Old Town’s standout eateries serve up seafood, cerveza, margaritas and more during the neighborhood’s annual tasting event this Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Participating restaurants include Cafe Coyote, Miguel’s Cocina, Casa De Reyes, and Rockin Baja Lobster. General admission tickets ($40) and Under 12 tickets ($15 for ages 3 through 12) include one food sample from all participating restaurants, while VIP passes are $55 and come with sample cocktails from select restaurants. | 4010 Twiggs Street, Old Town
Opening September 21
New Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
This Thursday, MCASD La Jolla welcomes two new long-term exhibitions, beginning with an opening reception for artist Kelly Akashi’s Formations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Formations explores the impact of Akashi’s family’s harrowing imprisonment in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II and will be on display in La Jolla through Feb. 18, 2024. Also on view through Feb. 18, Eleanor Antin and My Barbarian displays 51 postcards from San Diego artist Eleanor Antin’s 100 Boots journey from Solana Beach to New York, juxtaposed with artwork by My Barbarian, a three-person art team draws influence from California counterculture. | 700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Immersive yourself in art at the San Diego Made Factory during this Friday showcase featuring live art demos, live music, and a mini fall photo shoot from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. San Diego Made: Live! is family and dog-friendly and will allow residents to support local artists and witness their talent firsthand. San Diego Made Factory residents will demo jewelry-making, lemongrass distillation, ceramics, candle-making, and more, while guest artist Ashley Lohr shows off her skill of torch-firing enamel on copper. | 2031 Commercial Street, Logan Heights
September 22–24
Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro
The best women surfers in the world conquer the waves near Oceanside Pier during this free three-day surf festival, with games, giveaways, and more in store for attendees. The Super Girl Surf Pro includes performances from 15 musicians, including Sean Kingston, Aloe Blacc, and Beach Weather, plus contests, vendors, and a beer and wine garden. Additional highlights include women’s esports tournaments, fitness classes, a DJ competition, surf art, beach volleyball, a fashion show, a food court, and a festival village with several women-owned businesses and vendors. | 300 The Strand North, Oceanside
Courtesy of Miramar Air Show
MCAS Miramar Air Show
The annual military air show from the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar features military demonstrations, civilian aerobatic teams, and vintage aircraft and warbirds. Attendees can also get firsthand flying experience on the many simulators in the Innovation Tech Expo. General admission to the air show is free, but there are several paid ticket options, spanning from $9 grandstand seats to the $263 Devil Dog Chalet experience complete with front-row seating in a luxury shaded area, plus breakfast, buffet lunch, and a complimentary bar. | 9175 Boyington Road, Miramar
Oktoberfest
San Diego’s Oktoberfest celebrations kick off this weekend with a trio of events that celebrate the beloved Bavarian beer extravaganza. Liberty Station’s Craftoberfest, commencing this Friday, is a nine-day celebration with live music, beer trivia, bingo, and the ultimate competition: the Beerlympics. North Park’s The Original 40 Brewing Company will host its third annual Oktoberfest Games this Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. Attendees can spectate or compete in pretzel-eating, stein-holding, and pretzel-tossing competitions for Oktoberfest glory. Last but not least, this Sunday’s family-friendly Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire includes Bavarian music, food, drinks, and much more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Craftoberfest – 2816 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma | The Original 40 – 3117 University Avenue, North Park | Encinitas Oktoberfest – Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road and Rambling Road, Encinitas
Courtesy of the San Diego Distillers Guild
September 23
San Diego Distillers Guild Fest
Enjoy food trucks, live music, and complimentary spirits and cocktails from more than 20 local craft distilleries during the fifth annual San Diego Distillers Guild Fest at Brick in Liberty Station. Attendees can chat with expert distillers, expand their cocktail palette, and explore the standout vendors of San Diego’s distilling scene from 2 to 5 p.m. this Saturday. $60 general admission tickets include cocktail and spirit samples, while $85 VIP tickets come with 1 p.m. early entry and exclusive pours. For those not planning on drinking but still wanting to get in on the fun, there are also $30 designated driver tickets. | 2863 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma
Cove House Dinner Series
This special dinner from Cove House and Second Chance Beer Co. will feature five courses, each with bold beer pairings, for an intimate outdoor meal on Cove House’s seaside patio. Every month, chef Lance Rapp curates a unique menu to pair with the month’s chosen spirits, and September’s spread from Rapp and chef Manny Perez includes pan-roasted scallops, quail, and dry-aged pork, plus chocolatey Whoppers for dessert. Tickets are $85 per person (and do not include tax or gratuity), and the dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. | 8030 Girard Avenue, La Jolla
Courtesy of I Love a Clean San Diego
Coastal Cleanup Day
Pitch in from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday during the 39th California Coastal Cleanup Day. I Love A Clean San Diego, the Ocean Conservancy, and several other organizations will lead volunteers in more than 100 local areas in cleaning up marine debris and making a positive environmental impact. Coastal and inland spots provide options for residents all over the county to participate, with cleanup locations including Balboa Park, Lake Murray, and Emory Cove. To view the full list of cleanup spots and register for Coastal Cleanup Day, visit here. | San Diego County
Composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s chamber opera Autumn Valentine premieres at UCSD Park & Market this Saturday. There will be a pre-show chat with the composer at 7 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m. Presented by Bodhi Tree Concerts, this production features San Diego–based artists Angelina Réaux and Michael Sokol in the lead roles. Tickets for Saturday’s show are $40 ($30 for students/military), and proceeds from the performance will be donated to the San Diego chapter of the NAACP. | 1100 Market Street, East Village
Courtesy of Pacific Islander Festival Association
September 23-24
Pacific Islander Festival
The Pacific Islander Festival Association’s free annual event at Ski Beach in Mission Bay highlights cultural organizations, businesses, and entertainers from the Melanesian, Micronesian, and Pacific Islander communities. Groups from San Diego, the rest of California, and beyond will be in attendance along with dancers, musicians, more than 50 craft vendors, and plenty of food trucks serving up delicious island cuisine at this weekend festival. | 1600 Vacation Road, Mission Bay
Adams Avenue Street Fair
The 41st annual Adams Avenue Street Fair will have 75 musical acts performing across seven live music stages from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. this Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Sunday. This two-day music festival will feature carnival rides, beer gardens, food, and more than 300 art, craft, and merchandise vendors, along with the brand-new, 21-plus Cannabis Row at the Adams Avenue Theater. Additional experiences include the $25 ($30 the day of) Craft Beer Taste, which comes with unlimited two-ounce craft beer samples from 20 participating breweries from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and the $19 VIP Beer deal which includes four craft beers. | 34th and Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
CRSSD Festival Fall 2023
CRSSD is a beacon for San Diego’s most raucous ravers, and CRSSD Fall this weekend at Waterfront Park will be no different. More than 35 house, techno, and dance music artists—including headliners Flume, Basement Jaxx, Chris Lake, FISHER, and Amelie Lens—will perform on three stages. Ticket options include two-day admission for $389, Saturday-only admission for $219, and Sunday-only admission for $239. There will also be several After Dark parties held throughout the weekend at local nightclubs as part of the festival fun, so the party won’t stop even when you leave the park. | 1600 Pacific Highway, Embarcadero
September 24
San Diego Sake Festival
Venue 808 hosts this festival featuring more than 50 brands of premium Japanese sake and beer. Several participating brewers, educators, and sommeliers will be in attendance from 2 to 6 p.m. this Sunday. General admission ($60) entry starts at 3 p.m. and comes with seven sake tasting tickets (additional tasting tickets are available for $2 each) plus one food ticket, a Japanese beer tasting, and a commemorative tasting cup. VIP ($150) entrance is at 2 p.m. and includes all-you-can-taste sake and beer, access to a VIP lounge, and two tasting tickets for “super premium” sake. | 808 J Street, Downtown
Courtesy of George’s at the Cove
September 24–October 1
San Diego Restaurant Week
The California Restaurant Association’s San Diego Restaurant Week is back, with more than 100 restaurants from all over San Diego County taking part in eight days of dining deals. Enjoy dinner, lunch, brunch, drinks, and several three-course, prix-fixe menu options in 33 participating neighborhoods stretching from South Bay to Sorrento Valley and beyond. Reservations are highly recommended. | San Diego County
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.
