Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Sept. 28 to Friday, Oct. 2.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Books
Seanan McGuire author event: Seanan McGuire will discuss “A Divided Duty.” 7 p.m. Monday. Mysterious Galaxy3555 Rosecrans St. #107A, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com/92826mcguire
Tuesday
Sports
NL Wild Card Series Game 1: The Padres will play the Cubs at home in the first game of the NL Wild Card Series. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. Ticket start at $66.50. mlb.com/padres/schedule/2026-09
Books
“The Big Bad Book of Kaiju” author panel: A four-author panel will discuss “The Big Bad Book of Kaiju.” 7 p.m. Tuesday. Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St. #107A, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com/92926kaiju
Elizabeth Letts author event: Elizabeth Letts will discuss “Fallen for France.” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
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. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 11. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $30-$69. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
“Topdog/Underdog”: The Old Globe presents Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning tragicomedy about two Black brothers, Lincoln and Booth, who struggle to make a living through humiliating jobs and card games. Despite their intense sibling bond, their rivalry becomes a destructive force. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 18. Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $97-$119. 619-234,5623, theoldglobe.org
“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
Wednesday
Music
Jack White: Guitarist and vocalist Jack White is on tour after the release of his recent album, “Frozen Charlotte.” This will be a phone-free show. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Belly Up Presents At The Sound, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $104. bellyup.com/dates/#tw-event-dialog-14845063
Sports
NL Wild Card Series Game 2: The Padres will play the Cubs at home in the second game of the NL Wild Card Series. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. Ticket start at $66.50. mlb.com/padres/schedule/2026-09
Night life
Vampire Diaries trivia: Just in time for spooky season, Duck Dive will host a trivia night focused on “Vampire Diaries.” Purchase tickets on Duck Dive’s website and call ahead if you want to be seated as a group: 858-273-3825. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Duck Dive, 4650 Mission Blvd., San Diego. $7.18. theduckdive.com
Books
Ally Bloom author event: Ally Bloom will discuss “Love Struck.” 5 p.m. Wednesday. Carlsbad Village Books, 640 Grand Ave., Suite A, Carlsbad. instagram.com/carlsbadvillagebooks
Mona Awad author event: Mona Awad will discuss “Love Bunny.” 7 p.m. Wednesday. San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd.,San Diego. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/martin
Theater
“Good Night, 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. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 18. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $63.50-$66.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.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. 18. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Classical music
“Contacts”: UCSD professor/percussionist Steven Schick will team up with pianist Cory Smythe, who joined the faculty two years ago and has an impressive list of creative collaborators. The duo will perform formidable works by Anthony Braxton, Roger Reynolds and Karlheinz Stockhausen. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Conrad Prebys Music Center, 9410 Russell Lane, UC San Diego. $10-$20 (free for students), parking fee is required on campus. music.ucsd.edu
Cédrix Crespel “Hold Back the Night”: Madison Gallery presents a solo exhibition of atmospheric landscape paintings by the French contemporary artist. Opens Wednesday and runs through Nov. 15. 320 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 200, Solana Beach. madisongalleries.com/
Thursday
Museums
Kids Free in October: For the 16th time, San Diego County museums, attractions and cultural institutions are joining together to provide free admission for kids with an accompanying paying adult. There are more than 60 participants this year, including Living Coast Discovery Center, WorldBeat Cultural Center, USS Midway Museum, Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, Oceanside Museum of Art and Birch Aquarium at Scripps. See the San Diego Museum Council’s online guide for details. Oct. 1-31. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree
Sports
Club América vs. Cruz Azul: Two Liga MX teams will face off at Snapdragon Stadium. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. $56.70. snapdragonstadium.com/events
Books
Sabaa Tahir author event: Library Foundation San Diego will host this National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author in a discussion and Q&A about “Empire,” the conclusion of Tahir’s “Heir Duology” fantasy novel series. Author Kiersten White will lead the discussion. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Shiley Suite, Ninth Floor, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego. Book purchase is required to attend. $22.99. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/tahir
Kate Golden author event: Kate Golden will be in conversation with author Meg Smitherman about “Cursed City.” This is a ticketed event. 7 p.m. Thursday. Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St. #107A, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com/10126Golden
Tania Lambrozo author event: Tania Lambrozo will discuss “Why We Ask Why.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
Music
San Diego Tijuana Jazz Fest: Over four days in October and multiple venues on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, the San Diego Tijuana Jazz Fest is a binational celebration of the genre. This year’s lineup of performers includes a binational youth ensemble, Lucía and the Familia Gutiérrez, Danilo Pérez with La Covacha Big Band and SeñalesSelañes. Oct. 1-4. San Diego, Tijuana and Escondido. $54-90. sdtjjazz.org
Friday
Seasonal
Haunted Corn Maze: The Carlsbad Strawberry Company will be the scene of a terrifying corn maze. The spooky experience is recommended for teens and adults only. Fridays and Saturdays in October. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. $25-45. aguahedionda.org/haunted-corn-maze
Arts
First Friday at Liberty Station: Every first Friday of the month, the Arts District in Liberty Station hosts special activities to welcome locals to explore the arts community there. This month’s First Friday includes a Dia de los Muerto craft and a free kids craft. Friday. Liberty Station. Free. libertystation.com/events/first-friday-arts-district
Music
Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert Series: The Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert Series returns with several free concerts this fall. Friday, jazz vocalist Allison Adams Tucker, who can perform in six languages, will take the stage. RSVP online. 4:30 p.m. Friday. Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Free. theconrad.org/events/allison-adams-tucker-quartet
Architecture
Orchids and Onions: The San Diego Architectural Foundation is hosting the 50th edition of its Orchids and Onions event. At this ceremony, the foundation will award the best and worst in local architecture. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Vesper Venue, 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego. $75 for ceremony only. sdarchitecture.org/programs/orchids-onions
Theater
‘Dear Evan Hansen’ closing weekend: Cygnet Theatre presents the final performances of Pasek and Paul’s Tony Award-winning musical about a lonely teen who suddenly becomes social media-famous after a tragedy occurs. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Joseph Clayes III Stage, The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $24.50-$78. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org
“Oh, Mary!”: Broadway San Diego will launch the national tour of Cole Escola’s Tony-nominated comedy which imagines what would happen if Mary Todd Lincoln was a drunkard with an unrequited dream of being a famous cabaret star. Drag queen Alaska Thunderf*ck will play Mary and 2023 Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee will play Mary’s Husband. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com/upcoming-events/oh-mary/
“This is Government”: Moxie Theatre presents Nina Kissinger’s dark comedy about a group of U.S. Congressional summer interns questioning the stability of their jobs and the government when Capitol Hill is locked down due to a bomb threat. Opens Friday and runs through Oct. 25. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, San Diego. $20 and up. moxietheatre.com