Clothing swaps, night markets and book bedazzling: Things to do in San Diego May 14-20
This week, San Diegans can dance to the pioneers of cumbia punk, check out a circus show or attend a lunch to support student journalists.
Written by Kate Morrissey, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
Editor's note: We have used AI to help us extract information from event flyers, but humans have selected, adjusted and reviewed each entry.
San Diegans looking for an affordable wardrobe refresh have multiple options this week at clothing swaps. Dancers can vibe with pioneers of cumbia punk this weekend, or vinyl DJs can curate their musical adventures at an open tables night.
For food distribution events and other no-cost grocery options, check out our online map to find one near you. We also have a list of events to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
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.
May 14
ICE Out of San Diego: A coalition of local organizations is hosting a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity every Thursday in front of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, which holds the San Diego ICE Field Office. RSVP online. 10 a.m., 880 Front St., San Diego, CA 92101
Growing Justice: Border Justice: Triton Underground Scholars, UCSD Latin American Studies, UCSD Student Sustainability Collective and the Chicano Federation host a community day in Barrio Logan featuring a free meal, music, a resource fair, an art exhibition and a film screening. RSVP online. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Barrio Station, 2175 Newton Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
The Real Power of School Boards: The American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties is hosting a virtual panel discussion about, student rights, the importance of being involved in school board meetings and how school boards control local policy. 6 - 7:30 p.m., online
Clothing Swap: The Brown Building is hosting a free clothing swap. Bring gently used, clean items or just come to find new ones. No underwear or socks can be traded. You do not need to bring items to take items. The space is trans and queer friendly; all gender expressions and sizes welcome. 6 - 8:30 p.m., The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
Paper Mates: Tender Hooligan is hosting a weekly art night with open turntables organized by DJ Mane One. A sign-up sheet will be available for open tables with slots expected to fill quickly. The bar will have Tribal Lager beer specials. 6 - 10 p.m., every Thursday, 221 Third Ave Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91910
May 15
Glow & Flow Night Market: Sound by the Sea is hosting a vendor market featuring local makers, vintage goods, art, ceramics, wearables, prints and small-batch food, with vinyl played all night on hi-fi sound selectors. Vendor spots are still available; apply online. 5 - 10 p.m., Sound by the Sea, 325 S Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA 92054
Groove Line Night and Open Tables: 619 Gurlz are hosting an open turntables night at Mixed Grounds Coffee celebrating Rosa's birthday. Sign up via DM to claim a spin slot. Bring a stack of records. 6 - 10 p.m., Mixed Grounds Coffee, 4355 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Son Rompe Pera at Quartyard: Bad Vibes Good Friends presents Son Rompe Pera — described as pioneers of cumbia punk — along with La Maguana and DJ Bootsy Bolaños at Quartyard. The event is open to all ages. 6 - 9 p.m., Quartyard, 1301 Market St. #3, San Diego, CA 92101
Community Yoga: Alchemystic Studio hosts a gentle community yoga session at The Brown Building every Friday. Reserve space online on a pay-what-you-can basis. 6 - 7 p.m., The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
May 16
Water and Kindness Free Store: Every Saturday, Water and Kindness hosts a free store at Popup 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., 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. - 12 p.m., Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
Balboa Park Women’s Tour: Forever Balboa Park hosts a tour highlighting influential women like Kate Sessions — who is considered the mother of Balboa Park — on the third Saturday of each month starting at Bea Evenson Fountain. 10 a.m., Bea Evenson Fountain, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
SD Families for Justice Family Yoga and Succulent Swap: San Diego Families for Justice, in partnership with Yoga for Immigrant Justice, hosts a family yoga session and playground fun at Tecolote Shores. 10 a.m., Tecolote Shores, 1344 E Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
NAHJ San Diego/Tijuana Chapter Scholarship Luncheon: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists San Diego/Tijuana chapter is hosting its 2026 scholarship luncheon. Tickets are available online. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Fermanian Business Center, Point Loma Nazarene University, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Fern Street Circus: Fern Street Community Arts is hosting a free community circus performance (on Oregon Street between Howard and Polk Avenues) where professional artists collaborate with participants and their families to create cultural exchange, combining physical and theatrical skills. 2 p.m., North Park Recreation Center, 4044 Idaho St., San Diego, CA 92104
