17 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 17-20 October

Celebrate the best part of the week with 17 exciting things to do in San Diego, from a range of wild festivals to a Stranger Things–inspired musical and a gathering of zine makers and enthusiasts, as well as several other events in San Diego.

Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater and art exhibitions | More fun activities

Food and drink events in San Diego this weekend

Rancho BEERnardo Festival

October 19th

Although the name of this event is all about the beers, there will be much more than just draft beer at Rancho BEERnardo: Over 35 local breweries, wineries and distilleries can be visited this Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Webb Park . This 21+ event will include live music from Setting Sons and Par Avion, and food from Mama V's Lumpia, Tony's Pepperoni Pizzeria and Duffs Doggz. General admission ($65) includes unlimited two-ounce pours, while VIP admission ($90) includes early entry at 1 p.m., an exclusive lounge, preferred parking and free food. Tickets for Rancho BEERnardo can be purchased here.

11666 Avena Place, Rancho Bernardo

Santee Brews and Bites

October 19th

Find a good mix of neighborhood eateries, chain restaurants and local beverage makers at Santee's Brews and Bites fundraiser at Town Center Community Park East this Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fast Times will provide the 80s-inspired soundtrack for the evening. Participants can also place their bids in the silent auction and try their luck in the raffle to win weekend getaways, free yoga classes, at-home wine tastings and more. Tickets, including general admission tickets ($59.78), can be purchased on Eventbrite.

550 Park Center Drive, Santee

San Diego Spirits Festival

19-20 October

The Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting the 15th annual San Diego Spirits Festival this weekend. Enjoy unlimited sips from a selection of more than 65 spirits brands, serving bourbon, gin, mezcal and more (or cocktails and seltzer if you prefer). There will also be appetizers from local restaurants, a silent auction for the Center for Culinary Culture and plenty of live entertainment including belly dancers, DJs and a flamenco guitarist. Tickets are $75 for Saturday (2-6 p.m.) and $85 for Sunday (1-5 p.m.).

700 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Concerts and festivals in San Diego this weekend

San Diego International Film Festival

16–20 October

Watch the California premiere of Amy Adams' horror-comedy Night slutdelve into the works of female filmmakers in the Women's Film Series and enjoy a bite of movie magic with Culinary Cinema at the San Diego International Film Festival. Visitors can stop by industry parties, question-and-answer sessions and special events such as the glamorous Night of the Stars Tribute. Participating festival venues include the Museum of Photographic Arts, AMC 14 UTC and the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Explore the variety of ticket options here, from $20 single screening tickets to the exclusive $550 VIP pass.

La Jolla & Balboa Park

Charli XCX & Troye Sivan at Viejas Arena

October 18th

Over the course of Brat Summer, Charli But just because summer is over doesn't mean the moment is over; The party is still raging and fans will hear “Von Dutch,” “Mean Girls” and all the club classics at Viejas Arena on Friday night. Charli is joined by pop sensation Troye Sivan, whose music captures the “rush” of a night on the dance floor. Resale tickets for this concert start at $211.82 at Ticketmaster.

5500 Canyon Crest Drive, Rolando

bird population

October 19th

La Jolla Boulevard will be closed from Midway Street to Camino De La Costa as BirdStock, the Bird Rock neighborhood's free annual music festival, returns bigger than ever. Hear live music all day this Saturday from 10am to 8pm as local bands (including headliners Lioneer) take to the main stage. Plus, check out an arts and crafts market, a pop-up pickleball court, a children's entertainment stage, and several nearby stores where you can purchase discounted items. Proceeds from BirdStock benefit Bird Rock Elementary and future editions of the festival.

5509 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla

University Heights Fall Festival

October 19th

While supporting local artisans, makers and growers at the Birney Joint Use Field this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants in the free University Heights Fall Festival can pick a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, play field games and take part in a community yoga class , and enjoy plenty of live entertainment from mariachi groups, ballet folklorico troupes and tribute bands. Other paid activities include a horse-drawn carriage ride, a cake-baking contest and a make-your-own caramel apple station. Proceeds benefit Birney Elementary.

