Happy Independence Day! The holiday weekend kicks off with several Fourth of July events in San Diego, from carnivals and concerts to a spectacular fireworks show. But the fun doesn’t stop there—this week’s roundup of things to do in San Diego includes the annual Black Pride Festival and live music for ravers and classical connoisseurs alike.
Food & Drink | Festivals & Art | Concerts & Theater | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Prince St. Pizza x Irv’s Burgers Grand Opening Block Party
July 4
Two legendary eateries, originally hailing from Manhattan and West Hollywood, arrive this week at Mission + Garnet Food Hall in Pacific Beach. To celebrate their respective grand openings, Prince St. Pizza and Irv’s Burgers are teaming up for a free Indepence Day block party. From 12 to 4 p.m. this Thursday, attendees will receive a complimentary Irv’s burger, fries, and milkshake combo as well as iconic square slices of Prince St. Pizza. There will also be a DJ, photo booths, and entertainment.
4505 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach
Fourth of July Buffet & Fireworks at Garibaldi
July 4
Garibaldi offers a special dinner buffet this Thursday featuring charcuterie-style appetizers; summertime salads with seasonal fruit; fresh seafood such as rockfish, prawns, and ceviche; and barbecued items like brisket, swordfish, oysters, and pork rack. The buffet is $105 for adults and $45 for children ages 4 to 12 years old; reservations can be made here. Indoor seating is available every 15 minutes from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but, if you want to catch bayside fireworks while you dine, aim for the 8:30 seating on the outdoor patio.
901 Bayfront Court, Embarcadero
Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Reverberating Notes Opening Reception
July 5
The San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) hosts an opening reception for its new exhibition—featuring more than 95 paintings from SDWS members—from 5 to 8 p.m. during Arts District Liberty Station’s First Fridays event. This free exhibition will be on display during the gallery’s normal hours (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday) until July 27. Visitors to First Fridays can also check out the grand opening of ceramics gallery Faces by Miche from 4 to 8 p.m.
2825 Dewey Road, Point Loma
San Diego Black Pride Festival
July 5–7
The San Diego Black Pride Festival opens with a pair of events Friday night: the Harmony Hour Kickoff Party and Express Your Essence Mini Ball. Saturday’s all-day fun at the beach begins with the free Fam Bam Beach BBQ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the 21-plus Freaknik Beach Party from 5 to 11 p.m. The festival closes out Sunday with the Decadent Day Party from 3 to 9 p.m. at Rich’s in Hillcrest. Tickets are available here.
Citywide
Lester Machado’s In Pursuit of Light at Union Hall Gallery
Opens July 6
Local plein air painter Lester Machado’s new exhibition, In Pursuit of Light, will premiere this Saturday at Union Hall Gallery with a free opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Fifty new paintings from the San Diego artist, as well as several works that were influential to Machado, will be on display to the public on Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through August 18.
2323 Broadway, Golden Hill
Athenaeum Summer Festival
Begins July 7
Pianist Gustavo Romero will explore Frédéric Chopin’s artistry over the course of four Sunday afternoons in July as part of the Athenaeum Summer Festival. The first festival performance will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday night in the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room. Tickets to individual shows are $50 for members and $55 for nonmembers; for $200, guests at the performances on the 7th and 28th can enjoy priority seating and dinner following the concerts and get the chance to meet Romero.
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
Concerts & Theater in San Diego This Weekend
Fourth of July with The Commodores
July 4
The Rady Shell will host a special Independence Day concert from The Commodores, featuring hit songs like “Brick House” and “Three Times a Lady.” On top of the show-stopping performance from these kings of Motown, audiences will have a spectacular view of the Big Bay Boom. Ticket prices range from $52 to $162.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
University Heights Summer in the Park
July 5–August 2
The 26th season of University Heights Summer in the Park kicks off this Friday at Trolley Barn Park. Enjoy free concert programming from the University Heights Community Development Corporation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday evenings all month long. This week, concertgoers can pack a picnic and enjoy live music from multi-genre cover band CCnE as the sun sets.
Adams Avenue & Florida Street, University Heights
Almost Nakey Freedom Fest
July 6
This Saturday, head to Belmont Park in your best red, white, and blue regalia for an all-day EDM festival featuring three live music stages headlined by hard-partying acts like Bauuer and the Ying Yang Twins. To keep the fun going all night long, head to the official festival afterparty at Spin Nightclub from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets start at $75.
3125 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach
New Kids On The Block with Paula Abdul & DJ Jazzy Jeff
July 7
New Kids on the Block will bring boy band nostalgia to the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre this Sunday night. This year marks four decades since the group got their start as teen pop stars in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Now, they’re embarking their Magic Summer Tour following the release of Still Kids, their first album in 11 years. Icons Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff will join them. Tickets for this concert, available via LiveNation, start at $32.55.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Big Bay Boom
July 4
Starting at 9 p.m., see California’s biggest fireworks show from several vantage points: Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District, and the Coronado Ferry Landing—or make a bayside restaurant reservation or ask your buddy with a boat if you can float with a view. It’ll be busy, so plan ahead and take advantage of additional trolley service and several spectator locations offering free parking. While watching the show, be sure to listen along to the musical simulcast on 100.7 BIG FM.
Various locations
Lakehouse Resort 4th of July Carnival
July 4
The Lakehouse Resort hosts an afternoon of family-friendly fun this Independence Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Lakeside Lawn. Attendees can compete for prizes and enjoy classic carnival games like ring toss, dunk tank, and mechanical bull. Dress your dog up like Uncle Sam for the patriotic dog contest. There will also be live country music, line dancing, and plenty of BBQ hot off the grill. Entry is $5 for adults. Kids ages ten and under receive free admission.
1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos
San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
July 5–7
Even with key players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Joe Musgrove currently injured, the San Diego Padres are on a tear, anchored by All Star–worthy play from Jurickson Profar. The Friars will have the chance to pull away in the NL Wild Card race during their upcoming eight-game homestand at Petco Park, beginning with three against the Diamondbacks. The Pads will celebrate Star Wars Weekend with a cantina-style party, theme night fireworks, and a kids’ fest with character photo ops. Purchase tickets for this weekend’s series here; fans can also buy a special Theme Game package for July 6 or 7 to receive a Nando Calrissian Bobblehead.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
