👻 A Little Saigon night market, theater treasures and a haunted hike: Things to do in San Diego Oct. 8-14
This week, San Diegans can browse local art in Barrio Logan, catch a rookie popping battle, celebrate new murals in Logan Heights and explore a nature preserve after dark.
Written by Yanelli Zavina Robles, Edited by Kate Morrissey
Editor's note: We have used AI to help us extract information from event flyers, but humans have selected, adjusted and reviewed each entry.
This week, San Diegans can sip their way through the San Diego Coffee Festival, celebrate women behind the lens at Girls on Film and learn more about the local Muslim community during Open Mosque Day. San Diegans can also gather for an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration highlighting Indigenous culture, traditions and community.
Do you know an event we missed? To submit an event for consideration to be added to this list and our community calendar, send us the details in our online form.
Oct. 8
No Country for Mothers Screening: Connect with local parents and caregivers at a screening of “No Country for Mothers” as Chamber of Mothers relaunches its San Diego chapter. The gathering will include a discussion about the realities of motherhood, introduce the chapter’s co-facilitators and community partners and share ways families can get involved locally.
⏰ 5:30 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Hera Hub San Diego, 6170 Cornerstone Court E, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121
🎟️ Register online
Indigenous Stewardship and San Onofre: You can grab a drink and dig into a conversation about tribal consent and nuclear waste at a special Climate Week edition of Science on Tap. Johnny Bear Contreras of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians will discuss the Kumeyaay/Kumiai perspective and the role of tribal communities in decisions surrounding nuclear waste.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Tower 13, 2633 S Coast Highway 101, Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
🎟️ $10 entry fee, open to the public
Classic Cocktail Super Club: You can sip your way through cocktail history at AVANT’s Classic Cocktail Supper Club. The evening begins with chef-crafted canapés, followed by a four-course dinner featuring seasonal dishes paired with classic cocktails selected to complement each course.
⏰ 6 - 10 p.m.
🌎 Rancho Bernardo Inn, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
🎟️ Reservations available online
Paper Mates: Tender Hooligan hosts a weekly art night with open turntables organized by DJ Mane One every Thursday. Guests can sign up for open table slots. The bar will have Tribal Lager beer specials.
⏰ 6 - 10 p.m.
🌎 Tender Hooligan, 221 Third Ave., Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91910
LEZRUNSD Thursday Run Club: A run and walk club welcomes all paces, people and pups every Thursday, starting and finishing at Little Bird Brewing Co. Participants can choose a 3-mile or 1.75-mile route.
⏰ 6 p.m.
🌎 Little Bird Brewing Co., 3176 Thorn St., San Diego, CA 92104
Open Mic Night: Rocko's Modern Taphouse hosts a weekly open mic night on Thursdays. Singers and musicians can sign up to share their music. Sign-ups start at 6 p.m.; the show starts at 6:30 p.m.
⏰ 6 p.m.
🌎 Rocko’s Modern Taphouse, 3940 4th Ave., Second Floor, San Diego, CA 92103
Oct. 9
Yoga in the Park: Odessa Wilson leads a donation-based yoga class at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa every Friday. All levels are welcome. Participants should bring their own yoga mats and water bottles.
⏰ 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 🌎 Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St., La Mesa, CA 91942
🎟️ Donation-based
Lesbian Cafe: The San Diego LGBT Community Center invites queer folks to gather for a welcoming, inclusive and light-hearted discussion group tailored for women of all ages.
⏰ 10:30 a.m. - Noon
🌎 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest: San Diegans can head to the beach for a weekend of Oktoberfest fun in Ocean Beach with live music and DJs, cold beer and plenty of friendly competition, from stein-holding and pretzel tossing to the festival’s brat-eating contest.
⏰ Oct 9., 4 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., and Oct. 10, Noon - 11:30 p.m.
