Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, 26 to Sunday, 28.
Friday
Visitors enjoy Nat at Night at the San Diego Natural History Museum Dec.19, 2025 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)
Nat at Night: The San Diego Natural History Museum’s late-night event, Nat at Night, allows access to explore the museum after hours. Guests can enjoy food from various vendors and half price admission as well as access to the rooftop and other activities. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1850 El Prado, Balboa Park. $7-$12. sdnhm.org/calendar/nat-at-night
“Adult Storytime: A Caregiver’s Guide to the Blues”: OnWord Theatre presents this monologue-driven play with live blues songs and music ,inspired by author Marti Gobel’s interviews with caregivers and others. 7 p.m. Friday; 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road, #205, Liberty Station.. $30-$40. 619-892-8123, onwordtheatre.com
“1776”: Vanguard Theatre and Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church are co-producing this classic Sherman Edwards-Peter Stone musical about America’s Founding Fathers, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will feature a cast of 27. Opens Friday and runs through July 12. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 2128 Chatsworth Blvd., San Diego. $25. vanguardsd.org/shows
San Diego Symphony Shell season kickoff: The San Diego Symphony, conducted by Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare, will open its summer season next weekend at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The concert will feature Shostakovich’s Festive Overture Op. 96, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor featuring soloist Stefan Jackiw. 7:30 p.m. Friday. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $39-$124. theshell.org
Opera Neo presents “Fausto”: This San Diego opera company presents a full production of Louise Bertin’s rarely performed 1831 opera based on Goethe’s “Faust.” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. Old Town. $28-$75. 858-888-2231, operaneo.com
The Emo Night tour: Lovers of emo music can hear a night full of greatest hits at this famous celebration of the genre. 8 p.m. Friday. 1337 India St., San Diego. $28.57. musicboxsd.com/event/14794013/the-emo-night-tour
“Isaac’s Eye”: OnStage Playhouse presents Lucas Hnath’s surrealistic play about the fierce rivalry between 18th century British scientists Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke. Opens Friday and runs through July 19. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Plus 7:30 p.m. July 13. OnStage Playhouse, 292 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $20-$25. onstageplayhouse.com
Saturday
‘Clearly Indigenous’ art glass exhibit opens at Mingei: Mingei International Museum opens this touring exhibition of glass art that recognizes contemporary Native American and indigenous artists working in glass. Exhibit features nearly 120 glass art objects by 29 Native American artists, Pacific Rim artists from New Zealand and Australia and leading glass artist Dale Chihuly, who first introduced glas art to Indian country. Opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 20. 1339 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. mingei.org/exhibitions/clearly-indigenous
Mass Creativity: For the 14th time, The New Children’s Museum will host a Mass Creativity event, with free admission, celebrating community, imagination and art. This year’s theme is “The Worlds We Grow.” Participants will find artist-led workshops, interactive art activities, music, dance performances, food and community art displays. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 200 W. Island Ave., San Diego. Free. thinkplaycreate.org/learn/community-programs/mass-creativity/mass-creativity-2026
A view of last year’s Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in San Diego,
Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off: Combining food, shopping, art, entertainment and beach vibes, this annual street fair brings thousands of people to Ocean Beach. Amateur chefs will compete in a chili cook-off for prizes, including people’s choice award and hottest chili. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. Free. oceanbeachsandiego.com/attractions/annual-events/ob-street-fair-chili-cook
Oceanside Independence Parade: For more than 100 years, the Oceanside Independence Parade has been a chance for Oceanside to celebrate its history, community spirit and military heritage. Visitors will see floats, bands and communities groups marching in the parade procession. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Coast Highway. Free. mainstreetoceanside.com/independence-parade
Fleet Science grand reopening: The Fleet Science Center will reveal its recent renovations, including a new entrance gallery, updated theater, an expanded cafe and other updates. San Diego residents can attend the reopening with half-price admission on Saturday and Sunday. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego. fleetscience.org/fleet-reimagined
Pride Party: Ahead of Pride Month ramping up in San Diego, the Museum of Us is kicking off the season with a party featuring a community resources, story time and a mini-performance with the queens of the Haus of St. James and a cooking decorating contest judged by the queens. Register online for free admission. All ages are invited. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Museum of Us, 1350 El Prado, San Diego. Free with registration. museumofus.org/blog/pride-party-2026
Oceanside USA 250 Festival: Oceanside will gather to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a festival after its annual Independence Parade. Visitors can expect local food, a country music festival, a chili cook-off, a USA 250 kids grand prix, family-friendly activities and community exhibits. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Pier Amphitheater, 301 The Strand North, Oceanside. Free. oceansidechamber.com/oceanside-usa-250-festival.html
Story time with María Felicia Kelley: Author María Felicia Kelley will share about her children’s book, “July Four: 7/4,” part of the Celebrate the HoliDates series. 11 a.m. to noon Saturday. Barnes and Noble Encinitas, 1040 N El Camino Real Drive, Encinitas. Free. thenorthcountymoms.com/event/barnes-noble-storytime-with-maria-felicia-kelley-featuring-july-four-7-4/
Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival 2026 Finale: The festival concludes with Mozart’s Fantasia Fugato (arr. von Seyfried), Brahms’ Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op. 102 “Double Concerto” featuring James Ehnes and Robert DeMaine, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67. 7 p.m. Saturday. Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, UCSD, La Jolla. $25-$250. 619-239-0100, mainlymozart.org
Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi) attends the premiere of Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore 2.” He brings the Rebel Rager Tour to CHula Vista this Saturday. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kid Cudi: The rapper Kid Cudi will bring the Rebel Rager Tour to Chula Vista with special guests Big Boi and Dot Da Genius. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. North Island Credit Union Ampitheatre, 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista. Tickets start at $46.99. ticketmaster.com/north-island-credit-union-amphitheatre-tickets-chula-vista/venue/82205
Movie Night features Disney’s ‘Frozen’: North City’s movie night will feature an outdoor screening of Disney’s film “Frozen.” A pre-show celebration from 5 to 6:30 p.m. will include family-friendly games, “Frozen” sing-along karaoke, crafts and activities for kids and themed character meet-and-greets, followed by the movie screening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring low-back chairs and blankets, and enjoy a picnic-style dinner from North City eateries. 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. 250 North City Drive, San Marcos. Free. northcity.com.
Sunday
Art in the Village: The Carlsbad Village Association hosts its 28th one-day festival of fine art. More than 160 local and regional artists will set up art stalls along four blocks in downtown Carlsbad. There will be live art demonstrations, chalk art and mural creations, live music and student performances. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. State Street, Carlsbad. Free. carlsbad-village.com/events/art-in-the-village
Alexander Arshansky exhibition: Sparks Gallery presents an evening celebration of contemporary paintings by the Russian-born San Diego artist, who describes his work as “Biomorphic Cubism.” 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Andaz Hotel, 600 F St., Free. 619-696-1416, sparksgallery.com
Art in the Village fest: The annual Art in the Village fest is an open-air celebration of fine art hosted by the Carlsbad Village Association. The outdoor art gallery will cover four blocks, featuring 160 local and regional artists and their original works, including paintings, photography, sculpture and glasswork. Attendees can meet artists and there will be art demonstrations in sculpting, glassblowing and printmaking, a chalk art zone, live music and a hands-on pop-up art booth for all ages. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Carlsbad Village. carlsbad-village.com/events/art-in-the-village.
Summer Sundays: The Village Walk’s Summer Sundays event will feature a car show by the Model A Restorer’s Club and live music by Lady J & Soulful Knights. The free event includes activities for kids, including decorating a small book bag, balloon sculptures and glitter art. 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Village Walk at Eastlake, 884 Eastlake Parkway. shopvillagewalk.com.