16 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: April 2-6
From San Marcos’s free Spring Fling Festival to a full day of country at Boots in the Park, this weekend is fit for festivals galore. San Diego will flex its muscles as the Capital of Craft at the North Park Festival of Beers while local writers can gain insight from dozens of authors at the San Diego Storytelling Festival. Plus, the 2025 San Diego JFest will begin with three one-night-only plays at The Old Globe during The Whole Megillah Jewish New Play Festival. Check out our full list of things to do in San Diego this weekend below:
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
North Park Festival of Beers
April 5
91X will present its annual salute to suds in front of the LaFayette Hotel this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. with live music, artisans, food vendors and unlimited beer sampling of over 40 breweries and 80 beers during the North Park Festival of Beers. Ticket options include the admission-only designated driver pass ($33), general admission ($48) and VIP entry ($69), which includes early access at noon, in and out privileges, and special beer selections. Most importantly, a portion of the festival proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Music Foundation’s Taylor Guitars in Schools program.
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Spring Art & Wine Walk at The Forum Carlsbad
April 5
Stroll The Forum Carlsbad for eats, wines and wide-ranging artwork during the shopping center’s free Spring Art & Wine Walk, returning Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy complimentary wine tastings and a cupcake bar courtesy of Jimbo’s, charcuterie from Mirabelle Charcuterie, dessert from McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, and a live performance from acoustic musician Freddie Walton. Plus, paintings, ceramics, photography and mixed media artwork will be available to view in participating eateries, galleries and department stores.
1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad
Garden Party at Estancia La Jolla
April 6
Dress for an exuberant springtime affair, full of cocktails, Champagne and a garden full of fluorescent finds at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa’s annual Garden Party this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. At this 21+ outdoor bash, immerse yourself in the seasonal splendor with a bountifully botanical menu, floral decor and a range of local vendors selling distinctive items. Tickets ($82) come with food, a welcome beverage, and two complimentary cocktails.
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
The Whole Megillah Jewish New Play Festival
April 2-6
Kicking off the programming for the 2025 San Diego JFEST (April 1 – June 30) is the Whole Megillah Jewish New Play Festival, presenting a trio of new Jewish plays at The Old Globe. On stage at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre this week will be unwavering stories of family history, religious observances, and the lasting power of klezmer music in Variations of Crossing The Alps (April 2), The Treehouse (April 3) and Chagall (April 6). Tickets start at $23 for each performance.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience at Civic Theatre
April 3
See one of anime’s greatest protagonists revered on stage during NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience, coming to the Civic Theatre for an evening performance on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Two hours of pivotal scenes from the 200+ episode run of Naruto will depict the evolution of Naruto Uzumaki while a live orchestra will play Toshio Masuda’s original score during this performance celebrating the iconic Japanese series. Tickets start at $53.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
Quartyard’s 10th Anniversary Weekend Concerts
April 4-6
Quartyard is celebrating its 10th birthday with not one, but three concerts happening Friday through Sunday at the East Village venue. First up Friday night is psychedelic rock group WILLIS ($23), who will be joined by Manwolves. Saturday evening, composer and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Younge ($30) and the San Diego Freak Out DJs will perform with a ten piece orchestra. To cap off the b-day performances will be the dance-happy grooves of Rubblebucket ($30).
1301 Market Street, East Village
San Diego Writers Festival at Coronado Public Library
April 5
A collection of 100 speakers will take part in Saturday’s San Diego Writers Festival at the Coronado Public Library, with panels, workshops and author talks happening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is open to readers and writers of all ages, with topics like travel writing, psychological thrillers and pitching being discussed, and featured authors including Tembi Locke, Ed Begley Jr. and Hank Phillippi Ryan. One highlight of the festival programming is the chance to attend a screening for The Night Agent followed by a talkback with the author whose book the series is based on. Register for this free event here.
640 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Boots In The Park Festival at Waterfront Park
April 5
This Saturday, the shores of San Diego will be the site of a line dancing-laden country jamboree as the traveling Boots In The Park festival moseys its way back to Waterfront Park. This year’s lineup features one of Nashville’s biggest bands and several solo artists with Old Dominion, Chris Young, Tyler Hubbard, Tayler Holder, Presley Tennant and Luwiss Lux on the bill. General admission tickets are $129, GA Pit Pass+ are $229 and VIP tickets are $330, with perks like private bars and exclusive food vendors.
