Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Jan. 19 to Friday, Jan. 23.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
MLK Day of Service: Hands on San Diego hosts community service events Jan. 19 and other days throughout the county to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Visit handsonsandiego.org/mlkday.
MLK Day state park admission: In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, free vehicle day-use entry to participating California state parks will be offered to California residents and visitors on MLK Day, Jan. 19, thanks to support from the California State Parks Foundation. For a list of participating state parks, visit parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31769
37th annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration: The family-friendly festival themed “Peace In” is from noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at the WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., in Balboa Park. Highlights include live music, multicultural performances, Aztec and Native American drum and dance, Sankoh and the Rockaway Kings, Sol Remedy, Fre3sty13 and guest speakers along with vendors. The MLK Day community market with handmade art, organic produce, food, massage and music, is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit worldbeatcenter.org/event/37th-annual-martin-luther-king-day-celebration/.
Prayer Breakfast: The North San Diego County branch of the NAACP hosts its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast at 9 a.m. Jan. 19 at El Corazon Senior Center, 3302 Village Commercial Dr. Advance tickets are $65; $75 at door. Visit nsdcnaacp.org/mlk-weekend
Jurassic Quest: This interactive experience includes tons of activities and a chance to see lifelike dinosaurs. 9 a.m. to noon, noon to 4 p.m. Monday. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar. Tickets start at $28.85. delmarfairgrounds.com/events/2026/jurassic-quest
Wildflowers starting to bloom: The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has reported early season wildflowers starting to bloom, especially along Henderson Canyon Road. Borrego Palm Canyon is also showing early signs of bloom. Visitors are asked to stay on designated trails and avoid stepping on flowers. Dogs are not allowed in flower fields or on trails in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, but are allowed on dirt roads with leash. theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/wildflowers.
Wonder Women: This story concert by Write out Loud will bring to life literature, read out loud, by professional actors. The featured women include Maya Angelou, Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind and La Diablesse. 7 p.m. Monday. Dottie Studio Theater, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $25 for general admission, $22 for military and seniors. writeoutloudsd.com
El Chingon: College football fans can take 50% off their tab at El Chingon. Guests wearing gear of the team that wins the college football national championship will receive half off their check. El Chingon has a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes such as birria tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and molcajete. The restaurant also has a full bar, 10 televisions and a 120-inch LED screen to show the game. 4:30 p.m. Monday. 560 Fifth Ave., San Diego. 619-501-1919, elchingon.com/san-diego
Tuesday
Sean Mortimer author event: Skater Sean Mortimer, who grew up skating with Tony Hawk, will discuss and sign his new book, “Misfit: A Survival Guide.” The book includes an introduction by Hawk, who will also be at the event. Reservation required. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Camino Books, 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 114, Del Mar. $29. caminobks.com/event/2026-01-20/sean-mortimer-tony-hawk-discuss-and-sign-misfit-survival-guide
Wednesday
Tree Conservation Workshop: The San Diego Zoo is hosting a workshop to teach about tree health in San Diego. The assessments taught in this class are created with smart phones. Register online. Bring your own smart phone. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr., San Diego. Free. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlidHvEuML1iGqHu8rTvN-g3HrX5OJ_hoSnwJYkkw2rBhYAA/viewform
“Louisa Gillis”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Joanna McClelland Glass’ psychological thriller “Louisa Gillis,” about a family ripped apart by haunting secrets from their past. Runs through Feb. 8. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $58.50-$80.50. 858-481-10055, northcoastrep.org
“The Trip to Bountiful”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents Horton Foote’s drama about an elderly woman who takes a trip back to her childhood hometown to reconnect with fond memories. 7 p.m.Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through March 1. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $39-$78. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Thursday
Disney on Ice show opens: The “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance” show features figure skating, DJs, music and singalongs as Mickey Mouse, Goofy and other Disney characters hit the stage. Jan. 22-25, Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. $30.36. pechangaarenasd.com/event/disney-on-ice-lets-dance-1-22-26.
“Red White Winter”: OnWord Theatre opens its 2026 season with Adam Rapp’s drama about a love triangle that develops when two longtime American friends fall for athe same sex worker in Amsterdam’s red light district. Play has strong sexual content and some nudity. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Through June 24. Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road, #205, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $30-$40. onwordtheatre.com
Friday
Ms. Pat: The comedian who achieved one of the most popular “Subway Takes” on Instagram in recent months will perform four shows this weekend in San Diego. Ms. Pat is the star of the Emmy-nominated BET+ and Paramount+ “The Ms. Pat Show” and a veteran of the stand-up industry. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. $51.50. micdropcomedysandiego.com/events/121353
John Cusack: Fans of “Say Anything” can see a discussion about the movie and other things with actor John Cusack. 7 p.m. Friday. The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon. $76. magnoliasandiego.com
Garage Night at car museum: The San Diego Automotive Museum will host its first Garage Night. Highlights of the community event include tours of the campus and a display of vehicles owned and worked on by IGNITE Academy students. Drinks and food will be sold. Proceeds support the IGNITE Academy, a hands-on program that prepares students for internships and careers in the automotive industry. The program is for high school students who are not four-year college bound and provides free mentorship and early career exposure along with help building skills. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. IGNITE Academy campus, 8630 Argent St. Visit sdautomuseum.org.
“Swing State”: OnStage Playhouse opens its 2026 season with Rebecca Gilman’s drama about Peg, a grieving widow who lives alone on her 40-acre Wisconsin property. Her life is disrupted by the appearance of an old family friend with a checkered past. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 1. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $15-$25. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org
“Monty Python’s Edukational Show”: Trinity Theatre Company presents this staged series of sketches from England’s Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show, including “Dead Parrot,” “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” “The Lumberjack Song” and more. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Jan. 25. Mission Valley Mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio North Suite 129, San Diego. $30. 619-500-4985, trinityttc.org
“Of Mice and Men”: Lamplighters Community Theatre presents the stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel about two laborers in Central California struggling to survive and make a life for themselves during the Great Depression. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (no evening performance on Jan. 31). Through Feb. 1. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $25-$30. 619-303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com