A local food fundraiser, neighborhood planning workshops and Chicano Park Day celebrations: Things to do in San Diego April 23-29
From guided art walks and live jazz music to community cleanups and discussion-based workshops, here’s what’s happening across the county.
Written by Sam Barney-Gibbs, 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.
There are opportunities for San Diegans to enjoy the diverse cuisines the county’s restaurants have to offer in addition to live performances and a braiding event to honor Chicano Park Day. Workshops will also be provided to help locals learn about San Diego’s budget processes and to discuss civic engagement between National City and Southeast San Diego.
For food distribution events and other no-cost grocery options, check out our online map to find one near you. We also rounded up events happening throughout April in honor of Earth Month.
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.
April 23
A Walk With Yáamay: New Village Arts and Queer Sol Collective present a free guided art walk blending indigenous poetry, music and storytelling with the natural North County landscape, all inspired by the Yáamay anthology. April 23-24, 10 a.m. - noon, Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
SWANA Heritage Month Celebration: San Diego College of Continuing Education hosts a free South West Asian and North African Heritage Month celebration featuring dance, Turkish guitar, vocal, darbuka and spoken word poetry performances. Lunch will be provided. Noon - 1:30 p.m., San Diego College of Continuing Education Mid-City Campus, Main Lobby, 3792 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
L.O.C.A. Printmaking Workshop: Centro Cultural de la Raza staff is leading a free flash printmaking workshop suitable for all ages and skill levels. Materials provided. Register online. 4 - 5:30 p.m., Mountain View/Beckwourth Branch Library, 721 San Pasqual St., San Diego, CA 92113
City of San Diego Budget Workshop: Community Budget Alliance is hosting a workshop to help residents learn about the city budget, upcoming priorities and how to participate in local decision-making. Food will be provided. Register online. 6 - 8 p.m., PANA, 5577 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Gilbert Castellanos & The New Latin Jazz Sextet: Lou Lou’s features a Latin jazz performance led by trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos as part of an ongoing residency. The show blends traditional and contemporary jazz influences in a supper club format. This event is 21 and over. Shows at 7 and 9 p.m., Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Dining Out for Life San Diego: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is celebrating 20 years of Dining Out for Life, a citywide fundraiser where participating restaurants, bars, coffee shops and more donate at least 25% of sales to support health and wellness programs, including HIV services and prevention. Community members are encouraged to dine out throughout the day to give back. Find participating locations and more information online. All day, Restaurants throughout San Diego County
April 24
Remote Work Meetup: Instagram content creator Scott Muirhead is inviting San Diegans to bring a laptop and coworkers for a casual beachside work meetup at The Cardiff Office. All are welcome. Dress code is business casual up top, weekend vibes below. 3 - 6 p.m., The Cardiff Office, 110 Aberdeen Drive # A, Cardiff, CA 92007
Native Women 4 Change: The Southern Indian Health Council is hosting its annual event to discuss topics like domestic violence and human trafficking. Food and resources will be provided. Register online. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
Pride Volunteer Mixer: San Diego Pride is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Week gathering with refreshments, connection and information about upcoming volunteer opportunities. 4 - 6 p.m., San Diego Pride Office, 3620 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Clothing Swap and Mending: Collective Coalition SD is hosting a clothing swap and mending event in collaboration with Honest Thrift & Plants. Attendees can bring clothes to swap, access mending services and explore linocut printing. Additional details and tickets are available online. 4 - 7 p.m., Honest Thrift & Plants, 2909 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
May Day Planning: Community Self Defense Coalition SD is hosting weekly planning meetings in April focused on community outreach, patrols and organizing for May Day. 6 p.m., 2225 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Sketch Party: Mujeres Brew House is hosting an all-level sketching session with vinyl sets spun by La Crunchy619, Catkiller182 and friends. Food will be available, and some materials will be provided. 6 - 9 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
The Bombillas with Cozmos: Lou Lou’s presents a live music performance featuring The Bombillas and Cozmos, blending global funk, psychedelic sounds and Afro-Caribbean influences. Entry is complimentary, with seating available on a first-come basis. This event is 21 and over. 8 p.m., Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
April 25
Community Work Day: People can help cultivate a new garden space east of the Mt. Hope Community Garden by creating new planting areas, pulling weeds and moving mulch. No experience level or equipment are necessary. 9 - 11 a.m., 4835 Market St., San Diego, CA 92102
Wander the Wetlands: The University of California, San Diego, Natural Reserve System invites the community to a free guided wetlands exploration in support of the City Nature Challenge and Border BioBlitz — worldwide efforts to document biodiversity. 9 - 11 a.m., Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve, 2055 Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego, 92109
RISE Now — From Registration to Representation: RISE San Diego is hosting the second installment of its four-part quarterly civic education series, covering voter registration, election information and how to be prepared for November 2026. Register online. 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., ARTS CENTER, 200 E 12th St., National City, CA 91950
