Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, May 4 to May 8.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Star Wars trivia night: May 4 is the unofficial day for celebrating all things Star Wars, and The Smoking Gun is hosting a trivia competition. The grand prize will be a $500 Disney gift card. There will also be themed food and drinks. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. 555 Market St., San Diego. thesmokinggunsd.com
“Mary Jane”: Carlsbad Playreaders will perform a reading of Amy Herzog’s play about the mother of a chronically ill child who find support among a community of women. 7 p.m. Monday. Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. Free. carlsbadplayreaders.com
Orchids in the Wild: The annual display of Orchids in the Wild returns to San Diego Botanic Garden for a month-long flower showcase. The exhibit takes place in the Botanic Garden’s 8,000 square-foot Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. Guests will learn about the different types of orchids and their history. The orchid exhibition also contains plants on loan from San Diego County Orchid Society and Palomar Orchid Society members. Plus, there will be workshops and an orchid marketplace on weekends. Through June 1. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. $7-$20.760-436-3036, sdbg.org
San Diego French Film Festival: The sixth edition of the San Diego French Film Festival will be showcasing movies for five days in La Jolla and Carlsbad. This year’s theme celebrates women’s voices and stories in French cinema. There will also be films from Canada, Cameroon, Tunisia and the U.S. Festival event highlights include an opening night gala, a conversation with actress Julie Delpy, an animated films workshop and a closing night party. The festival will take place at THE LOT La Jolla and the Carlsbad City Library. Sunday through Thursday. Multiple venues. afsandiego.org/sd-french-film-festival-2026
Historical fiction panel: Kristina McMorris, Heather Webb, Eliza Knight and Madeline Martin will combine for an event celebrating their latest titles and the genre of historical fiction. The online purchase via the Library Shop of any of their featured books provides a ticket to the event. 6 p.m. Monday. Library Shop Mission Hills, 925 W Washington St., San Diego. $16.99 and up. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/historical-fiction
Terence Keel author event: UCLA professor of human biology, society, and African American studies and founding director of the BioCritical Studies Lab will discuss his latest book, “The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence.” 7:30 p.m. Monday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. $32 for book and reserved seating. warwicks.com/event/keel-2026
Tuesday
ArtSpectrum 2026: The Studio Door and Village Arts & Education Foundation will co-present an exhibit of works by 12 LGBTQ visual arists: Tommy Diethert, Miguel Camacho-Padilla, Trevor Copenhaver, Don Grant, Brian Hicks, Carole Kuck, Martin Luera, RD Riccoboni, Danne Sadler, Patric Stillman, Stefan Talian, and Tim Weedlun. Opens Tuesday and runs through June 1. Reception, 1-4 p.m. May 9. Gallery 21, Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego. thestudiodoor.com
Jordan Markus, center as ‘MJ’ in the first national touring production of “MJ the Musical,” playing May 5-10 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)
Former San Diegan leads ‘MJ’ tour cast: Former San Diego resident Jordan Markus leads the cast of the touring Broadway show “MJ the Musical,” which makes a return visit to San Diego beginning May 5. Written by Lynn Nottage, the jukebox musical tells the story of Jackson’s childhood and career leading up to his 1992 Dangerous world tour. 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. May 8; 2 and 8 p.m. May 9; 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 10. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $67-$124.50. broadwaysd.com/upcoming-events/mj-2026/
“Alien Girls”: The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Amy Berryman’s sci-fi-enhanced story of the up-and-down friendship between two female friends over several decades. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through May 10. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $41 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Wednesday
35th annual San Diego Music Awards: See the best in San Diego music at this annual awards show. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. $45.89. eventbrite.com/e/35th-annual-san-diego-music-awards-tickets-1981291028802
The Sky Tonight: The Fleet Science Center’s live astronomy series continues with an examination of the night sky’s smallest stars. After the presentation, participants are invited to gather with local astronomers on the Prado for a viewing of the sky through telescopes, weather permitting. 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego. Tickets start at $19.95. fleetscience.org/events/sky-tonight
El Cajon car show: El Cajon’s seasonal car show is back starting this week. The Cajon Cruise is a free public event showcasing residents’ cars with theme nights, live music and food vendors in downtown El Cajon. Some of the theme nights include the Camero Craze, Impala Palace, Volkswagon Mania and Mustang Madness. 5 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 26. Downtown El Cajon. downtownelcajon.com
“Beau Jest”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents James Sherman’s 1989 comedy about an unmarried Jewish woman trying to please her pushy parents by hiring an actor to pose as her fiance. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays. Through May 24. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $53.50-$68.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“The Cher Show”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the San Diego premiere of this Broadway musical about music artist and actor Cher, starring “American Idol” and Broadway star Constantine Maroulis as Gregg Allman. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Through May 16. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $49-$67. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
“The Play That Goes Wrong”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the San Diego professional premiere of this London-born stage comedy about a troupe of theater actors struggling to get through a performance while the everything collapses around them. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through June 7. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Thursday
Gator by the Bay festival: The Gator by the Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival features four days of live music with more than 100 musical acts and performances on seven stages, dancing and southern food along with cooking demos. A Cajun Kickoff Party is from 5 to 9 p.m. May 7 at the Sheraton’s Lanai Lawn featuring Wilson Savoy of the Pine Leaf Boys. May 7-10 at Spanish Landing Park,East, 3900 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. gatorbythebay.com.
An evening with David Sedaris: Author and satirist David Sedaris will present an evening of social commentary, storytelling, humor and other musings. 8 p.m. Thursday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., San Diego. Tickets start at $68.40. sandiegosymphony.org/performances/david-sedaris/
Friday
Martha Wells author event: The author of the Murderbot Diaries series will discuss and sign the eighth book, “Platform Decay,” as well as participate in a Q&A session. Ticketed guests will receive a copy of the book. 7 p.m. Friday. Cygnet at “The Joan,” Liberty Station, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $30. mystgalaxy.com/5826Wells
Floral workshop: The Sorrento Valley eatery Treehouse and event florist Sage & Autumn are partnering up for a floral workshop a few days before Mother’s Day. Attendees will learn to design their own flower crowns using seasonal garden blooms from Sage & Autumn. There will also be paper goods and keepsake materials to use to write letters to moms as well as photo opportunities. 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. 9945 Pacific Heights Blvd., San Diego. $75. eventbrite.com/e/crown-her-w-love-floral-crown-making-workshop
Paint night: The community organization ARTS (A Reason To Survive) in National City is hosting a painting class. Guests will be taught how to paint a flower bouquet by artist Lerida Armendariz. All painting materials will be supplied, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. 200 East 12th St., National City. $25. 619-297-2787, areasontosurvive.org/arts-after-dark
“Lend Me a Soprano”: Scripps Ranch Theatre presents Ken Ludwig’s new farce about a problem-plagued opera company in 1934 Cleveland. It’s a female-centered follow-up to his 1989 smash “Lend Me a Tenor.” 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through May 17. Legler Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. $27-$52. 858-395-0573, scrippsranchtheatre.org