Gender-affirming haircuts, a crow-themed market and arts and crafts workshops: Things to do in San Diego July 16-22
This week San Diegans can attend a community yoga class, a Filipino festival and a poetry night.
Written by Rami Alarian, 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.
This week San Diegans can attend a crow-themed trinket swap, dance at Pride parties and learn about proper rainwater harvesting.
Black Dagger Community Collective is offering free gender-affirming haircuts at San Diego Pride Festival, Future Is Color is hosting an open house at its studio and California Nature Connection is hosting a multi-day summer camp.
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.
July 16
Financial Education Workshop: Casa Familiar and Cal Coast Credit Union are offering free, monthly, financial education workshops covering budgeting, saving and credit management. The event is open to all ages. This is the first session kicking off the series, which continues every third Thursday of the month through January 2027. 10 - 11 a.m., San Ysidro Civic Center, 212 W. Park Ave., San Ysidro, CA 92173
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
Chapter Two First Pop Up Event: Chapter Two is hosting its first pop-up secondhand bookstore event, which includes bundles and blind bag picks. 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Up A Notch Abilities, 2199 Britannia Blvd., San Diego, CA 92154
Youth Justice Momentum Team Meeting - ¿Y SI SI?: Mid-City CAN is hosting its next Youth Justice Momentum Team meeting, celebrating a June 25 vote that initiated a county study on creating a Department of Youth Development. Public parking, hot food and beverages will be provided; childcare is available upon request. Reservations are available online. 5:30 - 7 p.m., 4305 University Ave #550, San Diego, CA 92105
Verbatim Books in the Park 'til Dark: Verbatim Books returns for the third year of its community reading series at Morley Field's Bird Park. Guests can bring a blanket, chair, dinner or snacks and their current read. Recurring every third Thursday of the month through September. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Morley Field's Bird Park, corner of Upas and Pershing, North Park, San Diego, CA 92104
Paper Mates: Tender Hooligan hosts a weekly art night with open turntables organized by DJ Mane One. 6 - 10 p.m., every Thursday, 221 Third Ave Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91910
HeART Night: New Path Narcan Project and The Brown Building host their weekly HeART Nights series, offering a free arts and crafts activity as part of their harm reduction programming. 6 - 8:30 p.m., weekly on Thursdays, The Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA 92105
Poetry Night at Rumi Wine Bar: Rumi Wine Bar is hosting a poetry night for poets, writers, artists and poetry lovers to sip curated wines, share their work and listen to new voices. Takes place every third Thursday of the month. 6 - 8 p.m., Rumi Wine Bar, 2937 Lincoln Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
Onyx: An exhibition for Black artists in San Diego offers a chance to socialize with the local arts community, along with conversations with featured artists Kelsi, Tika and Quincy. The event includes light bites, a bar, noir blues, jazz, big band and Motown music and calls for a black-on-black dress code. Tickets are available online for $12. Validated parking is available for $10 at Laz Garage at 1026 Fifth Ave. 7 - 9 p.m., 525 C St., Suite 2, San Diego, CA 92101
Political Education: Combating Despair: Black Panther Party San Diego is hosting a political education session via Zoom that is open to the public. 7:30 p.m., online via Zoom, Meeting ID: 832 9168 2642, Passcode: 794566
Top Secret Grand Prix: Record Release Party: Part Time Lover is hosting a record release party for Spiñorita, featuring DJ Speedy, DJ Rosas, Krys Da Cat and DJ Nissah. 9 p.m. - 2 a.m., Part Time Lover, 3829 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
July 17
Café Con Pan: Chicano Federation of San Diego County is hosting a community gathering over coffee and pan dulce to share how the organization supports youth, families, small business owners and communities across San Diego, including a look at Barrio Station's youth programs, teen center and boxing program. Email VMacedo@ChicanoFed.org to RSVP. 10 a.m., Barrio Station, 2175 Newton Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Christopher D. Ransom Book Release & Signing: The Block Club is hosting a release celebration for Christopher D. Ransom's newest book, “Never Forgotten.” 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Summer Volunteering: Azili Wellness and S&S Friendly Ranch are hosting a series of summer volunteer days focused on garden maintenance, harvesting and processing. Reservations are available online. Sessions run July 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 and 31. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. most days, with additional 3 - 7 p.m. sessions on July 17 and 24; July 31 session runs 3 - 7 p.m.; 2105 Hollister St., San Diego, CA 92154
Axline Lecture: Derrick Adams: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is hosting artist Derrick Adams for a lecture tied to the museum's "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" exhibition. Admission is free for MCASD and SDMA members, $20 for nonmembers and $15 for older adults, students and teachers. Tickets are available online. 5 - 7 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