Growing up in Carlsbad, I never quite understood why people vacationed there. What, so you want to check out the field where I have soccer practice? Pay my orthodontist a visit? Carlsbad just felt like a town by the beach, no better or worse than any other in the country. It took going to college out of state for me to actually understand just how rare a place like Carlsbad is.
Thanksgiving break my freshman year, my first time coming home after three months in the Midwest, my shoulders dropped. I rolled down the windows and drove to lifeguard tower 37—the hangout magnet for Carlsbad’s youths (and, in the summer, tourists)—and the smells of the ocean woke me right up like smelling salts do. I finally got it.
Carlsbad isn’t just a stopover town on your way to something better. It is the destination. Travel + Leisure named Carlsbad one of the top 50 places around the world to travel in 2026. From the whole globe, the travel magazine picked my home. Sure, we’ve got the Flower Fields and Legoland—but now it’s the smaller ships and indier dreams that are giving it street-level character.
It’s not just Carlsbad, either. People have talked about the “North County bubble” for decades—a force field that prevents its residents from traveling south of the 56. It’s often used derogatorily, and it’s a fairly accurate burn.
For decades, living up in North County meant giving up on culture, or at least culture within close proximity. But now, the main expansion of San Diego culture is happening up north. Central San Diego restaurants have started taking notice and are expanding into the area—spurred no doubt by Oceanside’s food boom and the Jeune et Jolie–Campfire–Wildland–Lilo constellation in Carlsbad. City Heights burger joint Key & Cleaver opened a new spot in Oceanside; the owners of Parc Bistro-Brasserie in Bankers Hill opened Parc Lounge in Rancho Santa Fe. Possibly the strongest market indicator is that Sam Fox—one of the most successful restaurateurs west of the Rockies—has started focusing on North County for his concepts. In 2025, he opened both The Henry in Carlsbad and Culinary Dropout in Del Mar.
For the ultimate insider guide, we found a handful of inspiring people who live and create and truly know six North County neighborhoods—San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, Leucadia, Rancho Santa Fe, and Vista—and asked them how they’d spend a dream day out and about in their town.
Courtesy of North City Farmers Market
San Marcos
San Marcos is in full renaissance mode. The biggest story is that the grand North City vision is starting to peek through the scaffolding. It’s essentially the North County Downtown that’s been written in the tea leaves and discussed whenever someone gets stuck in traffic at the 5/805 merge: a 200-acre, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use face-changer that’s slated for 2,600 homes, 350,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 250 hotel rooms, and about a million square feet of offices and labs. Its most recent manifestation is 222 North City—a 12-story residential tower with over 450 residences, rooftop garden, pool cabanas, art installations, and almost 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail (Necessity Coffee, Buona Forchetta, Draft Republic, Milonga Empanadas, and a grocery store anchor on its way).
Which means Restaurant Row is no longer burdened with being the primary caregiver for the hungry or the socially inclined. Patricia Prado-Olmos has watched the city morph during her nearly three-decade tenure at CSUSM, having spent the past six years as the school’s chief community engagement officer. She also just announced her forthcoming retirement at the end of the 2026–2027 school year, so she’ll have even more time to haunt local haunts.
Meet the Local: Patricia Prado-Olmos
Those in the know call the university “Cal State StairMaster” from the Sisyphean amount of stairs on the hillside campus. So, any day at or around CSUSM should start with a homestyle carbo-load (biscuits and gravy) from Mama Kat’s.
“There’s something about this breakfast spot that immediately puts me in a good mood,” she says. Mama Kat’s is also known for its pie (strawberry-rhubarb), which is breakfast if you change your perspective.
After a few hours on campus—with a break to pet the university’s official therapy goldendoodle, Frank, who helps ease finals tremors or apprehension of on-campus stairs—Prado-Olmos will wander into North City, just steps away. She says the almond croissant and coffee at Christophe Rull Patisserie rival Parisian cafés: “It feels like the kind of place you’d stumble across in a much bigger city.”
Rull, a Michelin-trained pastry chef who’s done stints on Netflix (Bake Squad) and Food Network (Super Mega Cakes, Halloween Wars), opened his patisserie last fall. The hype hasn’t cooled off yet: Get there early because the crowds do.
Emma Veidt is an editor at San Diego Magazine. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism. She loves running, hiking, and rock climbing, but really, she mostly loves encounters with the street cats around North Park.
It’s happening, San Diego. The pre–Comic-Con excitement jitters begin to creep in as soon as July hits the calendar. But for those who forgot to set an alarm on registration day, whose batteries died or whose luck ran out in the virtual waiting room, or who simply prefer to soak up the fandom frenzy from the outside, we’ve got the best ways to experience Comic-Con weekend—no badge required.
Ready Party One: The Final Level 2026 SDCC Kickoff Party
Ain’t no party like an after-hours party, and XLE Productions’ Ready Party One is definitely one for comic book fans. Kick-start your convention weekend at Parq Nightclub and enjoy music by fan-favorite ’80s tribute band The Flux Capacitors, along with enough fandom fun, cosplay, retro gaming and pop-culture nostalgia to satisfy your inner geek. At least for the night.
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 8 p.m. Location: Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Tickets start at $34
Interactive Zone at Petco Park and Gallagher Square Events
With more than a dozen activities and brand activations, Petco Park’s Interactive Zone is a badgeless fan’s playground, bringing together brands, games, celebrity appearances and immersive experiences all in one place. On Friday, July 24, Funko’s beloved annual party, hosted by Funko founder Mike Becker, returns to Gallagher Square. This year’s “Quest for the Grail” event will take guests on a journey to the sunken city of Atlantis. Expect themed décor, food, drinks, games and special guest appearances.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Sunday, July 26 (times TBD) Location: Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park Price: Free; Funko Funday event is ticketed
Cartoon and art lovers can celebrate the work of Chuck Jones, creator of some of animation’s most iconic characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and Pepé Le Pew, at Seaport Village’s Chuck Jones Gallery. During Comic-Con weekend, the showroom will also host meet-and-greets with talented artists including Disney artist and seascape painter Steve Barton, The Simpsons animator Stephen Reis, and licensed Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and Disney fine artist Ben Olson.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25, 2026 (times TBD) Location: Chuck Jones Gallery, 809 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA Price: Free
PAWmicon Pet Cosplay
Get your pup’s—and your own—cosplay game ready because Helen Woodward Animal Center’s PAWmicon is back. Enjoy a Comic-Con-themed outing with the whole family while raising awareness for orphaned pets in San Diego. Divided into three categories—Flying Solo, Dynamic Duos & Trios & More, and Fantastic Floats—the event is a paw-fect way to jump-start the festivities.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 4:30–7 p.m. Location: Presidents Way Lawn at Balboa Park Price: Free
Comic-Con-Themed Bar Crawl
Why leave all the fun, mischief and mayhem to badge holders when you can join more than 300 partygoers and crawl through some of downtown San Diego’s top bars and nightclubs? Whether you’re called to save the universe or have an allegiance to the dark side, the annual Comic-Con Bar Crawl gives attendees exclusive access to more than 20 venues throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, with free welcome shots, exclusive drink discounts and complimentary entry along the way. This event for ages 21 and older is a fun way to celebrate your fandom outside the convention center.
Date & Time: Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26, 2026, 8 p.m.–2 a.m. Location: Check-in at Toro, 672 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, from 8–9 p.m. Price: $13–$30
Her Universe Fashion Show
Geek out over couture at the annual Her Universe Fashion Show at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Hosted by founder and Star Wars: The Clone Wars actress Ashley Eckstein and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, this year’s show will feature a selection of designers showcasing one-of-a-kind DC-inspired creations as they compete for a $2,000 cash prize.
