Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Nov. 24 to Friday, Nov. 28.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
San Diego FC: San Diego will face off against Minnesota United in the MLS Cup Western Semifinals. Starting at 5:30 p.m. Mexican American Singer Xavi will perform before the the game. 7 p.m. Monday. Snapdragon Stadium. $84.94. ticketmaster.com/san-diego-fc-v-minnesota-united2025-san-diego-california-11-24-2025/event/0A00632BDF96390B
Holiday movies at Rooftop Cinema Club: The holiday season is in full swing at San Diego’s downtown rooftop movie experience. On Monday, “Elf” is playing at 4 p.m. Tuesday, a Friendsgiving event will show a marathon of “Friends” episodes. “The Grinch,” “Elf” and “The Holiday” will be screened at 3:45, 6:00 and 8:30 p.m., respectively. Friday, catch “Home Alone” at 4 p.m. 1 Market Place, San Diego. Tickets start at $23.10. rooftopcinemaclub.com/san-diego/venue/rcc-embarcadero
Lightscape: One of the most colorful light shows during the holidays is Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden. This mile-long illuminated trail showcases artists’ installations from around the world. Lightscape will also have seasonal foods and cocktails for purchase. Times slots available Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week. Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Ticket prices are $18 for children and $28 for adults. There are discounts for Botanic Garden members and the military. Parking ranges from $10 to $25, depending on the day. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760-436-3036, sdbg.org/lightscape
Coaster Saloon’s holiday bar: The public can get into the holiday spirit twice at Coaster Saloon in Mission Beach, as it is bringing back its two pop-up holiday bars: Miracle and Sippin’ Santa. Miracle is the original themed pop-up cocktail bar concept, which features festive original cocktails, Christmas decorations and new holiday mugs. Sippin’ Santa is a tropical offspring of Miracle. It contains tropical Christmas cocktails and glassware for sale. Some of the holiday cocktails are a Christmas Cosmopolitan and a snowball old-fashioned. 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Through Dec. 31. 744 Ventura Place, San Diego. thecoastersaloon.com
Tuesday
“A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin“: The now-grown-up star of the beloved 1990 Christmas movie “Home Alone,” Macaulay Culkin, will be the featured guest at a 35th anniversary screening of the John Hughes film, followed by an onstage Q&A where he will take a deep dive into his experiences of making of the heartwarming comedy. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $60.20-$295. sandiegotheatres.org
“Working Girl”: La Jolla Playhouse present the world premiere of this musical featuring a score by Tony-winner Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck. It’s based on the 1988 Melanie Griffith film about a bright young secretary at a New York investment firm who takes advantage of her boss’s absence to enter the world of high finance. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Extended through Dec. 14. Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$139. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/working-girl
Piano concert at library: This will be a chamber music concert featuring Ines Irawati on the piano. The program includes impromptus by Schubert, the Ravel Sonatine and music by Liszt. This concert is part of the Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library’s 26th annual Chamber Concert series. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Rancho Bernardo Library’s second-floor community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. friendsoftherblibrary.org.
Wednesday
Turkey calling show: The University of California, San Diego’s annual turkey calling show is returning this week. The show is meant to be a fun and educational look at turkeys. Attendees will learn about the turkey calling techniques, folklore, music and fun facts. The performance is emceed by alumni Scott Paulson and features special guests Bobby Ortiz, Christian Hertzog, Karen Fisher and Melanie Peters. The show will be held in the Seuss Room of Geisel Library at UC San Diego. Noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday. 9701 Hopkins Drive, La Jolla. Free. calendar.ucsd.edu/event/turkey-calling-show-2025
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents ‘The Snow Queen’: “The Snow Queen” is a family-friendly, holiday alternative to “The Nutcracker” with hand-sewn costumes, elaborate sets and skillful dance artists. After the married principal dancers of the National Opera of Ukraine lost their home in the war, they launched a touring company staffed with international and Ukrainian ballet dancers. 7 p.m. Wednesday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $40-$171.55. 619-615-4180, sandiegotheatres.org
Thursday
Thanksgiving Turkey Trots will be taking off across San Diego to make the feasting day healthier
Fleet Feet Thanksgiving Day 5K: Participants can run or walk starting at 8 a.m. Nov. 27 with check-in at 7:15 a.m. at the Fleet Feet San Diego store, 5980 Village Way, in The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch, and ending there. Highlights include refreshments and early access to Black Friday shopping deals. The route will be on the sidewalk and there will be a marked turnaround for a 1-mile option. The event follows a “fun run” format, and the route will be marked, but roads will not be closed. Free; Runners can raise money for Molly’s Angels Foundation and Monarch School for homeless youths and Vista Hill, which provides mental health, education, and social services. Visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/SanDiego/FreeThanksgivingDay5k; email community@fleetfeetsandiego.com.
Coronado 5K Turkey Trot: Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary hosts its 12th annual 5K Turkey Trot at 8 a.m. Nov. 27 at Tidelands Park, 2000 Mullinex Drive. There’s also a virtual 5K and Tiny Trotters Fun Run. Registration is $75; Tiny Trotters Fun Run free for kids 5 and younger. Proceeds benefit the Orthopedics and Scoliosis Center at Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Coronado/CoronadoTurkeyTrotPresentedByRadyChildrensHospital
Encinitas Turkey Trot: The 10K race starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Fun Run/Walk/Costume Contest takes off at 8 a.m. Nov. 27 at Highway 101 and D Street. Register for the Costume Contest by 7:45 a.m. The event supports the Veterans Association of North County with the goal of reducing PTSD and veteran suicide and Encinitas Boy Scout Troop 776. Entry is $60-$91. Visit encinitasturkeytrot.org.
