Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Jan. 2 to Sunday, Jan. 4.
Friday
Visitors look over cars at the Kia booth at the San Diego International Auto Show at the Convention Center in Downtown on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. This year’s event takes place Jan. 1-4 2026. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego International Auto Show: Car, truck and sports utility vehicle enthusiasts get the opportunity to see and test drive new and unreleased vehicles at the San Diego Auto Show. Attendees can get inside new vehicle models on the showroom floor that are not for sale yet. They can also get behind the wheel and take some of the vehicles on a test drive at the car show. Plus, there will be an array of electric vehicles, including a test track. The last day of the show is family day, where children 12 years and under can attend for free. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. $12-$18. sdautoshow.com
Courtney Mack portrays Katherine Howard in the touring musical “Six.” (Photo by Patrick Gray, Kabik Photo Group)
‘Six’ comic pop musical plays through Sunday: Broadway San Diego brings back this long-running Broadway musical comedy that reimagines the six wives of 16th-century English king Henry VIII as a Spice Girls-style pop group who tell their triumphant and tragic stories in comic pop and R&B songs. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $56.25-$176. ticketmaster.com
Thousands gather to watch marching bands, floats, giant balloons and other entertainment during the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Holiday Bowl and Parade: The annual Holiday Bowl is back at Snapdragon Stadium for the 46th time on Jan. 2. The college football game features the 17th-ranked Arizona Wildcats versus the Southern Methodist University Mustangs. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. and is being played in January for the first time. Before the game, the public can see the Holiday Bowl Parade starting at 10 a.m. It takes place on North Harbor Island and features floats, drill teams, marching bands and a procession of large balloons. The parade is free to attend and visitors can bring their own chairs to watch on the side of North Harbor Drive from Ruocco Park. Friday. . holidaybowl.com
Lightscape: It’s the last weekend to see the holiday light show at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Lightscape features over a million lights on display. It’s a one-mile trail of suspended strands and tunnels of light, a field of lights with California poppies and fireflies, lantern trees and artistic installations. Visitors can also get cider, hot cocoa, espresso martinis, vodka, coffee liquor, beer and various desserts. Reservation required. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760-436-3036, sdbg.org/lightscape
Holiday entertainment at Legoland: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be offered through Jan. 4 at Legoland California, One Legoland Drive. Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot Lego tree will be decorated with lights and Lego ornaments; it is built out of more than 350,000 Lego and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive Lego models or costumed characters such as a Lego Santa, a toy soldier, a gingerbread man and elf characters. The annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. Visit legoland.com/california.
Wild Holidays at Safari Park: Wild Holidays festivities are on select nights until 8 p.m. through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road. Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show, Bridge of Lights, Enchanted Lagoon and visits with Santa along with Holiday Troubadour, Forest of Color and Nairobi Lantern Walk. Wild Holidays activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.
Ice Skating at Liberty Station: The Rady Children’s Ice Rink in the Central Promenade at Arts District Liberty Station is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 4, with modified hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $15-$25 and raise money for the Thriving After Cancer Program at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Visit rchicerink.org.
Saturday
Cooking Mediterranean Food: Healthy Adventures will lead a cooking demonstration and tasting. 10 a.m. Saturday. University Heights Library, 4193 Park Blvd., San Diego. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/healthy-adventures-cooking-mediterranean-food-496591
Ethnic studies at the library: Samoan and Pacific Islander community arts advocate Cyrrona Solia will teach about Samoan women’s contributions to San Diego life and culture. 11 a.m. Saturday. Skyline Hills Library, 7900 Paradise Valley Road, San Diego. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/copy-ethnic-studies-library-woven-featuring-cyrrona-solia-480177
Adult ballet and youth ballet/jazz classes: San Diego Ballet will teach free classes in ballet and jazz. All levels of experience are welcome. Participants ages 13 and older will learn ballet from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A youth class will follow from noon to 1:30 p.m., focusing on ballet and jazz. Saturday. City Heights/Weingart Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/ballet-jazz-classes-471617
Guided walking tour of Cabrillo: Every Saturday, a park volunteer at Cabrillo National Monument leads a guided tour which includes history and information about the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego. Free. Visitors passes start at $10. nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=26BA6AC9-95F4-7112-2A42004A31472DC5
Beginner swing classes: Mercedes Moore will teach a beginner class on 6-Count Lindy. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $20. artcenter.org/event/beginner-swing-classes-with-mercedes-moore-35/
Three movie tickets for $6: The Lot is offering three tickets for $6 for family-friendly movies in the mornings during the holiday season. libertystation.com/do/3-movie-tickets-for-6-movie-deal
Sunday
Duran Duran: The English pop rock band will kick off the year with a show in San Diego. 8 p.m. Sunday. 5500 Canyon Crest Drive, San Diego. $103.45. ticketmaster.com/duran-duran-san-diego-california-01-04-2026/event/0A006329B7B
Library concert features Chase Morrin: The Friends of the Encinitas Library presents a free concert featuring Chase Morrin. Morrin, a pianist and composer, having released four original albums which are multi-cultural collaborations, written for ensembles such as the Louisville Orchestra and the self-created Music Alliance ensemble at Yellow Barn. Morrin is a professor at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and New England Conservatory Preparatory School and has received numerous awards. Morrin looks for innovative approaches to musical collaboration, and advocates for social change through music. 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday. 540 Cornish Drive. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. encinitaslibfriends.org/
Leah Rudick: Comedian Leah Rudick brings the laughs to Mic Drop Comedy. She is an actor and writer whose comedy videos on TikTok and Instagram have over 1.5 million followers combined. She is known for her wealthy woman character, who discusses her middle-class adventures. Rudick has appeared at comedy festivals such as Moontower JFL, San Francisco Sketchfest and Laughing Skull Fest. In 2024, she released her first one-hour comedy special. 6 p.m. Sunday. 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. 858-225-2100, micdropcomedysandiego.com
Pedals at the Preserve: Ranger Doug will lead ride along a 3-mile loop. Bring your own mountain bike or class one or two pedaled e-bike. 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday. Ramona Grasslands County Preserve, Highland Valley Road, Ramona. Free. sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/participate/calendar.html
Skate-birding: Naturalist Natalie Jane, BabesnBoards and San Diego Bird Alliance are uniting for an event celebrating birding and skateboarding. For one hour, enjoy the skatepark at Robb Field as well as the adjacent trail with likeminded friends. For those who want to stay seated, there will be a bird sit at the mouth of the San Diego River mouth. Online registration required. 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. secure.sandiegobirdalliance.org/np/clients/sandiegobirdalliance/event.jsp?event=18795