Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20.
Friday
Seasonal events
Fall at Bates Nut Farm: San Diegans can experience traditional fall activities at this Valley Center farm. Visitors will find a pumpkin patch, tractor hay rides, a straw maze and a corn pit. The farm is dog-friendly and will have a petting zoo and pony rides in October. Sept. 17 to Oct. 31. 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center. Free admission. $10 seasonal parking on weekends. $2.50 tickets per additional activity. batesnutfarm.biz/blogs/events/the-pumpkin-patch
Music
The Sixties Show: An Off-Broadway production come from New York City to San Diego this Friday with a group of professional musicians and vocalists performing songs from the ’60s from artists such as The Beach Boys, The Who, Mick Jagger, John Fogerty and The Bee Gees. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego. Tickets start at $39. theshell.org/performances/the-sixties-show/
Theater
“Begin Again”:The Old Globe presents the world premiere of John Carney, Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy’s film-inspired musical about a singer and a songwriter who meet at an open-mic night and change each others’ lives, featuring a score by the band Train. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 18. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $66 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Dear Evan Hansen”: Cygnet Theatre presents Pasek and Paul’s Tony Award-winning musical about a lonely teen who suddenly becomes popular after a tragedy occurs. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 4. Joseph Clayes III Stage, The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $24.50-$78. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org
“Our Lady of the San Diego Convention Center”: TuYo Theatre presents the world premiere of Mario Vega’s play inspired by the true stories of caregivers and the migrant children they cared for at the convention center, where asylum seekers were kept in 2021 during a migration surge. The play is now on a countywide tour, visiting 12 locations from San Ysidro to Oceanside through mid-October. Tickets are pay what you can, but a donation of $25 is encouraged. Full tour schedule at tuyotheatre.org/our-lady-of-the-san-diego-convention.
“Come From Away”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the La Jolla Playhouse-born Broadway musical about the true story of human kindness when the residents of a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, cared for 7,000 American airline passengers forced to land in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Through Sept. 26. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $49-$71. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
“Goodnight, Oscar”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of Doug Wright’s Broadway drama inspired by the real-life 1958 broadcast of the mentally troubled, but brilliant, composer-pianist Oscar Levant’s appearance on Jack Paar’s TV talk show. Opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 11. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p..m Sundays. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $63.50-$66.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“We Will Rock You”: New Village Arts presents the San Diego premiere of this Queen jukebox musical featuring characters inspired by some of the English rock band’s songs. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $45-$85. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org
“Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door”: Scripps Ranch Theatre presents Paul Slade Smith’s play about the romantic and comic entanglements that occur when a novelist, an actress and a pair of Broadway stars converge for a weekend in the country. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Legler Benbough Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, Alliant International University, San Diego. $27-$52. 858-395-0573, scrippsranchtheatre.org
“American Rhythm”: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Lamb’s Players Theatre has revived its high-energy musical celebration of 100 years of American music, from ragtime to swing, jazz and rock and roll. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 4. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Saturday
Comedy
Chelsea Handler: The comedian, author and talk show host will bring The High and Mighty Tour to San Diego. 8 p.m. Saturday. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. Sold out. sandiegotheatres.org/events/detail/chelsea-handler-2026
Music
Adams Avenue Street Fair: For two days, the Normal Heights neighborhood will host 75 musical acts across six stages. Music fans at the street fair will also find food and beer gardens, carnival rides and vendor booths. Sept. 19-20. Adams Avenue, San Diego. Free. adamsavenuebusiness.com/adams-avenue-street-fair
Outdoors
Ranger-led Interpretive Hike: Every third Saturday, San Diego County park rangers host an interpretive hike at Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch. Participants do a 3.5-mile moderate loop on Martha’s Grove Trail. 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch, 16281 Sycamore Canyon Road, Poway. Free. sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/participate/calendar.html
Beer
Capital of Craft Beer Festival: Sample unlimited craft beers in 2 oz pours and get a commemorative cup with a ticket ot htis event. There will also be live music, DJs and food vendors. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Broadway Pier, San Diego. $41.77. eventbrite.com/e/capital-of-craft-beer-fest-tickets-1992071644915
Arts
ArtWalk Carlsbad: This fine art event brings together traveling artists in a range of mediums, including sculpture, glass work, photography and jewelry. In addition to art from more than 150 participants, there will be a kids walk, food trucks and musical performers. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Armada Drive above the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Free. artwalksandiego.org/carlsbad
Indigenous Artisan Market: The San Diego Archeaological Center will host a market presenting indigenous art and craftwork, including pottery, jewelry, textiles and other cultural crafts. The lineup of participating artists includes Eva Salazar, Ma Eugenia Meza Vaquero and Angel Sapawechia. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. Free to attend. sandiegoarchaeology.org/event/indigenous-artisan-market
“Joe Garcia: Journey”: Santa Ysabel Gallery will open a new exhibition of paintings by the Julian artist, with an opening reception from 4-7 p.m. Saturday. Exhibit runs through Nov. 30. 30352 Highway 78. Santa Ysabel. 760-765-1676, santaysabelartgallery.com
“Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art”: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s fall exhibition offers an artistic journey through queer gathering spaces on both sides of the San Diego/Tijuana border. Opens Saturday with a free public opening at 11 a.m. Exhibit runs through Jan. 17. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. https://mcasd.org/exhibitions/visiones-nocturnas
“Unbound 2: Anything Goes”: Studio ACE Gallery in Oceanside will open this juried exhibit that was open to artists of all levels and backgrounds. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. Saturday. Runs through Oct. 22. 3861 Mission Avenue #B3, Oceanside. studioace.org
Classical music
Ballet Collective San Diego presents ‘Revel’: Ballet Collective dancers will present a diverse array of choreography by Emily Miller, Katie Spagnoletti, Tylor Bradshaw, Nilas Martins and others to the music of Vivaldi, Richter, and Gonzalez, with live music by Jennifer and the Killing Contemporary Quartet. 5 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Baker-Baum Concert Hall at the Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $50 to $95. theconrad.org
Sacra/Profana: This San Diego chamber choir will present “Un Diálogo, Dos Conversaciones,” a musical exploration of the conversations that shape us. 7 p.m. Saturday. San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. $25-$40. sacraprofana.org
Theater
“A Black-billed Cuckoo”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Mat Smart’s new play about a group of bird-watchers at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, whose members are desperate to spot a rare and highly elusive species. Opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 11. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $30-$69. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
Sunday
Classical music
Fred Hersch Trio: La Jolla Music Society presents the modern jazz pianist, composer and bandleader and his band in an intimate cabaret-style concert. 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The JAI at The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $75-$85. theconrad.org