Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19.<\/p>\n
Friday<\/p>\n
The Spirit of Stonewall Rally:\u00a0San Diego Pride\u2019s annual advocacy event honors leaders in the LGBTQ+ community and highlights current issues affecting the community. Held in recognition of the June 1969 Stonewall uprising, the rally brings together advocates and members of the community.\u00a06 p.m. July 17. 535 Robinson Ave., San Diego.\u00a0sdpride.org\/rally-2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDistant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy\u201d at The Shell:\u00a0Arnie Roth will conduct the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in a performance of music from \u201cFINAL FANTASY X,\u201d in celebration of the game\u2019s 25th anniversary. The concert will be accompanied by video created by SQUARE, bringing the video game to life.\u00a07:30 p.m. July 17. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $78-$162.\u00a0theshell.org\/performances\/distant-worlds-music-from-final-fantasy<\/a><\/p>\n Opening Day at Del Mar:\u00a0Horse racing returns to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. next Friday for the start of the season. A hat contest will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plaza de Mexico and an opening day party at Seaside Cabana will feature DJs, cocktails and craft beers. An After Pony Party will include a buffet and a performance by DJ Murphi at Rancho Valencia.\u00a0Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Ticket prices vary by event.\u00a0dmtc.com\/tickets\/opening-day<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDecoding DaVinci\u201d:\u00a0ArtPower at UCSD presents this interactive, mystery-solving experiential theater show, where groups of ticket-holders will explore the campus deciphering codes, uncovering hidden symbols and outwitting enemies to solve a Renaissance-style mystery.\u00a0Tours take place beginning at 2 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. UCSD, La Jolla. $30-$40.\u00a0artpower.ucsd.edu\/decoding-davinci<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIsaac\u2019s Eye\u201d:\u00a0OnStage Playhouse presents Lucas Hnath\u2019s surrealistic play about the fierce rivalry between 18th century British scientists Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke.\u00a08 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through July 19. OnStage Playhouse, 292 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $20-$25.\u00a0onstageplayhouse.org<\/a><\/p>\n Tramonto Music Festival:\u00a0The city of Encinitas presents this annual festival of works directed by pianist Jacopo Giacopuzzi, featuring Italian and Italy-inspired chamber and jazz music, with a different program for each of three concerts.\u00a07 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas. $30 each or $80 for all three. 760-633-2746, encinitasca.gov<\/p>\n \u201cAmerican Rhythm\u201d: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Lamb\u2019s Players Theatre has revived its high-energy musical celebration of 100 years of American music, from ragtime to swing, jazz and rock and roll. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 27. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHairspray\u201d: New Village Arts presents the musical comedy about a spunky 1960s Baltimore teen aiming to integrate the city\u2019s TV dance party show. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$70. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBoy My Greatness\u201d: Loud Fridge Theatre Group presents the West Coast premiere of Zoe Senese-Grossberg\u2019s play that explores how male actors played women\u2019s roles in the plays of Shakespeare and others during the 1500s and 1600s. 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Loud Fridge at Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando. Free; donations of any amount encourage. loudfridge.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Family Album\u201d: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of this musical by MILCK, AG and Sam Chase about an aspiring singer-songwriter whose responsibilities to her family put an unexpected roadblock in her life and career. Now in previews through July 25. Opens July 26 and runs through Aug. 23. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $74 and up. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDive Bar Time Machine\u201d: Blindspot Collective presents this new play with music by Blake McCarty and Shellina Hefner set in a dive bar where human stories are told through songs by artists who defined their eras, including Frank Sinatrao, Donna Summer and Billie Holiday. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 9. The Loft, 4151 Matthewcas Lane, La Jolla. $35. blindspotcollective.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cCharlie and the Chocolate Factory\u201d: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the San Diego regional premiere of this musical inspired by Roald Dahl\u2019s dark children\u2019s novel about a poor boy who wins the opportunity to visit a mysterious chocolatier\u2019s candy factory. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through July 25. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $21-$71. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday<\/p>\n Pride Parade: Drawing more than 250,000 attendees, the San Diego Pride Parade is the region\u2019s largest single-day event. The parade begins at Richmond Avenue and University Avenue and makes its way along a 1.5 mile path through the city before culminating in Balboa Park near the Pride Festival. The parade features community groups, local leaders, floats, bands and other performers. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Hillcrest. Free. sdpride.org\/pride<\/a><\/p>\n Pride Festival:\u00a0The annual San Diego Pride Festival will feature live entertainment under this year\u2019s theme, \u201cPride Shines On.\u201d The lineup includes headliners Krewella on Saturday and Marina on Sunday, with performances throughout the weekend. Festival proceeds support San Diego Pride and its year-round programming.\u00a0Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street. One-day tickets are $47.76 and weekend passes are $74.17. sdpride.org\/festival<\/a><\/p>\n Sun and Sea Festival:\u00a0Imperial Beach\u2019s annual festival celebrating the best of the beach community and the art of sand sculpting returns. Some of the best sand artists in the world will compete and there will also be a competition for kids. This family-friendly event will also feature food vendors and live entertainment. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Portwood Pier Plaza, Imperial Beach. Free. sunandseafestival.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPHOSPHENE\u201d: Space 4 Art gallery will open this group exhibition curated by Dinah Poellnitz inspired by the intuitive and instinctive process of art-making. Featured artists are Bryttney-Mischele Salvant, Mark Chamness, Pastelle and Akiko Surai. Exhibit opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday and continues through Aug. 15. Art Produce Gallery, 3139 University Ave., San Diego. sdspace4art.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHow to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert\u201d: The San Diego Symphony, conducted by Jason Seber, will present a multimedia program with the film on high-definition video screens with the score performed live. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $57-$129. theshell.org<\/a><\/p>\n Opera Neo \u201cA Night at the Museum\u201d recital: This San Diego opera company will present young singers performing a\u00a0 art songs inspired works in the San Diego Museum of Art collection that will be projected above the stage. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. La Jolla Woman\u2019s Club, 7791 Draper Ave., La Jolla. $10-$35. 858-888-2231, operaneo.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cArcadia\u201d: Cygnet Theatre presents Tom Stoppard\u2019s mystery drama that alternates between 1809 and the present day at a grand English country estate.\u00a0Opens at 7 p.m. Saturday and runs through Aug. 9. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $32.50 and up. 619-337-1525,\u00a0cygnettheatre.com<\/a><\/p>\n Sunday<\/p>\n The Athenaeum\u2019s 27th Annual Summer Festival \u2014 \u201cRomantic Fire and the Spanish Soul\u201d: The fest continues with the third of four July concerts by pianist Gustavo Romero. Featured composers are De Severac, de Falla and Liszt. 4 p.m. Sunday. 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $55-$60. ljathenaeum.org\/events\/summer-festival-2026-0712<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cUp Close at the Villa\u201d: Villa Musica launches its faculty concert series of intimate 25-seat concerts with a guitar recital by Orel Jose Rodriguez. 2:15 p.m. Sunday. 2382 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon. $50, includes wine and cheese reception. events.humanitix.com\/up-close-the-villa<\/a><\/p>\n Puccini\u2019s \u2018Il Tabarro\u2019 to be presented in opera and dance: Cinballera Entertainment, founded in 2023 by sisters Tiffany and Rebekah Brannan, will present a two-part program featuring Puccini\u2019s one-act verismo opera about a deadly love triangle aboard a river barge in early 1900s Paris, followed by the same story told through the art form of ballet with original choreography. 3 p.m. Sunday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $$35-$50. artcenter\/org\/event\/iltabarro<\/a>.<\/p>\n SUPer Hero Show Down:\u00a0The Sheraton San Diego Resort will host a half-mile standup paddleboard race where participants are encouraged to dress up as superheroes or comic book characters. Prizes will be awarded for three categories: fastest racer, best costume and best side kick. Participants must be 18 and older. 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego. $29.75. Free for spectators. eventbrite.com\/e\/2026-super-hero-show-down-a-paddleboard-event-tickets-1989423792116<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 17…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":399796,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[74,76,75,420,1696],"class_list":["post-399795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news","tag-things-to-do","tag-top-stories-sdut"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=399795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399795\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/399796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=399795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=399795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=399795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}