Crow Party: Honest Thrift & Plants is hosting a trinket-swap-and-mingle shopping event. Hosts ask attendees to bring at least one trinket to trade. Tickets available online. $5 entry. 5 - 7 p.m., Honest Thrift & Plants, 2609 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
Groove Line: Open Tables: 619 Gurlz is hosting an open-decks vinyl DJ night with Mixed Grounds, DJ Speedy and DJ Rosas, inviting community members to sign up and spin their own records. 6 - 10 p.m., Mixed Grounds Coffee, 4355 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116
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
ARTS After Dark: Kintsugi Workshop: A Reason To Survive is hosting a kintsugi workshop led by ARTS Artist Melanie to share the Japanese art of repairing a broken bowl. All materials are provided. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., A Reason To Survive, 200 E. 12th St., National City, CA 91950
Club Bae: Park & Rec hosts Club Bae, a San Diego Pride weekend party featuring DJs Von Kiss, Dauché, Jocelin, Felicia and Almond Eyez. Tickets are available online. $20 at the door until capacity is reached. 9 p.m., Park & Rec, 4612 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92116
Chicana Pride: Diskos Rayados hosts a pre-Pride party with an all-vinyl set of reggaeton, cumbias and quebraditas, featuring La Bux, La Crunchy 619 and Betty Bangs. 9:30 p.m. - late, West Coast Tavern, 2895 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
July 18
San Diego Pride Parade: San Diego Pride is hosting its annual Pride Parade, the region's largest single-day civic event and among the largest Pride parades in the country. Spectators can watch along a 1.5-mile route while community members marching with an organization can register with that group ahead of time. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., starting at University Avenue and Richmond Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Rainwater Harvesting 101: City Farmers Nursery is hosting CatchingH2O for a class on the basics of rainwater generation, passive versus active harvesting solutions and rebates and incentives available throughout San Diego. The event is free to attend with no RSVP required. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
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 Boulevard. and W. Point Loma Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92107
Balboa Park Women’s Tour: Forever Balboa Park hosts a tour highlighting influential women — like Kate Sessions — 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
Filipino American Friendship Festival: API Initiative and the Filipino Resource Center are hosting the sixth annual Filipino American Friendship Festival, a free event featuring cultural art, food and entertainment from local Filipino vendors and organizations. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., NTC Park at Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Healers Market: El Puesto SD is hosting a community pop-up healers market featuring local intuitives, spiritualists, tarot card readers, energy workers and artisans. Sliding-scale pricing for services. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., 2195 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Free Gender-Affirming Haircuts at San Diego Pride: Black Dagger Community Collective is offering free gender-affirming haircuts at the San Diego Pride Festival for the fourth year provided by volunteer hair stylists and barbers. The group is seeking volunteer stylists, barbers and community helpers; interested volunteers can email blackdaggercommunitycollective@gmail.com or submit an application online. Shifts at 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 2:30 - 6 p.m., July 18-19, Marston Point, Eighth Avenue and Balboa Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Agave: Ancient Plant, Future Landscape: City Farmers Nursery is hosting Deanna Moore of The Agave Lab for a class exploring Mexican, U.S. and California native agaves, their ecological roles, cultural history and human uses, including an agave show-and-tell. 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Zine + Print Fair: Radical History Club hosts a zine and print fair at the Chicano Park Museum Community Room to raise funds and awareness for the Prairieland defendants, a group of people prosecuted as terrorists after protesting ICE. Masks are required and provided. Noon - 4:30 p.m., Chicano Park Museum, 1960 National Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Future Is Color Studio Sessions: Future Is Color is hosting an open house at its studio, inviting guests to lounge, hang out, dance and browse the in-studio library, with sounds by Caire, coffee and matcha by Kubo and natural wine. Noon - 4 p.m., Future Is Color Studio, 2060 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
"Addicted to Life" Film Screening: Hemlock Society San Diego is screening "Addicted to Life," the true story of Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort, who received legal permission for euthanasia in Belgium and went on to win her fourth Paralympic gold medal before choosing her own time to die. Film director Pola Rapaport will join via Zoom for a Q&A following the screening. 1:30 - 4 p.m., North University Community Library, 8821 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
This Is Who We Are: Opening Reception: Art Through the Glass is hosting the opening reception for its exhibit "This Is Who We Are," featuring a live set from DJ KA/SHANI. 4:30 - 8 p.m., Art Through the Glass, Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway, Suite K30, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Mi Viaje Creativo — Exposición Final: San Diego Made Factory artist-in-residence Irie Zepeda is presenting a culminating exhibition featuring a final installation piece, live music, food and community vendors. The event is free and open to the public. Spanish translation will be available. Reservations are available online. 3 - 8 p.m., San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Black Noise: The Block Club is hosting a creative showcase for singers, rappers, poets, musicians, painters and other creatives. Performers include LL III and Daniela Loiza Falquez. 7 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
July 19
Garden Design for Busy People: City Farmers Nursery is hosting a class on creating a low-maintenance garden. The class will cover easy layouts, plant placement and design choices for an attractive, manageable outdoor space. The event is free to attend, no RSVP required. 9 - 10 a.m., City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Chamorro Seafaring & Ancestral Knowledge Workshop: CHE'LU and CSU San Marcos PIC Health are co-presenting a workshop on traditional CHamoru seafaring and navigation practices, facilitated by CHamoru master carver Señot Mario Borja. The event includes hands-on cultural activities and a lunch provided by Guahan Grill. Registration is available online. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Guahan Grill, 515 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92054
Meeting of Styles International: Vision Culture Foundation, Meeting of Styles International and National City are hosting a graffiti and street art festival featuring international and local artists, street vendors, food and beverage, live music and DJs. Noon - 6 p.m., 1726 Wilson Ave., National City, CA 91950
Holy Haven Market: Holy Haven is hosting a pop-up clothing market where guests can fill a bag with as much clothing as it holds for $20. Free admission and pet friendly, with food and drinks available. Noon - 5 p.m., Fall Brewing, 9550 Distribution Ave., San Diego, CA 92121
Free Market: Lane Field Park is partnering with the San Diego Food Market to host a donation-based, community-driven, free pop-up store, where attendees can bring items they no longer need and take what they need for free. Event organizers are accepting monetary donations for the Legal Aid Society of San Diego. Donations accepted 12 - 2 p.m. Free. Noon - 3 p.m., Lane Field Park, 1009 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
Community Postcard Party: Centro Cultural de la Raza is inviting the community to write postcards to San Diego city leaders in support of the nonprofit's push to secure a multiyear lease, part of a celebration of the center's 55th anniversary. Noon - 4 p.m., Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Poolside at the Lafayette Swim Club: The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows is hosting a poolside vinyl DJ set. Noon - 4 p.m., Every Sunday and Monday in July, The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
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
The Upcycle: Casting & Crafting: The Block Club is hosting a gathering with craft stations, clothing swaps, performer and model casting for upcoming November shows and space to bring unfinished projects. 3 - 6 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Planet-Based Eating: Climate Action Meets the Plate: San Diego 350 and Franklin Farm Sanctuary are hosting an evening of vegan food, a presentation on the environmental impacts of animal agriculture and a guided farm tour to meet the sanctuary's rescue animals. Registration is available online. 4 p.m., Franklin Farm Sanctuary, 16943 Platinum Place, Lakeside, CA 92040
Summerween Movie Night & Sunday Pop-Up: Cocina Folklore, Ady Spellman Shop and Pasteles Hantilly are hosting a Summerween-themed pop-up and movie night at Mujeres Brew House, inviting guests to come in costume and enjoy themed drinks and food. Free admission. 4 - 8 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
July 20
California Nature Connection Summer Mini Camp: California Nature Connection is hosting a multi-day summer camp for ages 12 and up, offering water sports lessons and excursions including kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and paddleboarding in small group settings. Registration is available online. Monday - Friday, July 20-24, San Diego, CA
Muévelo Monday: Local dancer Valerie Moreno is hosting a free weekly dance social. 6 p.m., 1775 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
July 21
Midnight Oil: Small Businesses Learning AI Meet-Up: The Block Club is hosting a "Work Late & Learn" meet-up focused on recent AI updates and developments that could benefit small businesses. Reservations are available online. 6 p.m.,The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Virtual Grants Workshop: San Diego County District 4 is hosting a virtual grants workshop for nonprofits, community-based organizations and public agencies to offer guidance on identifying grant opportunities and developing competitive applications for the County District 4 Community Enhancement & Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant Programs. Reservations are available online. 6 - 7:30 p.m., online via Zoom
July 22
Open Vinyl Night: DJ Loki is hosting 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
