Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Sept. 28 to Friday, Oct. 2.<\/p>\n
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.<\/p>\n
Monday
\nBooks<\/p>\n
Seanan McGuire author event: Seanan McGuire will discuss \u201cA Divided Duty.\u201d 7 p.m. Monday. Mysterious Galaxy3555 Rosecrans St. #107A, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com\/92826mcguire<\/a><\/p>\n Tuesday 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<\/a><\/p>\n Books<\/p>\n \u201cThe Big Bad Book of Kaiju\u201d author panel: A four-author panel will discuss \u201cThe Big Bad Book of Kaiju.\u201d 7 p.m. Tuesday. Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St. #107A, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com\/92926kaiju<\/a><\/p>\n Elizabeth Letts author event: Elizabeth Letts will discuss \u201cFallen for France.\u201d 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Warwick\u2019s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com<\/p>\n Theater<\/p>\n \u201cA Black-billed Cuckoo\u201d: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Mat Smart\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTopdog\/Underdog\u201d: The Old Globe presents Suzan-Lori Parks\u2019 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<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBegin Again\u201d:The Old Globe presents the world premiere of John Carney, Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy\u2019s film-inspired musical about a singer and a songwriter who meet at an open-mic night and change each others\u2019 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<\/a><\/p>\n Wednesday Jack White: Guitarist and vocalist Jack White is on tour after the release of his recent album, \u201cFrozen Charlotte.\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n Sports<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n Night life<\/p>\n Vampire Diaries trivia:\u00a0Just in time for spooky season, Duck Dive will host a trivia night focused on \u201cVampire Diaries.\u201d Purchase tickets on Duck Dive\u2019s 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<\/p>\n Books<\/p>\n Ally Bloom author event: Ally Bloom will discuss \u201cLove Struck.\u201d 5 p.m. Wednesday. Carlsbad Village Books, 640 Grand Ave., Suite A, Carlsbad. instagram.com\/carlsbadvillagebooks<\/p>\n Mona Awad author event: Mona Awad will discuss \u201cLove Bunny.\u201d 7 p.m. Wednesday. San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd.,San Diego. libraryfoundationsd.org\/events\/martin<\/p>\n Theater<\/p>\n \u201cGood Night, Oscar\u201d: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of Doug Wright\u2019s Broadway drama inspired by the real-life 1958\u00a0 broadcast of the mentally troubled, but brilliant, composer-pianist Oscar Levant\u2019s appearance on Jack Paar\u2019s 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<\/a><\/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. 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<\/a><\/p>\n Classical music<\/p>\n \u201cContacts\u201d: 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<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n C\u00e9drix Crespel \u201cHold Back the Night\u201d: 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\/<\/a><\/p>\n Thursday Kids Free in October:\u00a0For 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\u2019s online guide for details. Oct. 1-31. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org\/specials\/kidsfree<\/a><\/p>\n Sports<\/p>\n Club Am\u00e9rica 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<\/a><\/p>\n Books<\/p>\n 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 \u201cEmpire,\u201d the conclusion of Tahir\u2019s \u201cHeir Duology\u201d fantasy novel series. Author Kiersten White will lead the discussion.\u00a06:30 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.\u00a0libraryfoundationsd.org\/events\/tahir<\/p>\n Kate Golden author event: Kate Golden will be in conversation with author Meg Smitherman about \u201cCursed City.\u201d This is a ticketed event. 7 p.m. Thursday. Mysterious Galaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St. #107A, San Diego. mystgalaxy.com\/10126Golden<\/a><\/p>\n Tania Lambrozo author event: Tania Lambrozo will discuss \u201cWhy We Ask Why.\u201d 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Warwick\u2019s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com<\/p>\n Music<\/p>\n 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\u2019s lineup of performers includes a binational youth ensemble, Luc\u00eda and the Familia Guti\u00e9rrez, Danilo P\u00e9rez with La Covacha Big Band and Se\u00f1alesSela\u00f1es.\u00a0Oct. 1-4. San Diego, Tijuana and Escondido. $54-90. sdtjjazz.org<\/p>\n Friday 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.\u00a0Fridays and Saturdays in October. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. $25-45. aguahedionda.org\/haunted-corn-maze<\/p>\n Arts<\/p>\n First Friday at Liberty Station:\u00a0Every 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\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n Music<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n Architecture<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n Theater<\/p>\n \u2018Dear Evan Hansen\u2019 closing weekend: Cygnet Theatre presents the final performances of Pasek and Paul\u2019s 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.\u00a0 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOh, Mary!\u201d: Broadway San Diego will launch the national tour of Cole Escola\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\/<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis is Government\u201d: Moxie Theatre presents Nina Kissinger\u2019s 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.\u00a0Opens 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<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t
\nSports<\/p>\n
\nMusic<\/p>\n
\nMuseums<\/p>\n
\nSeasonal<\/p>\n