13 things to do in San Diego this weekend: April 24-28

Bored? Do not be. From a free Normal Heights music fest with more than 60 shows to a few family-friendly fairs, here are 13 ways to stay busy in San Diego this weekend. The hardest part will be deciding which events to attend.

Food and drinks | Concerts and Theater | Festivals and arts | More things to do

Food and drink events in San Diego this weekend

Pio Cesare wine pairing dinner

April 24

Offering a menu inspired by the cuisine of Sardinia and Sicily, Garibaldi will host Northern Italian winemaker Pio Cesare this Wednesday at 6 p.m. for an exclusive five-course dinner with wine pairing. Guests will feast on appetizers such as grilled shrimp, rack of lamb and dark chocolate mousse on the restaurant’s outdoor rooftop while admiring a coastal sunset from the third floor of the InterContinental San Diego. They also get to try six Cesare wines. Tickets for Garibaldi’s couples dinner cost $90, plus tax and 18 percent gratuity. Each ticket includes a gift to take home.
901 Bayfront Court, Downtown

Chef Drew Deckman at Rancho Valencia

April 25

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa has teamed up with Chef Drew Deckman to present a multi-course dinner this Thursday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM under the welcoming lighting and peaceful landscape of the resort’s outdoor dining space, The Garden. As guests jam to the live music of trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and his trio, Deckman, along with Chef Emiliano Safa of Rancho Valencia and Chef Christopher Gentile, will use sustainable, locally sourced ingredients to create an elevated take on the flavors. San Diego and Baja have to offer. Each dish is paired with Baja region wines from Paralelo and Casa de Piedra. Tickets are available for $325 per person.
5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe

San Diego Cocktail Championship

April 28

What is a good cocktail? This Sunday, that’s up to you to decide. Along 5th Avenue at the Gaslamp, participants can enjoy unique signature cocktails from 21 San Diego County restaurants and bars during the first San Diego Cocktail Championship. Rustic Root, Swing Social and Tiki Annex will host the festivities, while a handful of nearby Gaslamp spots will also join in on the fun. Competitors include Fernside in South Park, Captain’s Quarters of Pacific Beach and Vogue Tavern in Chula Vista. A $49 general admission pass gets you mini cocktails from all participating venues from 2pm to 5pm, while $79 VIP passes offer perks like food and early entry from 1pm. As an added bonus, all cocktail voters will be registered to win $2,100 worth of gift cards – $100 from any location.
5th Avenue, Gaslamp

Concerts and theater in San Diego this weekend

Neil Young and Crazy Horse

April 24–25

Neil Young released his first album with Crazy Horse in 1969. Fifty-five years later, they’re still going strong, kicking off a new North American tour in San Diego this Wednesday and Thursday. The Love Earth Tour celebrates more than half a century of classic rock excellence and the release of Young & Crazy Horse’s new album Fu##in’Up, which also includes live recordings from their 1990 album Ragged glory. Tickets for both performances cost €84.
5500 Campanile Drive, El Cajon

Lasting forever

Opens April 26

The magical musical Lasting forever opens this weekend at the Coronado Playhouse and runs through May 19. Based on the novel of the same name by Natalie Babbitt, Lasting forever follows Winne Foster, an ordinary 11-year-old who becomes embroiled in the Tuck family and their gift of eternal youth. As Foster tries to help the enchanted clan hold on to their secret despite danger, she must decide whether to return to her normal life or continue her adventure. There will be four performances Lasting forever this week, starting with opening night on Friday. Tickets for all shows are $27 per person.
1835 Beach Road, Coronado

Adams Avenue disconnected

April 26–27

Discover a variety of genres and musicians during this all-day live music marathon along Adams Avenue. More than 60 concerts will take place throughout the day, with a number of restaurants, bars and cafes transforming their spaces into makeshift venues. From intimate cafe sets to rocking outdoor shows, all performances are free to the public, with the exception of The California Guitar Trio’s headlining concert ($25). Normal Heights United Church will host the main stage and beer garden, where attendees can purchase $24 VIP beer and food tickets to get three craft beers and a combination plate from Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant. Before Saturday’s musical block party starts, you can attend a screening of the film on Friday evening Kind regards, Lou Curtiss, a documentary about Lou Curtiss, the late local music legend and owner of Folk Arts Rare Records, at the Adams Avenue Theater. Attendees will also experience opening performances and a post-screening panel discussion.
Adam Avenue, Hillcrest

