Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15.
Friday
Aparna Nara (left) and Priya Patel (right) were among the visitors at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park for the Cherry Blossom Festival on March 18, 2025. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Cherry Blossom Festival: The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in Balboa Park is hosting its annual Cherry Blossom Festival for four days. Highlights to expect at this year’s festivities include live music, dancers and different artists performing each hour. There will also be a children’s area, a beer and sake garden, food for sale and merchant vendors. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Today hrough March 15. Last entrance is at 5 p.m. 2215 Pan American Road, San Diego. $18-$25. 619-232-2721, niwa.org/cbw
Floral workshop: A Reason To Survive, an arts center in National City, is hosting a DIY flower pressing workshop. Participants will be taught how to use fresh flowers to create designs on a tote bag. Guests will be given all materials needed, including various flowers in different shapes and colors. The workshop is led by artist Isabella Cervantes. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. 200 East 12th St., National City. $25. 619-297-2787. areasontosurvive.org
Samantha Ginn plays the title role of God in The Roustabouts Theatre Company production of “An Act of God.” (Michael Pearce)
Roustabouts presents ‘An Act of God’ : The Roustabouts Theatre Co. presents David Javerbaum’s comedic play about God deciding to rewrite the Ten Commandments, because she’s unhappy with how poorly humans are behaving on Earth. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through March 29. The Roustabouts at Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, Alliant International University, San Diego. $10-$45. 619-568-5800, theroustabouts.org
San Diego Dance Theater presents “Resilient Skies II: Bridging Waters”: This evening-length concert that explores our relationship with water as both a source of life and as something we take for granted. After this weekend, the production will travels to Japan. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Light Box Theater, 2650 Truxtun Road, #205, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego.$ 25-$35. sandiegodancetheater.org
Concerto Köln: San Diego Early Music Society presents this German period music ensemble performing baroque works by Telemann, Vivaldi, Handel, Sammartini and Bach. 7:30 p.m. Friday. St. James By-The-Sea, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $30-$60. 619-291-8246, sdems.org
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”: Backyard Renaissance Theatre presents Edward Albee’s 1962 drama about a New England college professor and his wife who invite a young faculty member and his wife over for a night of drinking, dancing and debauchery. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Through March 21. Tenth Avenue Arts Center. 930 Tenth Avenue, San Diego. $50. backyardrenaissance.com
“The Maltese Falcon”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Matthew Salazar-Thompson’s comical stage adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 noir detective thriller, best remembered for its 1941 film version starring Humphrey Bogart a hard-boiled detective Sam Spade. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through March 29. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $73.50-$80.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“Straddle”: Diversionary Theatre presents the world premiere of Harrison David Rivers’ play about a long-married lesbian couple who are struggling to get their romantic spark back. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. $11.50-$61.50. 619-220-0097, diversionary.org
“Somewhere Over the Border”: Cygnet Theatre presents the San Diego premiere of Brian Quijada’s musical about a young Salvadoran woman’s journey to America, with characters and situations inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org
Fiasco Theater’s “Bartleby”: The Old Globe presents this world premiere stage adaptation of an 1853 Herman Melville story about a law clerk who decides on day that he’d prefer not to do his job. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays.Through March 22. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. $44 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“The Book of Will”: Lamplighters Community Theatre presents Lauren Gunderson’s historical fiction comedy about William Shakespeare’s friends and fellow actors John Heminges nad Henry Condell who collected and published his plays in the First Folio after the Bard’s death. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. Sundays; select performances on Saturdays. Through March 22. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $28-$30. 619-303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com
“Hedda Gabler”: The Old Globe presents Katie Holmes in Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama, in a new version by playwright Erin Cressida Wilson. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through March 22. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $61 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“The Recipe”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Claudia Shear’s play about the life of chef and author Julia Child before she rose to TV fame. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Extended through March 29. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UCSD campus. $61 and up. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
“The Mercy Seat”: OnStage Playhouse presents the San Diego premiere of Neil LaBute’s 2002 drama about a married New York man and his lover, who consider taking advantage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to escape to a new life together. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through March 29. 291 Third Ave, Chula Vista. $25 and up. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org
“The ’70s! The Golden Age of the Album”: Lamb’s Players Theatre is bringing back its hit 2025 music revue of the greatest songs of the 1970s. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Through April 12. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego. $49-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Saturday
San Diego Wave FC players celebrate at Snapdragon Stadium, where the 2026 season opener will be held on March 14. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Wave FC home opener: The San Diego Wave is kicking off its fifth season as a franchise with their home opener versus the Houston Dash. Fans in attendance will receive a celebratory fifth-season rally towel as they enter Snapdragon Stadium. There will also be family-friendly activities before the game on the east side of the stadium. 5:45 p.m. Saturday. 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. sandiegowavefc.com
Ballast Point beer festival: A curated craft-beer and visual-art showcase is debuting at Ballast Point Little Italy. The Art of Beer is a festival that brings in 10 hand-selected San Diego breweries for an afternoon focused on beer, craftsmanship and culture. The event spotlights the ingredients, the design, storytelling and people behind each beer. There will be presentations, meet and greets and tastings. Plus, VIP guests will vote for their favorites throughout the event, with awards given out at the end. Noon to 4 p.m. 2215 India St., San Diego. 619-255-7213, $32-$107. ballastpoint.com/location/littleitaly
Celtic trio concert: Blackthorne’s Maritime Band will perform Saturday. The band formed in 1988 and performs 19th-century maritime Celtic music fused with klezmer, polka and milonga. The band features Beatriz Basile, Rachel Amov and Jeff Pekarek and has performed at the San Diego Sea Chantey Festival on the Star of India, among other venues. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Saturday. Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee. Suggested donation is $20.
Pints and pucks: Bay City Brewing is hosting its eighth annual Pucks and Pints. The event is a beer festival and a charity event with beer tastings and food from Phil’s BBQ. Plus, tickets to the event include entry to the San Diego Gulls game that night. Proceeds from the event go towards several San Diego nonprofits, according to event organizers. 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. 3760 Hancock St., San Diego. $70. 619-727-4926, baycitybrewingco.com
North Park Art Walk: This new festival will feature 40 local creators as well as live demonstrations and interactive activities. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. North Park Mini Park, 3812 29th St., San Diego. Free. eventbrite.com/e/north-park-art-walk-tickets-1975248465332
North Italia’s chicken al pastor is topped with pineapple, avocado, jalapeno salsa and queso fresco. (North Italia)
Pi Day: North Italia is celebrating Pi Day with two new pizzas. The chicken al pastor is topped with pineapple, avocado, jalapeno salsa and queso fresco. The Nashville hot chicken pizza is topped with dill pickles and an herb ranch sauce. Each pizza is $23 and $20 during happy hour. They will be available Saturday through April 10. North Italia has locations in Fashion Valley and the One Paseo shopping center. northitalia.com
Pop Pie celebrates Pi Day: For the ninth time, Pop Pie Co. is highlighting three guest chefs and their pie creations for Pi Day. For one day, until sold out, guests can purchase pies from chefs Tara Monsod of Animae and Le Coq, Rob Striker of The Friendly and Matt Lyons of Tribute Pizza. Monsod’s pie is a remix of a Filipino comfort soup with chicken, ginger, garlic, fish sauce for depth, green papaya, spinach and Yukon gold potatoes. Striker’s contains grilled burger meat, butter-braised onions, American cheese, garlic aioli and banana peppers. Lyons’ pie is made with mozzarella, Bianco DiNapoli crushed tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, red onion, smoked cheddar and an everything bagel for the crust. Each pie is 5 inches and weighs almost one pound. Plus, the first 20 customers on Saturday will receive a complimentary slice of sweet pie. Pop Pie is located in University Heights, South Park, Point Loma, Pacific Beach and Carlsbad. poppieco.com
Bird talks with live falcons: Several talks with live falcons led by Bob Gordon will take place on Saturday. A children’s program about how falcons live, hunt and soar with an up close look is from noon to 1 p.m. A members and guests talk is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. with a deeper exploration of falconry, conservation and the partnership between humans and raptors along with live demonstrations. Museum admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for children younger than 17 accompanied by an adult. Heritage of the Americas Museum, Cuyamaca College, 2110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon. heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com.
The Gershwins on Broadway: Pianist Rob Fisher, with married Broadway singers Patti Murin and Colin Donnell and a music trio will perform George and Ira Gershwin’s classics loves songs an ballads. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B. Street, downtown. $29-$79. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
Motown concert: Mosaic Theatricals presents concert celebrating the music of Motown. The D. Ben-Jamin’ Orchestra and a group of vocalists will present covers of songs by The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Martha and the Vandellas. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 40 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $28-$102. theatricals.org
North County artist Maryam Bayat is featured in a new solo exhibition, “Unrolling Paradise,” opening Saturday at the California Center for the Arts Museum in Escondido. (CCAE)
‘Maryam Bayat: Unrolling Paradise’ opens Saturday in Escondido: California Center for the Arts Museum presents a textile exhibit by this Tehran-raised and now North County-based artist who grew up in a family of Persian rug producers. The exhibit examines the Persian garden as a living design tradition through textile sculptures, trees and furniture, all made from elements of Persian rugs. The exhibit will open Saturday with a free Persian new year celebration from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, featuring women artisans market, a craft workshop, live music and a children’s art show. Exhibit runs through Aug. 16. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. artcenter.org
CRSSD Festival: Electronic music takes the stage for the spring edition of CRSSD Festival at Waterfront Park. More than 30 DJs and producers will perform on multiple stages. Some of these artists include Dom Dolla, Lane 8, The Martinez Brothers and Deborah De Luca. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. crssdfest.com
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents “Passion and Devotion”: Conductor Arian Khaefi perform Bach’s St. John Passion with the San Diego Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego. $00. 858-534-4637, ljsc.org/passion-devotion
“Noncompliant”: Bread & Salt hosts a solo exhibition by Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio that uses drawing, painting, installation and an immersive mural to explore the lived realities of human bodies, disability and illness, known as “crip time.” Opens Saturday with a reception from 5-8 p.m. and runs thorugh May 23. 1955 Julian Ave., San Diego. Free. breadandsaltsandiego.com
Sunday
“Vignettes – Stories from a Latina Perspective”: A.L.M.A. (Art-Leadership-Mujeres-Activism) will present an evening of short plays with original music focused on the voices of Latina women navigating life, identity and belonging in the United States. 3 p.m. Sunday. New Village Arts, State St., Carlsbad. $20-$25. newvillagearts.org/events/month/2026-03/
Chorale performs Irish Spring concert: The Escondido Choral Arts Foundation will put on its spring concert. The Center Chorale and Pacific Coast Chorale will perform a concert themed Irish Spring-Music of the Heart, in the Irish tradition of storytelling through song. Choirs will perform with a chamber orchestra folk, classic and contemporary ballads in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. 3 p.m. Sunday. Ritz Theater, 301 E Grand Ave., Escondido. Tickets are $25; $20 for seniors and students; and $10 for children 10 and younger at showpass.com/an-irish-spring-music-of-the-heart.