Whether you're looking for a tasty food festival, an uplifting original musical running at the iconic La Jolla Playhouse, or you just want to grab a tasty brew at one of San Diego Beer Week's many events - this weekend has it all! Get out there and enjoy your weekend, San Diego.
Thursday, Nov. 3
San Diego's Family-Friendly Halloween Activities
San Diego Farm & Nursery Expo
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Del Mar Fairgrounds
This 2nd annual trade show geared toward professional farmers and those with a green thumb highlights the diversity of agriculture in Southern California. The expo will feature vendors, resources and education all in one place. The event is free; parking at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is $10.
Books & Bagels: San Diego Jewish Book Fair
10 a.m., Temple Solel
The 22nd Annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair continues with this Books & Bagels session at Temple Solel in Cardiff-by-the-Sea where Robert K. Wittman will discuss “The Devil’s Diary.” Tickets are $11 per person; the book is $35.
Art San Diego Contemporary Art Show
7 p.m., Balboa Park Activity Center
In its 8th year, this 4-day contemporary art show starts Thursday evening with an opening night preview party. The event continues from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The show will highlight a wide range of artists and exhibitors from around the world as well as “Art Talks,” discussions focused on collecting and the acquisition of art. Attendees will also have a chance to chat with artists and regional art leaders. The opening night party is $75 per person. A 1-day pass to the show is $20; a 3-day pass is $25.
Craig Robinson
8 p.m., The American Comedy Co.
“The Office” actor and funnyman Craig Robinson performs his stand-up act this weekend at The American Comedy Co. in downtown San Diego. His show on Thursday is at 8 p.m.; tickets start at $35. He also performs two shows Friday and Saturday night, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both nights.
Friday, Nov. 4
San Diego Beer Week 2016
Time vary, locations vary
San Diego Beer Week returns Nov. 4 through Nov. 13 with around 500 events across San Diego showcasing the booming craft beer industry. The 10-day event begins with Guild Fest: VIP Brewer Takeover, an event at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier featuring dozens of craft brewers pouring their rarest, finest and specialty beers. As Beer Week unfolds, events will be added to this lineup. Times, locations and costs of SDBW events will vary.
Friday Night Liberty
5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Liberty Station
This free monthly art walk at the Arts District at Liberty Station returns Friday night with dancing, theater, musical performances and galleries galore. Attendees can take a stroll through the growing district, starting at the Dick Laub NTC Command Center at 2640 Historic Decatur Rd.
The Midtown Men
7:30 p.m., California Center for the Arts in Escondido
Four stars from the original cast of “Jersey Boys” hit the Concert Hall stage at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido for this upbeat show featuring the best hits of the 1960s musical including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry” and “Oh What a Night.” Tickets range between $35 and $65.
Craig Morgan Live in Concert
10 p.m., Moonshine Flats
Country crooner Craig Morgan performs at Moonshine Flats, bringing hits like “Bonfire” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday” to the stage. Tickets to this 21+ show cost $20 per person. The doors open at 8 p.m.; Morgan sings at 10 p.m.
“Globe for All”: Free Performance of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure”
1:30 p.m., Fourth District Senior Resource Center at 570 S. 65th St. in San Diego
Audiences around San Diego get the chance to see free performances of one of William Shakespeare's beloved plays in their own community as part of The Old Globe's "Globe for All" program. The program, now in its third year, brings free and low-cost performances of a Shakespeare play to communities around San Diego. This year, the program will put on Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure." The play mixes comedy and drama as it tells the tale of a newly appointed leader (Angelo), who wants to ride the city of its moral decay. That is, until Angelo falls for a young nun, with some complicated twists and turns. The performance will start with an introductory pre-show warm up and end with a talk-back with the Globe's Master Teaching Artist Lisel Gorell-Getz.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Waterwise Botanical’s Fall Garden Party
9 a.m., Waterwise Botanicals on Old Highway 395
This Saturday, come out to Bonsall and immerse yourself in all things involving your garden! At this fourth annual Fall Garden Party, enjoy workshops, demonstrations, great food and plenty of activities for garden lovers everywhere. Waterwise Botanical is a nursery that caters to homeowners and the landscape trade industry.
Fall Family Festival
9:30 a.m., San Diego Children’s Museum
It wouldn’t be fall without the Children’s Museum Fall Family Festival. Bring the whole family out to the museum’s Escondido location to enjoy a petting zoo, face painting, live music and so much more for the kids! Plus, when you get hungry, there will be food vendors available. Tickets start at $5, and kids who are 12 years old and under are free.