4324 Park Boulevard, University Heights

San Diego Zine Fest

19-20 October

Immerse yourself in San Diego's DIY zeitgeist at the 12th annual San Diego Zine Fest, where dozens of local artists will exhibit and sell their self-published writing, photography and artwork at Bread & Salt all weekend. Drinks from Mujeres Brewery and food from Murillos Menu and Flavor Lab will be available for purchase at this weekend's festival.

1955 Julian Avenue, Barrio Logan

Bella Vita Festival

19-20 October

At Bella Vita Fest, ArtWalk San Diego's two-day celebration of Little Italy, you can explore over 50 chalk paintings, listen to live music and learn recipes from local chefs cooking on stage Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Additionally, there are more than 20 neighborhood wine tastings, as well as Italian culinary favorites like cannoli, Neapolitan pizza, and cheese wheel pasta. Entry to the festival is free. Wine tasting tickets for five ($27.05) and 12 ($60.05) samples per day can be purchased here.

550 West Date Street, Little Italy

Escondido Grand Avenue Festival

October 20th

The Grand Avenue Festival features live entertainment, international culinary options and shopping at more than 400 retail, arts and crafts vendors this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Escondido's most popular fall festival also features rides for kids, four stages with live music, and a beer and wine garden.

Grand Avenue, Escondido

Theater and art exhibitions in San Diego this weekend

Stranger sings! The parody musical at the Brooks Theater

Until October 20th

Stranger sings! shoots the hair-raising adventures of Stranger Things in irresistible fun. The musical taps into the craziness of the '80s, with songs inspired by the show and a lot of love for nostalgia, geek culture and unlikely heroes. There will be four final performances at the Brooks Theater this weekend as the production wraps up its Southern California premiere. Tickets for Stranger sings! are available for $40.

217 North Coast Highway, Oceanside

Carlos Castro arias: The splinter in the eye at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

October 19th – 11th January 2025

The new exhibition of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library The splinter in the eye will feature 11 new paintings by La Mesa-based artist Carlos Castro Arias, as well as a selection of created objects, sculptures and natural elements that complement his insights on shared and solo identity. A free opening reception for the exhibition will take place this Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m

1008 Wall Street, La Jolla

Foster + Partners: Architecture made of light and space at the San Diego Museum of Art

October 19th – 27th April 2025

SDMA is new Foster + Partners The exhibition features the designs and models of architect Norman Foster, whose global architecture practice focuses on open space, daylight and sustainability. The show explores his nature-focused ethos in three sections: Working with History, Embracing the Environment, and Community and Culture.

1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

More fun things to do in San Diego this weekend

Halloween party in the haunted hangar

October 18th

The annual Haunted Hangar Halloween Bash at the USS Midway Museum features group and individual costume contests as well as a Michael Jackson-style flash mob thrillerand spooky cocktails and snacks this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Other highlights of this family-friendly event include Halloween bag decorating, face painting, trick-or-treat stations, music by DJ Danny and AirCombat flight simulator sessions ($5). General admission for this event is $25 and $20 for museum members.

910 North Harbor Drive, Embarcadero

San Diego Gulls home opener against Coachella Valley Firebirds at Pechanga Arena

October 18th

The San Diego Gulls are back on home ice at Pechanga Arena looking for their first win of the 2024-25 season when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Saturday's home opener. Players to watch for the Gulls this season include highly touted young prospect Nathan Gaucher and newly acquired veterans Roland McKeown and Ryan Carpenter. Fans in attendance at Saturday's game will receive a rally towel, fanny pack and light-up wristband. Tickets range from $37 to $182 at AXS.

3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway

Fear of the future

18–20 October

While most haunted attractions focus on the supernatural, Fright For Future finds horror in our everyday reality. While there will still be witches, mad scientists and ghouls, real-life inspirations for the haunted maze include polluted water, fast-paced episodes and cruel treatment of animals. For three days, adventure seekers ages 10 and up can come face-to-face with man-made horrors at the San Diego Made Factory. Reserve your free spot at Fright For Future on Eventbrite.

2031 Commercial Street, Logan Heights

The big birthday block party at Nat

October 19th

The Nat is celebrating 150 years of archaeological preservation with a big birthday block party this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the party, you can chat with scientists, participate in themed games and activities, view relics from the museum's past, enjoy cocktails at The Nat's rooftop bar, and more. Admission to the block party as well as to the museum and the halls of the new paleontology center is free.

1788 El Prado, Balboa Park