Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17.
Friday
San Diego River Days: A variety of organizations join together each year to celebrate the San Diego River over several days of activities and events. This weekend, the lineup includes a cleanup project at Cactus County Park and sunset gardening at the river mouth in Ocean Beach on Friday. Saturday, locals can participate in a ranger led-hike, a group bike ride, a painting activity, community clean ups, a craft fair, an art reception and other events about nature and wildlife. On Sunday, find events on habitat restoration, a drawing workshop, a night hike and educational activities. See the full schedule at sdriverdays.org/activities.
Three-time Grammy Award-winner Pink’s upcoming Curebound Concert for Cures performance at Petco Park is her only scheduled U.S. concert date of the year so far. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Pink: Pink will perform here at the 2026 Curebound Concert for Cures fundraising concert. Cancer is personal for Pink, whose Vietnam War veteran father died of the disease in 2021. 8 p.m., next Friday, May 15. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., downtown. $56.50-$615.50. ticketmaster.com
Moon Over the Pines: Pinot’s Palette is hosting an art class at night with music and drinks. The Moon Over the Pines event is designed to bring people together and help them learn to paint a nature scene featuring a full moon and pine trees. Guests will be given supplies, and the class will be held inside Pinot’s Palette studio under black lights. Drinks will be sold separately, and the event is for those 21 years and older. 8 to 10:15 p.m. Friday. 2820 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $42. 619-675-0058, pinotspalette.com/libertystation
Australian drag queen Dean Misdale brings her “Life’s a Drag” show to the 2026 San Diego International Fringe Festival. (Dean Misdale)
San Diego International Fringe Festival now in session: The 2026 Fringe festival is now playing through May 24, with more than 40 shows by artists from the U.S., Mexico, Australia, Japan and India at 16 venues throughout San Diego and also in Tijuana. This year’s acts include new plays and musicals, music, standup and improv comedy, cabaret, Shakespearean swordplay, dance, drag shows and acrobatics. Individual tickets are $13 each, plus the onetime purchase of a $7 2026 Fringe tag. There will also be multishow ticket discounts. Full details at https://sdfringe.org
Cheese & Libation Expo: The San Diego Cheese & Libation Expo (formerly Liquid City Cheese Expo) returns. The curated Wisconsin cheese collective features 10 award-winning cheesemakers with samples of artisan cheeses. Tickets, starting at $75, including tastings and beverages. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Brick Liberty Station, with early admission for VIP tickets Visit cheese-libation-expo.com.
Cameron Blankenship plays The Cat in the Hat in San Diego Musical Theatre’s “Seussical the Musical.” (Karli Cadel)
“Seussical the Musical”: San Diego Musical Theatre presents this musical for all ages based on the children’s books of Dr. Seuss, including “Horton Hears a Who” and “The Cat in the Hat.” Opens today and runs through June 7. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 4650 Mercury St., San Diego. $30 and up. https://www.sdmt.org/
Ali Paris: La Jolla Music Society presents the Grammy-nominated, Moroccan musician, who will perform an eclectic mix of Western and Middle Eastern music on the quanun, a string instrument dating to the 14th century. 4:30 p.m. Friday. The Wu Tsai GRT.yrd, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Free. RSVP at theconrad.org/events/2026-ali-paris
Free outdoor concert: The La Jolla Music Society’s free outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert series continues with Ali Paris, blending the Middle Eastern music with jazz and Western classical styles. Paris was featured in the Grammy-winning Spanish documentary “Entre2aguas” and Hollywood film “Noah.” No tickets are required, but RSVPs are requested. 4:30 p.m. Friday. The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., San Diego. Visit theconrad.org.