Escondido Tamale Festival
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Grape Day Park
The 2nd Annual Escondido Tamale Festival celebrates tamales and other tasty Latin cuisine often eaten in California. This year, the fest includes Lucha Libre wrestling performances at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and a Chihuahua costume contest and fashion show. Admission is free, but definitely bring some cash to buy food, beer and wine.
Holiday Market
12 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday, First Presbyterian Church San Diego
It may be the start of November, but it’s never too early to go Christmas shopping. What better way to get a jump start on holiday shopping, and support local businesses, by coming out to this two-day festival. Independent vendors and nonprofits will be selling their handmade crafts. It’s the perfect place to find a unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gift – or Christmas and holiday decorations.
Beer Geek Tour
10 a.m., Old Town San Diego
In the spirit of San Diego’s Beer Week, come celebrate with the first-ever Beer Geek tour. The tour will take you behind-the-scenes at White Labs, a local yeast manufacturer, where guests will be able to try beers brewed with different strains of yeast. Throughout the day, you’ll learn more about the brewing process while touring some of San Diego’s most popular breweries, like Societe Brewing Company. Tickets are $115 per person and include the tours, VIP tastings, lunch and transportation.
“Globe for All”: Free Performance of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure”
1:30 p.m., Old Globe Technical Center, located at 5335 Market Street in San Diego
Audiences around San Diego get the chance to see free performances of one of William Shakespeare's beloved plays in their own community as part of The Old Globe's "Globe for All" program. The program, now in its third year, brings free and low-cost performances of a Shakespeare play to communities around San Diego. This year, the program will put on Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure." The play mixes comedy and drama as it tells the tale of a newly appointed leader (Angelo), who wants to ride the city of its moral decay. That is, until Angelo falls for a young nun, with some complicated twists and turns. The performance will start with an introductory pre-show warm up and end with a talk-back with the Globe's Master Teaching Artist Lisel Gorell-Getz.
Sunday, Nov. 6
Celebration Run Half Marathon and 5K
7 a.m., Bonita Cove Park
Do you have something to celebrate? Maybe you’ve just scored a new job, or maybe you are thankful for friends and family. This race aims to empower runners in their journeys this Sunday morning. If you want to run with your family, there’s a Celebrate Kids Fun Run as well. Prices start at $60.
Taste of University Heights
12 p.m., Buddha’s Light Bookstore/Tea Room on Park Boulevard
We’ve all strolled through University Heights and many of us have dined at some of the neighborhood’s tastiest foods. Get a better taste of all the treats you love from your favorite University Heights spots at the 11th Annual Taste of University Heights this Sunday. Red House Pizza, Big Front Door, Park & Rec, Lestat’s, Twiggs Bakery and Coffeehouse and more will be attending the festival. Pick up your taste ticket at Buddha’s Light Bookstore and continue the tasty tour from there. A free shuttle will be available for guests. Tickets start at $20.
Fall Back Festival
11 a.m., Downtown Gaslamp near 4th Avenue
Take a trip back to the 1880s and get a glimpse of wild, wild San Diego! This historical street faire, spanning from Market Street to J Street on 4th Avenue, brings you back to a fun, old-fashioned atmosphere. Children can pan for gold, watch a blacksmith practicing his trade, churn butter or saddle up for a pony ride. When all the adventure makes you hungry, try some of the free snacks and samples from beloved Downtown San Diego spots. The festival is free and runs until 4 p.m.
Miss You Like Hell
7 p.m., La Jolla Playhouse
More than five years of writing, composing and creating will come to fruition when the curtain raises on the highly anticipated "Miss You Like Hell" at the La Jolla Playhouse this month. The musical, commissioned by the La Jolla Playhouse, follows a smart and creative teenager who agrees to take a road trip across the country with her free-spirited Latina mother as a custody battle unfurls. The book and lyrics are written by Pulitzer-prize winning Quiara Alegria Hudes; music and lyrics by Erin McKeown. Read more about the musical's five year journey to production here. Tickets start at $25, the musical runs through Dec. 4.
“Globe for All”: Free Performance of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure”
1 p.m., The Central Branch of the San Diego Public Library on Park Boulevard
Audiences around San Diego get the chance to see free performances of one of William Shakespeare's beloved plays in their own community as part of The Old Globe's "Globe for All" program. The program, now in its third year, brings free and low-cost performances of a Shakespeare play to communities around San Diego. This year, the program will put on Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure." The play mixes comedy and drama as it tells the tale of a newly appointed leader (Angelo), who wants to ride the city of its moral decay. That is, until Angelo falls for a young nun, with some complicated twists and turns. The performance will start with an introductory pre-show warm up and end with a talk-back with the Globe's Master Teaching Artist Lisel Gorell-Getz.
Photo Credit: Monica Garske