Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Oct. 26 to Friday, Oct. 30.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Seasonal
Rooftop Cinema Club’s Halloween movies: San Diego’s rooftop movie-viewing experience is offering a lineup of scary and family-friendly movies this week. It kicks off Monday with “Obsession” and “Scream” and continues with titles such as “American Psycho,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Sinners,” “Halloween Town,” “Twilight” and “Practical Magic.” Showtimes vary. Monday through Saturday. Porto Vista Hotel, 1835 Columbia St., San Diego. $11-28. rooftopcinemaclub.com/us/san-diego/little-italy.
Art
“Echoes of Time”: The San Diego artist collective Karisma will present a painting and mixed-media exhibition exploring memory, identity, personal experience and reflection. The work by 15 artists will be presented in two parts. From Monday through Nov. 15, works will be featured by Esther Sukhyun Min, Suehee Kim, Youngmi Kim, Sung Yang, Hyojung Ryu, Minji Lee, Cindy Lee, Jiyeon Lee, Youngjin Lim and Jiye Choi. Then from Nov. 16 to Jan. 1, works by Moonkyung Kim, Jeongseon Park, Eun kyoung Lee, Sangah Cho and Young Connie Choi will be shown. San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown. sdgalleryjirehstudio.com
“A Court of Splintered Harmony” midnight release party: A midnight release party for Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Splintered Harmony” will include games and other activities. 9:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets must be ordered by 4 p.m. Monday. $37 (includes book). Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St., Suite 107, San Diego. 619-539-7137, mystgalaxy.com
Tuesday
Music
Doja Cat: The rapper and singer-songwriter will perform in San Diego on Tuesday with special guest Latto. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Viejas Arena, SDSU. $125. ticketmaster.com/doja-cat-tour-ma-vie-world-san-diego-california-10-27-2026/event/0A00633B10646A91
Gary Clark Jr.: Rock, R&B and funk are all vital components in the music of Texas guitar and vocal fireball Gary Clark Jr., but his musical foundation remains firmly rooted in the blues. His most recent album, 2024’s “Jpeg Raw,” finds him stretching in enticing new directions on collaborations with P-Funk mastermind George Clinton, trumpeter Keyon Harrold and singer Valerie June. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2243 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. $86.55 (general admission, standing room only). ticketmaster.com
Seasonal
Halloween maritime adventure: The Maritime Museum hosts a Halloween-inspired adventure, Davy Jones Locker: Spirits of the Star. Festivities include maritime legends, cocktails, deck-top dancing to the sounds of Harbor the People along with an interactive mystery hunt featuring hidden clues and the Davy Jones Cryptex. Costumes encouraged. 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, for ages 21 and over, aboard the 1863 Star of India. Tickets are $29 at sdmaritime.org/visit/special-events/davy-jones-locker-spirits/.
Theater
“Day for the Dead”: Teatro Máscara Mágica presents the world premiere of “Real Women Have Curves” author Josefina López’s one-act play performed in English and Spanish with Spanish songs. It’s the cautionary tale of a winemaking family cursed by love, revenge, sacrifice and consequences. 7:30 pm. Tuesday through next Friday. Mar Vista High School Theater, 505 Elm St., Imperial Beach. $10-$15. tickettailor.com/events/teatromscaramgica/2448332
“Grim”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of this musical comedy by This world premiere musical comedy by Joey Orton, Brad Silnutzer, Petro AP and Scott Hoying about the Grim Reaper’s daughter Diana, who is inheriting her dad’s job so he can retire. But her suitability for the role is questioned when she falls in love with humanity. Opens Tuesday and runs through Dec. 6. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$119. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org/
Books
Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee author event: Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee will discuss “Mark of the Warrior.” 7 p.m. Tuesday. Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St., Suite 107, San Diego. 619-539-7137, mystgalaxy.com
Sabrina Zohar author event: Sabrina Zohar will discuss “Why Am I Like This?” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
Wednesday
Books
Jean Seager author events: Jean Seager will discuss her book “Almost There.” 7 p.m. Wednesday. Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado. coronado.librarycalendar.com
Jonathan Maberry author event: Jonathan Maberry will discuss “Ghosts of the Void.” 7 p.m. Wednesday. Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St., Suite 107, San Diego. 619-539-7137, mystgalaxy.com
Marivi Soliven author event: Marivi Soliven will discuss “Taxi Dancer” after a swing jazz concert and dancing. 5:30 p.m. concert, 6:30 p.m. author event Tuesday. San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown. 619-236-5800, libraryfoundationsd.org/news-events
Theater
“JOB”: Cygnet Theatre presents Max Wolf Friedlich’s psychological thriller about a therapy session where a mentally troubled internet content moderator wants her therapist’s permission to return to work. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 31. Dottie Studio Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, 2880 Roosevelt Drive, San Diego. $35-$77. cygnettheatre.org/show/season26-27/job
Thursday
Music
Orchestra Symphonique de Montréal: San Diego Symphony Music Director Rafael Payare conducts the Canadian ensemble, with violinist Leonidas Kavakos in a program featuring Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” and Moussa’s “Elysium.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $43-$106. sandiegosymphony.org
Books
Tristan Tales and Luke Pounder author event: Tristan Tales and Luke Pounder will discuss their middle-grade book “Cogsworths.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
Friday
Museums
Kids free October: For the month of October, dozens of San Diego County museums, attractions, hotels, restaurants and cultural institutions are joining together to provide free admission and other activities for kids with an accompanying paying adult. More information on free activities for kids this month can be found from the San Diego Tourism Authority at sandiego.org/c/kids-free and from the San Diego Museum Council at sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree.
Secret Society of Adultologists: Self described as “San Diego’s favorite (and nerdiest) Halloween weekend event,” this is an opportunity to see the Natural History Museum after hours. The museum will host science activities, a costume contest, music, dancing and more. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado. $55. $45 for members. sdnhm.org/calendar/for-adults/
Seasonal
PoeFest: Write Out Loud, an organization celebrating literature with live performances, will present PoeFest. Actors will read some of Edgar Allan Poe’s supernatural stories, including “The Premature Burial.” The event will take place inside the mysterious Villa Montezuma Museum. The shows feature veteran Poe performers Rhianna Basore, Manny Fernandez, Monique Gaffney, Eddie Yaroch, Walter Ritter, Veronica Murphy and Geoffrey Geisinger. 6, 7:30, and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Villa Montezuma Museum, 1925 K Street., San Diego. $35. 619-944-8953, writeoutloudsd.com
Vista Fright Night: The annual Halloween annual event in historic downtown features a haunted house at the Avo Playhouse, trick-or-treating and a costume contest. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Main Street in Vista. Haunted house admission is $8; $5 for kids 10 and younger at the Avo Playhouse ticket box office on the day of the event. discovervista.com/fright-night.
Corn Maze at Pumpkin Patch: The Carlsbad Strawberry Company will hold a haunted corn maze, tractor rides, hay pyramid, Jurassic Fright, marigold fields, and sheep, goats and rabbits. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1050 Cannon Road, San Diego. Admission is $20-$25; plus fees for activities. A portion of ticket sales support environmental education at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin.
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. 9 to 5:30 p.m. Friday. 8:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday. 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
Haunted Trail: Locals don’t have to wait until October for haunted houses. One of San Diego’s largest spooky season experiences opens in Balboa Park the last weekend of September, presenting the eXperiment Maze, the Haunted Trail and the Dark Carnival. 6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Balboa Drive and Juniper Road, San Diego. $34.99-$49.99. hauntedtrail.net
Theater
“JOB”: Cygnet Theatre presents Max Wolf Friedlich’s psychological thriller about a therapy session where a mentally troubled internet content moderator wants her therapist’s permission to return to work. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dottie Studio Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, 2880 Roosevelt Drive, San Diego. $35-$77. cygnettheatre.org/show/season26-27/job
“Ripcord”: The Roustabouts Theatre Co. presents David Lindsay-Abaire comedy about two very different roommates in an escalating battle of wills at a senior living community. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. The Roustabouts at Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9873 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. $10-$45. theroustabouts.org
“Day for the Dead”: Teatro Máscara Mágica presents the world premiere of “Real Women Have Curves” author Josefina López’s one-act play performed in English and Spanish with Spanish songs. It’s the cautionary tale of a winemaking family cursed by love, revenge, sacrifice and consequences. 7:30 pm. Friday. Mar Vista High School Theater, 505 Elm St., Imperial Beach. $10-$15. tickettailor.com/events/teatromscaramgica/2448332
“Grim”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of this musical comedy by This world premiere musical comedy by Joey Orton, Brad Silnutzer, Petro AP and Scott Hoying about the Grim Reaper’s daughter Diana, who is inheriting her dad’s job so he can retire. But her suitability for the role is questioned when she falls in love with humanity. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 6. Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$119. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org/
“Into the Woods”: Coronado Playhouse presents a 40th anniversary production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning fairy tale-inspired musical. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; plus 7 p.m. Nov. 9. Through Nov. 22. 1835 Strand Way, Coronado. $30. 619-435-4856, coronadoplayhouse.org/into-the-woods
“As You Like It”: New Village Arts presents Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery’s musical adaptation of William Shakespeares romantic comedy. Showtimes vary, but mostly 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 29. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $75. newvillagearts.org
Dance
San Diego Ballet celebrates Día de los Muertos: San Diego Ballet will perform a program of works this weekend at the San Diego Museum of Art in honor of Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Mariachi music accompanies the romantic “Qué Bonito Amor” and artistic director Javier Velasco’s signature work, “Mambomania,” is a lively Latin-infused ballet. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. San Diego Museum of Art, James S. Copley Auditorium, 1450 El Prado, San Diego. sandiegoballet.org
Classical
A Sound of Two Cities: San Diego Symphony and Orchestra Symphonique de Montréal will perform a free concert under the baton of the two orchestras’ shared music director Rafael Payare. Works by Bartók, Ravel, Prokofiev and Respighi will be featured. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. Free. sandiegosymphony.org
Pianist Alexandre Tharaud & cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras: La Jolla Music Society presents a concert of works by the French pianist and French-Canadian cellist who are celebrating 30 years of collaboration. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $65-$95. theconrad.org