🌎 Newport Avenue and Abbott Street, Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA 92107
🎟️ $20 General Admission at the gates, 21+
Crow Party: Honest Thrift Studio is hosting a spooky trinket swap and mingle where guests can bring at least one trinket to trade while shopping.
⏰ 5 - 7 p.m.
🌎 Honest Thirft & Plants, 2609 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
🎟️ Tickets are $5
Community Yoga: Alchemystic Studio hosts a gentle community yoga session at The Brown Building every Friday.
⏰ 6 - 7 p.m.
🌎 The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
🎟️ Reservations available online on a pay-what-you-can basis
Black Trans & Nonbinary Community Group: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is hosting a space for Black trans, gender nonbinary and gender non-conforming folks to get and provide peer support through discussion. The group meets in person the second and fourth Friday of each month.
⏰ 6:15 - 7:45 p.m.
🌎 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Loose Joints & International Affairs: NuTropic Sound is hosting a high-fidelity listening session featuring sounds from across the globe. DJ Serg Mano will dig through his record bags for cosmic jazz, boogaloo, Latin, disco breaks, Tropicália and house, all played on a sound system built for vinyl.
⏰ 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
🌎 Part Time Lover, 3829 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Rocky Horror Picture Show: Crazed Imaginations hosts a screening and shadowcast performance of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas on the second, fourth and fifth Fridays of each month. The second Friday performance is lingerie night, and fifth Friday shows have a special mashup theme.
⏰ 10:30 p.m.
🌎 La Paloma Theatre, 471 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
🎟️ Tickets can be reserved online and prop bags can be purchased at the theater for $5
Oct. 10
Get the Flock Out of San Diego: You can join San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and community members for a District 4 neighborhood canvass. Participants will speak with voters about Councilmember Henry Foster III’s effort to end San Diego’s contract for Flock license plate reader technology.
⏰ 8:30 a.m.
🌎 JFK Park, 4825 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Autumn Jubilee: You and the family can spend a fall day on the farm with activities including a hayride, cider pressing, candle dipping, meeting farm animals and an interactive reptile show. Attendees can add some adventure with archery, tomahawk throwing and a slingshot range every Saturday and Sunday until October 25th.
⏰ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
🌎 Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures
🎟️ Tickets for select dates are available for purchase online
San Diego Coffee Festival: You can fuel your weekend at the San Diego Coffee Festival, which is bringing local roasters, coffee lovers and specialty brews together along the waterfront. You can sample coffee, meet local vendors and explore San Diego’s coffee scene during the two-day festival.
🗓️ Oct. 10 – 11
⏰ 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
🌎 La Paloma Theatre, 471 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
🎟️ Get your tickets online
Costume and Prop Sale : You can dig through decades of theater history at The Old Globe’s first public costume and prop sale since 2008. Attendees can Shop hundreds of pieces from past productions, including costumes, masks, hats, furniture, décor and other one-of-a-kind finds.
⏰ 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
🌎 Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Cashless payments only
Community Mural Dedication: You can celebrate new public art in Greater Logan Heights at a community mural dedication and ribbon-cutting with live music and refreshments. More than a dozen local artists created the murals as part of a four-year project.
⏰ 10 a.m. - Noon
🌎 3720 19th St., San Diego, CA 92102
🎟️ Free, RSVP online
Water and Kindness Free Store: Every Saturday, Water and Kindness hosts a free store at Pop-Up Winona where visitors can donate items or get needed supplies. The group is seeking donations of baby formula, bags, blankets, diapers, first aid items, harm reduction supplies, hats, gloves, hygiene products, mobility aids, rolling carts or wagons, shoes, sleeping bags, socks, tarps, tents, undergarments and water.
⏰ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
🌎 Pop-Up Winona, 4951 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, California, 92115
Peace Vigil for Palestine: CODEPINK San Diego, Palestine Pals and other local activism groups host a weekly peace vigil to advocate for peace in Gaza and beyond every Saturday in Ocean Beach. The group invites attendees to wear pink and bring peace-themed posters. For more information, email sandiego@codepink.org.
⏰ 10 a.m. - noon
🌎 Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and West Point Loma Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92107
San Diego Defensa Contra ICE: Join San Diego Defensa for a virtual community discussion about recent immigration enforcement activity in San Diego. Organizers will discuss changes in Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics and ways residents can respond and share safety information with their communities.
⏰ 11 a.m.
🌎 Virtual Event
🎟️ Register online
San Diego Serbian Festival: The St. George Serbian Orthodox Church is hosting the 52nd annual San Diego Serbian Festival in Mission Bay. Attendees can spend the day enjoying traditional food, cultural traditions and family-friendly activities while learning more about the local Serbian community.
⏰ Noon - 11 p.m.
🌎 St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 3025 Denver Street, San Diego, CA 92117
🎟️ $5 general addmission; Free admission for children under 12, active military and first responders. Tickets available online or at entrance
Barrio Art Crawl: You can spend an afternoon surrounded by art, music and community at the Barrio Art Crawl in Barrio Logan. Attendees can browse a lively market, check out local art and catch an immersive live performance by Reza Brass at Mercado del Barrio near the Barrio Logan Gateway sign.
⏰ Noon - 5 p.m.
🌎 Mercado del Barrio Promenade, 1101 Chicano Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
🎟️ Free
Blacktoberfest: SD Melanin is hosting its annual Blacktoberfest at S&S Friendly Ranch. Attendees can enjoy music, line dancing, a petting zoo, games, food trucks and dozens of Black-owned businesses for a day rooted in community and legacy.
⏰ 1 - 8 p.m.
🌎 S&S Friendly Ranch, 2105 Hollister St., San Diego, CA 92154
🎟️ Tickets available for purchase online, 21+
29th Annual Oktoberfest: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church is hosting its 29th annual Oktoberfest. Attendees can enjoy homemade goods, a pie walk, craft vendors, face painting and music by Boogie Xpress.
⏰ Noon - 6 p.m.
🌎 St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 2816 B St., Julian, CA 92036
Girls on Film: You can celebrate women behind the lens at the second annual Girls on Film, hosted by San Diego Made Factory. The event showcases photography from women and women-presenting photographers of all experience levels, with both film and digital work represented.
⏰ 2 - 6 p.m.
🌎 San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
March for Palestine: Community members will gather Oct. 10 for a march marking three years since the start of the war in Gaza. The event will bring participants together to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis and to hear calls for changes to U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza.
⏰ 3 p.m.
🌎 El Prado and 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Big Bad Wolf Tour: Cure for Paranoia is performing during the San Diego stop of the Big Bad Wolf Tour. The evening brings together music, panels, workshops and food for a community-focused event.
⏰ 4 - 10 p.m.
🌎 Oakoasis County Preserve, 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside 92040
🎟️ Free; 21 and up
First Contact Rookie Battle: SD Popping is hosting First Contact, a free beginner-friendly dance battle. Dancers with less than five years of experience who have never made a popping battle bracket can sign up at the door and put their skills to the test at Culture Shock Training Academy.
⏰ 5 p.m., doors open; 6 p.m., battles begin
🌎 Culture Shock San Diego, 2110 Hancock St., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92110
Little Saigon Night Market: You can spend Saturday night exploring food, culture and entertainment at the Little Saigon Night Market. Grab a bite from local vendors, catch live performances and connect with the community during this free evening market.
⏰ 6 - 10 p.m.
🌎 4665 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
🎟️ Free admission
Haunted Trail Hikes: You can explore Oakoasis County Preserve after dark on a guided Halloween hike filled with nighttime sights, sounds and a few spooky surprises. Start with a less-spooky daylight hike at 6 p.m., then stick around for a Star Party under the night sky.
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m.