Note: Wristbands are traditionally distributed the morning of the event on a first-come, first-served basis, but official details have not yet been announced.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m. Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Free
Comic-Con Museum
A destination for all things fandom, Balboa Park’s Comic-Con Museum brings world-premiere and exclusive exhibits and events to the heart of San Diego, giving fans a place to geek out all year long. The museum is currently featuring the U.S. debut of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, showcasing 17 of the Doctor’s most iconic costumes, a full-size TARDIS and a collection of original sonic screwdrivers used on-screen. Visitors can also explore Sangre, Sudor y Mito: The Art and Tradition of Mexican Lucha Libre, featuring rare collectibles and authentic masks and costumes worn by legendary luchadores.
Date & Time: Open Thursday through Tuesday (closed Wednesdays), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Location: 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: $15–$30; free for children younger than 6
Comic-Con Art Show
Browse an extensive collection of original drawings, paintings, jewelry and other whimsical creations from more than 100 professional and amateur artists at the Comic-Con Art Show. Many pieces will be available for purchase through the silent auction or Quick Sale, giving fans the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind Comic-Con souvenir while supporting talented artists.
Dates & Times:
Thursday, July 23: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, July 24: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall CD, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Free
Looking for a supercute way to fuel your Comic-Con adventures? Swing by the Hello Kitty Café Truck. This traveling pink café on wheels will be parked at Petco Park’s Interactive Zone, serving up tasty treats and exclusive merchandise. From limited-edition tote bags and hats to mugs and T-shirts, it’s the perfect stop to grab a snack and a little extra kawaii cuteness.
Date & Time:
Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: 10 a.m. (closing time TBD)
Location: Petco Park Interactive Zone, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Menu items vary
PopUp Bagels, Spider-Man and Donut Bar Activations at Pendry San Diego
Get ready to fuel up and hype up. Whether you’re a plain-bagel purist or an everything-bagel fan, don’t miss your chance to grab breakfast or recharge at PopUp Bagels’ Volkswagen bus parked outside Pendry San Diego. Then satisfy your sweet tooth at Provisional with a rotating selection of character-themed doughnuts from Donut Bar. Both are available throughout the weekend beginning at 7 a.m. until sold out.
On Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m., head to Nason’s Beer Hall to celebrate Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Guests can sample Tom Holland’s nonalcoholic beer brand, BERO, served in limited-edition themed cans available exclusively during the event.
Camila Ibarra Gallego is a CaliBaja native pursuing a master's degree in culinary journalism at the Basque Culinary Center. Shaped by the culturally rich, bicultural megaregion, she's passionate about sniffing out stories that connect people, territory and culture through food. When she's not tumbling down internet rabbit holes, you can find her pretending to be a wine connoisseur at a local wine bar or nose-deep in a good book.
Before, during, and after the Fourth of July, San Diegans can commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with an abundance of stars, stripes and local celebrations. America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell and Lamb’s Players Theatre’s revival of American Rhythm will look back at the many songs which define our country. Liberty Station’s Anchored in Freedom celebration and the Independence Day Carnival offer community-centered fun and loads of family-friendly activities. And who can possibly forget the Big Bay Boom, which will resume its reign over San Diego Bay as the state’s biggest fireworks show. Outside of the holiday festivities, this week brings the yearly return of Little Italy’s Summer Sera and the Athenaeum Summer Festival, as well as a slate of championship matches for All Elite Wrestling.
Sip on refreshing beverages and savor a panoramic rooftop view this Friday from 6-8 p.m. during the 21-plus Sunset & Spritz at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. There will be a live DJ (until 9 p.m.), appetizers, pool and cabana access, a photo booth, and a cash bar (until 11 p.m.). To accentuate the summer theme, guests are invited to dress in white, pink, and orange attire. Tickets are $29 and come with a welcome aperol spritz.
