The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• Birch Aquarium’s Aquarium Explorers Club for children ages 6-7 will be held at 1 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 15 at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The sessions are as follows: “Playful Penguins” on Nov. 1; “Marvelous Marine Mammals” on Nov. 8; and “Amazing Amphibians” on Nov. 15. $25 per session. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/marine-science-club-aquarium-explorers-club-ages-6-7
• La Jolla Community Center presents the fourth session of “Aging Safely & Supported in 2026” at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The event will include representatives from Reneu Health, ARC Health Systems and TruBlue. Free. ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents
• Birch Aquarium presents the final installment of the 2026 Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science lecture series. The series coincided with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation and looks at the center’s history and future vision. The final lecture topic is “Vision for a Thriving Ocean,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. Free for Birch Aquarium members or $12 for non-members. aquarium.ucsd.edu
• Restaurant owner and author Beejhy Barhany hosts a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $30 for members, $36 for non-members. lfjcc.org/about/upcoming_events.aspx
Ongoing exhibitions and events
• La Jolla Presbyterian Church’s art gallery presents “Pilgrimage,” by painter Lori Mills, on view 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 8 at 7715 Draper Ave. with the access point on Eads Ave. The exhibition predominantly contains paintings inspired by the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Free.
• La Jolla/Riford Library presents “Gems of San Diego,” a juried exhibition consisting of 30 art pieces, on view through Jan. 31. Each piece showcases the artists’ favorite spots in San Diego. A reception will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7555 Draper Ave. Free.
• Tasende Gallery hosts its fall selections exhibition through Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 820 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition includes paintings, drawings and sculptures by gallery artists. Free. tasendegallery.com
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2026 art exhibitions at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The final exhibition consists of works by Sylvia Fernandez, running through Saturday, Jan. 2. Free. ljathenaeum.org/upcoming-exhibitions
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art,” through Jan. 10 at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Exhibition included in museum admission, which is free every second Sunday and third Thursday of the month, otherwise $25 with discounts available. mcasd.org/exhibitions/visiones-nocturnas
• The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla (formerly the La Jolla Historical Society) presents “The Scientific Art of Historic Preservation,” through Sunday, Jan. 31 at 780 Prospect St. This new exhibition gives visitors a look at the process behind saving historic places. Free. mhclajolla.org/events-calendar
Music & dance
• La Jolla Music Society presents cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras and pianist Alexandre Tharaud at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. $65-95. theconrad.org/events/queyras-tharaud
• La Jolla Music Society presents the David Morales Quartet as part of its fall 2026 Wu Tsai QRT.yrd concert series at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Free. theconrad.org/events/david-morales-boroff
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its Jazz Fall 2026 Series through Thursday, Dec. 3 at either The Scripps Research Auditorium at 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive, or the Athenaeum at 1008 Wall St., both in La Jolla. The upcoming schedule is: the Joshua Redman Quartet on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at Scripps Research Auditorium; David Sánchez on Sunday, Nov. 15 at Scripps Research Auditorium; and Gabrielle Cavassa on Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Athenaeum. Each concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Series tickets are $185 for members and $200 for non-members. Individual tickets are $65 for members and $70 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/events/jazz-26-fall-series
• San Diego Baroque presents a concert series at 12:30 p.m. on select Wednesdays through April 14 at St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. The remaining schedule is: “Solo Sonatas” on Nov. 4; “J.S. Bach Magnificat” on Dec. 9; “Happy Birthday Mozart!” on Jan. 27; “Schutz: Die sieben Worte Jesu Christi am Kreuz” on March 24 and “Lost Prodigies” on April 14. Free. sdbaroque.com
• La Jolla Music Society presents an inaugural Mariachi Honor Band concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Celebrating mariachi students from high schools and universities in San Diego County. Free. theconrad.org/events/mariachi-honor-band-concert
• ArtPower presents 13-time Grammy Award-winning musician John Legend and his show, “An Evening of Songs & Stories” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. $77-257. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/john-legend
• La Jolla Music Society presents Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. A pre-show lecture will take place one hour before at The JAI within the Conrad. $40-105. theconrad.org/events/radulovic-double-sens
“Cat Kid Comic Club,” coming to UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater next month, is a musical adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” spin-off series of the same name. (ArtPower)
• ArtPower presents Cat Kid Comic Club, a musical adaptation of the Dav Pilkey “Dog Man” spinoff series, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. $27-47. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/cat-kid-comic-club
• The 2026-2027 season of Le Salon de Musiques runs 4 p.m. the second Sunday of the month through June at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The lineup is as follows: music by Robert and Clara Schumann, and Woldemar Bargiel on Nov. 8; music by Mozart, Samuel Barber and Schubert on Dec. 6; music by Richard Wagner, Joachim Raff and Robert Schumann on Jan. 10; music by Edvard Grieg, Felix Mendelssohn and Henry Litolff on Feb. 7; music by Henri Duparc, Reynaldo Hahn, Camille Saint-Saens and Fernand de la Tombelle on March 7; music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Nikolai Myaskovsky and Juliusz Zarebeski on April 4; music by Johannes Brahms, Ottorino Respighi and Arthur Foote on May 2; and music by Robert Schumann, Louise Farrenc and Mendelssohn on June 6. $120 per concert ($69 for students); $432 for four-show package. lesalondemusiques.com
