14 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend Dec. 31 – Jan. 5
Celebrate NYE with a glitzy party at the Hard Rock Hotel, get serenaded by a Michael Jackson at The Magnolia, and join the PAW Patrol at the Civic Theatre
Write the last chapter of your 2024 however you see fit, whether that’s with a dance-filled NYE bash, a cruise along Mission Bay, or a three-course seafood dinner. For those looking to start the year off on a high note, check out new art exhibitions gracing the walls of The Studio Door and Sparks Gallery or support your local sports teams in Rolando and Oceanside. As the calendar flips over to January, there are plenty of ways to kick off a fun 2025, beginning with many things to do in San Diego this weekend.
Bleu Bohème is capping off 2024 with an elegant three-course prix fixe dinner, offering patrons plenty of tasty special menu items to choose from. With seating from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the menu will feature seafood dishes like Mediterranean mussels bisque, sea scallops, mushroom and oyster ravioli and saffron lobster risotto. Dinner guests can also add-on the Clean Slate Martini, a $16 specialty cocktail with Kahlua, Armagnac, Frangelico, cream and Aztec chocolate bitters, to their meal. This dinner is $95 per person and can be reserved here.
Celebrate the start of the new year on the waters of Mission Bay aboard Bahia Resort Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Party Cruise. The night kicks off at 8 p.m. with a reception featuring appetizers and a Champagne bar. After boarding the vessel, enjoy a live band, DJ, cash bar, desserts, party favors and of course: a midnight Champagne toast to ring in 2025. General admission is $160 per person; reserve a VIP table for four ($800) and get exclusive seating plus a bottle of Moët.
998 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Glitz & Glam NYE Party at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
December 31
Dance ‘til the ball drops at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego during their annual Glitz & Glam NYE Party from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The party will cover three floors with several themed lounges and ballrooms—including a deep house music pop-up on the rooftop—with more than 15 DJs playing hip hop, house, and reggaeton, plus a snow globe photo activation and step-and-repeat photo experience. VIP options include exclusive bar access, bottle service, and an overnight room package. Most of the general admission options are sold out, but day-of tickets can be purchased for $137.
207 5th Avenue, Gaslamp
Courtesy of Spotify
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Black Flag at House of Blues San Diego
January 2
All these years after helping put West Coast punk music on the map, Black Flag are not only still going strong, but they’re still hardcore. Guitarist and songwriter Greg Ginn is the sole original member left in the group, but the band’s sound continues to persevere and rise above, connecting even deeper with their intensely dedicated fanbase. Tickets start at $38 for Thursday’s concert.
Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience at The Magnolia
January 4
Who’s Bad is the definitive tribute to the moonwalking, chart-topping man in the mirror, taking fans from Michael Jackson’s Motown days with the Jackson 5 through his reign as the King of Pop. During the concert, Jackson’s iconic songs and matching looks—like the single crystal-covered glove and the red leather “Beat It” jacket—are brought to life with great appreciation for the source material. Tickets start at $35 for this performance at The Magnolia.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
The Lao Tizer Band at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room
January 4
Keyboardist and bandleader Lao Tizer, along with his talented ensemble, will bring dreamy jazz songs to Lou Lou’s Jungle Room this Saturday night. As Tizer commands the keys, he’ll be joined by American Idol alumnus Elliot Yamin, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, bassist Anthony Crawford, drummer Gene Coye and sax & flute player Danny Janklow. Several of the featured performers in Saturday’s show collaborated on Tizer’s newest full-length release Amplify, released in August. General admission tickets are $25 plus fees and can be found here; doors at 6 p.m., and the concert starts at 8 p.m.
2225 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Courtesy of Sparks Gallery
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Poetic Dance: The Journey Of A Legendary Landscape Painting at Civic Theatre
December 31 & January 1
Audiences at the Civic Theatre Tuesday and Wednesday evening will be swept away to 12th century China to witness the creation of a famous painting in Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting. At only 18 years old, Wang Ximeng painted A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, inspired by the tranquil terrain of Southern China during the Song Dynasty. Set the night before its installation at the Palace Museum in Beijing, the China Oriental Performing Arts Group stages a dramatic dance behind the inspiration and making of the scroll painting. Tickets start at $107 for this immersive theater experience.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown
I Never Sang for My Father at PowPac
January 3-26
PowPac’s newest production, I Never Sang for My Father, will likely hit very close to home for anyone who’s felt forever at odds with a parent. The play centers around an icy father-son relationship that comes to a head when the family matriarch passes. As the son, Gene, is hoping to remarry and plot a new start in California, he looks to patch up his relationship with his dad when he takes responsibility for his care. General admission is $26 for this production.
13250 Poway Road. Poway
Alexander Arshansky – United Fantasy at Sparks Gallery
January 3 – March 2
See the beautifully intricate patterns of Alexander Arshanky’s biomorphic cubist paintings in United Fantasy, opening this Friday at Sparks Gallery. Arshanky takes elements from real life, whether it be piercing eyes, cat-like figures, or moonlit mountains to populate his detailed prints. A free opening reception featuring Arshansky will be held on Sunday, Jan. 19 to celebrate United Fantasy.
530 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp
PAW Patrol Live!: Heroes Unite at Civic Theatre
January 4-5
The stage adaptation of the enormously paw-pular children’s animated series PAW Patrolreturns to the Civic Theatre this weekend for four performances. PAW Patrol Live!pits the canine search and rescue team against familiar foe Mayor Humdinger in a brand-new journey, “Heroes Unite.” When Humdinger kidnaps and clones Robo Dog, the PAW Patrol music rescue their friend and restore peace in Adventure Bay. Tickets range from $56 general admission to $162 VIP orchestra seats for this family-friendly show.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown
Fresh Works 1 at The Studio Door
January 4 – February 1
The Studio Door’s first exhibition of the calendar year, Fresh Works 1, will feature over 30 local artists and provide a visual perspective of the region’s artistic zeal. Fresh Works 1 is a chance for art lovers to get familiar with the area’s emerging artists through a varied and imaginative showcase. An opening reception for the exhibition will take place Jan. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the gallery.
3867 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest
Courtesy of San Diego State Aztecs
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Shuler King at Mic Drop Comedy
January 3 & 4
Comedian Shuler King definitely knows how to knock ‘em dead on stage, but he also knows how to arrange their burial. The South Carolina-based embalmer, funeral director and stand-up comic will have three performances at Mic Drop Comedy (one Friday and two Saturday) this weekend. Despite the morbidness of his day job, King has no problem crafting relatable jokes with his strong sense of humor. Tickets start at $31 for each show.
8878 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Kearny Mesa
SDSU Aztecs Women’s Basketball vs. New Mexico Lobos at Viejas Arena
January 4
At 12-2 (going into the new year), SDSU women’s basketball will look to defend their home court against the New Mexico Lobos at Viejas Arena this Saturday, with tip-off at 1 p.m. Led by forward Adryana Quezada and sharpshooting freshman Naomi Panganiban, the Aztecs will have to limit Lobos guard Destinee Hooks, who’s averaging nearly 17 points per game this season. SDSU is looking to return to March Madness for the first time since 2012 and this Saturday’s game will mark an early test on their path to playoff contention. Tickets start at $7 for this Mountain West matchup.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, Rolando
Chihuahua Savage vs San Diego Sockers at Frontwave Arena
January 5
Starting with the 2024-25 campaign, the home pitch of the San Diego Sockers—Major Arena Soccer League’s most prolific franchise—has moved up the coast to Frontwave Arena. This Sunday, the team will look to extend their three-game winning streak in North County as they go up against the undefeated, first place Chihuahua Savage. Sockers forward Luiz Morales, currently tied for second in the league in goals, will look to continue his scorching form in his first season with the team. Tickets start at $18 as the Sockers celebrate Alumni Night at this Sunday’s match, beginning at 6 p.m.
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.