616 J Street, Gaslamp
The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya
July 3 & 4
Bring a patriotic palette to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar for The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya this Friday and Saturday from 5-8:30 p.m. Patrons will be treated to a five-course tasting menu, curated to exhibit a selection of standout regional flavors and culinary concepts that have shaped our country’s distinct food heritage. The meal will also include beverage pairings with each course, such as wine, cocktails, and artisanal drinks. Reservations are $330 per person (with tax and 20% gratuity) on OpenTable.
Don Toliver thrives at being the life of the party (and the “After Party”). His fifth album Octane, released in February, is indicative of his thrill-seeking nature. As with his earlier releases, Octane sees Toliver operating in the space between hip-hop and R&B, with warbling vocals and blaring beats that are best heard at a high volume. This Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Toliver will play at Pechanga Arena, with rappers SoFaygo, Chase B and SahBabii—who had a guest verse on Octane standout “K9”—as special guests. Tickets start at $156 for this concert.
What makes musicals like Wicked, Cats, Chicago, and Jersey Boys so timeless is the legion of excellent songs that makes fans out of those who’ve never even watched the show. This Friday at 7:30 p.m. during Blockbuster Broadway! at The Rady Shell, conductor Evan Roider, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and veteran vocalists Alex Getlin, Jessica Hendy, Scott Coulter, and John Boswell (also on piano) will perform an all-star theater soundtrack. In addition to the shows named above, audiences can expect songs from A Chorus Line, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie,and more. Tickets range from $57 to $129 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell
July 4
One night after recognizing the brilliance of Broadway, The Rady Shell will ring in the United States’ landmark anniversary with America The Beautiful: 250 this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Conductor Byron Stripling, joined by a five-performer ensemble and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, will lead a night of ballads that best resemble the red, white, and blue, including songs sourced from the Great American Songbook. After the show, concertgoers are invited to watch the nearby Big Bay Boom from their seats. Tickets range from $71 to $139 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Athenaeum Summer Festival at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
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.
Finding a gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. In a sea of generic options — flowers, gift cards, candles, and the like — Xplosion Box offers something more lasting: a customized keepsake built around the photos, messages, and memories that matter most.
Founded by Southern California entrepreneur Jay Vijay, Xplosion Box LLC creates fully customized explosion gift boxes that arrive professionally designed, printed, assembled, and ready to gift. Each box opens layer by layer to reveal personal photos, heartfelt messages, pull-out albums, origami-style photo pockets, and hidden notes, turning a simple gift into an emotional reveal.
The brand was built for people who want to give something meaningful without spending hours printing photos, cutting paper, folding cardstock, or assembling a DIY project. Customers simply choose a box, upload their favorite photos, add personal messages, and the Xplosion Box team transforms those details into a polished keepsake that feels thoughtful, personal, and beautifully made.
Xplosion Box offers personalized gift boxes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, proposals, bridesmaid gifts, long-distance relationships, and thoughtful “just because” moments.
Customers can choose from flexible customization options starting at $27. The Mini Surprise Box includes 10 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note, while the Mega Surprise Box offers a fuller keepsake experience with 40 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note.
What sets Xplosion Box apart is its high level of customization combined with convenience. Filled with personal photos, custom text, decorative details, and layered surprises, each box gives customers the freedom to create a gift that feels one-of-a-kind — without having to make it themselves.
At its core, Xplosion Box helps people turn favorite photos, stories, and words into something tangible: a keepsake that can be opened, revisited, and remembered long after the occasion has passed.
Summer has officially kicked off, and San Diego is celebrating the sunny season with a myriad of fun events. From San Diego Pride week and a fairytale performance at Civic Theatre to a Santigold concert and Comic-Con, there are dozens of opportunities to make memories worth adding to your scrapbook. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this July:
Divine inspirations, operatic ballads, and symphonic pop production elevate Rosalía’s Lux to heavenly levels. Hear angelic vocals ascend—in up to 13 languages—during her performance at Pechanga Arena.
Enjoy a night of feel-good indie rock and sing-along anthems at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre courtesy of Young the Giant and special guest Cold War Kids.
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Santigold collects genres like gold stars: musical accouterments that brighten her uniquely alternative sound. See her live in concert with dancehall producer Troy Baker Sound at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay.
