15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: July 30–Aug. 4

We have to admit—it’s our humble opinion that the single best thing to do this weekend in San Diego is hang out with us at our annual Best of San Diego event, a food and drink extravaganza featuring unlimited tastes from more than 100 local vendors. But other activities abound: a five-day gathering for tiki fanatics, a rugby match to scratch your I-wish-I-was-in-Paris itch, and 12 more San Diego events.

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

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Tiki Oasis

July 31–August 4

Aloha shirt wearers, tiki glass collectors, and people who get home décor ideas from dining inside Islands restaurants will find paradise at Tiki Oasis, a tiki culture conference-slash-festival at the Town and Country Resort. The festivities include the free annual art show (Thursday–Sunday) and marketplace (Saturday–Sunday), as well as burlesque, pool parties, seminars, and mixologist-led cocktail instruction. Ticket options include packages for 3, 4, or 5 days, spanning from $180 to $699.

500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley

Culture & Cocktails: American Summer

August 1

Culture & Cocktails is back at the San Diego Museum of Art from 6 to 10 p.m. this Thursday. Guests ages 21 and up can dine on complimentary eats from local vendors, vibe to a seasonal party playlist from DJ Heabnasty, enjoy music and dance performances, play baseball arcade games, and take part in an art-making activity inspired by the featured exhibition Jasper Johns: Drawing & Prints. Attendees will also receive a themed cocktail from Cooperstown Distillery and Surf City Still Works, plus their pick of a beer from Ballast Point or an Angeleno Spritz from Ventura Spirits. Tickets for Culture & Cocktails 2024 are $70 for museum members and $85 for non-members. 

1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

Best of San Diego Party 2024

August 2

All (who are 21 or older) are invited to our annual Best of San Diego Party, celebrating the city’s standout tastes, tastemakers, activities, and adventures. Celebrate with San Diego Magazine and a number of the local eateries, businesses, and icons featured within the pages of our Best Restaurants and Best of San Diego issues at Legacy Plaza in Liberty Station from 6:30 to 9 p.m. this Friday. Tickets are $99 and change and come with unlimited bites and sips from over 100 local vendors, live entertainment, photo ops, and so much more. If not sold out, tickets will be available the day of at the door.

2640 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma

Taste of Imperial Avenue

August 2

Come hungry for tamales, mariscos, and more as you cruise down the culinary row of Logan Heights at the Taste of Imperial Avenue. The third iteration of the gastronomic event, taking place this Friday from 4 to 7:30 p.m., will feature food and drinks from over 20 of Imperial Avenue’s neighborhood businesses. Once you’ve eaten your fill, stop by Gilliam Community Space for a beer garden, live music from local artists, and games from 6 to 9 p.m. Tasting tickets are $30 for food only and $40 for food and beer. 

Between 19th Street & 31st Street on Imperial Avenue, Logan Heights

Uncorked Wine Festival

August 3

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will pop bottles—of wine—at the fifth annual Uncorked Wine Festival this Saturday. Don your most debonair attire to enjoy a VIP day at the Del Mar Racetrack while sipping on more than 100 types of wine, plus seltzers, mead, and cocktails. Proceeds from the festival, which will also feature live music, food trucks, and views from the Stretch Run, will benefit Urban Surf 4 Kids. Ticket options include $85 VIP passes, which come with early entry at 1 p.m., and $70 general admission tickets with entry from 2 to 5 p.m.

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

Farm to Bay 2024

August 3

Help raise funds for San Diego Bay’s coastal wildlife at Living Coast Discovery Center’s yearly fundraising dinner. This night of charitable good will include silent and live auctions; food and drinks from sustainable restaurants, breweries, and wineries; and up-close encounters with critters such as sea turtles, bald eagles, and bat rays. Tickets to Farm to Bay 2024 are $120 and can be purchased here. 

1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista

Festivals & Concerts in San Diego This Weekend

Niall Horan at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre 

July 30

Former One Direction member Niall Horan has established himself as a formidable popstar in his own right. Directioners can catch Horan on the western leg of his live tour featuring indie pop artist Del Water Gap at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Tickets start at $41 for tonight’s performance. 