1600 Pacific Highway, Embarcadero
San Marcos Spring Fling Festival
April 6
This Sunday, San Marcos’ North City District will be the new home for the city’s annual Spring Fling Festival, bringing together over 250 vendors, live entertainment, and an assortment of North County breweries and wineries for a free all-day event. This Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees can peruse a range of street food options, a mobile play area for children, local musicians performing on The Teri Bornemann Main Stage and the many makers, shops and businesses on the festival grounds.
250 North City Drive, San Marcos
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Hillary and Clinton at the Alma Hotel
April 3-19
Lucas Hnath’s fictional take on Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign finds its story in Clinton’s contentious relationship with her husband Bill. In OnWord Theatre’s San Diego premiere production of Hillary and Clinton, public perception and the expectations for a woman in politics will also be dissected. There will be a “Pay what you can” preview performance of Hillary and Clinton this Thursday at 7 p.m.; tickets are $45 for all other performances, with no assigned seating.
1047 5th Avenue, Downtown
Art Noir at The Studio Door
April 3-26
As with the underworlds depicted in classic films like The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity, The Studio Door invites all to step into the seedy and deceitful world of the noir. Art Noir will merge pop culture and fine art with the mysterious aesthetic of the genre, while typically painted with black and white boundaries often operates in the unconventional. The gallery will host an artist reception for the exhibition on Thursday, April 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
3867 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest
Fine Art and Craft Sale to Benefit LA Artists Affected by Recent Wildfires at Union Hall Gallery
April 4-6 & 11-13
Union Hall Gallery is raising money for artists and art workers affected by the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires through a fine art and craft sale featuring more than 250 donated pieces across a variety of mediums. Over two weekends (Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), there will be rotating artwork on display from several artists—including prominent local creators and burgeoning talents—with pieces on sale going for $10 to $5,000. All proceeds from the sale will go to Grief and Hope: LA Art World Fire Relief Fund.
2323 Broadway, Golden Hill
The Art of Autism: A Different Lens at Oceanside Museum of Art
April 5 – August 3
The transcendent works of over a dozen neurodivergent artists will make up the Oceanside Museum of Art’s The Art of Autism: A Different Lens exhibition, opening this Saturday. This exhibition is a collaboration between the museum and local nonprofit The Art of Autism, which supports people on the autism spectrum and those who are neurodivergent pursuing the visual arts. The Art of Autism will have an exhibition celebration on Saturday, May 3 that is free for museum members and $15 for the general public.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Wanda Sykes at Civic Theatre
April 4
Wanda Sykes can make nearly anything sound funny, whether it be curt political observations or personal gripes. Outside of her many comedy specials, Sykes’ distinct voice and timely line deliveries have made her an integral part of acclaimed shows like The Other Two, Black-ish and The Upshaws, which she also serves on as a writer and co-creator. Tickets range from $52 to $170 for Sykes’ stand-up show this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Theatre, featuring special guest Keith Robinson.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
GranFondo San Diego
April 6
The GranFondo San Diego, a.k.a. the “big ride,” is an adventurous cycling experience with the promise of pasta waiting across the finish line. Cyclists of all levels can ride 34, 60 or 101 miles with each course starting and finishing at Ruocco Park. Following the race, there will be a bike & fitness expo, and Italian pasta lunch, a beer garden and live music for riders to check out. Registration ranges from $88 to $252 depending on route choice and racing jersey purchase.
585 Harbor Lane, Embarcadero
Carlsbad 5000
April 6
A race that’s ripe for runner PRs, the Carlsbad 5000 is an out-and-back road run on Coast Highway 101 that is equipped for runners of all skill levels and ages to go their very fastest. There will be 5Ks in multiple categories as well as the People’s Race, a non-competitive option for walkers and joggers. All participants can enjoy a post-race health and fitness expo with exhibitors, a beer garden from Pizza Port and live music from Betamaxx. Registration is $43 for the kids’ half-mile and mile and races and $80 for the adult 5Ks. Those who register will receive two beers (if they are 21+), a race shirt, finisher medal, race photos and results.
Roosevelt and Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
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