Two male government workers pursue a secret romance amid the Lavender Scare in the San Diego Opera’s production of “Fellow Travelers” at the Balboa Theatre.
Audrey Hepburn. Marlon Brando. Salvador Dalí. What do these icons have in common? Each was the enigmatic focus of a Cecil Beaton portrait. Step inside Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World, an alluring showcase of 20th-century style at San Diego Museum of Art.
Courtesy of San Diego Pride
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
1
The Little Italy Mercato will trade morning rays for golden-hour glow through its free Summer Sera, an expansion of the neighborhood’s farmers market with live music, artisanal finds, and a fetching amount of pet activities.
11–19
San Diego Pride week starts with a Dyke March and ends with the two-day “Pride Shines On” festival. The days in between? Run a 5K, march in the parade, visit the rainbow-lit St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, and more.
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Dress up for a Mediterranean-themed tea time at the Estancia La Jolla, a laid-back yet refined afternoon planned for the resort’s monthly Tea in the Garden series.
23–26
Nerd culture’s biggest gathering returns to the Convention Center. San Diego Comic-Con welcomes fans of everything from comic book cinema to ultra-rare collectibles for panels, exhibits, sneak peeks, and much more.
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 are two types of San Diegans in July: those who have their Pride Festival tickets, and those who wish they’d bought them sooner. Summer in San Diego already feels like a fever dream of sunshine and saltwater, and with Balboa Park turning it up to a level best described as joyfully unhinged, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
That’s right: San Diego Pride 2026 is bigger, louder, and more necessary than ever. From July 18–19, expect a full, unapologetic, flags-everywhere kind of weekend where the city opens its arms and means it. Here’s everything you need to know about San Diego Pride 2026.
When and where is the 2026 San Diego Pride Festival?
The San Diego Pride Festival takes over Marston Point in Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.) on Saturday, July 18 (12 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sunday, July 19 (12 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
How much are San Diego Pride Festival tickets?
Buy tickets early because prices go up closer to the weekend. Regular GA is priced at $45 for a single day or $75 for the full weekend. Once Pride Weekend pricing kicks in, that bumps to $48 for one day and $85 for two days. VIP Weekend starts at $269, and if you want a Meet & Greet with Hailie Sahar on July 18 at 2 p.m., tickets are $106.
Seniors 65 years and older can grab a ticket at the box office for $15, and high schoolers and younger get in free, though they still need to stop by the box office for a ticket before entering. Regular pricing is available through July 17, so don’t wait until the last minute.
What to expect at the festival?
The San Diego Pride Festival isn’t just a typical party. Expect Balboa Park at maximum capacity and maximum heart with five stages, hundreds of vendors, and more joy per square foot than anywhere else in the city that weekend.
At the heart of it all is the Stonewall Stage, the main event where legends and newcomers alike make their San Diego Pride debut. The Mundo Latino Stage brings Rock en Español, DJs, drag shows, and multicultural performers to the mix. The Movement Stage offers a full celebration of Black LGBTQIA+ arts, music, and culture through hip hop, urban contemporary, and local DJs, plus a Queer Locals Marketplace full of LGBTQ-owned small businesses selling handmade art, wellness goods, literature, community resources, and more.
For the people who came to actually dance, the Euphoria Stage delivers electronic music and groundbreaking talent. Prism For All is where art, libraries, and history collide, with workshops, performances, and a makerspace hosted by Art of Pride, the San Diego Public Library, and Lambda Archives. And the Youth Zone gives LGBTQIA+ young people their own dedicated area to meet, get creative, play, and find support.
Who is featured on the 2026 San Diego Pride Festival lineup?
The San Diego Pride Festival 2026 runs on the energy of over 2,000 volunteers every year. With more than 30 departments to choose from, whether you’re a people person, a behind-the-scenes organizer, or just someone who wants to do something good in a great outfit, there’s a spot with your name on it. Head to the San Diego Pride website to sign up.
When and where is the San Diego Pride Parade?