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents “Celebrate America with Sol and Amit,” a program honoring the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the center’s David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $30 for members, $36 for non-members and free for veterans or active service members. lfjcc.org/about/upcoming_events.aspx
“The Magic of Monteverdi” features baroque masters William Christie and Paul Agnew, and chamber ensemble Les Arts Florissants as they perform works by Claudio Monteverdi. (La Jolla Music Society)
• La Jolla Music Society presents “The Magic of Monteverdi,” featuring chamber ensemble Les Arts Florissants, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. A pre-show lecture will take place one hour before at The JAI within the Conrad. $60-95. theconrad.org/events/les-arts-florissants
• ArtPower presents Latin Grammy-winning ensemble Las Migas at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. $27-47. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/las-migas-2026
• Camarada presents its 32nd season of live performances, themed “Out of this World,” in matinee and evening shows through Tuesday, Feb. 23 at various locations including The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The La Jolla shows are as follows: “Time Traveler” on Saturday, Nov. 14; “Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz” the weekend of Dec. 19-20; “Where Beauty Persists” on Saturday, Jan. 23; “The Art of Tango III” on Wednesday, Feb. 27; and “The Wild Blue” on Sunday, April 25. Tickets range between $25-110. camarada.org
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2026-2027 Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series on select Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through April 19 at the Athenaeum’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs music room at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The shows are as follows: Valencia Baryton Project on Nov. 16; Baumer Quartet with Kate Hatmaker and Alex Greenbaum on Jan. 10; Sophie Shao and John Blacklow on March 1; Owls on April 5; and Formosa Quartet on April 19. Individual tickets are $18 for students, $62 for members and $67 for non-members. Series tickets are $110 for students, $329 for members, $360 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/events/chamber-series-2026-2027
Books
• Authors Tristan Tales and Luke Pounder sign and discuss their new book, “The Cogworths,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $18 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/tales-and-pounder-2026
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Payson R. Stevens as he discusses his new book, “The Wisdom of the Alzheimer’s Sage: A Son’s Journey Through Caregiving, Identity, and Spiritual Transformation” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $19 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/stevens-2026
• Author and TED Talks co-creator June Cohen signs and discusses her new book, “The Great Remembering: Powerful Ancient Practices — And the New Science Bringing Them Back” alongside writer Gary Isaac Wolf at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/cohen-2026
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and The Shop presents “Along the Way: Official Book Release and Artist Talk with Louis De Guzman” at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at MCASD’s Jacobs Hall at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Copies of “Along the Way” will be available for purchase. Free. Register ahead of time at mcasd.org/events/guzman
• Author Matt O’Hara signs and discusses his new book, “The Flying Death: Poison, Plunder, and the Quest for a Miracle Medicine in the Amazon” in conversation with San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Gary Robbins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Warwick’s bookstore at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/ohara-2026
Theater
• La Jolla Playhouse presents the world-premiere musical, “Grim,” through Dec. 6 at the Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. $30-129. Several shows early in its run are already sold out or have limited availability. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/grim
Seasonal and special events
• La Jolla Community Center hosts several Halloween- and Día de Muertos-themed events through Monday, Nov. 2, all of which will take place at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The remaining events are: Pumpkin decorating at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29; “Coco” movie screening at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29; Spirits & Spirits: A Halloween happy hour at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30; and a Día de Muertos celebration and community ofrenda at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Costs vary. Learn more: ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents “Roots & Recipes” at 3:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 13 at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Participants in the series prepare recipes, learn kitchen skills and share stories of their family heritage. The class requires a minimum enrollment number to proceed. Series tickets are $100 for members, $125 for non-members. lfjcc.org/about/upcoming_events.aspx
• Creepy Candy Crawl returns 3-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 in La Jolla’s Village. Trick-or-treaters can pick up a candy bag at the La Jolla Real Estate Broker’s Association building at 908 Kline St. before making their way to participating businesses for a treat, and try their hand at their annual costume contest. Free. lajollabythesea.com/creepy-candy-crawl-2026
Last year’s Halloween High Tea offered a festive spin on typical High Tea offerings. (Emily G Visuals)
• La Valencia Hotel hosts a Halloween High Tea at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla. The afternoon event offers a selection of French teas, freshly-baked scones, savory bites, seasonal pastries and finger sandwiches — this time with a Halloween twist. $95 per person. lavalencia.com/events
Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Noah Lyons at noah.lyons@lajollalight.com by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition.