As the weekend leads into Super Bowl LIX, there are many ways to spend the days before Sunday’s kickoff. Those looking for some small artwork to liven up their homes can begin searching through the Teeny Tiny Art Mart’s collection of almost 1,500 pieces. San Diegans can celebrate Black History Month by attending the San Diego Clippers’ Black History Night and looking through the historic images of Robin North’s Threads of Time. And last but not least, football fanatics can watch the Kansas City Chiefs try to secure a championship three-peat at Sandbar to close out the weekend.
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Swell Plates Series
Through February 13
The 15 signature dishes that are part of Visit Oceanside’s Swell Plates Series all have one special ingredient in common: a dash of O’side inspiration. Through Feb. 13, this culinary series draws on the area’s art, agriculture, oceanic bounty and ethnic heritage to create wonderfully unique entrees. After picking up a Swell Plates passport, patrons can dine on fresh catch, sustainable flavors and well-thought-out concepts from some of the city’s best eateries.
Oceanside
The Big Game Watch Party at Sandbar
February 9
Whether your rooting interest lies with the Eagles, the Chiefs, or somewhere in an “I don’t care” neutral zone for Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup, the big game can be viewed in style with over two dozen TV screens at Sandbar Sports Grill. The restaurant’s all-inclusive Touchdown Package comes with drink tickets, all-you-can-eat tacos, a game day appetizer buffet from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., reserved seating and raffle prizes and giveaways, all for $75.
718 Ventura Place, Mission Beach
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
MARO x NASAYA at The Casbah
February 6
Singer MARO and producer NASAYA have formed a kinetic musical partnership, making electronic music where poignant beats and comforting vocals equally stand out. Their first full-length collaboration, LIFELINE, traverses the familiar points of love: longing, euphoria, reconciliation, especially on the track “FOREVER & EVER,” where MARO swiftly weaves between verses in English and Portuguese. As the electronic duo begin their collaborative tour this Thursday, The Casbah is the first stop. Tickets are $25 plus fees and can be purchased here.
2501 Kettner Boulevard, Harborview
KODO: One Earth Tour: Warabe at Balboa Theatre
February 6
The meaning of taiko drumming has evolved greatly since its introduction to Japan in the 6th century, but the one constant has been its ability to capture people’s attention. Kodo, the world’s foremost taiko masters, channel the traditional booming percussion that defines the genre. But on Kodo’s One Earth Tour, their music has an added approach as they harness the spirit of “Warabe,” meaning a child-like passion. Tickets start at $50 for Kodo’s performance Thursday at the Balboa Theatre.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
The SADE Experience at The Dancehouse
February 8
There is no easier listening than the soulful sounds of Sade. To celebrate the beloved artist, The Dancehouse is throwing a dance tribute show, combining different genres of movement with live art, music and audience participation. This Saturday at 7 p.m., The SADE Experience is an invitation for die-hard Sade fans to further celebrate the singer’s legacy and first-time listeners to familiarize themselves with her musical catalog. Ticket options include $39 general admission and $54 VIP tickets, which come with front row seating, a glass of wine and a fruit plate.
2180 Chatsworth Boulevard, Point Loma
San Diego Chinese New Year Fair
February 8-9
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association’s free annual cultural festival is a family-friendly observance of the Chinese New Year. This Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), attendees can peruse merchandise vendors and community organizations, along with food vendors serving up ube, bao and candied fruit. The fair will feature a wide range of live entertainment, such as wushu, tai chi and martial arts demonstrations, plus craft activities, Chinese calligraphy and a rummage sale at nearby Chinese Historical Museum.
428 Third Avenue (Intersection of Third Avenue and J Street), Downtown
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Teeny Tiny Art Mart 2025 at Oceanside Museum of Art
February 5 – March 2
Purchase 5×5 inch artwork from a selection of almost 1,500 works from 579 artists during Teeny Tiny Art Mart 2025. This annual opportunity allows SoCal artists of varying skill levels to submit their mini-sized original artwork to the Oceanside Museum of Art to be on sale beginning Sunday night and on display (until sold) through March 2. All of the pieces will be listed anonymously for $25 each, and sale proceeds from the auction will go to OMA’s educational programs.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
Wicked at the Civic Theatre
February 5 – March 2
Before Dorothy and her unlikely pals skipped down the Yellow Brick Road, much transpired in the Land of Oz. Wicked covers this thorny time period, with powerhouse songs, gravity-defying magic and a foes-to-friends storyline that shifts all perceptions of good and evil. Fans of the blockbuster film adaptation of Wicked will have nearly a month (with 32 total shows) to see the Broadway production at the Civic Theatre, beginning Wednesday evening. Tickets are starting at $68 for this week’s performances.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
Working Title No. 4 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
February 6-8
The creative dexterity of Project [BLANK] is the strength behind the group’s annual Working Title series. The three-day artistic affair of Working Title No. 4 will feature chamber music performances, world premiere works from regional artists and 15 installations spanning from performance art to video to sculpture. Curated by Diana Benavidez and Leslie Ann Leytham, this always-experimental series will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral Thursday-Saturday (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Tickets range from $17 to $27 for each day of Working Title.
2728 Sixth Avenue, Bankers Hill
Tick, Tick… Boom! at Patio Playhouse
February 7-23
Before crafting the theater phenomenon Rent, playwright and composer Jonathan Larson was struggling to create a breakthrough musical. As Larson approached his 30th birthday, he faced a creative crisis, one which inspired his semi-autobiographical piece Tick, Tick… Boom! Since his untimely death in 1996, Larson’s rock musical has taken on a life of its own, and now, it’ll have a two-week run at the Patio Playhouse, directed by Viridian Soule. Tickets are $22 for general admission and $15 for youth admission for this community production.
116 South Kalmia Street, Escondido
Gotta Have Heart: Pen Pals at Sophie’s Gallery
February 7 – March 31
This year’s theme of Sophie’s Gallery’s free Gotta Have Heart exhibition—through items like decorative mailboxes, postcard-esque paintings and mixed media drawings—shows the power of long-distance connection. This year, Sophie’s Gallery is celebrating 25 years in downtown El Cajon working with adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There will be a free opening reception for Gotta Have Heart: Pen Pals this Friday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
140 East Main Street, El Cajon
Robin North: Threads of Time at The Photographer’s Eye Gallery
February 8 – March 1
The works of visual artist Robin North are rooted in fine art and an archival desire to chronicle the African diaspora—and this intersectionality is once again present in Threads of Time at The Photographer’s Eye Gallery. There will be many interactive elements for this exhibition, with an artist walk through this Friday (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.), followed by an opening reception and artist visit (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Plus, there will be a free artist talk this Sunday at 10 a.m.; admission is limited to 25 people, and RSVPs can be done here.
326 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
La Jolla Surf: Culture, Art, Craft at La Jolla Historical Society
February 8 – May 25
With La Jolla Surf: Culture, Art, Craft, the art form of surfing and its local connections will receive a thorough deep dive, courtesy of the La Jolla Historical Society. See images from legendary lensmen like Roy Porello, Jeff Divine, Ron Church, original artwork by John Van Hamersveld, and surfboards from regional shapers. Visitors will also be immersed in firsthand accounts of La Jolla’s surfing evolution via exhibition curator John Durant’s short film. La Jolla Surf: Culture, Art, Craft will have an opening reception this Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; RSVP here to attend.
780 Prospect Street, La Jolla
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
One Liner Madness
February 8
A bracket of 64 local comedians, including one teenage prodigy, will compete in a March Madness-esque tournament to see who has the best one-liner jokes in an epic stand-up showdown. One Liner Madness, presented by Emily Winter, is making its first appearance in SD this Saturday (doors open at 7 p.m.) at the Adams Avenue Theater. Contestants who receive the most audience applause will advance for the chance to win a trophy and a cash prize. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.
3325 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
San Diego Clippers vs. South Bay Lakers at Frontwave Arena
February 8
During the team’s upcoming game against the South Bay Lakers this Saturday, the San Diego Clippers will celebrate Black History Night. While taking in this G League basketball matchup, fans can attend a pregame networking panel, watch Black cultural dance performances during game breaks and check out booths from featured local orgs such as the North County African American Women’s Association. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the game tipping off at 7 p.m. at Frontwave Arena. Tickets are starting at $18 on AXS.
3475 Hero Drive, Oceanside
Hungry Dog Dash 5K
February 9
Runners and walkers of all ages, along with their leashed doggos, are invited to sign up for the Point Loma High School Pointer Association’s annual fundraiser race. Taking place Sunday at 8 a.m., the Hungry Dog Dash will take off from NTC Park in Liberty Station and will raise money for travel expenses, registration fees, uniforms and equipment costs for the PLHS cross country team. Following the run, participants will get to enjoy live music and a community vendor village. Registration is $40 for those ages 14 and under and $45 for ages 15 and up.
2455 Cushing Road, Point Loma
