Community celebrations, neighborhood cleanups and social gatherings: What to do Aug. 28 to Sept. 2
Explore artistic expression, celebrate National City Library’s 20th birthday and get involved with neighborhood cleanups in San Diego County this week.
Written by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
This week, the National City Public Library turns 20, Chicano Park offers a movie night under the stars for Chicano Legacy Month and Mi Gente is hosting its final block party of the summer.
Aside from community celebrations, there are also opportunities to give back through neighborhood clean ups and a pet supply drive at City Farmer’s Nursery.
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.
Aug. 28
The Art of Play: Art + Connect hosts an evening of creative movement, sound, drawing and art games. The event is free but open to donations. 6 to 8 p.m., heARTSpace, 3619 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Aug. 29
CreativeMornings: Head to downtown San Diego to hear from speaker Claire Johnson — San Diego Magazine CEO — at CreativeMornings, a monthly breakfast lecture series that brings together artists, business owners and other creatives. The free event includes time for networking, coffee and a 20-minute talk on the month’s theme: Nomad. Registration is free online. 8:15 to 10 a.m., San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Community Combine: City Farmers Nursery is partnering with Friends of Humane Services Tijuana for the August Community Combine, where people can donate supplies for pets and pet caretakers in need. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug.18 to Aug. 31, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
‘Fragmentos del Barrio’ Opening Reception: The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center hosts an opening reception for “Fragmentos del Barrio,” an exhibition celebrating the work of artist and political activist Ramsés Noriega. The collection includes three decades of paintings, drawings and political graphics, and honors Noriega’s role in the Chicano Art Movement. Register online for free. 5 to 8 p.m., Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, 1960 National Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
XOXO, Trans Icons: The Transgender Health & Wellness Center hosts a fundraiser with a trans and gender-expanside drag revue at Gossip Grill in Hillcrest. $5 Suggested donation, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Gossip Grill, 1220 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
California Streamin Community Gathering: California Streamin is a mobile music venue dedicated to promoting local nonprofits in San Diego. It’s hosting a community gathering at the Maya Moon Collective where people can network with local musicians and learn more about some of San Diego's nonprofits. The event is free. 6 to 9 p.m., 3349 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Aug. 30
Coffee & Community Pop-Up: The Urban Collaboration Project and the Black Chamber of Commerce host a morning of coffee, community storytelling and live music. 9 a.m. to noon Brooks Huffman Plaza, San Diego, CA 92113
San Diego Made Summer Market: San Diego Made hosts its summer market on Saturday and Sunday in Liberty Station. The event includes more than 120 local makers along with live art, coffee, food trucks, photobooths, workshops, kids activities and more. Aug. 30-31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., NTC Park Preble Field, 2455 Cushing Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
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. to 12 p.m., Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
National City Public Library 20th Anniversary: The National City Public Library hosts a celebration with games, music, crafts and a special reading in honor of its 20th anniversary. Admission is free. 1 to 3 p.m., National City Public Library, 1401 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Black August Forum: The San Diego Black Panther Party is hosting a forum to discuss the prison industrial complex and political prisoners. 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Malcolm X Branch Library, 5148 Market St, San Diego, CA 92114
The DO-OVER: The DO-OVER San Diego hosts its 20th anniversary celebration at Quartyard in East Village. The evening includes performances by DJs Sasha Marie, Full Crate and Nu-Mark. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $24. 3 to 9 p.m., Quartyard, 1301 Market St.,#3, San Diego, CA 92101
Cinema Under the Stars: Short films, music, workshops and muralists will be at Chicano Park to celebrate Chicano Legacy Month. The evening includes a screening of the film “Walkout” directed by Edward James Olmos and starring Alexa Vega and Michael Peña. This is a free event. 4 to 7 p.m. at Chicano Park, 1949 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Aug. 31
Mind & Body Fitness Class: The Party for Socialism & Liberation San Diego hosts the final event of its Black August series, a fitness class in Kimball Park. The event starts with light exercise, followed by a one-mile jog to the San Diego Liberation Center. Guests are encouraged to bring water bottles. 9 a.m., Kimball Park, E 12th St., National City, CA 91950
San Diego Unions Mass: The San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council and California Federation of Labor Unions host a special Mass in honor of workers ahead of Labor Day. 10:30 a.m., Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 4540 El Cerrito Dr., San Diego, CA 92115
Summer Send Off Block Party: Mi Gente is hosting its final block party of the summer with music, art and food. The event is free, though there is a suggested $5-$10 donation. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 3366 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Quarterly Vinyl Fair: Sound by the Sea will host the Always Be Crate Digging Quarterly Vinyl Fair. There will be DJ sets, cocktails, coffee and records to explore. All ages welcome. 1 to 7 p.m., Sound by the Sea, 325 S Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA 92054
Canvassing Outreach Training: The Recall Phil Ortiz organizers are hosting a training session for new volunteers, activists and organizers at Renette Park. Food will be served potluck style and the group will knock on doors after the training. 2:30 p.m., Renette Park, 935 Emerald Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
Neighborhood Clean-Up Day: The Diamond Business Improvement District is hosting a community clean-up day. Volunteers will clean up parks and streets starting at the Market Creek Plaza. Participants are asked to bring their own gloves. 3 to 6 p.m., Market Creek Plaza, 310 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Gayme Night: Inside AWOL at Sal's Cantina, the San Diego LGBTQ+ Board Gamers hosts a game night, starting with larger group games and breaking up into smaller groups for more intensive ones. 6:30 to 10 p.m., Sal's Cantina, 1475 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Sept. 01
Labor Day March: Unions, workers and neighbors will march calling for economic and political change as a way to celebrate Labor Day. 10 a.m. to noon, Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, CA 92101
The People’s Paint-In: The Party for Socialism & Liberation San Diego hosts a paint-in fundraiser in honor of Labor Day and to support its organizing work. Materials and food will be provided, and donations will be accepted. 10 a.m., Kit Carson Park by Duck Lane, 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Spreckels Organ Summer Festival: Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park hosts its final free organ concert of the summer with an ode to The Beatles. Featuring Organ-Ismic — the Organ Pavilion's classic rock band — guests will hear a selection of songs from The Beatles’ discography, including “Penny Lane,” “Helter Skelter” and “Eleanor Rigby.” 7:30 - 9 p.m., 2125 Pan American E Rd., San Diego, CA 92101
Sept. 02
Love SD Cleanup: I Love a Clean San Diego is holding a post-Labor Day clean up at Belmont Park. The event includes a free Love SD T-shirt for all volunteers, live music, vendors and opportunity drawings. The clean up marks the launch of The Love SD Campaign that aims to encourage San Diegans to recycle, compost and reduce litter every day. Register online. 3 to 5 p.m., 3125 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
Old Logan Heights Library Community Meeting: The San Diego Public Library is hosting a public meeting regarding the future of the Logan Heights Library site. 6 to 7 p.m. at Logan Heights Library, 567 S 28th St., San Diego, CA 92113
Updated on Aug. 29, 2025 at 2:11 p.m. with additional events.
