Art and theater fans—you’re in luck this weekend. This roundup of events in San Diego includes five exhibitions and plays to explore. Once you’ve fed your soul, satisfy your belly with a Taco Utopia at Waterfront Park. Still looking for something to do? Check out these 13 things to do in San Diego this weekend.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theatre & Art | Other Leisure Activities
Food and drink events in San Diego this weekend
Tiki Takeover: Cutwater Rum Cocktail Course
15 and 24 August
In August, Cutwater’s tasting room will host a Tiki Takeover. Festivities include a mojito-making class this Thursday and a beach party on Sunday, August 24, with live music, cocktail tastings, photo ops and more. Although the cocktail class is officially sold out, it’s not too late to get tickets to the ocean-themed party. General admission is $20, while VIP admission is $45 and includes a complimentary cocktail and a glass of Cutwater’s barrel-aged Bali Hai rum.
9750 Distribution Avenue, Miramar
Lemon Festival in Chula Vista
17.August
The 27th annual Lemon Festival in downtown Chula Vista on Third Avenue features the famous lemon cook-off, live music, photo ops, arts, crafts and shopping. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., several local vendors will be offering a variety of dishes (with and without lemons). Lemon lovers will delight in the desserts, which include Dole Whip and lemon slushies.
353 Third Avenue, Chula Vista
SoCal Taco Fest 2024 at Waterfront Park
17.August
From noon to 10 p.m., SoCal Taco Fest attendees can eat tacos, try lucha libre wrestling, belt out karaoke-style ballads, cheer on Chihuahua races, listen to live music from Vanilla Ice and Smash Mouth, and sample community recipes at the Guac Off in Waterfront Park. Ticket options include general admission tickets for $49 and VIP passes for $175, which include four drink vouchers, five taco vouchers, access to a VIP bar and deluxe stage areas, and complimentary chips, salsa, and desserts.
1600 Pacific Highway, Embarcadero
Sea & Sky Sunday Jazz Brunch
18.August
Located on the 11th floor of the La Jolla hotel, Sea & Sky hosts a new weekly jazz brunch every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Stop by and enjoy acoustic music by Solar Barges and breakfast classics like omelets, apple pancakes and steak and eggs. To schedule a brunch reservation at Sea & Sky, visit OpenTable.
7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla
Concerts and festivals in San Diego this weekend
John Legend: A night of songs and stories with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
15.August
John Legend brings his delicious tunes to the Rady Shell this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. With support from conductor Anthony Parnther and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the R&B legend will perform timeless hits like “All of Me,” “Ordinary People” and “Save Room.” Tickets range from $99 to $284.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Theater and art exhibitions in San Diego this weekend
Velour: A drag spectacle at the La Jolla Playhouse
Until 15 September
La Jolla Playhouse’s newest stage production features the larger-than-life stage presence of drag queen Sasha Velour, directed by Moisés Kaufman. Velour: A drag spectacle explores Velour’s origin story and her stratospheric rise as a performer on RuPaul’s Drag Race with captivating images, music and animations. Due to popular demand, the show has been extended until September 15th. Tickets for Velour: A drag spectacle can be purchased here.
2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Cleopatra at the Moxie Theatre
Opened on August 16
Actress and playwright Joy Yvonne Jones puts Cleopatra in the spotlight in this one-woman show at the Moxie Theatre. Jones revisits Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra but focuses much more on Cleopatra’s life, ambitions and significance as the last female pharaoh of ancient Egypt. This ambitious production, directed by Andréa Agosto, opens this Friday and runs through September 11. Ticket options include standard tickets and more flexible seating with a “Choose Your Price” option.
6663 El Cajon Boulevard, El Cajon
Exit, pursued by a bear at the Coronado Playhouse
Opened on 16 August
Starting this Friday, Kira Blaskovich will direct Lauren Gunderson’s Exit, pursued by a bear at the Coronado Playhouse. Inspired by A winter fairytaleThe main character Nan hatches a plan to force her abusive husband to confront his behavior before serving him as dinner for a bear. See exit until September 8. Tickets for the four performances this weekend can be purchased here.
1835 Strand Way, Coronado
Transformative currents at the Oceanside Museum of Art
Opened on August 17
The Oceanside Museum of Art Transformative currents commissioned 21 artists to address the pollution and destruction of the Pacific Ocean to inspire lasting positive change. Part one of the group exhibition opens on Saturday, with part two following on September 7. It will be on view until January 19, 2025.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
Melissa Walters: Plexus and Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez-Delgado: Futuros Itinerantes – The Travelers at ICA North
Opened on August 18
The Institute of Contemporary Art North presents two new science-focused exhibitions this Sunday. Melissa Walter’s project explores the complicated role of DNA in the criminal justice system, while Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez-Delgado designs speculative technologies for a changing world. Join the museum’s free “C You Saturday!” event this Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to participate in a hands-on art activity, purchase donated ceramic pieces, and preview the works with artist-led tours.
1550 South El Camino Real, Encinitas
More fun things to do in San Diego this weekend
Films about the stones: Dr. Strangelove
15.August
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library continues its outdoor film series this Thursday at 8 p.m. with a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War-era classic. Dr. StrangeloveReleased in 1963 amid heated discussions about a possible nuclear war, the film is a satire that focuses on the absurdities of war. Tickets for this screening are $20 for Athenaeum members and $25 for non-members.
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
Haute with Heart Fashion Show at Hilton San Diego Bayfront
17.August
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) will host its annual fundraiser. The “Couture”-themed event will include music, shopping, silent and live auctions, champagne by the glass, an elegant luncheon, performances by SMSC students, and a chic fashion show by Kristi Brooks. Proceeds from this event will benefit the center’s creative education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tickets are $200 for general admission and $300 for VIP, which includes perks like complimentary wine, front row seats at the fashion show, and deluxe valet parking.
1 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Berry Good Food Foundation’s Seeds for the Future fundraiser at Julep
18.August
The Berry Good Foundation is raising money for San Diego school gardens at the organization’s annual fundraising gala at Julep this Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees can mingle with local chefs, artists and vendors while enjoying snacks and cocktails. Guests can also bid on various auction items, such as restaurant visits, spa days, hotel stays and vacations to Baja wine country. Tickets to the party are available for $200.
1735 Hancock Street, Mission Hills
