Fingers crossed for another sunny weekend, but, rain or shine, there’s plenty to fill it: Lovers of live music can attend performances by the Jonas Brothers, as well as international acts like María José, Astropical, and TXC. Local soccer fans can cheer on Alex Morgan as the San Diego Wave honors her with a celebratory jersey retirement following their game against the Houston Dash. And, if you’re searching for a brand-new experience, try your feet at grape-stomping at Menghini Winery or watch dogs wave-ride on the shores of Del Mar. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this weekend:
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Julian Grape Stomp Festa
September 6
Step right up for some good old-fashioned grape stomping during the 48th annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Menghini Winery. Partake in the traditional winemaking process; sip drink samples from San Diego County wineries; and enjoy food, shopping, and live music. Adult admission is $25 ($35 with shaded seating) and comes with a giveaway wine glass and one tasting, while entry is $8 for underaged visitors ages 6 to 20; additional tastings start at $1, and full pours and bottles will also be available for purchase.
1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian
Cabrillo Under the Stars
September 6
Cabrillo National Monument’s annual fundraising soiree offers a chance for visitors to take in sweeping coastal sights at the southern tip of Point Loma. This Saturday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., guests at Cabrillo Under the Stars will enjoy bites; beverage vendors; live acoustic performances; photo ops; insights from park staff; and if clear skies win out, some scenic stargazing. Ticket options include general admission ($150) and reserved seating ($450), which comes with exclusive samplings; ticket sales and donations will support the park’s ongoing programs, restoration, and preservation.
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
María José at The Magnolia
September 4
Groove to the Latin pop tunes of María José this Thursday at 7 p.m. at The Magnolia. José, also known as La Josa from her days with the popular band Kabah, released her most recent project, the six-track EP Ahora o Nunca, in May. Tickets start at $64 for this concert.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
Astrotipcal at Gallagher Square
September 4
Latin supergroup Astropical, a quartet made up of members of South American bands Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana, appears at Gallagher Square this Thursday at 7 p.m. Vocalist Yendry will open the show with a mix of English and Spanish tracks. Tickets start at $49 for this performance.
899 J Street, Downtown
Jonas Brothers at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
September 4
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Jonas Brothers becoming a band (and the August 8 release of their new album, Greetings from Your Hometown) at their upcoming performance at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Pop rock group Boys Like Girls and the youngest Jonas, Franklin, will open. Tickets start at $32 for this concert, beginning Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Afrodiaspora Festival
September 6
Headlined by South African amapiano duo TXC, the Afrodiaspora Festival will celebrate the traditions of San Diego’s African and Afro-Carribean diaspora this Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. at Waterfront Park. The festival features a lineup of activities for all ages; a marketplace with art, craft, and fashion vendors; dynamic dance performances; and live music ranging from afrobeats to dancehall. Ticket options include general admission ($39) and VIP ($109), which comes with a special backstage bar and complimentary drink tickets.
1600 Pacific Highway, Embarcadero
Cardiff Greek Festival
September 6–7
Cardiff-by-the-Sea’s annual Greek Festival returns Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. There will be wine tastings; a kids’ zone; live music from The Olympians; folk dance lessons; and lots of traditional food, including sweets like baklava, karidopita, and ergolvaos with apricot. Single-day admission for Saturday and Sunday is $4, and children ages 12 and under don’t need a ticket for entry.
3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
LOVE LETTER | CARTA DE AMOR: RETNA at Madison Gallery
September 3–October 11
Graffiti-spraying street artist Retna brings his signature lettering, plus mixed-media pieces and massive installations, to Madison Gallery for LOVE LETTER | CARTA DE AMOR. The show will open with a free reception featuring the artist on September 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.; call 858-523-9155 or email [email protected] to RSVP.
320 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
Homegrown ArtBeat (HART) at Union Hall Gallery
September 6
Unleash your inner artist at Homegrown ArtBeat (HART), San Diego Art Directory’s interactive showcase of pottery making, live portrait painting, pop-up concerts, a street photography slideshow, and much more this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. General admission is $46 and can be purchased here.
2323 Broadway, Golden Hill
Oceanside Plein Air Festival
September 6–13
The Oceanside Museum of Art invites artists of all skill levels to capture the city’s beauty at its week-long Plein Air Festival, beginning this Saturday. Participants will have various chances to try their hand at al fresco art-making with group paint-out activities, scenic workshops led by featured artists, a quick paint challenge at Mission San Luis Rey, and community-building events with fellow artists. The festival will end with an awards celebration, an art sale, and the chance to have artwork selected for the museum’s plein air festival exhibition (opening September 13). Registration is $90 for members of OMA’s Artist Alliance, $115 for the general public, and free for students, with registration open through Friday.
Oceanside
Alfredo Castañeda: Beyond Surrealism at San Diego Museum of Art
September 6–March 1, 2026
Alfredo Castañeda: Beyond Surrealism is a career-spanning exhibition of 35 of the artist’s surreal paintings from private collections in North America and Spain. The San Diego Museum of Art show marks this country’s first museum retrospective of Castañeda’s paintings.
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
Inside the Design Center at Mingei International Museum
September 6–April 12, 2026
Mingei International Museum’s new exhibition Inside the Design Center gives visitors the chance to travel back in time and peer into the showroom of Ilse and Lloyd Ruocco’s Design Center, a bastion of midcentury modernism on Hillcrest’s Fifth Avenue from the 1950s to 1970s. Admire black-and-white photos of the Design Center and explore more than 30 original pieces from California designers, including several women-owned companies, originally chosen by Ilse for display.
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
“Desire, Calling” at Verbatim Books
September 6
Writers Keetje Kuipers (Lonely Women Make Great Lovers), Mac Crane (A Sharp Endless Need), Evelyn Gill, and Carly DeMento will explore desire in literature at a free community event at Verbatim Books. “Desire Calling,” hosted by Sara Z. Phelps and taking place Saturday from 7:30 to 10 p.m., will feature engaging poetry and prose readings and conclude with a dance party. For this event, Verbatim Books partners with TransFamily Support Services. Attendees are welcome to check out the org’s resources and donate to support transgender and nonbinary youth.
3793 30th Street, North Park
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular
September 6–November 2
SeaWorld’s family-friendly Spooktacular festivities kick off this weekend. Visitors can check out a range of new characters, live performances, meet-and-greets, costume parties, trick-or-treating, and a Dia de los Muertos celebration. Spooktacular is included with park admission and will run Saturdays and Sundays through November 2; kids (ages 3 to 9) can receive free single-day admission with a paid adult ticket now through the end of October.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon
September 7
The most doggone adorable surfers will lead a morning of canine cowabunga at Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 20th annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon this Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Del Mar Dog Beach. It’s free to watch the “Top Surf Dog” competition and enjoy music, a dog agility course, and more than 20 vendor booths. Dog owners can sign up their pups for a movie-themed costume contest ($20) or the freestyle surf competition ($60), with all proceeds supporting the Animal Center. RSVP for the event here.
3902 29th Street, Del Mar
San Diego Wave FC vs. Houston Dash at Snapdragon Stadium
September 7
After the Wave take on the Houston Dash this Sunday (5:30 p.m.), Alex Morgan will become the team’s first player to have their number retired when 13 enters the annals of history at Snapdragon Stadium. Fans can check out a Morgan-themed fan fest, shop limited-edition merch, watch the post-match jersey retirement ceremony, and much more. Plus, the first 10,000 people through the gates will receive a Morgan-esque pink headband. Tickets start at $30 for this match.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
