This weekend in San Diego brings compelling art exhibitions, decadent dinners, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Though the holiday doesn’t officially arrive until Monday, partying will start Saturday with the San Diego Leprechaun Run, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival, and ShamROCK. Word to the wise: Do laundry now to have your green duds at hand for fun San Diego events all weekend long.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Whiskey by the Bay with Basil Hayden
March 14
Taste rare Basil Hayden 80 proof whiskey and bourbon at San Diego Mission Bay Resort’s Whiskey by the Bay pairing dinner, happening this Friday at 5 p.m. The evening will begin with a reception where guests can enjoy a welcome cocktail and live music. When patrons take their seats for dinner, they’ll be treated to four courses, each paired with limited release whiskeys from Basil Hayden. Dinner is $90 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
1775 East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Mainly Mozart’s Culinary Concerto
March 15
Feast on a flavorful symphony of gourmet eats at Mainly Mozart’s second annual Culinary Concerto. This Saturday at the picturesque Eve event space, 25 celebrity chefs and 25 winemakers will collaborate on four courses, led by chef Claudia Sandoval, the event’s culinary director. Man vs. Food host Casey Webb will emcee, and proceeds from the Culinary Concerto will support Mainly Mozart initiatives such as All-Star Orchestra Festival and musical education in Baja California. A seat at this event starts at $1,000; tickets can be purchased here.
975 Waterfront Place, Downtown
Pezzi Del Mio Cuore’s Community Grand Opening
March 16
Brothers Teodulo and Gaspar Mauricio, alongside Teodulo’s son Brayan Mauricio, have channeled three decades of experience into Pezzi Del Mio Cuore, or “Pieces of My Heart.” Point Loma’s new Italian eatery will host a free community grand opening with live music, complimentary appetizers, raffle prizes, and happy hour beverages this Sunday at 2 p.m.
3944 West Point Loma Boulevard, Point Loma
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Cherry Blossom Festival
March 13–16
The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum will offer a four-day flower viewing experience at its Cherry Blossom Festival. Reminiscent of the tradition of hanami in Japan, this cultural event is an invitation to walk through a radiant cherry blossom grove during the flower’s peak season. There will also be live music and dance performances, a community art exhibit, sake tastings, and dozens of food and merchandise vendors. Single-day admission can be purchased for $18 or for $20 in-person once the festival begins, with VIP tickets on sale for $25 per day.
2215 Pan American Road East, Balboa Park
San Diego Storytelling Festival
March 15
The San Diego Storytelling Festival returns this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Coronado Public Library. This free annual event from the Storytellers of San Diego will feature various presentations, including a women and the military panel and a session focused on veterans’ stories. The all-day programming will consist of workshops, concerts, and open mic sessions, all intended to inspire and foster storytellers of all ages.
640 Orange Avenue, Coronado
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival
March 15
Immerse yourself in Irish culture at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival, taking place on the Sixth Avenue side of Balboa Park. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. on Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street. Back at the park, the festival will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature several craft, vending, and food booths, plus Irish music and dance performances on two entertainment stages. Parade spectating is free, while festival entry is $10 per adult (21 and up) plus fees.
Sixth Avenue & Laurel Street, Balboa Park
shamROCK
March 15
Learn traditional Irish dancing, munch on corned beef, and down pints of green beer at the Gaslamp Quarter’s St. Paddy’s Day music festival, ShamROCK. This Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m., enjoy games, drink specials, and musical performances. The day’s live entertainment will be separated across three stages: Pint (Irish and Celtic rock), Rainbow (tribute bands and DJs), and Shenanigan (the name speaks for itself). General admission is $55 ($63 the day of) with multiple premium ticket options available; all proceeds will go to the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation.
5th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Joy Oladokun at The Observatory North Park
March 16
Dive into folk pop tunes from former Hozier opening act Joy Oladokun’s moving albums, including her latest release, 2024’s Observations From A Crowded Room. She stops by San Diego this Sunday evening at the Observatory North Park. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.
2891 University Avenue, North Park
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
american minimal at San Diego Museum of Art
Through June 1
Minimalism as an art movement is focused on creating something wholly abstract—it’s best described through the immortal words of Frank Stella as “what you see is what you see.” The San Diego Museum of Art’s american minimal exhibition commemorates the influential giants of the minimalist movement, such as Stella (with his major piece Flin Flon VIII included), James Hyde, and Louise Nevelson, and includes many works that have never been on public display.
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
Alice By Heart at Proscenium Theater
March 14–21
Set in an underground tube station during the World War II bombing of London, the musical Alice By Heart follows a teenage girl who, inspired by her love for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, tries to recite the story from memory to her ill friend and soon finds herself living through the fantasy tale. There will be performances of Alice By Heart Friday and Saturday (both at 7 p.m.) followed by four shows next weekend at the Proscenium Theater at Canyon Crest Academy. Tickets are $18.
5951 Village Center Loop Drive, Carmel Valley
Borrego Springs Circle of Art
March 15–16
Borrego Springs’ free fine art festival at Christmas Circle Park, the annual Circle of Art, returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with all proceeds benefiting the Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs. The Circle of Art serves as a showcase for approximately 70 artists across artistic mediums, with paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry and more on display and for sale.
600 Christmas Circle Drive, Borrego Springs
Dave Kinsey: Ostentatious Oasis at Oolong Gallery
March 15–April 15
Ostentatious Oasis, Dave Kinsey’s new solo exhibition at Oolong Gallery, is part of the artist’s ongoing Existential Synthesis series inspired by a 2022 trip to Florence. He incorporates Renaissance-style sculpture and surrealist themes to poke holes in humanity’s belief in its own invincibility on Earth. Visitors can explore Ostentatious Oasis and meet Kinsey at the show’s opening reception this Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
6030 La Flecha, Rancho Santa Fe
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction at Comic-Con Museum
March 15–March 14, 2026
Fans of the long-running British sci-fi series Doctor Who will have an entire year to check out the Comic-Con Museum’s new exhibition, Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction. Opening this Saturday, Worlds of Wonder invites visitors on a behind-the-scenes adventure of the Doctor Who universe with a collection of props, sets, and artifacts spread across eight interactive zones. Adult tickets for the exhibition can be purchased online for $30.
2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Liberty Public Market Ninth Anniversary Weekend
March 14–16
Liberty Public Market rings in its ninth birthday with a free three-day party, featuring live music, a scavenger hunt, and more. This Friday through Sunday, Liberty Station’s community marketplace will host a vinyl market from Mo Records, tastings with Bottlecraft and Mess Hall Bar, pet adoptions courtesy of Amazing Strays Rescue, and musical performances all weekend long. The market will have extended hours for the event, staying open til 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
2820 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma
San Diego Leprechaun 5K + 1K Kids Run
March 15
Athletes looking for a workout to kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend can jog five kilometers for the San Diego Leprechaun Run, while little leprechauns (ages 12 and under) are invited to take part in a one-miler. Following the race, all 21-plus runners will get a drink ticket redeemable at Mavericks and 710 Beach Club and an assortment of other discounts at neighborhood establishments. Registration is $59 for the 5K and $35 for the kids run.
912 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
San Diego FC vs. Columbus Crew at Snapdragon Stadium
March 15
Two weeks after Hirving “Chucky” Lozano’s hamstring injury and persistent homophobic chants put a damper on the team’s inaugural match at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego FC have another chance to clinch their first home win. Standing in their way will be Eastern Conference powerhouse the Columbus Crew. As SDFC continues to hone its press-heavy, possession-oriented approach, they’ll likely need a resilient midfield performance to control the game’s flow to their liking. Tickets for Saturday’s match start at $59.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
