13 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: July 25–28

More than 100,000 pop culture fans will descend upon the convention center this week, but trying your hand at cosplay and attending celeb-stacked panels aren’t the only things to do in San Diego. The Ramona County Fair brings fried food and fun rides to the county, while triathlon competitors will run, bike, and swim in Solana Beach. Read on for 10 more exciting San Diego events. 

Food & Drink | Festivals & Art | Concerts & Theater | More Fun Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Sip of Julian

July 27 

Julian will showcase regional craft beer, wine, and hard cider at the seventh annual Sip of Julian. After checking in at Julian Town Hall, take a self-guided tour of Julian’s local tasting rooms from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll enjoy drink samples and small bites and receive a free Julian wine bag and wine glass. Tickets are $35 ($15 if you’re serving as designated driver). For an extra $25, you can hitch a ride from stop to stop on the event shuttle. 

2129 Main Street, Julian

Whiskies of the World San Diego

July 27

This Saturday, the Bahia Resort Hotel will become a 21-plus whiskey wonderland for one night only, offering tastings of more than 200 whiskeys from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Both big brand and small-batch distillers will serve up scotch, single malts, bourbons, and more. The event will also feature seminars, live entertainment, expert tastings, and light bites and cigars to pair with your drinks. General admission tickets are $125, while VIP tickets are $175 and come with an additional 45 minutes of tasting with exclusive pours from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

998 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay

Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

Two Rooms Gallery & Quint Galleries Opening Receptions

July 26 & 27

This weekend marks the opening of two fresh art exhibits in La Jolla. Over in Bird Rock, the visually stunning mixed-media exhibition Slow Dance: Max Lofano and Joshua Moreno will open this Friday at Two Rooms Gallery with a free reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be on display through August 30. Just a few blocks from La Jolla Cove at Quint Gallery, Nancy Blum’s Gathered is currently on display through August 31. The showcase of colored pencil and graphite drawings will have a free opening reception this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Two Rooms: 5560 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla | Quint Gallery: 7722 Girard Avenue, La Jolla

Civita Park Summer Band Festival

July 27

Cart chairs, umbrellas, and picnic lunches to Civita Park’s Band Shell for a free day of music courtesy the Civita Summer Band Festival. A different community band will take the stage each hour from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival will close with a performance from the US Navy Southwest Band. The event will also coincide with the Mission Valley Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

7960 Civita Boulevard, Mission Valley

Concerts & Theater in San Diego This Weekend

Hello, Dolly! from Patio Playhouse Community Theater

Opens July 26

The Patio Playhouse Community Theater production of Hello, Dolly! runs through August 10 at the Kit Carson Amphitheater. In early-20th-century New York City, matchmaker Dolly Levi schemes to find a partner for herself, leading to a comedic clash of social classes. Directed by Geoffrey A. Cox, the production will feature live orchestration from the 14-piece Coastal Communities Concert Band. Performances of Hello Dolly! will be held Thursdays through Sundays (except Aug. 4) at 8 p.m.; tickets are $25 for adults and $18 for kids ages 16 and under. 

100 Amphitheater Drive, Escondido

La Jolla Music Society SummerFest Concert Series

Begins July 26 

The La Jolla Music Society has a month-long festival of chamber music concerts in store at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center through August 24. Friday’s opening night performance is already sold out, but SummerFest’s first weekend also includes performances titled “Danse Macabre” (Saturday) and “Passions and Storms” (Sunday). Both concerts are at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall.

7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla

Sonic Symphony at San Diego Civic Theatre

July 27

Sonic Symphony will produce a SEGA soundtrack for the ages this Saturday at the San Diego Civic Theatre. The live concert of orchestral, rock, EDM, and 8-bit tracks inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog’s many adventures will be a treat for gamers of all ages. Tickets for Sonic Symphony start at $91 and can be purchased here.

1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp

Derecho at La Jolla Playhouse

Through August 18 

Written by Noelle Viñas and directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, Derecho surrounds a thunderous emotional conflict between two sisters that mirrors the powerful storm raining down outside. This world premiere production is part of the La Jolla Playhouse’s DNA New Work Series. Tickets for Derecho range from $29 to $59 and can be purchased here. 

2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla

More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend

San Diego Comic-Con

July 25–28

The mecca for superhero fanatics and pop culture partisans returns to the San Diego Convention Center this Thursday through Sunday. The weekend festivities include trailer premieres, entertainment panels, costume contests, and short film screenings. Attendees can also peruse and purchase a wide-ranging selection of memorabilia, action figures, comic books, and autographed items. Badges for Comic-Con are sold out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the fun with a variety of pop-up festivities happening citywide. 

111 West Harbor Drive, Downtown

Moana Screening at North City 

July 26

North City screens Moana this Friday as part of its Summer Movie Night series. In this uplifting, family-friendly adventure story, the title character teams up with a mischievous demigod and sets forth on a brave oceanic expedition. There will be games, activities, and character meet-and-greets before the screening begins at 6:30 p.m. (Seating is limited, so arrive early!) Attendees can bring low chairs and blankets for a snug screening experience. There will be complimentary popcorn for all, while grown-ups can purchase beer, wine, and cocktails from Draft Republic. 

The City Drive South, San Marcos

Ramona County Fair

July 26–28

From 4 to 10 p.m. this Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, the Ramona County Fair will feature fried food, craft vendors, barrel racing, carnival games, and amusement rides. The entertainment lineup includes western shows, medieval demonstrations, and several live music performers concluding with “Banda Night” on Sunday—a big-band display of música Mexicana. 

421 Aqua Lane, Ramona

Layover Summer Soiree at InterContinental San Diego 

July 27

This Saturday, InterContinental will host a free outdoor market with pop-ups from a handful of local brands from 1 to 4 p.m. and tunes from Alific Music, featuring former Stick Figure bassist Brendan Dane, from 3 to 6 p.m. Attendees will hang at Layover, the hotel’s fourth-floor pool bar; shop brands like Local Beach, VOLO Beauty, and LoveShackFancy; and get inked with flash tattoos from @twin.suns. Partial proceeds from Bayside Blushin’ and LoveShackFancy purchases will benefit the nonprofit My Girlfriend’s Closet; new and lightly worn clothing donations will also be accepted at the event. 

901 Bayfront Court, Embarcadero

Solana Beach Triathlon

July 28

Just in time for the Summer Olympics, San Diego’s endurance athletes can race for growth or glory at the Solana Beach Triathlon. Competitors can skip out on swimming or biking by choosing to sign up for a duathlon, aquabike, or 5K, or they can go for the ultimate trifecta. Over the course of this strenuous relay, racers will swim a quarter mile in the ocean by Fletcher Cove, then bike nine miles and run a 5K down the smooth and scenic Pacific Coast Highway. Anyone interested in signing up for one of Sunday’s racing events can register here.

111 South Sierra Avenue, Solana Beach