Cross-border jazz, a calavera art exhibit and a remembrance for Nolan Wells: Things to do in San Diego Oct. 1 - 7
This week, San Diegans can celebrate Oktoberfest in La Mesa, explore local businesses during South Park’s Fall Walk About and catch a Halloween-themed art show featuring 50 local artists.
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.
San Diegans can kick off October with a mix of art, music, community gatherings and fall festivities across the county. A new film lab and gallery opening in Chula Vista, a cross-border jazz festival and neighborhood celebrations all create spaces to connect through celebration, reflection and remembrance.
For food distribution events and other no-cost grocery options, check out our online map to find one near you.
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.
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Oct. 1
San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival Opening Jazz Party: The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival kicks off its four-day cross-border celebration at Quartyard with the Binational Youth Ensemble, Colectivo Fronterizo featuring rapper Fémina Fatal and Jungle Fire. The festival celebrates the region’s binational jazz history with artists performing across San Diego, Tijuana and Escondido.
⏰ 5 - 9 p.m.
🌎 Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Free with RSVP; $20 suggested donation 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. 2
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
La Mesa Oktoberfest: Historic La Mesa Village is transforming into a three-day Oktoberfest celebration with live music, German food, biergartens, dachshund festivities, family activities and traditional Oktoberfest games. The free, all-ages festival also features an artisan market, food vendors and live entertainment across multiple stages.
⏰ Oct. 2: 4 - 7 p.m.; Oct. 3: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Oct. 4: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
🗓️ Oct. 2 - Oct. 4
🌎 La Mesa Oktoberfest, Historic La Mesa Village, La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa, CA 91942
🎟️ Free admission; biergarten entry is $8, with free entry for guests under 21. VIP experiences start at $10. Tickets available online.
San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival — Tijuana: The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival continues its cross-border celebration in downtown Tijuana with Colectivo Fronterizo and rapper Fémina Fatal, punk-jazz ensemble Señales Selañes and Charlie Chávez y su Afrotruko. The free event is presented in collaboration with the Tijuana Jazz & Blues Festival.
⏰ 5 - 9 p.m.
🌎 Calle 4ta and Avenida Revolución, Tijuana, Baja California
🎟️ Free admission
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
🎟️ Reserve space online on a pay-what-you-can basis
Oct. 3
Remembering Nolan Wells: Black Lives Yoga is hosting a yoga session and community circle in memory of Nolan Xavier Wells. The gathering will offer space for community members to grieve, reflect and heal together by the water.
⏰ 9 a.m
🌎 1658 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
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
Taste of North Park: North Park Main Street is bringing together more than 50 food tastings and 15 beverage stops for the 15th annual Taste of North Park. Attendees can stroll through the neighborhood to sample bites and drinks from local restaurants and businesses while enjoying live music.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
🌎 North Park, Main Street
🎟️ Reserve tickets online
I'm Still Developing - Grand Opening: I’m Still Developing is celebrating the opening of its new Downtown Chula Vista storefront, home to its film lab and gallery. Visitors can hang their own photo prints in the gallery, shop affordable Kodak 35mm and 120 film and purchase or pick up merchandise throughout the day.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
🌎 I’m Still Developing, 241 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91902
🎟️ Free
Latinos in Pacific Beach: Poet and journalist Adolfo Guzman-Lopez is hosting a reading from his new book, “California Southern: Writing from the Road, 1992-2025,” exploring Latino builders and neighbors who helped shape Pacific Beach from the 1940s to today. Guzman-Lopez will join Michelle Tellez, a University of Arizona professor of Mexican American studies who grew up in Pacific Beach, for a conversation following the reading.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
🌎 Pacific Beach-Taylor Branch Library, 4275 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109
🎟️ Free event
Calaveras After Dark Art Exhibition: Brewjeria Taproom & Kitchen is hosting the opening night of its Calaveras After Dark art exhibition, celebrating life, memory and the beauty of the afterlife. Attendees can browse artwork and stay for a local DJ starting at 7 p.m.
