Bike over the Coronado Bridge, take yourself out to a ball game, and more by spending the upcoming weekend in San Diego enjoying these top things to do.
The Coast Starlight
When: August 20 – September 15, 2019
The Coast Starlight follows a young man who, one morning, boards the Coast Starlight, the long-distance train that runs from Los Angeles to Seattle. He’s got a secret that can land him in terrible trouble, and he has roughly one thousand miles to enlist the help of his fellow travelers – all of whom are reckoning with their own choices in search of a way forward. Keith Bunin’s new play is a smart, funny and compassionate story about our capacity for invention and re-invention when life goes off the rails.
San Diego Underground Film Festival
When: August 22-25, 2019
San Diego Underground Film Festival and the Tenth Avenue Arts Center are proud to present a diverse and inclusive lineup of experimental, documentary, animated, and narrative films which are complimented by nightly expanded cinema performances, installations, and live music.
Screen on the Green: Black Orpheus
When: August 22, 2019
The Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is brought vividly to life amidst the spectacle, color, and music of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival. Free-spirited trolley driver Orfeu falls for the lovely newcomer Eurydice on the eve of Carnival, but their joy is short-lived as they soon find themselves pursued both by Orfeu’s jealous fiancée and by the masked figure of Death.
> An Insider’s View on Things to do in August in Balboa Park
San Diego Padres vs. Boston Red Sox
When: August 23-25, 2019
Catch the San Diego Padres take on the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park! Game day events and promotions include: Friday – BeerFest, Theme Game: Star Wars Night; Saturday – Sky Blast; Sunday – KidsFest, Friar Family Days, Military Appreciation Day, Compadres Kids Sunday Signings, all-kid giveaway Kids Swingin’ Friar Book.
> Everything Happening for the Padres’ 50th Anniversary
Singin’ In The Rain
When: August 23, 2019
“What a glorious feeling, I’m happy again!” It’s been called the greatest musical ever filmed — now, dance your way to Bayside Summer Nights and experience the charm of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor on the big screen with the score played live by the San Diego Symphony conducted by Richard Kaufman.
San Diego Spirits Festival
When: August 24-25, 2019
Calling all whiskey & bourbon worshipers, tequila aficionados, gin guzzlers, rum radicals, vodka vixens and mixologists to indulge your senses and shake up your summer as you mix and mingle with thousands of people at the 11th annual San Diego Spirits Festival.
Orfila’s Annual Grape Stomp!
When: August 24, 2019
Every year Orfila hosts and annual grape stomp after harvest! Join us this year on August 24th for food, live music, and of course to stomp some grapes!
Fee Free Day at Cabrillo National Monument
When: August 25, 2019
On this date, the entrance fee is waived at Cabrillo National Monument. There are only a few days a year this occurs. In 2019, the fee free days include 1/21/2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 4/20/2019 First Day of National Park Week, 8/25/2019 Founders Day and National Park Service Anniversary, 9/28/2019 Public Lands Day, and 11/11/2019 Veterans Day. The fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.
Bike the Bay
When: August 25, 2019
Experience Bike the Bay, a scenic bayside ride, and also enjoy a rare opportunity to ride over the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge.
15th Annual LeucadiART Walk
When: August 25, 2019
Join us for LeucadiART Walk, a revival of the original 80’s art event in historic Leucadia with art, entertainment, a children’s art pavilion and more.
Summer Safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
When: Thru September 1, 2019
Go wild at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this summer! Summer Safari presented by Groupon brings later hours and more fun. On Saturdays and Sundays through September 1, you can stay until 7:00 PM for evening safari adventures. Walk among kangaroos and wallabies at the newest habitat, Walkbout Australia, and hear a didgeridoo played. Enjoy guitar music, roaming jugglers and magicians, summer food and drink specials, and more top things to do throughout the Park.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Concerts
When: Thru September 1, 2019
Enjoy live entertainment from some of your favorite country, pop, and classic rock artists. Concerts will be held in the Nautilus Amphitheater each Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 1, and is included with park admission.
Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
When: Thru September 2, 2019
Stay after dark and celebrate summer during Nighttime Zoo presented by One Medical. Enjoy live music, fun shows, animal encounters, food, and more top things to do in the Zoo!
SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean
When: Thru September 2, 2019
Surf beyond your expectations as the sea comes alive at night and dive into Electric Ocean, SeaWorld’s fantastic summer nighttime celebration.
Del Mar Racing Season
When: Thru September 2, 2019
San Diego horse racing takes place where the “turf meets the surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack. Fans flock to the track each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, mid-July – early-September. Be part of the magic and nostalgia of this long-time horse race tradition dating back to 1937 when Bing Crosby greeted the first guests, and Seabiscuit won by a nose in the infamous race in 1938. This season features the nation’s top race horses, trainers and jockeys, and plenty of fun in the sun.
Summer in Balboa Park
When: Thru September 27, 2019
Summer is a time to relax, explore and enjoy – and there’s no better place to perfect the art of summer than in Balboa Park. From evening concerts to extended museum hours to food truck feasts to gardens and picnics and more top things to do, Balboa Park is the destination for summer fun – all day and into the night.
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Justin Hayward ft. Mike Dawes at Belly Up – August 20, 2019
- Davin Alvin & Jimmie dale Gilmore at Belly Up – August 21, 2019
- JRDN Summer Wine Series – Neyers Winery from Napa – August 21, 2019
- Live Music: Patrick “Bluefrog” Ellis at House of Blues – August 21, 2019
- Orny Adams at The American Comedy Company – August 22-24, 2019
- “Ocean Beach Pier” Painting Event – August 22, 2019
- Comedy Night at Club M – August 22, 2019
- Live Music: Jerry “Hotrod” Demink – August 22, 2019
- Miles Davis: Miles Ahead +19 with the San Diego Symphony – August 22, 2019
- Sunset Poolside Jazz Series with Irving Flores at The Wesgate Hotel – August 22, 2019
- Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve Night Fishing – August 22, 2019
- San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival – August 23-25, 2019
- Scholarshare 592 Toddler Time: Sights, Sounds – August 23, 2019
- Postsecret Live with Frank Warren – August 23, 2019
- BACC Lecture: Restoring a Masterpiece – August 23, 2019
- San Diego Architectural Foundation VIP Wine Tour – August 23, 2019
- Live Music: The Moneymen at House of Blues – August 23, 2019
- Metalachi at Belly Up – August 23, 2019
- The Avett Brothers at San Diego Civic Theatre – August 23, 2019
- Accessibility Mornings at The New Children’s Museum – August 24, 2019
- Way of Wellbeing at Fairmont Grand Del Mar – August 24, 2019
- Princess Tea Party – August 24, 2019
- Pilot Talk: Flying the F/A-18 “Hornet” – August 24, 2019
- August Baja Mexcal Tour at Tahona Bar – August 24, 2019
- Plant Nite: Under the Sea Slope Bowl – August 24, 2019
- Chaka Kahn with Special Guest Macy Gray – August 24, 2019
- Super Diamond with Mockery at Belly Up – August 24, 2019
- Live Music: The Stilettos at House of Blues – August 25, 2019
- Sunday Sessions at Club M – August 25, 2019
- The O’Jays plus the Commodores – August 25, 2019
Long Term Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Cajon Classic Cruise – Thru October 30, 2019
- Educational Wine Classes with Orfila – Thru September 23, 2019
- Romeo and Juliet at The Old Globe – Thru September 15, 2019
- Legendary Drag Queens of San Diego – Thru September 8, 2019
- Summertime Sailor Days – Thru September 2, 2019
- Coronado Summer Concert Series – Thru September 1, 2019
- All Shook Up at San Diego Musical Theatre – Thru September 1, 2019
- Wonderspaces San Diego – Thru September 1, 2019
- Sesame Street Party Parade at SeaWorld San Diego – Thru September 1, 2019
- International Summer Organ Festival – Thru August 31, 2019
- Sunset Luau on the Bay – Thru August 31, 2019
- Borrowing from the Past, An Art Exhibition – Thru August 31, 2019
- Hops on the Harbor with Ballast Point – Thru August 31, 2019
- Movie Nights at Jim Watkins Amphitheater – Thru August 30, 2019
- Flicks on the Bricks at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library – Thru Aug 29, 2019
- California Dreaming Beach Party – Thru August 29, 2019
- Twilight in the Park Summer Concerts – Thru August 29, 2019
- Rock of Ages at Cygnet Theatre – Thru August 25, 2019
- Tenderly at North Coast Repertory Theatre – Thru August 25, 2019
- The Underpants at The Old Globe – Thru August 25, 2019
- Little Italy Summer Film Festival – Thru August 24, 2019
- La Jolla Music Summerfest – Thru August 23, 2019
- Santee Summer Concert Series – Thru August 22, 2019
- Del Mar Summer Twilight Concerts – Thru August 20, 2019
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