Festivals and art shows in San Diego this weekend

Art lives

April 25-28

Local aesthetes can ring in spring at the San Diego Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser. This year’s theme celebrates Indian art and culture with dozens of striking, prismatic floral arrangements. Art Alive 2024 includes a special installation from the museum’s third Edwin Binney Collection of South Asian paintings and several Indian keynote artists, including Meghaa Modi, SDMA’s first international roundabout designer. The event promises four days of immersive affairs, starting with the black-tie Premiere Dinner on Thursday evening, followed by the annual Bloom Bash kick-off party on Friday evening from 7pm to midnight (expect live performances, plenty of snacks and cocktails, and a Ferris wheel). The Art Alive 2024 exhibition can be seen from Friday to Sunday. General admission is $40 for non-members, $5 for children ages 7 to 17, and free for children under six. Visitors can visit the interactive Garden of Activity for free on Saturdays and Sundays with admission to Art Alive, but tickets for Bloom Bash and Premiere Dinner are sold separately.
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

Mission Federal Artwalk

April 27-28

More than 250 artists working in a wide range of genres, such as oil painting, acrylic, mixed media, printmaking, pottery and more, will exhibit their work in Little Italy during the Mission Federal Artwalk. This free annual event will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. When you’re not viewing visual arts from the US and Mexico, enjoy four music stages, food vendors and interactive art activities on Saturday from 11am to 6pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. on Sunday. This event benefits local nonprofit ArtReach.
2210 Columbia Street, Little Italy

The artist speaks: Cara Romero

Opens April 27

Split into three sections (Native California, Imagining Indigenous Futures, and Native Woman), Cara Romero’s exhibition at the Museum of Photographic Arts draws on her experience as a Native American woman and the cultural memory and collective history of her Chemehuevi Indian tribe to explore identity to research. and heritage. The exhibition can be seen by the public until October 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free, but visitors are encouraged to contribute if possible.
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park

Even more fun things to do in San Diego This weekend

Rodeo on the lake

April 25-28

The Lakeside Rodeo returns for its 60th anniversary with four family-friendly nights of cowboy competition, including classic rodeo events such as bull riding, steer wrestling and team roping. In addition to watching daring rodeo competitions, visitors can test their own skills by signing up for lower-stakes activities such as the stick horse or pony hop races. Tickets for Thursday’s festivities are $15 for all attendees. Friday through Sunday, expect to pay $25 for adults and $15 for children. All proceeds go to local arts, sports, healthcare and education initiatives in Lakeside.
12584 Mapleview Street, Lakeside

Linda Vista Multicultural Fair and Parade

April 27th

The Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair & Parade returns for its 39th year on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free afternoon of festivities starts with a community parade; bands, artists, clubs and other demonstrators leave from Genesee Avenue. Afterwards, the fair will include a global artists’ village with local artisans offering handmade textiles, pottery, jewelry, glassware and more for sale and offering craft-making demonstrations and workshops. Visitors can also enjoy carnival rides, live music, an educational pavilion with information booths and activities, a history section highlighting community stories in Linda Vista, a beer garden and an international food court.
6900 Linda Vista Road, Linda Vista

Encinitas Spring Street Fair

April 27-28

This Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., North County residents can enjoy a weekend of outdoor activities along Highway 101. Encinitas’ annual seasonal event features children’s rides, a craft beer garden and more than 450 vendors slinging antiques and works of art. Three stages will feature bands such as The Surf Birdz and Half Hour Late, as well as dance shows from local performing arts.
South Coast Highway 101 between D and J streets, Encinitas

Cars on MainStreet

April 28

The 32nd edition of this annual car show brings more than 400 classic cars and trucks to downtown Coronado. MotorCars on MainStreet celebrates cars that are at least 50 years old, including old Cadillac convertibles and vintage Volkswagen surf buses. The event will feature live music and raffle drawings. It’s free for spectators, while anyone who wants to show off their ride will have to pay a registration fee ($50 before April 27 and $60 afterward).
Isabella & Orange Ave., Coronado