⏰ 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
🌎 Brewjeria Taproom & Kitchen, 241 Third Ave., Chula Vista.
Fall Walk About: South Park businesses are staying open late for an evening of shopping, dining and neighborhood activities. Visitors can stroll through the neighborhood, explore local shops and restaurants and find special activities and promotions from participating businesses.
⏰ 5 - 9 p.m.
🌎 South Park, 30th Street & Grape Street, San Diego, CA 92102
🎟️ Free
Oct. 4
Cute and Creepy Halloween Group Art Show: Fifty local artists are coming together for the opening of a monthlong Halloween-themed group exhibition celebrating San Diego’s art community. Attendees can explore the “Cute & Creepy” collection and meet participating local artists during the opening event.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
🌎 Subterranean Coffee, 3764 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
🎟️ Free
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
Picnic P.L.U.R.: As part of San Diego Climate Week, you can dance, relax and connect at this outdoor gathering in Golden Hill Park. With no speakers or presentations, Picnic P.L.U.R. creates room for resilience and collective energy that help sustain movements.
⏰ 2 - 6 p.m.
🌎 Golden Hill Park, 2590-2596 Golden Hill Drive, San Diego, CA 92102
Oct. 5
Disco Librería: Tall Tales Bookshop and Friends of Friends are hosting an evening of books, drinks and music in National City. Guests can browse books, grab a bite and listen to a vinyl set by DJ Tykes, with each ticket purchase automatically entering attendees into a prize giveaway.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Friends of Friends Café & Listening Bar, 127 E. 8th St., National City, CA 91950
🎟️ Tickets starting at $10
Raising Change Agents Book Event: Libélula Books & Co. is hosting author and licensed clinical social worker Nat Nadha Vikitsreth for a discussion of her book, “Raising Change Agents: Practicing Social Justice in Everyday Parenting.” The conversation will explore how parents, educators and caregivers can practice social justice in their homes and communities.
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
🌎 Libélula Books & Co., 950 S. 26th St., San Diego, CA
🎟️ Free
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. 6
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
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
Oct. 7
Catch the Bus: RideSD to Air Summit: RideSD is hosting a community bus ride to the Air Summit in Balboa Park, giving attendees a chance to travel together by public transit. Participants will meet outside Replay Toys Boutique in North Park and ride MTS Route 7 to the summit.
⏰ 4:30 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Replay Toys Boutique, 2948 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
🎟️ RSVP online
BikeSD Ride to the Air Summit: BikeSD is hosting a group bike ride from Trolley Barn Park to the Air Summit in Balboa Park. Participants should bring their bikes, helmets, front and rear lights and water bottles for the ride. Bike valet is available at the summit.
⏰ 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
🌎 Old Trolley Barn Park, 1943 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ RSVP online
Air Summit: San Diego Climate Week is hosting an evening focused on clean air, climate justice and transportation. The event will feature a climate marketplace, Climate Advisory Board listening session, EV and e-bike experiences, community stories, a clean air debate and a special organ performance.
⏰ 5:30 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American E Road, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Free; RSVP online
Housing Policy is Climate Policy: Experts in housing, land use, transportation and clean energy will discuss how housing decisions shape San Diego’s climate goals. The panel will cover housing near transit, zoning, public transportation funding, clean energy access for renters and industrial development near residential neighborhoods, followed by audience Q&A.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
🌎 San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St. #114, San Diego, CA 92113
🎟️ Free; RSVP online
Pecha Kucha Climate Night: The International Community Foundation is hosting a bilingual storytelling night featuring climate leaders from Mexico and their work on food systems and environmental solutions. Presentations begin at 7 p.m., followed by networking with mocktails and small bites. Simultaneous English-Spanish interpretation will be provided.
⏰ 6:30 - 9 p.m.
🌎 Good News Bar, 3821 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103
🎟️ RSVP online