2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista

Bazaar del Mundo’s Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market

August 2–4

Several Latin American artists specializing in folk art, clothing, and textiles will stop by San Diego for Bazaar del Mundo Shops’ annual Latin American Festival, which also serves as a mega showcase of Mata Ortiz–style pottery and includes Latin American folk music and dancing, live traditional art demonstrations, and food for purchase from Casa Guadalajara. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Pro tip: Old Town visitors can find free parking at the nearby Caltrans parking lot after 5 p.m. on Friday through the end of the weekend. 

4133 Taylor Street, Old Town

Heiva San Diego

August 2–4

San Diego’s biggest Tahitian celebration kicks off this Friday with the annual Mister & Miss Heiva San Diego pageant at 5:30 p.m. Taking place at the Jr. Seau Oceanside Pier Amphitheater, Heiva San Diego is a family-friendly celebration of culture and community with traditional food, music, dancing, arts, and more. Tickets start at $18 for a single-day pass and can be purchased here. 

301 The Strand North, Oceanside

Jhené Aiko at Pechanga Arena 

August 3

R&B and neo-soul star Jhené Aiko is taking her tour to Pechanga Arena this Saturday night. Though fans are still awaiting the release of her fourth studio album, Aiko just released “Guidance,” a tranquil new single and a possible precursor to more new music on the way. Tickets start at $110 and can be purchased on AXS. 

3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway

Endless Sunsets

August 3

San Diego’s favorite retro-soul musicians, Thee Sacred Souls, will co-headline the lineup for Saturday’s Endless Sunsets festival from Outriders West. This fest at Waterfront Park will feature a mix of genres, with bluegrass group and co-headliners Trampled By Turtles, funk band The Dip, and San Diego psych rockers Creature Canyon also on the bill. Doors will open at 3 p.m. for this all-ages event. General admission is $78, while 21-plus VIP is $155 and comes with priority viewing, entrance, and bars. Both ticket tiers can be purchased here.

1600 Pacific Highway, Embarcadero

Art Exhibits & Theater in San Diego This Weekend

ArtWalk Liberty Station

August 2–4

Enjoy two days of free art viewing on Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the 19th annual ArtWalk Liberty Station, featuring works from more than 175 artists from the US and Mexico. If you can’t wait to dive in, get a sneak peek at the artwork, chat with participating artists, and enjoy live music from Mark Wood & The Parrot Head Band at Ranch & Coast Magazine’s ArtWalk preview party this Friday from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the preview party, which come with one free drink voucher, are $25 (kids ages 12 and under receive free admission).

2751 Dewey Road, Point Loma

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B

Through August 25

Playwright Kate Hamill’s Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B takes the dynamic detective duo to the modern day. In this play, inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Shirley Holmes and Joan Watson find themselves on the trail of an elusive criminal in a comedic reimagining that is more than just elementary. This production will run at The Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre through August 25. Tickets are still available for four performances happening this weekend (starting at $54 on Friday and $113 on Saturday and Sunday), including the Globe’s BIPOC Theatre Night this Friday at 6:30 p.m. 

1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend

Grand Cinema Under the Stars

August 3

Have the time of your life watching Dirty Dancing this Saturday evening, the next installment of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Grand Cinema Under the Stars series. For the uninitiated, Dirty Dancing is a memorable summertime romance starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, with a nostalgic soundtrack and an iconic lift that’s been imitated in a million homes across the nation. Chill on Fatboy bean bag chairs in the outdoor lounge or bring your own blankets and chairs. Popcorn, snacks, cocktails, and entrées will be available for purchase. Tickets to Saturday’s moonlight screening of Dirty Dancing are $20 per person; seating is first-come, first-served.

5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar

2024 Major League Rugby Championship

August 4

In this year’s Major League Rugby (MLR) Championship match, the defending champion New England Free Jacks and the two-time champion Seattle Seawolves will battle it out at Snapdragon Stadium this Sunday. This year’s title game also represents a clash between the league’s two top point-scorers: Australian fly-half Mack Mason (Seawolves) and New Zealand fullback Jayson Potroz (Free Jacks). The fight for the MLR Shield will begin at 1 p.m. and feature a live performance from Marshmello. Tickets for the MLR championship match start at $35 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster. 

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley