvenile will play hits like “Slow Motion” and “Back That Azz Up,” along with selections from Boiling Point, his first album in 12 years. Plus, he’ll be joined by the sensational 400 Degreez Band, and as anyone who’s seen his NPR Tiny Desk performance already knows, Juvenile with a live ensemble is a match made in music heaven. Tickets start at $55 for this concert.
1055 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Kuumba Fest
May 30
Kuumba Fest returns this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the theme of “Black 2 Mind, Spirit & Body” for its 34th annual iteration. This free community festival, organized in support of the city’s Black Arts + Culture District, will feature DJs, dancing, spoken word, musical performances and an African marketplace with food, apparel, health resources and more. Then from 6-8 p.m. at the Elementary Institute of Science, the festival will conclude with a screening of the documentary American Curl followed by a Q&A panel with the film’s producers.
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.
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
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