January 5
Taylor’s Version — A Swiftie Dance Party
This Friday, House of Blues San Diego will be spinning several of Taylor Swift’s greatest hits for their Swiftie Dance Party starting at 9 p.m. If there’s anything we’ve learned from the past year, it’s that there’s never a bad time to embrace your inner Swiftie, whether it’s in the crowd at The Eras Tour, in the theater watching her acclaimed concert film, or just shaking it off on the dance floor. Tickets for this 18+ event are $24 and selling fast. | 1055 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Paw Patrol Live!
This new interactive stage show inspired by the animated kids series Paw Patrol brings the on-screen team of pups to life as audience members get to help out the dogs during their heroic globe-trotting journey. Complete with visual effects, a musical score and plenty of family-friendly fun, Paw Patrol Live! will have five performances at the San Diego Civic Theatre this Friday, Jan. 5 through Sunday, Jan. 7.
General admission tickets are on sale ranging from $25 to $90, and VIP packages, which include premium seating and an exclusive photo op with Paw Patrol characters following the show, are also available. | 1100 3rd Avenue, Gaslamp
SoundON Festival of Modern Music
The 16th annual SoundON festival of modern music, from San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, has three nights of concerts in store, featuring a variety of local and international musicians performing contemporary chamber music. The series begins with a performance Friday night at the Athenaeum Art Center followed by Saturday night and Sunday afternoon shows at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room. Tickets can be purchased for individual concerts ($25 for members, $30 for nonmembers) or the entire festival ($70 for members, $85 for non-members). | 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
January 6
A Show of Contemporary Latin American Art and Inspiring Desertscapes
The Borrego Art Institute will be featuring a new Latin American art exhibit, with all work from or influenced by Latino culture. The exhibit features paintings, photography and mixed media in the main gallery. The show will close with work from Latino artists hailing from Baja California. In the North Gallery, there will be 20 original oil and acrylic paintings from Jose Luis Nunez that use light and shade to highlight the beauty of SoCal desert as part of “Inspiring Desertscapes.” The exhibition will have an opening reception featuring music from Mariachi Mixteco this Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and will be on display through January 28, with gallery hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. | 665 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs
San Diego Brew Fest
Try your fill of the city’s best beers at the 13th annual San Diego Brew Festival this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at NTC Park. Attendees can choose from more than 70 breweries, 200 beers on tap and 10 local food trucks, plus enjoy live music and lawn games. Ticket options include $50 general admission which comes with unlimited samples and $65 VIP admission which includes an extra hour of admission from noon to 1 p.m. with specialty beers on tap. | 2455 Cushing Road, Point Loma
San Diego State vs. UNLV Men’s Basketball
Riding high off of an emphatic 84-74 victory on the road against Gonzaga to close out 2023, SDSU is looking to start strong in Mountain West play with a pair of home games this week. Following their game against Fresno State on Wednesday night, the Aztecs will face off against Kalib Boone, Luis Rodriguez and the UNLV Rebels at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Viejas Arena. Watch out for big performances from two SDSU players: junior guard Reese Waters and senior forward Jaedon LeDee, both of whom have had incredible starts to the season, as they take on their conference rivals. Tickets for Saturday’s afternoon matchup are starting at $37 and can be purchased here. | 5500 Canyon Crest Drive, El Cajon
Masters of Illusion – Live!
Be prepared for a magical evening with the Masters of Illusion in a show packed with electrifying illusions, daring escapes and lively comedic moments this Saturday night at Harrah’s Resort. Bringing together several of the world’s most talented magicians, the group has performed shows all over the globe, and this Saturday, audiences can expect them to have plenty of tricks up their sleeve. Tickets can be purchased here. | 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center
Who’s Bad
Groove all night to the music of the King of Pop during Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience at The Magnolia this Saturday at 8 p.m. The Michael Jackson tribute band will cover decades worth of hits from the boyhood ballads of the Jackson 5 to the icon-making moments of “Thriller.” Tickets for this tribute show are starting at $41, and VIP Club access which comes with a private bar, spacious seating and complimentary popcorn is also available and can be purchased here. | 210 E Main Street, El Cajon
Artistic Resurgence: Artist Alliance at Ashton Gallery
The Oceanside Museum of Art’s Artist Alliance will showcase 46 artworks during their fifth annual exhibition at Ashton Gallery, with many of the works on display highlighting the uplifting theme of Artistic Resurgence. The contemporary, local artwork in Artistic Resurgence was selected by juror and curator Vallo Riberto, and will be on display through January 26. The exhibition will have an opening reception this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. | 4434 30th Street, North Park
January 6 & 7
San Diego Spring Home Show
For those looking to make home improvements big and small—whether you’re installing a new countertop or ushering in a complete makeover—the San Diego Spring Home Show will help answer any possible renovation questions. This Saturday and Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center, attendees can interact with home improvement pros and peruse several product exhibits to gather all the details they need before taking the next step in their home ownership journey. Admission is free with online registration, and $10 at the door. | 111 West Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
January 7
First Sunday Concert Series
Chase Morrin, San Diego raised musician and now professor at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, along with his Ize Trio, will kick off the Friends of the Encinitas Library’s First Sunday concert series from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday. Weaving jazz, classical and folkloric Middle Eastern music traditions to create an international sound, they excel in improvisation and creating a spontaneous yet thoughtful musical performance on stage. | 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas
