Garden opening, a vigil for Alex Pretti and art receptions: Things to do in San Diego Jan. 29 to Feb. 4
This weekend, you can learn how to organize against San Diego Gas & Electric or propagate willow trees to stabilize a Lakeside riverbed.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Maya Srikrishnan
From a candlelight vigil to honor the life of Alex Pretti to the reopening of a garden at Morse High School, here’s what’s going on in San Diego this week.
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.
Jan. 29
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. RSVP online. 10 a.m., 880 Front St., San Diego, CA 92101
Viet Voices Gather & Give Fundraiser: Viet Voices and Common Theory Public House are hosting a fundraiser mixer in celebration of the Year of the Horse. The event will celebrate the nonprofit’s wins from 2025, including the Viet Voices Fellows and art fellowships, and Advocacy Day in Sacramento. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $30. 6 - 8 p.m., Common Theory Public House, 4805 Convoy St., San Diego, CA 92111
‘Come On In’: Actor Genevieve Flores is performing her one woman show “Come On In,” which focuses on the highs and lows of mental health. Tickets are pay what you can and range from $10 to $30 online. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Elementary Institute of Science. Jan. 29 and 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Elementary Institute of Science, 608 51st St., San Diego, CA 92114
Vigil for Alex Pretti: Nurses from UC San Diego Health and Veterans Affairs are hosting a candlelight vigil in honor of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse who was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis. Event organizers are asking the community to call their senators to oppose additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security budget and the abolishment of ICE. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., VA Medical Center La Jolla, 9598 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093
Bate-Papo Portuguese Language Club: Commonplace San Diego is offering a free space for people to meet and practice their Portuguese language skills, regardless of language level. Register online. 7-10 p.m., 1640 Camino Del Rio N suite 341, San Diego, CA 92108
Jan. 30
Fine Art for a Cause: The Wilshire Foundation is hosting an art viewing of work by Taylor Wilshire at the University Club San Diego. Tickets can be purchased online for $25, and the proceeds will benefit The Wilshire Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to social justice. Guests must wear business casual attire. 5:30 - 8 p.m., University Club San Diego, 750 B St., Suite 3400, San Diego, CA 92101
Jan. 31
Willow Tree Propagation: Tree San Diego and Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy are leading a volunteer activity to stabilize the riverbank by harvesting and planting willow cuttings. Volunteers are asked to wear long pants, sunscreen, and hiking boots or close-toed shoes, and to bring a water bottle. RSVP and sign a volunteer waiver online. 8 - 11:30 a.m., 12108 Industry Road, Lakeside, CA 92040
Morse High School Garden Re-opening: Project New Village and Community Rising are hosting a garden ribbon cutting and wellness event in celebration of the reopening of the Morse High School campus garden. The free event will include food, art and wellness activities. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Morse High School, 6905 Skyline Drive, San Diego, CA 92114
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. to 12 p.m., Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
Utilities 101 Training: SanDiego350 is leading a workshop on organizing against San Diego Gas & Electric in an effort to reduce electricity rates in the region. Light refreshments will be provided, and questions can be sent to Parke Troutman at parke.troutman@sandiego350.org. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Register for free online. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., San Diego Education Association, 10393 San Diego Mission Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108
Books Thru Bars Book Packaging: Groundwork Books hosts regular meetings to provide a space to respond to letters from incarcerated folks nationwide along with packaging two to three books to send to them. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 9330 Eucalyptus Grove Lane, La Jolla, CA 92093
M(other) Tongue: The San Diego Central Library is hosting an opening reception for M(other) Tongue in the Judith Harris Art Gallery, featuring artists who work with textiles to show the connections between migration, art and cultural traditions. The exhibit features work by Leila Khalizadeh Aghdami, Chitra Gopalakrishnan, Kirstyn Hom, Yasmine Kasem and Shirin Towfiq. DJ Mae or Mae Not will play a live vinyl set during the opening. Free. 4 - 6 p.m., San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Masquerade Art Exhibition & Ball: The Veles Project is holding a masquerade ball and art show with pieces from 10 local artists, DJ music and dancing. Guests must wear black tie clothing or evening gowns, and a mask. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $50. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Feb. 1
Fungus Fair : The San Diego Mycological Society is hosting its 29th annual Fungus Fair. The event will have food, speakers, arts and crafts, science demonstrations, vendors and live specimens. The event is free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Casa del Prado in Balboa Park 1650 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
Low Tide Market: Kitchens for Good will host its monthly Low Tide Market with vendors selling coffee mugs, clothing, stickers, sunglasses and other goods. The event features live upcycling by Kornelija, tamales from Isas Tamales and drinks from Little House Coffee. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 980 Hornblend St., San Diego, CA 92109
Sake Meets West: The San Diego Sake Club is hosting a 1920s-inspired sake and food pairing at Kettner Exchange in Little Italy, featuring food by Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. Guests can taste more than 40 premium sake varieties, see a live fish breakdown, enjoy caviar and listen to live jazz music by the Alan Eicher Duo. Guests must be 21 and older. Reserve tickets online for $150. Noon - 3 p.m., Kettner Exchange, 2001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Vista Makers Market: Artisans, crafters and food producers will sell their handcrafted items during the Vista Makers Market will be held in The Commons. The day will also include musical performances. 1 - 5 p.m., The Commons, 802 S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084
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
Feb. 2
Sip & Swap Social: Commonplace San Diego and Gather are hosting a swap event at Mission Brewing in Miramar where guests can sustainably swap gently used clothing items, books or puzzles. Guests can swap up to 10 clothing items, and may bring as many books or puzzles as they want. Reserve tickets online for $7 each. 1 - 4 p.m., Mission Brewing - Miramar, 8830 Rehco Road, Suite D, San Diego, CA 92121
Latine Coalition Social: The LGBTQIA+ Latine Coalition is hosting a social in celebration of Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day), which marks the end of the Christmas season. The evening includes tamales and lotería (lottery), a bingo-like game played with a deck of colorful cards. Register online. 6 - 8 p.m., San Diego Pride Office, 3620 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Feb. 4
Trailblazers Unfiltered: Define Your Own Summit: This day is a space for women to think about and work on defining different forms of success. Group sessions and panels will be held. Tickets are available online. 8:30 a.m., 800 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