“Purpose”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the West Coast premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins 2025 play that won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best New Play. It’s about the Jasper family, whose members have been pillars of Black American society for decades, but long-buried secrets threaten to topple the family empire. Previews Friday and Saturday. Opens Sunday and runs through June 7. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$99. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
“Kim’s Convenience”: The Old Globe presents the national touring production of Ins Choi’s award-winning comedy that inspired his hit Netflix TV series. Choi plays the Korean-born Mr. Kim who runs a convenience store in Toronto while raising his Canadian-born children with traditional values. But generational and cultural changes rock Kim to his roots. Opens Friday and runs through June 14. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“The Cher Show”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the closing weekend of this Broadway musical about music artist and actor Cher, starring “American Idol” and Broadway star Constantine Maroulis as Gregg Allman. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $49-$67. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
Joel Polis, left, Jill Remez, Sam Ashdown and Katrina Michaels in a scene from North Coast Repertory Theatre’s “Beau Jest.” The play’s run has been extended to May 24. (Aaron Rumley)
“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. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $53.50-$68.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“The Velocity of Autumn”: OnStage Playhouse presents the San Diego premiere of Eric Coble’s drama about an aging artist who barricades herself in her home to avoid being forced into a nursing home, leading her estranged son to return home after 20 years. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through May 24. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $25 and up. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org
“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. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Legler Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. $27-$52. 858-395-0573, scrippsranchtheatre.org
Visitors enjoy Nat at Night at the San Diego Natural History Museum Dec.19, 2025 in San Diego, Calif. (Denis Poroy / For the San Diego Union-Tribune)
Nat at Night: The San Diego Natural History Museum’s rooftop event starts its summer schedule this weekend by running every Friday night of the summer. Guests can visit the museum after hours, enjoy food from various vendors and enjoy half price admission. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1850 El Prado, Balboa Park. $7-$12. sdnhm.org/calendar/nat-at-night/
“Arsilda, Regina di Pondo”: Opera Neo opens its 2026 summer opera festival with the U.S. premiere of this Antonio Vivaldi work about love, identity and renewal. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 298 W. Arbor St., San Diego. $10-$75. operaneo.com/arsilda
Shaun Tomson author event: Shaun Tomson, former world champion surfer, will discuss “Surfer’s Code: 12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life.” 6 p.m. Friday. Camino Books, 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 114, Del Mar. Free. $19.99 for book. 858-925-7078, caminobks.com
Saturday
Poway Community Band Festival: Two days of band performances will take place at Old Poway Park. Some of the bands expected to perform are San Diego City Guard Band, San Diego Community Jazz Band, Ahwatukee Concert Band and Germania Blaskapelle.10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway. Free. poway.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=5340
Beer Fest: Fans of the annual Over the Line tournament in July can get a preview of the event at the Over the Line Beer Fest at Mariner’s Point Park this Saturday. The event features local breweries and food trucks, along with areas to play the Over the Line game, which combines baseball and softball rules. Teams competing in the annual Over the Line championship tournament, which takes place the first and second weekends in July, will also be at the event. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 1215 Mariners Way, San Diego. $45-$160. ombac.org/beerfestotl
OB Kite Festival: Robb Field is the home to this year’s Ocean Beach Kite Festival. The event invites the public to create their own kites with free materials provided. There will be prizes for the best-decorated kites, flying competitions and kite games. Volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate how to make and fly kites. Plus, there will be food trucks, community vendors and artisans showcasing their work. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ocean Beach. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. 2525 Bacon St., San Diego. oceanbeachsandiego.com
North Coast Symphony performs: The North Coast Symphony will present Russian Reveries, a concert of romantic Russian classics. The program includes parts of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake Suite” and Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Peter Walsh and Elegy XII by Polina Nazaykinskaya. 2:30 p.m. Saturday. San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. Admission is $18; $15 for seniors, students and military; free for children 18 and younger. Visit northcoastsymphony.com.
Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation: This annual event hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce offers support, food, entertainment and kids activities for active duty military families. An opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will feature local dignitaries. 11 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater, 301 The Strand North, Oceanside. Free with military ID. oceansidechamber.com/armed-forces-day-operation-appreciation.html
SDMA celebrates recent additions to its collection: On Saturday, the San Diego Museum of Art will open “Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions,” showcasing some of the museum’s major acquisitions since current executive director and CEO Roxana Velásquez was hired in 2010. These include Jusepe de Ribera’s 1615 work “Susanna and the Elders,” Pablo Picasso’s 1949 “Femme Assise” and Claude Monet’s 1882 “Eglise de Varengeville, effet matinal.” The exhibit will run through Sept. 7. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. sdmart.org
“India Thomas: Looks Like Home”: Mingei International Museum will open this solo exhibition of whimsical basketry resembling everyday household objects like a toilet or microwave oven by the San Diego contemporary artist. Opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 18. 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. mingei.org/exhibitions
Anime Convention: AniPop Kawaii Anime Convention will be a day of presentations and panels, cosplaying, vendor sales, entertainment and other pop culture activities. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N Escondido Blvd. $22. anipop.us
BioBlitz hike at Mildred Falls: A BioBlitz hike will take place at Mildred Falls as part of River Day-Hike With a Purpose. Volunteers can join the hands-on community science adventure to explore the preserve and document its biodiversity. Using the iNaturalist app on their smartphones, volunteers identify and record local flora and fauna, contributing data that supports countywide conservation strategies. 9 a.m. to noon. Saturday. Eagle Peak Ranch. Sign up at sandiegoriver.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1223150.