Disco Night: Soul Side Vinyl is presenting a disco night featuring the Tim Chan Experience with special guests DJ Optic and DJ Junior. Trev Muello will teach dance lessons. RSVP for free online and receive a $3 dy-no-mite shot. 9 p.m. - close, Goodbar, 1872 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92106
May 17
Books Thru Bars Community Combine: City Farmers Nursery is collecting gently used or new softcover books through May 17 to distribute to incarcerated people seeking reading material, in partnership with SD Books Thru Bars. Drop off books at the Community Combine shed in the nursery parking lot. The shed is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
A Walk With Yáamay: New Village Arts is presenting a free, site-specific guided art walk blending Indigenous poetry, music, storytelling and natural exploration inspired by "Yáamay: An Anthology of Feminine Perspectives Across Indigenous California." Space is limited; registration is free online. 10 a.m. - noon, Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92009
SD Families for Justice Clothing Swap: San Diego Families for Justice hosts a clothing swap at Joe Balderrama Park in Oceanside. 10 a.m., Joe Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St., Oceanside, CA 92058
Cafe y Sazón: Braveheart Barbershop and Unico Coffee are hosting an afternoon of Latin dance and community, kicking off with a beginner-friendly salsa class before opening the dance floor to salsa, cumbia and all-vinyl DJ sets. Noon - 4 p.m., Braveheart Barbershop & Lifestyle Co., 972 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109
Fern Street Circus: Fern Street Community Arts is hosting a free community circus performance where professional artists collaborate with participants and their families to create cultural exchange, combining physical and theatrical skills. 2 p.m., Azalea Recreation Center, 2596 Violet St., San Diego, CA 92105
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement. 2 - 4 p.m., 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA, 92154
Girls Gone Mild Y2K Bedazzling Party: Rooftop Cinema Club is hosting a Y2K-themed evening where attendees can bedazzle their favorite book before a screening of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." Tickets are available online, starting at $25. 4 - 6 p.m., Rooftop Cinema Club, 453 Tenth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
Mi Viaje Creativo — Community Plant Walk + Print Workshop: Artist-in-residence Irie Zepeda is leading a free, guided, neighborhood plant walk with the Church of Herbalism, exploring local plants and their connections to the body, home and environment. Spanish translation available. RSVP at sandiegomade.org/impact. 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
May 18
Call for Local Artists — Beardsley Pedestrian Bridge: All For Logan and the Barrio Logan Cultural District are accepting design submissions from local artists for a public art project on the Beardsley Pedestrian Bridge, running from National Avenue to Kearney Avenue, in partnership with Caltrans. The winning design will be produced and installed by Caltrans. Submit via this link. Deadline May 18 by 11:59 p.m., Beardsley Street & Kearney Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
May 19
Midnight Oil: The Block Club is hosting a Small Business Month workshop on branding in the digital world, covering brand identity, social media presence, AI in marketing and what makes a strong website in 2026. A workbook and other materials will be provided, along with snacks and drinks. Free. 5:30 - 7 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Happy Girls Give Back: Feeding San Diego: Happy Girl Club is volunteering with Feeding San Diego to sort produce and donated items and pack food boxes for distribution across San Diego County. All volunteers must register in advance through Feeding San Diego; spots are limited. Sign up online. 6 - 8 p.m., Feeding San Diego Warehouse, 9477 Waples St., Suite 100, San Diego, CA
May 20
"Guarding Our Guardians" Book Debut & Signing: Resurrecting Lives Foundation is hosting a book signing for the newly released "Guarding our Guardians" by Dr. Chrisanne Gordon. 10 a.m. - noon, Liberty Station Command Center - Front Steps, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Booked & Busy LGBTQ+ Career Mixer & Job Fair: Pride Point Network and Disco Riot are hosting an LGBTQ+ career mixer and job fair with recruiters, hiring companies and stations for resume building and LinkedIn profile optimization. There will be plenty of opportunities to network. Members get in free while non-members pay $15 cover. Tickets are available online. 6 - 9 p.m., Park & Rec, 4612 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92116
Coffee & Art: Barakah Coffee House is hosting a community coaster painting night. Each guest receives a tile coaster to paint and take home. The event is free, and organizers ask that attendees RSVP online. 6 - 9 p.m., Barakah Coffee House, 6461 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92115
The Omega Male Program: Artist Levani Ko is performing a one-person show about masculinity as part of the San Diego Fringe festival. The show previously won Best of the Fringe Award at the San Francisco Fringe Festival. May 20, 7:30 p.m.; May 21, 6 p.m., 9 p.m.; May 22, 9 p.m.; May 23, 7:30 p.m.; May 24, 4 p.m., Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road #205, San Diego, CA 92106
