{"id":437649,"date":"2026-08-19T21:18:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T21:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/437649\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T21:18:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T21:18:24","slug":"the-best-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-aug-21-23-san-diego-union-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/437649\/","title":{"rendered":"The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Aug. 21-23 \u2013 San Diego Union-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23.<\/p>\n<p>Friday<\/p>\n<p>San Diego International Kids Film Festival: For the 22nd time, this festival celebrating young filmmakers will screen projects from around the world. This year\u2019s lineup is slated to represent over 30 countries. There will also be panels, a live show, an award ceremony and other events. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Schulman Auditorium at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad; MiraCosta Concert Hall, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside. Tickets start at $6.58 for children, $11.83 for adults. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sdkidsfilms.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sdkidsfilms.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Water for Elephants\u2019 continues through Sunday: Broadway San Diego presents the national touring production of this high-flying 2024 Broadway musical based on the 2006 novel about an orphaned young man who runs away to join a Depression-era circus. 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. $68 and up. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketmaster.com\/water-for-elephants-touring-san-diego-california-08-18-2026\/event\/0A006470ABBB995A\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ticketmaster.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHarry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone\u201d in Concert: The San Diego Symphony, conducted by Justin Freer, will perform music from John Williams\u2019 film score, accompanied by scenes from the film. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $51-$98. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theshell.org\/performances\/harry-potter-the-sorcerers-stone-in-concert\/?_gl=1*ifep1k*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*NzA3ODc3Mzk2LjE3ODY3NTM1Mjg.*_ga_02J26SSW2K*czE3ODY3NTM1MjckbzEkZzEkdDE3ODY3NTM1NTEkajM2JGwwJGgw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">theshell.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cCyrano\u201d: The Old Globe premieres Jason O\u2019Connell and Brenda Withers adaptation of Edmond Rostand\u2019s 1897 French play \u201cCyrano de Bergerac.\u201d 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-234-5623, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theoldglobe.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">theoldglobe.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cScapin\u201d: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Bill Irwin and Mark O\u2019Donnell\u2019s zany adaptation of Moli\u00e8re\u2019s 17th-century comedia delle-arte farce about a schemer who helps two young men marry the women of their dreams. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8\u00a0 p.m. Friday; 2\u00a0 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m.Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $63.50-$85.50. 858-481-1055, <a href=\"https:\/\/northcoastrep.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">northcoastrep.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Family Album\u201d: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of this musical by MILCK, AG and Sam Chanse about an aspiring singer-songwriter whose responsibilities to her family put an unexpected roadblock in her life and career. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $74 and up. 858-550-1010, <a href=\"http:\/\/lajollaplayhouse.org\/show\/the-family-album\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">lajollaplayhouse.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the classic 1950 Frank Loesser musical comedy about gamblers, showgirls and missionaries in 1930s Manhattan. 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Through Aug. 29. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $39.25 and up. 760-724-2110, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightstage.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">moonlightstage.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d: The Old Globe presents Broadway veterans Tally Sessions and Eden Espinosa in William Shakespeare\u2019s witty romance about two couples whose love is thwarted, one by pride and the other by jealousy. 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Through Aug. 30. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $38 and up. 619-234-5623, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theoldglobe.org\/pdp\/26-season\/much-ado-about-nothing\/#?startDate=2026-08-01&amp;?endDate=2026-08-31\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">theoldglobe.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d: New Village Arts presents the San Diego premiere of this Queen jukebox musical featuring characters inspired by some of the English rock band\u2019s songs. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 20. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $45-$85. 760-433-3245, <a href=\"https:\/\/newvillagearts.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">newvillagearts.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\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 Oct. 4. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lambsplayers.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">lambsplayers.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SummerFest at 40!\u201d: La Jolla Music Society\u2019s SummerFest presents Lutos\u0142awski\u2019s Paganini Variations; Williams\u2019 Quartet La Jolla; a new work by Steven Banks, Tchaikovsky\u2019s Souvenir de Florence. Featuring: Steven Banks, Inon Barnatan, Benjamin Beilman, Jay Campbell, Jennifer Johnson Cano, Jeremy Denk, Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, Teng Li, Cho-Liang Lin, Nina Lee, Yura Lee, Rose Lombardo, Paul Neubauer, Julie Smith Phillips, Simone Porter, Jonathan Swensen, and John Bruce Yeh. 7 p.m. Friday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall at the Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $65-$99. 858-459-3728, <a href=\"http:\/\/theconrad.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">theconrad.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSerenade, Expressions of Magic in the Moonlight\u201d: City Ballet of San Diego brings a few of its most popular works to the outdoor stage. Tchaikovsky\u2019s Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48 accompanies George Balanchine\u2019s \u201cSerenade.\u201d Geoffrey Gonzalez\u2019s contemporary piece \u201cRhapsody in Blue\u201d is performed to a George Gershwin score and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa\u2019s mesmerizing \u201cEcliptic\u201d is performed with large, gilded hoops. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $40-$84. <a href=\"https:\/\/cityballet.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cityballet.