Emo ice skating, Mariachi USA and a vintage vinyl market: Things to do in San Diego Sept. 24-30
This week, San Diegans can swap clothes and books, catch an outdoor screening of “E.T.” and dance the night away at a phone-free party.
Written by Yanelli Zavina Robles, 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.
This week, San Diegans can celebrate Palestinian culture with dance, music and storytelling, connect with environmentalists over short films at Mujeres Brew House and hear local artists and advocates discuss the future of arts in the South Bay.
City Farmers Nursery is inviting neighbors to swap clothing and books, while night owls can celebrate John Coltrane’s 100th birthday with a midnight listening session of “A Love Supreme.”
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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Sept. 24
ICE Out of San Diego: A coalition of local organizations hosts 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.
⏰ 10 a.m.
🌎 Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, 880 Front St., San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ RSVP online
SDSU Art Opening: San Diego State University’s School of Art and Design is hosting opening receptions for two exhibitions featuring contemporary art. Curated by Jacqueline Marino, “Edgeless: In the Expanded Field of Painting” presents the work of four Southern Californian painters: Anna Betbeze, Molly Zuckerman-Hartung, Monique van Genderen and Lizzie Zelter. In the “Graduate Review Exhibition,” MFA graduate students showcase their work.
⏰ 4 - 7 p.m.
🌎 University Art Gallery School of Art + Design, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182
🗓️ The exhibition is on display Sept. 24 through Dec. 3
🎟️ Free
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
The Arts in South Bay: RISE San Diego is bringing together local arts leaders, creators and advocates for a panel discussion on cultural impact, youth empowerment and the future of the South Bay arts community.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902
🎟️ Registration available online
San Diego Green Drinks: San Diego Green Drinks and the San Diego Environmental Film Festival are hosting a free evening of networking and short film screenings highlighting global environmental solutions through cinematic storytelling.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
🌎 Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
🎟️ Free
Abnormal Night Comedy: Abnormal Nights is hosting a stand-up comedy show at the Adams Avenue Theater with hosts Alex Petit and McKay Bushnell.
⏰ 6:30 p.m. doors; 7 p.m. show
🌎 Adams Avenue Theater, 3325 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ Free tickets available online
Sept. 25
Love Isn't Blind: A Live Comedy/Dating Show: Comedian Allison Goldberg is hosting a dating show where four men compete for one bachelorette — without speaking. Instead, Goldberg calls their moms and searches their phones as the audience watches the matchmaking unfold.
⏰ 6:30 p.m door; 8 p.m show
🌎 Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, 401 K St., San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Purchase tickets online starting at $29
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 Street, La Mesa, CA 91942
🎟️ Donation-based
Lesbian Cafe: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is hosting a gathering for queer women of all ages to connect and build community.
⏰ 4:30 - 6 p.m.
🌎 The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Immersive Palestinian Cultural Theater Experience: House of Palestine is hosting an evening celebrating Palestinian culture with performances by El-funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe and Zaytouna Dabke Troupe. The event features dabke dancing, music and storytelling, along with Palestinian food, coffee, knafeh and a silent auction.
⏰ 6 p.m.
🌎 Saville Theatre at San Diego City College, 1343 C St., San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️Registration available online
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 Street, San Diego, CA 92105
🎟️Reserve space online on a pay-what-you-can basis
Emo Night: UTC Ice Sports Center is hosting an emo-themed night of ice skating with music from the genre.
⏰ 7:20 - 9:20 p.m.
🌎 UTC Ice Sports Center, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, Unit E23, San Diego, CA 92112
🎟️ Use code “EMONIGHT” for $5 off admission
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 Hwy. 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
🎟️ Tickets can be reserved online and prop bags can be purchased at the theater for $5
Sept. 26
Vintage & Vinyl: Kobey’s Swap Meet is hosting a vintage market featuring vintage clothing and vinyl record vendors, live DJs and food trucks.
⏰ 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
🌎 Kobey’s Swap Meet, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA
🎟️ $2 admission
Growing & Glowing: Foodshed Coop is hosting a free hands-on cooking class series for pregnant and new parents, with babies welcome. Each family that attends will receive a $15 voucher to the Saturday farmers market at City Heights Food FARMacy. 🗓️ Held every other Saturday through Dec. 19
⏰ 9 - 10 a.m.
🌎 Teaching Kitchen, 4061 Fairmont Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
🎟️ 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 W. Point Loma Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92107
Chula Vista ArtFest: The City of Chula Vista is hosting its fourth annual ArtFest celebrating South Bay artists with local vendors, live music, food and interactive art activities
⏰ Noon - 6 p.m.
🌎 Chula Vista City Hall, 276 4th Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910
Oktoberfest at The Inn: Rancho Bernardo Inn is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration with a curated à la carte menu featuring Oktoberfest-inspired bites and beer selections.
⏰ 2 - 8 p.m.
🌎Rancho Bernardo Inn, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
🎟️Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase
Mariachi USA San Diego: Rodri Entertainment is presenting the second annual Mariachi USA festival with four hours of live mariachi music, ballet folklórico and a sing-along fireworks finale over San Diego Bay.
⏰ 6 - 10 p.m.
🌎 The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Buy tickets online starting at $40
Celebración Mexicana 2026: Ballet Folklórico San Diego Dance Company is hosting its fifth annual celebration of traditional Mexican dance, music and culture.
⏰ 6 - 9 p.m.
🌎 Shiley Theatre, 5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego, CA 92110
🎟️ Tickets available online for $29
Movie Night in the Park: E.T.: University Heights Community Association is hosting a community movie night with a bake-off and “Thriller” dance workshop before a screening of “E.T.” Food trucks including Ye Olde Grilled Cheese and Tater Tots Shoppe and Pizza Break will be available on site.
⏰ 6 p.m. bake-off; 7 p.m. screening
🌎 Old Trolley Barn Park, 1943 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ Reservations available online
Bring Back Dancing: Harbor the People and Status Skateshop are hosting a phone-free dance party with an after-hours, Boiler Room-style DJ set. The event is part of the #BringBackDancing movement, which aims to turn local businesses into one-night dance spaces centered on music and in-person connection.
⏰ 6:30 - 10 p.m.
🌎 Status Skateshop, 1943 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ Tickets available online
Sept. 27
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
Sept. 28
Clothing & Book Swap: City Farmers Nursery is inviting guests to swap clothing and books while giving pre-loved items a new home. Clothing must be freshly cleaned, and textile recycling will be available on-site.
⏰ 4 - 6:30 p.m.
🌎 City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
🎟️ 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
Sept. 29
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
Sept. 30
Older Adult Resource Fair: San Diego County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe and Henry Foster III are hosting a resource fair for adults 50 and older to connect with local health, aging, legal and community services. Featured resources include the County of San Diego Aging & Independence Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and estate and planning services.
⏰ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
🌎 Bay Terraces Community & Senior Center, 7445 Tooma St., San Diego, CA 92139
🎟️ RSVP online for free
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
Contra Dance at Balboa Park: The Balboa Park International Folk Club is hosting Contra Dance at the Balboa Park Club. Beginner lessons start at 6:30 p.m. Parking at Balboa Park is free after 6 p.m.
⏰ Beginner lessons at 6:30 p.m, memorial dance starts at 7 p.m.
🌎 Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American W Road, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Entry is on a sliding scale of $5 to $20