San Diego’s Pride Parade calls the parade “the region’s largest single-day civic event,” drawing more than 250,000 attendees annually. This year it takes place on Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and starts at University Avenue and Normal Street. Then it travels west on University Avenue, south on Sixth Avenue, and ends near Balboa Park/Quince Drive.
When and where is the San Diego Pride 5K and Walk?
The Pride 5K Run & Walk is one of the highlights of Pride Week, drawing as many as 1,700 runners and walkers from around the world and raising approximately $40,000 for charity partners San Diego Pride and The LGBT Center’s Youth Housing Project. This year it also takes place on July 18, just a bit earlier at 8 a.m., at the corner of Centre and University Ave in Hillcrest.
Of course, buying a ticket is a guaranteed good time, but it’s also funding something real. San Diego Pride is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and proceeds go toward supporting organizations that host community events, programs, and fundraisers advancing pride, equality, and respect for LGBTQ+ communities locally, nationally, and globally.
That includes virtual youth programming like Pride’s Youth Leadership Academy, which reaches more than 4,000 LGBTQ children and young adults, as well as coalitions like the QAPIMEDA Coalition, Black LGBTQ Coalition, and Latinx Coalition, and more than 30 LGBTQ programs and events throughout the year.
What items are prohibited at the San Diego Pride Festival?
The prohibited items list is lengthy (no balloons, no selfie sticks, no bubble-making devices, trust us they’ll make up for it elsewhere), but the big ones to keep in mind: clear bags only (max 12″x6″x12″), no outside food, no alcoholic beverages, no glass, no large umbrellas, and no knives or weapons of any kind. Leave the drone at home too. For the full list, head to sdpride.org/entry-policies.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
SeaWorld dazzles with a drone show, big-name entertainers, new animal adventures and more
By Partner Content
Nights are heating up at SeaWorld San Diego. The quintessential summertime staple on Mission Bay is transforming into a destination for unforgettable day-to-night adventures, bringing back some of its most popular Summer Nights programming and introducing exciting new experiences sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
The 2026 Summer Day to Night at SeaWorld San Diego is the park’s most ambitious season yet. SeaWorld has planned a highly anticipated entertainment lineup that features nine weeks of throwback concerts featuring R&B and hip‑hop favorites from the ‘90s and early 2000s, including Jordin Sparks, Too $hort and Warren G, Ashanti, and an array of boy band heartthrobs performing together as part of the Pop 2000 Tour.
New this season is perhaps the park’s most visible update: a nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, which illuminates the sky with hundreds of synchronized sparklers. Drones form sea otters, sharks, dolphins, and a majestic orca that tell a breathtaking 12-minute story of marine life and underwater ecosystems. The show culminates with a spectacular electric neon finale celebrating hope, wonder, and ocean stewardship.
Nighttime visitors are also in store for animal adventures that fuse education with high-energy fun and the dreamy ambiance of nighttime. The park has launched two all-new animal presentations: Shamu’s Celebration:Light Up the Night and Dolphins: Touch the Sky. Shamu’s Celebration:Light Up the Night features vibrant lighting, music, and dynamic choreography that celebrates the power and beauty of killer whales. Dolphins: Touch the Sky showcases playful bottlenose dolphins and the special connection between humans and the natural world. And back by popular demand is fan-favorite Sea Lions Tonite. See the charming pinnipeds splash, play, and parody pop culture in this refreshed crowd-pleaser.
More must-sees: a newly reimagined Shark Encounter, one of the country’s more immersive exhibits highlighting 11 different species up close, SeaWorld’s beloved BMX Blast! stunt show, and high-seas escapade, Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. And don’t miss the park’s all-new Deep Sea Disco, which encourages guests to dance the night away under the glow of the SkyTower, and vibrant closing time laser light display Laser Reef Summer Spectacular.
Amp up the nighttime vibe with local craft beers, curated cocktails, and nostalgic theme park treats with $1 beer all summer long. SeaWorld is the place for day to night summer fun. When the sun goes down, SeaWorld lights up, and inspires guests of all ages to embrace their inner whimsy and see why generations of San Diegans head to SeaWorld to make memories they’ll never forget.