Secret Garden Tour: The La Jolla Historical Society will host its 27th annual Secret Garden Tour featuring some of La Jolla’s loveliest private gardens along with displays of art and live music. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Registration starts at 9 a.m.; gardens open at 10 a.m. The self-driving tour tickets are $65; $55 for society members. There are also separate Lunch and Learn tickets for $55; $45 for members. Visit lajollahistory.org/secret-garden-tour.
Endangered Species Day at nature center: An Endangered Species Day spring open house will include live native reptiles, displays and hands-on activities, hosted by Preserve Calavera and the Buena Vista Audubon Society. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center, 2022 S. Coast Highway. bvaudubon.org.
A view of the Botanical Building in Balboa Park on Friday, April 10, 2026, in San Diego, CA. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Women’s History Tour: This Balboa Park tour was developed with the Center for Women’s History at the San Diego History Center, and highlights the historical and contemporary women whose vision, leadership and creativity helped shape Balboa Park into a cultural destination. Another upcoming tour is June 20. 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Starting at the Bea Evenson Fountain, 1875 El Prado, in Balboa Park. Free; suggested $5 donation. Email visitor@balboapark.org or call 619-239-0512, ext. 8. sandiegohistory.org/event/balboa-park-womens-history-tour-14/
Sunday
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s annual Puppy Prom invites locals to bring their dogs to compete for awards for the best outfits as well as a prom king and queen. (Helen Woodward Animal Center)
Puppy Prom: For the 12th time, Helen Woodward Animal Center will host its puppy prom. Attendees are invited to dress up and compete in three different categories for best dressed: dogs and their dates, floats and going stag. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. McGregor’s Bar & Grill,10475 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego. Free. animalcenter.org/puppy-prom/
Concert at the Village Church: The Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe is hosting a free concert by Tour Choir. Fresh from their Spain tour, the choir will be performing a variety of American choral classics and gospel selections. The choir will also share stories from their trip in Europe. 4 p.m. Sunday. 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe. Free. 858-756-2441, villagechurch.org/echoes-of-espana
Escondido Street Festival: Over 100 vendors will be showcasing and selling their work at this year’s annual Escondido Street Festival. There will also be live music, a kids zone, an art area, a community stage, food vendors and a beer and wine garden. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Grand Avenue between Escondido Boulevard and Juniper Street. Free. downtownescondido.com
Textile art workshop: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is hosting a textile art workshop organized by the Visions Museum of Textile Art. The event will have four workshops and attendees will learn about four types of textile art: visible mending, soft sculpture, mixed-media collage and kumihimo braiding. The classes will be taught by textile artists Adriana Fuentes, Esther Gamez, Mônica Lóss and Sarah Lewis. 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. $100-$130. vmota.org/patchwork-salon
SAN DIEGO, CA – May 18, 2025: Runners turn on to Harbor Drive from the start line on Park Boulevard in downtown San Diego as more than 10,000 people participate in the Navy’s 38th Bay Bridge Run/Walk, a four mile course that goes through Barrio Logan, over the Coronado Bridge, ending at Coronado Tidelands Park on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Navy Bay Bridge Run/Walk: Locals can run or walk across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge as part of a fundraiser for Navy Region Southwest Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Program. There are 4-mile and 10K options. 8 a.m. Sunday. Hilton Bayfront Park, 1 Park Blvd., San Diego. San Diego. $39 and $49. navybaybridgerun.com
Mel Collins & Loving the Lyrics Quartet: Mosaic Theatricals presents this cabaret show featuring the R&B vocalist with her ensemble performing musical theatre classics, mid-20th-Century jazz and American standards. 7 p.m. Sunday . Vintana Wine & Dine, 1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido. $20-$50. theatricals.org/cabaret.
The Arcades: For its second year, this day-long student-run festival will fill UCSD’s Conrad Prebys Music Center complex, indoors and out. The range of genres is impressive — classical music, rock, Persian and Taiko ensembles, new music, punk, electronica, DJs and more. Several faculty members will perform with the students. 12 p.m. Sunday. Conrad Prebys Music Center, 9410 Russell Lane, UC San Diego. Free; parking fee is required on campus. music.ucsd.edu/thearcades
“Dreams Beyond Tomorrow”: Womanity Portrait Foundation and Galina Semenova Photography present this exhibition of photography that Semenova shot over the past year of women living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. The event will also include a reception, artist talk and documentary screening. 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Chula Vista Library. 365 F St., Chula Vista,. Free. eventbrite.com/e/dreams-beyond-tomorrow-fine-art-exhibition-documentary-screening-tickets-1985218872087