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Saturday<\/p>\n<p>HarborFest: The City of Chula Vista and Port of San Diego are reviving HarborFest in Chula Vista. Visitors to the event will find food, live music and activities including a Lucha Libre fight, a classic car expo and harbor activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 999 Bayside Parkway, Chula Vista. Free. cvharborfest.com<\/p>\n<p>KPBS San Diego Book Festival: The second annual KPBS San Diego Book Festival will take place Saturday with larger gathering spaces and new programming designed to transform the event into an even bigger celebration of books and reading. This year\u2019s festival also marks the 20th anniversary of KPBS\u2019s One Book, One San Diego program. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego. Free. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kpbs.org\/sdbookfestival\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/www.kpbs.org\/sdbookfestival\" data-mrf-recirculation-id=\"Article Links_0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">kpbs.org\/sdbookfestival<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SAMAFEST: The 39th Philippine Cultural Arts Festival will take to Balboa Park this weekend. Filipino culture, art, music, dance are at the forefront of this long-running festival. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Corner of Presidents Way and Park Boulevard. Free. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/samafest-2026-39th-philippine-cultural-arts-festival-at-balboa-park-tickets-1990709936007\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">eventbrite.com\/e\/samafest-2026-39th-philippine-cultural-arts-festival-at-balboa-park-tickets-1990709936007<\/a><\/p>\n<p>TAP-SD Taiwan Festival: Taiwanese culture will be on display at this third annual festival by Taiwanese American Professionals \u2013 San Diego. Visitors will find art, music, cultural games, raffle prizes and food as well as Taiwanese American community organizations in San Diego.\u00a01 to 5 p.m. Saturday. NTC Park, Liberty Station. Free. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tap-sd.org\/taiwan-festival-2026\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">tap-sd.org\/taiwan-festival-2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cNi Mi Madre\u201d:\u00a0Diversionary Theatre presents queer actor-playwright Arturo Lu\u00edz Soria\u2019s solo play where he plays his Brazilian mother. Opens Saturday and runs through Sept. 6. 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. $32-$72. 619-220-0097,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.diversionary.org\/madre\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">diversionary.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Changing Terrain\u2019 exhibit opens Saturday in two locations: On Saturday, Oceanside Museum of Art and San Diego History Center will jointly open \u201cChanging Terrain: Regional Artists Interpret Our Landscape. The contemporary art exhibit will features work by more than 50 artists in Southern California and Baja California at both museum locations through Jan. 17. OMA, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside; <a href=\"https:\/\/oma-online.org\/changing-terrain\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">oma-online.org\/changing-terrain<\/a>; SDHC, 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego. <a href=\"https:\/\/sandiegohistory.org\/exhibition\/changing-terrain-regional-artists-interpret-our-landscape\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sandiegohistory.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Native American Heritage Night:\u00a0SDFC will celebrate Native American Heritage Night during its game against Colorado Rapids. The first 25,000 fans will get a free Native American drawstring bag. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. $33.32. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiegofc.com\/tickets\/celebrationnights\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sandiegofc.com\/tickets\/celebrationnights<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sunday<\/p>\n<p>National City Cars and Culture Festival: This family-friendly event brings together cool cars and community. Cars of all kinds will be on display and there will be food and craft vendors as well as a kids\u2019 zone. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Kimball Park, 12th Street and D Avenue. Free.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalcityca.gov\/Home\/Components\/Calendar\/Event\/24442\/786\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">nationalcityca.gov\/Home\/Components\/Calendar\/Event\/24442\/786<\/a><\/p>\n<p>North Park Square Dance: Southern Pacific Sessions will host a square dance for all ages and levels of experience. Locals can learn the steps in real time and dance along with live fiddle players. 7 p.m. Sunday. Verbatim Books, 3793 30th St., San Diego. $25. <a href=\"https:\/\/verbatimbooks.com\/events\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">verbatimbooks.com\/events<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bike the Bay: Founded in 2007, Bike the Bay is a non-competitive community bike ride across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and along the Bayshore Bikeway. This year, participants can do 5, 25 or 50-mile trips. After the ride, a festival will offer entertainment, food and beverages. Helmets are required for all cyclists, who are invited to register through 7 a.m. on event day. 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego.\u00a0Registration starts at $81.13. bikethebay.net<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOld Country, New Age\u201d: \u00a0SummerFest continues with Vaughan Williams\u2019 On Wenlock Edge; Elgar\u2019s Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84; and Walton\u2019s Fa\u00e7ade. Featuring: Thomas Ad\u00e8s, Steven Banks, Benjamin Beilman, Jay Campbell, Jeremy Denk, James Ehnes, Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Sidney Hopson, Nina Lee, Teng Li, Rose Lombardo, Brandon Ridenour, Jonathan Swensen, Robin Tritschler, Stephen Waarts, and John Bruce Yeh. 3 p.m. Sunday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall at the Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $75-$115. 858-459-3728, <a href=\"http:\/\/theconrad.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">theconrad.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fiesta at the Chapel: A community music and dance event includes more than a dozen dancers, an interactive Altar of Memories, an art exhibit, and global-inspired drinks and flavors. Yoneme Grupo Folklorico provides the music. 3:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Chapel at Liberty Station, 2881 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $45-$75, youth ages 12-18, $30. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/fiesta-tickets-1993362160883\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">eventbrite.com\/e\/fiesta-tickets-1993362160883<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Aug. 21&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":437650,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[74,76,75,420,1696],"class_list":["post-437649","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\/437649","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=437649"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/437649\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/437650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=437649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=437649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=437649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}