The best part of a three-day weekend? More time to make the most of the many things to do in San Diego, including a musical featuring all the hits of the 1970s, a film festival for little ones, and an SDSU Aztecs game, plus 12 more San Diego events. Happy Labor Day!
Food & Drink | Festivals & Concerts | Theater & Art | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Taste of East Village
August 28–29
At Taste of East Village this Wednesday and Thursday, food lovers can fulfill their hearts’ (and stomachs’) desires with a gastronomic odyssey through nearly three dozen eateries in the East Village. Check off every stop on your “Taste Passport” to enjoy items such as smoked brisket mac and cheese and wagyu meatballs, plus tequila, beer, and cold brew samples. Tickets are $45 per day and can be purchased here.
East Village
Summer Nights: Wine Tasting and the History of Wine
August 29
The San Diego Botanic Garden will conclude its annual Summer Nights series this Thursday with a crash course in wine history from SDBG sommelier Dane Kuta. An expert on Bordeaux and Champagne, Kuta will guide enthusiasts through wine’s evolution from the Middle Ages to 2024. This presentation in the Conservatory Amphitheater will include three wine tastings. This event is a $47 add-on that can be purchased alongside your entry ticket for the garden.
300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
Fierce and Kind Spirits Presents Bourbon & Blues, Session II
August 29
The Guild Hotel will host a night of Southern spirits and soul music at Bourbon and Blues this Thursday. The evening will begin with a happy hour at 7 p.m. featuring Fierce & Kind bourbon and cocktails from mixologist Stephan Ahearn, followed by a concert by Lady Dottie & The Diamonds at 8 p.m. Funds raised from tickets and drinks sold at the event will go to Happy Hour Heroes, which provides low-cost childcare for single moms in the service industry. General admission is $25, while VIP is $45 and comes with a welcome cocktail, souvenir glass, swag bag, and maybe even a band meet-and-greet.
500 West Broadway, Downtown
Lincoln High School Labor Day Brunch & Boil at Louisiana Purchase
September 2
Support the Lincoln High School football program this Labor Day while dining on a New Orleans–style brunch at Louisiana Purchase. The restaurant will host this community fundraiser from 12 to 3 p.m. on Monday to cap off the holiday weekend with live music, raffles, a medley of Cajun breakfast options, and, for an additional $44, a hearty crab boil. Partial proceeds from the Brunch & Boil will go towards the school’s football team. Reservations can be secured on OpenTable.
2305 University Avenue, North Park
Festivals & Concerts in San Diego This Weekend
Def Leppard, Journey, and Steve Miller Band at Petco Park
August 30
Def Leppard, Journey, and Steve Miller Band will turn back the clock this Friday night at Petco Park, playing hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” Tickets start at $105.80 for this concert.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Santana and Counting Crows at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 30
San Diegans will have a prime opportunity to see two members of rock n’ roll royalty this Friday: Santana and Counting Crows are coming to North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Resale tickets are still available on LiveNation, starting at $58.91 a pop.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
August 31
This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the 20th annual San Diego International Children’s Film Festival, the San Diego Central Library will present dozens of family-friendly screenings, including movies from young filmmakers, live-action and animation selections from UCLA students, and five all-time audience-favorite short films. Reserve your free spot here.
330 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Vista Vibes Mini Music Festival
August 31
Party to R&B, jazz, and hip-hop tunes at Local Roots as the Vista Vibes Mini Music Festival closes out the summertime with an afternoon of live music this Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. The festival will include a set from San Diego’s own We The Commas, DJs playing throwbacks all afternoon at the “Backyard Boogie,” and local food vendors like Frida’s Taqueria, Cookn Creole Soul Food, and Kona Ice. General admission is $25 and VIP is $45 with perks like priority seating and exclusive merch access. Children ages 12 and under receive free admission.
1430 Vantage Court, Vista
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Rachmaninoff and the Tsar
Through August 31
Jack-of-all-trades musical theater performer Hershey Felder is back with another onstage portrayal of an iconic classical music figure in Rachmaninoff and the Tsar. Felder wrote the book for the musical and will take the stage as Russian composer Sergei V. Rachmaninoff, who, in a near-death haze, recalls his musical triumphs and personal pitfalls, including an encounter with Tsar Nicholas II. There will be six performances of the production at the Balboa Theatre, with tickets available starting at $75.80.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
8-TRACK: The Sounds of the ’70s
Through September 15
New Village Arts’ production of 8-TRACK: The Sounds of the ’70s rolls through the decade’s greatest earworms in disco, folk, funk, and more. The cast of 8 TRACK will offer five performances this week on The Ray Charles Stage. General admission tickets are $60. A pair of pre-show karaoke nights this Friday and Saturday is free for show attendees and $10 for everyone else. NVA will also host an artist talkback following the Sunday matinee performance.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad
Best Laid Plans
Opens August 29
Premiering at Tenth Avenue Arts Center this Thursday, Robert Salerno’s Best Laid Plans stars This is Us actor Blake Stadnik and draws upon the real-life story of blind architect Chris Downey. The play follows a man’s creative breakthrough after he loses his sight. See Best Laid Plans Fridays through Sundays until September 22. General admission tickets are $35 for each performance.
930 10th Avenue, Downtown
Out of the Blue Opening Reception at Ashton Art Gallery
Opens August 31
The newest regional juried exhibition at the Ashton Art Gallery is all about one color: blue. Out of the Blue will showcase artwork from San Diego artists, selected by Katie Dolgov, the Oceanside Museum of Art’s Director of Exhibitions & Collections. This Saturday, the gallery will host a free reception from 4 to 7 p.m. with wine and light refreshments, celebrating the opening of Out of the Blue and local artist David Burakoff’s new solo show, both of which will be on display through September 27.
4434 30th Street, North Park
Charlene Mosley: Embrace Your Inner Wild
Opens September 1
Sparks Gallery hosts a new exhibition from San Diego–based oil and watercolor painter Charlene Mosley. Embrace Your Inner Wild will be on view this Sunday through the end of September. Anyone interested in attending the exhibition’s free opening reception this Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. can RSVP here.
530 6th Avenue, Gaslamp
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
SDSU Aztec Football vs. Texas A&M Commerce Football at Snapdragon Stadium
August 31
Get your tailgate plans in order—football season is back! The Aztecs will open their 2024 campaign on the home gridiron against Southland Conference squad Texas A&M Commerce this Saturday. Tickets start at $27.15.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
The Sandlot 30th Anniversary with the Cast
August 31
Thirty years on, you’re still killing me, Smalls! The Sandlot, one of cinema’s greatest tributes to America’s national pastime, will celebrate three decades with a special screening at The Magnolia featuring a handful of members from the cast. Tickets range from $30.50 to $154.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
