Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 24.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Athenaeum Chamber Concert Series: Colombian-born, Vienna-based cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia and Filipino-American pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion will perform French sonatas, Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne and more. 7:30 p.m. Monday. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $16-$63. 858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org
Berry Gordy’s “The Last Dragon” returns to theaters: For a few days only, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, fans can see “The Last Dragon” in theaters. Show times will be available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Fans can see screenings locally at AMC Mission Valley, Cinepolis Del Mar, Cinepolis Vista Village, Cinepolis La Costa Town Square, Regal Escondido Stadium 16, Regal Mira Mesa, Regal Parkway Plaza, Regal Rancho Del Rey, Regal Rancho San Diego, Regal Carlsbad, Regal Oceanside and Regal San Marcos. Get tickets and see showtimes here: iconicreleasing.com/events/the-last-dragon
Lukas Gage author event: The actor and author will discuss his new book “I Wrote This For Attention.” 7 p.m. Monday. IPJ Theatre, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, 5555 Marian Way, San Diego. $35.01 buys a book and reserved seat. warwicks.com/event/gage-2025
Encinitas plays a huge role in actor Lukas Gage’s new memoir — but not how you’d expect
Tuesday
O’wineside Baja Wine Festival: The Oceanside restaurant Valle is hosting the second annual O’wineside Baja Wine Festival. The one-day gathering is a culinary experience highlighting Mexican wines and foods from the Baja California region. More than 80 wines will be available for tastings, along with small food bites by Chef Roberto Alcocer, such as caviar, oysters and bone-in ham. 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday. 222 North Pacific St., Oceanside. $110.50. valleoceanside.com/special-events
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities in San Diego County: 2025 guide
Sherman Heights annual celebration: Día de los Muertos celebrations include ¡JOVENES! Oct. 22 with ofrenda tours, music, food, arts and crafts, games and give aways; self-guided ofrenda tours from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays Oct. 14 through Nov. 2 (except Oct. 31) and a candlelight procession on Nov. 2. Visit shermanheightscc.org/ddlm.
Jon Cohen author event: Science reporter and biomedicine expert Jon Cohen will talk about his new book, “Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics.” The conversation will be led by author and journalism professor Dean Nelson. RSVP required. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Shiley Suite, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/cohen
Sugar skull crafting: A sugar skull making workshop is at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center. The two-day workshop includes crafting and decorating colorful sugar skulls to honor loved ones. Space is limited to 30 participants; call 760-643-5288 or sign up at the center’s front desk.
Wednesday
Dinos Alive: The immersive experience Dinos Alive is hatching in San Diego this fall. The exhibition highlights over 40 life-size animatronic replicas of dinosaurs in their habitats, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptors and Stegosauruses. There is also a virtual aquarium with sea creatures, an interactive space for children and stations to learn about the world when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Wednesday through Nov. 29. 1210 West Morena Blvd., San Diego. $22.90-$38.90. dinosaliveexhibit.com/san-diego
Second home game for San Diego Gulls: The Gulls’ season has just begun, and the team will take on the Colorado Eagles at home. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Pechanga Arena, San Diego. Tickets start at $19.45. sandiegogulls.com/games
The Rosin Box Project’s “Ghost Light Masquerade”: This Halloween-themed interactive dance event features masked dancers in Victorian clothing performing as lively spirits in an open hall space. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Oct. 25 and Oct. 30; 7 p.m. Oct. 26, 28-29. The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego. $54-$65 admission, $10 parking fee. therosinboxproject.com
“Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents this solo play by Richard Hellesen starring Tony-winner John Rubinstein. It’s the story of former U.S. president and retired Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower reflecting on his World War II and presidential experiences and his declining popularity in the polls. Opens Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 16. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $68.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
Sherman Heights marks Day of the Dead: The Sherman Heights 31st annual Día de los Muertos celebrations will include ¡JOVENES! Oct. 22 with Ofrenda tours, music, food, arts and crafts, games and giveaways; self-guided ofrenda tours from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays through Nov. 2 (except Oct. 31) and a candlelight procession on Nov. 2. Visit shermanheightscc.org/ddlm.
Thursday
Yellowcard: The band responsible for “Ocean Avenue” will perform at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square. They’ll be joined by A Day To Remember. 6:15 p.m. Thursday. 840 K St., San Diego. $68.70. mlb.com/padres/tickets/concerts
Twenty One Pilots: The alternative pop-rock duo brings The Clancy Tour to Chula Vista. 8 p.m. Thursday. North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. $67.20. livenation.com/venue/KovZpa2WZe/north-island-credit-union-amphitheatre-events
Talib Kweli: The hip-hop legend and member of the group Black Star will perform at The Holding Company. This is a 21+ show. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., San Diego. $35 in advance, $45 at the door. theholdingcompanyob.com/show/talib-kweli-2/
Sleepy Hollow Festival: This free outdoor Halloween event is Oct. 23 at La Costa Canyon High School with games and activities from 6–7 p.m., performance of Sleepy Hollow by LCC Theatre from 7–8 p.m. and spooky Haunted Lobby with a mini dance from 8–9 p.m. Wood-fired pizza, apple cider, coffee and kettle corn will be sold by local vendors. Bring chairs and blankets for the show. Visit lc.sduhsd.net.
Sleepy Hollow Festival: This free outdoor Sleepy Hollow Festival will be held Oct. 23 at La Costa Canyon High School with games and activities from 6 to 7 p.m., a performance of “Sleepy Hollow” by LCC Theatre from 7 to 8 p.m. and a spooky Haunted Lobby with a mini dance from 8 to 9 p.m. Wood-fired pizza, apple cider, coffee and kettle corn will be sold by local vendors. Bring chairs and blankets for the show. Visit lc.sduhsd.net.
Community events in San Diego County: From Clairemont Car show to Disabled Veterans Resource Fair
Succulent Pumpkin Workshop: This guided class will help participants create a succulent pumpkin. All materials for this class will be provided from the gardens. Another version of this class will take place on Oct. 26. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. $65 for members, $75 for non-members. sdbg.org/programs/10-23-succulent-pumpkin-workshop
Friday
San Diego Environmental Film Festival: San Diego Climate Week occurred at the beginning of October, but there is one more event for those who care about protecting Earth this month. The fourth annual San Diego Environmental Film Festival is taking place with two days of film, art and storytelling. Opening night takes place at the Digital Gym Cinema with a red carpet event, panel discussion, short film screenings and a feature film titled “Turtle Walkers.” Day two includes film screenings throughout the day at UCSD’s Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts. Day also entails a community workshop and a block party. 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Various venues. sdeff.org
Halloween Aglow: Birch Aquarium will host trick-or-treating, live music and games from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at 2300 Expedition Way. Scuba divers will transform the aquarium into an underwater pumpkin patch with their underwater pumpkin carving skills. Visitors will also have access to the new Living Seas exhibit. This is a family-friendly event and ocean-themed costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $40-$45; discount for members; free for children 2 and younger. Visit aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/halloween-aglow.
MasterChef All-Stars Live! Fans of the show “MasterChef” can see recent winners competing live. Season 14 winner Michael Leonard and Season 9 winner Gerron Hurt are scheduled as featured competitors. 8 p.m. Friday. The Events Center at Harrah’s Casino, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Funner. $27.60. harrahssocal.com/entertainment/events/masterchef-all-stars-live-featuring-past-contestants
Halloween Bash on the USS Midway: The Goonies Edition is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24 bringing the spirit of “The Goonies” on the hangar deck of the USS Midway in honor of the film’s 40th anniversary. Highlights include a Truffle Shuffle Dance-Off, a DJ and iconic movie clips playing on the big screen, treasure hunt trick-or-treating and pub trivia, along with costume contest. General admission is $25; $20 for Midway circle level members. Visit midway.org.
Haunted Hoedown at Heritage Ranch: The Haunted Hoedown features a haunted house and a haunted trail (scary and not-so scary versions), carnival games, food, treats and a costume contest and farm animals along with beer garden, pumpkin decorating contest, music and dancing. The Haunted Hoedown is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at The Heritage Ranch, 450 Quail Gardens Drive. Entry is $10; $5 for kids. Visit olivenhainfarms.com/haunted-hoedown.
Fright Night in Vista: The Halloween annual event is from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 in historic downtown Vista and features a haunted house at the Avo Theater, trick-or-treating and a costume contest. Local businesses, Vista Fire fighters and sheriffs deputies will pass out candy. Haunted house admission is $6; $4 for kids 10 and younger at The Avo Ticket Box day of event. Visit business.vistachamber.org.
Lionfish’s Halloween menu: Lionfish is debuting a Halloween cocktail menu available for eight days only. The four limited-time drinks are: the Black Widow with activated charcoal, tequila, mezcal, agave, lime juice and peach bitters; the Pretty Poison contains gin, a melon liqueur, cucumbers, honeydew melon, lemon and simple syrup; the PSM mixes vodka, a pumpkin spiced liqueur, house-made spiced syrup and oat milk; and The Bite is made with tequila, mango juice, agave, lime juice and chamoy. Each cocktail is $18. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday. through Oct. 31. 435 Fifth Ave., San Diego. 619-738-7200, lionfishsd.com
Haunted Hotel: The historic grounds of the Olivenhain Meeting Hall will be transformed into a Haunted Hotel Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 at 423 Rancho Santa Fe Road. There will be spooky scenes ranging from a Haunted Swamp, Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory and a Witches’ Lair to a Candy Mystery Trail. Actors are Scouts, ages 11 to 17. There will be games at the carnival and refreshment to purchase. Tickets are $8; cash and credit are accepted at the door. The event is a fundraiser for Scout Troop 2000. For questions, email troop2kcommunityoutreach@gmail.com.
Imperial Beach Trunk or Treat on Seacoast: The city holds its “Spooktacular” trick-or-treating event for kids from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24 on Seacoast Drive. Visit imperialbeachca.gov/625/spooktacular-trunk-or-treat.