The best part of a three-day weekend? More time to take advantage of the many things to do in San Diego, including a musical featuring all the hits of the 1970s, a film festival for the little ones and an SDSU Aztecs game, plus 12 other events in San Diego. Happy Labor Day!
Food & Drink | Festivals & Concerts | Theatre & Art | Other Leisure Activities
Food and drink events in San Diego this weekend
Taste of East Village
28 to 29 August
At Taste of East Village, foodies can satisfy their heart’s (and stomach’s) desires this Wednesday and Thursday with a gastronomic odyssey through nearly three dozen East Village restaurants. Check off each stop on your “Taste Passport” to enjoy dishes like smoked brisket, mac and cheese, and Wagyu meatballs, as well as tequila, beer, and cold brew samples. Tickets are $45 per day and can be purchased here.
East Village
Summer nights: wine tasting and the history of wine
29.08.
The San Diego Botanic Garden concludes its annual Summer Nights series this Thursday with a crash course in wine history from SDBG sommelier Dane Kuta. An expert in Bordeaux and Champagne, Kuta will guide lovers through the evolution of wine from the Middle Ages to 2024. This presentation in the Conservatory Amphitheater includes three wine tastings. This event is a $47 add-on that you can purchase with your garden admission ticket.
300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
Fierce and Kind Spirits presents Bourbon & Blues, Session II
29.08.
The Guild Hotel is hosting an evening of southern spirits and soul music this Thursday at Bourbon and Blues. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a happy hour featuring Fierce & Kind bourbon and cocktails from mixologist Stephan Ahearn, followed by a concert by Lady Dottie & The Diamonds at 8 p.m. Proceeds from tickets and drinks sold at the event will go to Happy Hour Heroes, which provides low-cost child care for single mothers in the service industry. General admission is $25, VIP admission is $45 and includes a welcome cocktail, souvenir glass, gift bag, and maybe even a meet-and-greet with the band.
500 West Broadway, Downtown
Labor Day Brunch and Cooking at Lincoln High School in Louisiana Purchase
2 September
Support Lincoln High School’s football program this Labor Day by enjoying a New Orleans-style brunch at Louisiana Purchase. The restaurant is hosting this community fundraiser from noon to 3 p.m. on Monday to cap off the holiday weekend with live music, raffles, a mix of Cajun breakfast options and, for an additional $44, a hearty crab dish. A portion of the proceeds from the Brunch & Boil will benefit the school’s football team. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.
2305 University Street, North Park
Festivals and concerts in San Diego this weekend
Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller Band at Petco Park
30.August
Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller Band turn back time this Friday night at Petco Park, performing hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” Tickets for this concert start at $105.80.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Santana and Counting Crows at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater
30.August
San Diegans have their best chance to see two members of rock’n’roll’s elite this Friday: Santana and Counting Crows come to the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Tickets are still available for resale at LiveNation, starting at $58.91 each.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
31.August
This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the San Diego Central Library will present dozens of family-friendly screenings at the 20th San Diego International Children’s Film Festival, including films from young filmmakers, live-action and animated films from UCLA students, and five popular short films. Reserve your free spot here.
330 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Vista Vibes mini music festival
31.August
Party to R&B, jazz and hip hop tunes at Local Roots as the Vista Vibes Mini Music Festival wraps up the summer with an afternoon of live music this Saturday from 2-7 p.m. The festival includes a set by San Diego’s We The Commas, DJs playing retro music all afternoon at “Backyard Boogie,” and local food vendors like Frida’s Taqueria, Cookn Creole Soul Food and Kona Ice. General admission is $25 and VIP access is $45 with perks like preferred seating and exclusive merch access. Children under 12 are free.
1430 Vantage Court, Vista
Theater and art exhibitions in San Diego this weekend
Rachmaninoff and the Tsar
Until 31 August
The all-rounder in musical theatre, Hershey Felder, is back with another stage portrayal of an iconic figure of classical music in Rachmaninoff and the Tsar. Felder wrote the book for the musical and will star as Russian composer Sergei V. Rachmaninoff, who, in a near-death state, recalls his musical triumphs and personal setbacks, including an encounter with Tsar Nicholas II. There will be six performances of the production at the Balboa Theatre, with tickets starting at $75.80.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
8-TRACK: The sounds of the 70s
Until 15 September
The production of New Village Arts 8-TRACK: The sounds of the 70s rolls through the decade’s biggest catchy tunes in disco, folk, funk and more. The cast of 8 TRACKS offers five performances this week on the Ray Charles Stage. General admission tickets are $60. Two pre-show karaoke nights this Friday and Saturday are free for showgoers and $10 for everyone else. NVA will also host an artist talk after the matinee performance on Sunday.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad
The best plans
Opened on August 29
Premiere at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center this Thursday: Robert Saernos The best plans Stars this is us Actor Blake Stadnik and takes up the true story of blind architect Chris Downey. The play is about a man’s creative breakthrough after he loses his sight. See The best plans Fridays through Sundays through September 22. General admission tickets are $35 for each performance.
930 10th Avenue, Downtown
Out of the blue Opening reception at the Ashton Art Gallery
Opened on August 31
The latest regional juried exhibition at Ashton Art Gallery is all about one color: blue. Out of the blue features artwork by San Diego artists selected by Katie Dolgov, Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Oceanside Museum of Art. This Saturday, the gallery will host a complimentary reception with wine and light refreshments from 4-7 p.m. to celebrate the opening of Out of the blue and the new solo exhibition by local artist David Burakoff. Both will be on view until September 27th.
4434 30th Street, North Park
Charlene Mosley: Embrace your inner wilderness
Opened on September 1st
Sparks Gallery presents a new exhibition by San Diego-based oil and watercolor painter Charlene Mosley. Embrace your inner wilderness will be on display this Sunday until the end of September. Anyone who would like to attend the free opening ceremony of the exhibition this Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. can register here.
530 6th Avenue, Gaslamp
More fun things to do in San Diego this weekend
SDSU Aztec Football vs. Texas A&M Commerce Football at Snapdragon Stadium
31.August
Get your tailgate plans ready—football season is back! The Aztecs will open their 2024 season this Saturday on home field against Southland Conference team Texas A&M Commerce. Tickets start at $27.15.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
The sandbank 30th anniversary with the cast
31.August
Thirty years later, you’re still killing me, Smalls! The sandbankone of cinema’s greatest tributes to America’s national sport, celebrates its third anniversary with a special screening at The Magnolia with some members of the cast in attendance. Tickets range from $30.50 to $154.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