PNV Wellness Journey: Living For Today Ranch: Project New Village is hosting a free wellness event, featuring a guided farm tour, salad harvesting, coconut husk planting and a fresh community meal with farm salad and beet burgers. Register online. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Living For Today Ranch, 3472 El Rancho Grande, Bonita, CA 91902
56th Chicano Park Day Celebration: This annual event at Chicano Park brings together live music, danza Azteca, speakers, lowrider car exhibits and cultural performances celebrating Chicano heritage and community. It’s one of the largest and most vibrant cultural gatherings in the region. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Chicano Park, 1949 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
City Heights Bike Ride to Barrio Logan: Bikes del Pueblo invites riders of all bikes and bodies to roll out together for Chicano Park Day. All are welcome to join this community-bridging ride celebrating the history of the land. Meet at 10:30 a.m., depart by 11 a.m., Bikes del Pueblo, 3986 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92105
Braids Against Raids: Trenzas Amigas and Mujeres Brew House is hosting a community braiding event in celebration of Chicano Park Day, offering trenzas as an act of resistance, cultural pride and solidarity. First come, first served — sign up sheet available on arrival. All ages welcome. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
CV Slam Fest ’26: Poets Underground is hosting an all-poetry and hip-hop experience featuring performances by Eligh and Scarub of Living Legends, along with a live poetry slam competition, vendors and community activities. The event is free and open to the public. Noon, Chula Vista Memorial Bowl Park Amphitheater, 373 Park Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Sip & Swap Social: San Diego Gather and Commonplace San Diego are hosting a sustainably-minded community clothing, book and puzzle swap featuring eco-vendors, music, food and a mending corner. Choose a timed entry ticket for 1, 2, or 3 p.m., or upgrade to a Super Swapper ticket for a drink, goody bag and open arrival. Bring up to 10 gently used clothing items — no limit on books or puzzles. Tickets are available online. 1 - 4 p.m., The Lost Abbey Brewing Co., 1347 Keystone Way, Suite C, Vista, CA 92081
Sunset Yoga for a Cause: Yoga instructor Krina will lead a class with all proceeds going to Border Kindness. To RSVP, email proof of any donation amount to @Border-Kindness on Venmo to yogaforimmigrantjustice@gmail.com with subject line "Sunset Yoga." 6 p.m., Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA (specific location provided upon email RSVP)
Fern Street Circus: Fern Street Community Arts hosts a free community circus performance where professional artists collaborate with participants and their families to create cultural exchange, combining physical and theatrical skills. April 25, 2 p.m., Park De La Cruz, 3901 Landis St., San Diego, CA 92105; and April 26, 2 p.m., Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive, San Diego, CA 92102
Pagodão do Resenha: Resenha California, a Brazilian samba and pagode group, is hosting an evening of high-energy Brazilian music and culture to life. 7 p.m., location TBD
24th Annual Creek to Bay Countywide Cleanup: Olivewood Gardens and I Love a Clean San Diego are hosting the 24th annual Creek to Bay Cleanup as part of Earth Week. Volunteers can sign up online. Various locations in San Diego County
Khmer New Year Celebration: The San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition is hosting a celebration for the Cambodian New Year with Khmer food, traditional and modern live performances and a religious ceremony. Entrance is $5. April 25-26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Colina Del Sol Park, 5319 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92115
San Diego Book Crawl: San Diego's annual book crawl returns with more than a dozen participating bookstores, shuttle buses and prizes. April 25-27, various locations in San Diego County
April 26
Libros y Sonido: This family-friendly festival features Chicano books, art, vinyl DJs and local vendors in Logan Heights. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 2146 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Shore and Sage Wellness Market: The market is returning to its original location — Pilgrimage of the Heart yoga studio — to celebrate its sixth month bringing together local vendors, wellness practitioners and neighbors for a day of low-barrier self-care and community building. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, 3287 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Shake The Walls At Otay: Otay Mesa Detention Collective and Borderlands Equity are organizing a rally outside the Otay Mesa Detention Center featuring a released detainee and community members sharing firsthand experiences and live music, DJ sets, Mexican hair braiding and tamales. Noon - 4 p.m., Otay Mesa Detention Center, 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA 92154
April 27
Thrift & Rummage: The Reclamation Project Coalition and student organizations at the University of California, San Diego, are hosting a pay-what-you-can flea market featuring clothes, jewelry, crafts and accessories. All proceeds go directly to mutual aid for families impacted by ICE and grassroots organizations working on climate justice, immigrant rights, decarceration and Palestinian liberation. Register online. Noon - 3:30 p.m., Library Walk, East Lawn, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093
April 28
Acrylics Workshop Part Two: The FRONT Gallery is hosting a two-month intermediate acrylics workshop taught by artist and teacher Katie Ruiz where attendees can build on foundational techniques and deepen their practice. It's free to participate and all materials are provided. RSVP to elizabethb@casafamiliar.org. 5:30 - 8 p.m., The FRONT Gallery, 147 W. San Ysidro Blvd., San Diego, CA 92173
April 29
Reconnecting Southeast San Diego & National City Visioning Workshop: Community members are invited to help shape the future of Southeast San Diego and National City through a free community-led urban planning visioning workshop. The first 30 attendees will receive a gift card, and refreshments will be provided. 5 - 8 p.m., Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, 151 YMCA Way, San Diego, CA 92113