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O’side Turkey Trot: Oceanside’s 20th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk & Kids Run takes off with an early wave at 6:45 a.m. Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27 and the main wave starts at 8:05 a.m. from the Oceanside Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway. There will be a “Double Dip” challenge for those who want to run both 5K races. Festivities include a costume contest, live music and kids’ runs. The event benefits the San Diego Food Bank along with dozens of North County schools and nonprofits. Registration ranges from $40-$77 until Nov. 26, when prices increase. Visit https://www.sandiegorunningco.com/sdrc_events/oside-turkey-trot/
Father Joe’s Villages Run for Hope: The Thanksgiving Day 5K starts at 7:15 a.m. Nov. 27 at the Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado. The event raises money to provide meals for homeless community members through the nonprofit Father Joe’s Villages food services programs. Registration fees range from $37-$67 and the event is for all ages. Register at thanksgivingrun.org.
Friday
Winter Wonderland at Draft: Find special collectible mugs at this pop-up at the beach at Draft. Guests can order a cocktail inspired by holiday fruit cake and a mulled wine-inspired martini. There will also be red and green ornament shots. Winter Wonderland is on the edge of Belmont Park, so visitors to the experience can also check out some of the amusement park’s holiday festivities, such as ornament decorating on select nights and face painting and special holiday food offerings. Nov. 28 to Jan. 4. Belmont Park. 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. belmontpark.com/draft-belmont-park/winter-wonderland
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Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort: One of the most family-friendly pop-up experiences, Lakehouse Resort throws an annual holiday festival with candy cane cruises on Lake San Marcos as a highlight. Seasonal drinks will be for sale for all ages. Activities include a frozen fun zone, a train, a s’mores station, bounce houses and more. Groups of families and friends can rent out igloos with fire pits, s’mores, charcuterie, wine and family dinners. Early bird prices are available online through Nov. 26. Prices vary per activity. Nov. 28 to Dec. 26. 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. $10 admission for ages 10 or older, free for kids under age 10. events.thelakehouseresort.com/e/winter-wonderland-at-lakehouse-resort-2025
“The Waverly Gallery”: Backyard Renaissance Theatre presents Kenneth Lonergan’s play about an aging art gallery owner who is losing her memories in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 6. Backyard Renaissance Theatre at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown. $15-$50. 760-975-7189, backyardrenaissance.com
Wild Holidays at Safari Park: Festivities are Nov. 28–30; Dec. 19–23 and Dec. 26–Jan. 4; the Park at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, will stay open until 8 p.m. with holiday cheer. Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show, Bridge of Lights, Enchanted Lagoon and visits with Santa along with Holiday Troubadour, Forest of Color and Nairobi Lantern Walk, among other festivities. “Wild Holidays” activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.
Salute to the season: Liberty Station holds a number of family-friendly events, including the annual Holiday Tree Lighting – Friday, Nov. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 28, Nutcracker Tea with the San Diego Ballet at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 and Hanukkah Celebration & Menorah Lighting from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14. The Rady Children’s Ice Rink will be open Nov. 20 through Jan. 4. https://libertystation.com/events/salute-the-season/holiday-tree-lighting
“Young Audiences”: OnStage Playhouse presents the world premiere of Mabelle Reynoso’s play about a playwright struggling to get her Latina feminist play produced. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 7. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $15-$25. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org
Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum will be decked with more than a million lights as part of its “Jingle Jets” holiday light show and festivities from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on select nights from Nov. 28 to Dec. 30. Highlights include Holiday Dancing Light Show, Midway’s Magical Penguin Search, Christmas Carol Karaoke, Bring Your Dog Night, Santa’s Christmas Rush Virtual Reality Ride and expanded Reindeer Games, among other festivities. Holiday eats & treats will be sold. Tickets are $20-$30 and sold only online; discounts for museum members; free for children 3 and younger. Visit https://www.midway.org/event/jingle-jets-2025
“To My Girls”: Diversionary Theatre presents JC Lee’s play about a group of gay men from many generations, baby boomer to millennial, gathered for a weekend in Palm Springs. Runs through Dec. 7. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays. 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. $11.50-$66.50. 619-220-0097, diversionary.org
“Rent”: New Village Arts presents an intimate staging of Jonathan Larson’s musical about one year in the life of a group of friends in 1990 struggling to create art and survive in AIDS-plagued New York. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 24. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$80. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org
“The Strangers”: Chalk Circle Collective presents the West Coast premiere of Christopher Oscar Peña’s play about a group of strangers in a contemporary community that draws inspiration from Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play “Our Town.” 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 30. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego. $40 and up. chalkcirclecollective.com
“Master Class”: The Roustabouts Theatre Company and Scripps Ranch Theatre co-present Terrence McNally’s play about fading but fiery opera diva Maria Callas coaching young singers in 1970s New York. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 14. Legler Benbough Theatre, 783 Avenue of Nations, Allied International University, San Diego. $30-$52. 858-395-0573, theroustabouts.org