Entertainment & Events

This Weekend in San Diego 8/24-8/26

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As the weekend rolls around, the days get shorter, and the temperature starts to drop, some of us just are not ready to bid the summer season adieu. I guess it’s true that San Diegans celebrate summer all year long, and for good reason. This weekend is packed with outdoor activities and festivals for everyone. Festival lovers out there, you don’t want to miss these film, food, music, and cocktail festivals happening this weekend. Bikers of all levels, hop on your 2 wheeler and bike the bay – the only time the Coronado Bridge is open for cyclists and pedestrians. Head to an outdoor movie while the weather is still warm, or check out the Summer Secrets after party at the Museum of Man, in celebration of their Post-Secret Exhibit. Check out what else is going on this weekend in San Diego.

Friday, August 24

Food Truck Friday

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Kick off your summer weekends in style every Friday evening at Balboa Park’s hottest after-hours event from 4:00 -8:30 pm. Visitors of all ages can enjoy live entertainment and activities for kids while eating gourmet dishes from a rotating selection of more than a dozen popular food trucks parked on the Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway. Throughout the summer, Food Truck Fridays will present different musical performers or DJs each night in the Plaza de Panama.

San Diego’s Underground Film Festival

San Diego Underground Film Festival features a diverse and inclusive lineup of experimental, documentary, animated, and narrative films which are complemented by nightly expanded cinema performances, installations, and live music. This 4-day event is taking place at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center from Aug. 23-26. Get your tickets here starting at just $25.

Carlsbad Music Festival

Adventurous music invades the seaside village of Carlsbad for the nationally renown 15th Annual Carlsbad Music Festival all weekend long. The festival programming is an eclectic mix of creative music ranging from contemporary classical, to indie rock, to world music, to electronic. There will also be a beer garden, food trucks, and artisan market steps from the beach. There will be free admission to certain concerts including the outdoor Lawn Stage contained within the Beer Garden. Tickets start at $49 for a day pass. Get yours here.

Summer Secrets

Explore the secrets that connect us all at an immersive after-hours party inspired by the new PostSecret exhibit at the Museum of Man. You’ll take unexpected turns to discover rarely-seen parts of the Museum, explore San Diego’s underground art scene with a local artist, and uncover a speakeasy bar inspired by our city’s past. Summer Secrets Party is taking place from 7:00-9:00 pm. Get your tickets here.

Rooftop Cinema Club showing The Greatest Showman

Rooftop Cinema Club will be showing The Greatest Showman at 9:55 pm atop Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. With its stunning views of the city from every angle imaginable, Rooftop Cinema Club is revolutionizing the movie-going experience in its unique and one-of-a-kind setting underneath and among the stars. Open to adults 18-and-over. Ticket prices start at just $17 per person for a single deck-chair underneath the moon and the stars. Get your tickets here.

Sunset Luaus on Mission Bay

A San Diego summer tradition at the Catamaran Resort, the annual Sunset Luaus on Mission Bay is a festive celebration of Polynesian food, music, and dances perfect for family and friends without having to travel all the way to Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, or the Cook Islands. Enjoy a true luau experience that includes a lei, Mai Tai, all-you-can-eat buffet, and entertainment. Local luau specialist Pride of Polynesia provides the authentic island music and dance, featuring hula and fiery torch dancers. For pricing information and tickets, click here.

Saturday, August 25

Be Bright 5K

Starting at the Hilton Bayfront Park, run/walk your way along the scenic waterfront boardwalk to downtown favorites like Seaport Village and the San Diego Harbor. What’s better than a run in the sun? A run in the sun that supports local charities. Participate in the 5K and help raise awareness and support for the Be The Change Foundation’s family of charities. Race begins at 8:00 am. Register here.

10th San Diego Spirits Festival

Head to the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier for this 2-day cocktail extravaganza. The San Diego Spirits Festival promises to open your eyes to new and unique cocktails, introduce you to great liquor purveyors and talented mixologists. This two-day event on Saturday and Sunday is set to delight everyone’s palate and promises to be a feast for all of your senses, with a weekend of cocktails and lots of entertainment. Get your tickets here starting at just $55.

San Diego Beer & Music Festival 

The San Diego Beer & Music Festival is coming to Humphrey’s by the Bay headlined by Shwayze with support from Kira Kosarin and Skyler Lutes. Enjoy the beautiful sunset from Humphreys overlooking the San Diego bay as this event is an evening affair. Guests will enjoy unlimited samples of over 40 craft beers from local and regional breweries from 6:00 – 10:00 pm. This event is 21+ only. Get your tickets here starting at just $30.

Imperial Avenue Street Festival

The Imperial Avenue Street Festival blends art and soul in one of San Diego’s most historic and unique neighborhoods. The festival celebrates the rich history, arts, and culture of the Greater Logan Heights community. From its rich African-American roots to the strong Latino influence that exists today. The festival grooves to the sounds of live music from multiple stages. Browse the offerings of 4 blocks of local artists, crafts and enjoy gourmet food and beverages. Columbian to Cajun, paintings to pottery, old favorites, and new directions, the Imperial Avenue Street Festival is not to be missed. The Festival is held on Imperial Avenue between 28th & 30th and between “L” Street & Commercial Avenue.

Little Italy Summer Film Festival

San Diego locals can travel to Italy through a movie screen at the Little Italy Summer Film Festival, where Italian films with English subtitles show at 7:30 p.m. at the Amici Park Amphitheater. This Saturday will be the last showing of the season, so you don’t want to miss it. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to bring snacks, blankets. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the film starts at 8:00 p.m. The admittance fee for the festival is a $5 donation.

Sunday, August 26

Bike the Bay

Ride the bridge, Bike the Bay! Cruise around the San Diego Bay and enjoy your only opportunity to ride across the San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge. Proceeds from the Bike the Bay ride will benefit the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to making bicycling better in San Diego. This non-competitive community bike ride is for riders of all abilities and will take you on a scenic, and primarily flat ride, around the San Diego Bay via the Bayshore Bikeway. Not only will the scenic 25-mile route travel through all five of these very diverse communities but it will also allow riders their only opportunity of the year to ride over the beautiful Coronado Bay Bridge. All riders will return to San Diego for a post-ride festival with food, beverage, beer garden, and entertainment. Register here.

90s Themed Party

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Situated in Pacific Beach’s now bustling coastal neighborhood, Bub’s is coming up on its 20th anniversary this upcoming Sunday, a whopping age in restaurant years in a notoriously competitive industry. For their 20th anniversary, Bub’s at the Beach will be hosting a 90s themed party with special rollback prices and jams from 2 decades ago. Get ready to party like it’s 1998 all over again.

Phantom of the Opera

The hit musical is returning to San Diego as part of a brand new North American Tour. Hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before,” this production by Cameron Mackintosh features many exciting special effects, including the legendary chandelier, new scenic and lighting designs, new staging and choreography. 52 cast members and musicians will perform Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved story and thrilling score. This show will be playing until Sept. 2. Get your tickets here.

Wonderspaces

Wonderspaces returns to San Diego this summer with fifteen new works of extraordinary art after the 2017 debut drew over sixty-six thousand visitors. The new show, titled With Creative License, will be open on Friday from 12-10: 30 pm. Tickets for Wonderspaces are available on a monthly, space available basis and range from $14-$24. Get your tickets here.

Legally Blonde, The Musical

This fabulously fun award-winning musical, based on the adored movie, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal. Check it out at the New Village Arts Theater in Carlsbad. Get your tickets here.

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