🌎 Oakoasis County Preserve, 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside 92040
🎟️ Free; all ages welcome
The Art Envy: Shear Envy is hosting an evening celebrating local art, fashion and music at its biannual Art Envy. Attendees can browse wearable art and contemporary works, enjoy wine and connect with local creatives while DJ Cervantes sets the soundtrack.
⏰ 6 – 9 p.m.
🌎 Shear Envy, 264 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910
Loose Joints & International Affairs: DJ Serg Mano of NuTropic Sound will spin cosmic jazz, boogaloo, Latin, disco breaks, Tropicália and house at Nómade Tapas and Records listening bar.
⏰7 - 11 p.m.
🌎Nómade, 3027 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Oct. 11
Bird Outing with SoCal Bird Nerds: SoCal Bird Nerds are hosting their monthly bird outing. Attendees will be exploring Inspirational Point in Balboa Park and looking out for migratory birds who are overwintering here in Southern California.
⏰ 8 - 10 a.m.
🌎The World Beat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Filipino American History Month Kick Back: Kapwa Kinship and Soul Side Vinyl are hosting aFilipino American History Month celebration. Attendees can spend the day enjoying local talent, small businesses and community organizations while learning more about San Diego’s Filipino American history and culture.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
🌎 Soul Side Vinyl, 3535 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ Free for all ages
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday for a vigil on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement.
⏰ 1:30 - 4 p.m.
🌎 Otay Mesa Detention Center, 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA 92154
Family Meal: Hospitality workers can take a break and enjoy a free meal at Finca North Park’s Family Meal. Bartenders, chefs, servers, cooks, barbacks, dishwashers and other industry workers are invited to eat and connect, with drinks available for purchase.
⏰ 7 - 9 p.m.
🌎Finca North Park, 3066 North Park Way, San Diego, CA 92104
🎟️Free
Open Mosque Day : You can learn more about the Islamic Center of San Diego during its Open Mosque Day. Visitors can tour the mosque, enjoy refreshments and attend a presentation and Q&A with members of the community.
⏰ 2 - 4:30 p.m.
🌎Islamic Center of San Diego, 7050 Eckstrom Ave., San Diego, CA 92111
🎟️Open to everyone
Oct. 12
Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration: The San Pasqual Band of the Kumeyaay Nation is hosting Indigenous Peoples' Day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, celebrating the Kumeyaay people and their commitment to wildlife. Bird singers and dancers may contact the organizers to participate.
⏰ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
🌎San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
The ILIA Awards: RISE San Diego is hosting an awards ceremony honoring San Diego grassroots leaders, culture shifters and community champions.
⏰ 5 - 8:30 p.m.
🌎 The Museum of Photographic Arts at SDMA, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92102
🎟️ Tickets available online
Noodles & Doodles: Gossip Grill hosts a sensory-friendly night featuring all-you-can-eat spaghetti, art supplies and an all-night happy hour every Monday. The event welcomes headphones and makes conversation optional. All-you-can-eat spaghetti costs $8, with add-ons for meatballs and garlic bread.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Gossip Grill, 1220 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Muévelo Monday: Local dancer Valerie Moreno hosts a free weekly dance social on Mondays behind the San Diego Mission Bay Resort.
⏰ 6 - 7 p.m.
🌎 San Diego Mission Bay Resort, 1775 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Oct. 13
Tuesday Roll: Black Skate San Diego hosts free roller-skating lessons at Liberty Station every Tuesday night. The lessons are beginner-friendly, and skates are available to rent.
⏰ 5:30 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Liberty Station, 2620 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Oct. 14
Sketch Night: Good News Bar is hosting a recurring creative meetup with a casual night of drawing and community. Participants are encouraged to bring their own materials.
⏰ 4 - 10 p.m.
🌎 Good News Bar, 3821 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103
Open Vinyl Night: DJ Loki hosts a weekly open-format vinyl night at Jaguar Paw. Contact Loki to get on the DJ list.
⏰ 6 - 11 p.m.
🌎 Jaguar Paw, 2185 1/2 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
