This weekend’s slate of events offers many simple pleasures: a night at the theater to see Cinderella; a nostalgic concert from Philly R&B crooners The Stylistics; and a death-defying monster truck marathon at Snapdragon Stadium. For those who are looking to make their mark in 2025, the San Diego Resolution Run offers a new year challenge, while a San Diego–themed trivia night proposes a test of local pride. Also worth exploring are the rhythms of the soundON Festival, the wrestling and roping of the San Diego Rodeo, and the glistening jewels of the Del Mar Gem Faire, plus many more things to do this weekend.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Brew Fest
January 11
Try a plethora of San Diego’s best brews from more than 70 local breweries at NTC Park at Liberty Station from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday. In addition to the beer samples, the 14th annual San Diego Brew Festival includes lawn games, cover band performances, and 10 local food trucks. General admission tickets are $62, while early admission tickets (which grant entry at noon and an hour of specialty pours) are $79.
2455 Cushing Road, Point Loma
Tajima Ramen Grand Opening
January 12
Over the years, Tajima and its fiery red emblem have popped up all over the border region, with locations from Convoy to Tijuana. This Sunday, the local ramen chain is celebrating its newest location in Crown Point with a festive grand opening event from 4 to 10 p.m. This party is free for all and will include a live DJ, card giveaways, Tajima merch, and big bowls of steaming hot ramen.
3782 Ingraham Street, Crown Point
San Diego Themed Trivia Night: Food Insecurity Fundraiser
January 12
How well do you know America’s Finest City? Test your San Diego knowledge at Mission Valley Evening Rotary’s trivia fundraiser at Novo Brazil Brewing, with the goal of funding 10,000 high-protein meals for the San Diego Food Bank. Participants can play as an individual or with a team of up to four people as they get tested on general trivia and San Diego–related questions. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and attendees should arrive at 3:30 p.m. Registration is $35 per person or $120 for team registration.
1640 Camino Del Rio, Mission Valley
soundON Festival
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
The Stylistics at Balboa Theatre
January 9
The Stylistics appear for one night only at the Balboa Theatre ahead of the February release of the band’s new album, Falling in Love With My Girl. The Stylistics are R&B royalty, thanks to songs such as “You Are Everything.” Tickets start at $46 for Thursday’s concert.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
soundON Festival at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
January 9–11
This year’s soundON Festival collaboration between San Diego New Music (SDNM) and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library arrives right in time for SDNM’s 30th anniversary. The compositions for the festival include a world-premiere work by Sidney Marquez Boquiren, and SDNM’s NOISE ensemble will reprise its first concert from 25 years ago. Individual concerts are $30 for nonmembers and $25 for members while the festival pass (for all three shows) is $85 for nonmembers and $70 for members.
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
Poway Winter Festival
January 10–11
Poway Community Park will transform into a snowy utopia this Friday (5 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday (3:30 to 8:30 p.m.) during the free Poway Winter Festival. Attendees can enjoy activities like synthetic skating, snow hill sledding, and snowman building, plus features like a photo booth, onsite food vendors, and pony rides. New features for this annual event include a magical light walk and a lifesized winter wonderland board game.
13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway
Del Mar Gem Faire
January 10–12
The annual Del Mar Gem Faire returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Importers and wholesalers will have a wide range of gemstones, minerals, and jewelry for purchase. Weekend passes for the Gem Faire are $7 and can only be purchased with cash at the door. Children ages 11 and under receive free admission.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
The Heart Sellers at North Coast Repertory Theatre
January 8–February 2
In this play, a friendship blossoms between two women adjusting to living in a new country during the early 1970s. The Heart Sellers, written by Lloyd Suh and directed by Kat Yen, will have its San Diego premiere at the North Coast Repertory Theatre. Tickets start at $54 for this production.
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Palomar Theatre
January 11-19
The Ovation Theatre is bringing a fairytale classic to the stage with a new production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. In this more modern adaptation, Ella not only charms Prince Topher and leaves behind her glass slipper at the ball but helps the royal prepare to lead his kingdom. There will be six performances of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella inside the Howard Brubeck Theatre at Palomar College, with shows this Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). Tickets are $38 plus fees and can be purchased here.
1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos
Wood: A Furniture Show at Escondido Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery
January 1–February 21
Admire finely crafted artworks, furniture, and sculptures made of wood at the 15th annual Wood: A Furniture Show at the Escondido Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery. There will be an opening reception for Wood: A Furniture Show this Saturday with the featured artists from 4 to 6 p.m. The free exhibition will be open to view from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through February 21.
262 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État at Digital Gym Cinema
January 10, 12 & 15
One of the year’s most intriguing documentary releases, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, is coming to Digital Gym Cinema for a trio of screenings, with the first this Friday at 3:45 p.m. Set during the height of the Cold War, director Johan Grimonprez’s film centers on the inadvertent alliance between jazz and spycraft, with a primary focus on the CIA’s involvement in the 1960 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Republic of the Congo. There will be showtimes on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and next Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.
1100 Market Street, East Village
San Diego Rodeo
January 10–12
Prepare for a buckin’ good time at Petco Park as courageous rodeo athletes compete for over $800,000 in prize money at the San Diego Rodeo. But the fun doesn’t stop in the ring—there’s a pre-rodeo Beerfest in Gallagher Square on Friday and Saturday, plus rodeo after-parties each night, featuring performances from Elle King, Ryan Bingham, and Colter Wall. Single-day rodeo tickets start at $35 (tickets for Saturday and three-day passes are sold out), while after-party tickets range from $56 to $8.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
San Diego Resolution Run 5K, 10K & Half-Marathon
January 11
Those who have already set their fitness goals for the new year can check some off right away by taking part in the San Diego Resolution Run, with 5K, 10K, and half-marathon options. The Resolution Run begins at Tecolote Shores South Park and takes racers through Mission Bay. After crossing the finish line, participants can check out a wellness village with health-friendly food and products. Registration for the 5K ($59), 10K ($69), and half-marathon ($115) can be completed here.
1292 East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Jimmy O. Yang at Civic Theatre
January 11
The diminutive but mighty Jimmy O. Yang embarks on his third stand-up comedy tour, the Big & Tall Tour, with a Saturday night show at the Civic Theatre. As an actor, Yang has had standout lead roles in the rom-com Love Hard and the action comedy series Interior Chinatown. Tickets start at $70 and can be purchased here.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown
Monster Jam at Snapdragon Stadium
January 11 & 12
This Saturday and Sunday, drivers will push the pedal to the metal in races, skill contests, and freestyle competitions to see who the most daring drivers are in Monster Jam. While the stunts are always the star of the show, a dozen competitors will also be fighting for a place in the Monster Jam World Finals, setting up a must-see showdown. The event starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday with pre-race Pit Party and Trackside Experience activities for hardcore fans. Tickets start at $49 for single-day tickets to Monster Jam.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
