Books, biking and boogying: Things to do in San Diego May 21-27
This week, San Diegans can join a reading series or book swap, celebrate Bike Anywhere Day by riding through San Diego’s green spaces and jam out to vinyl beats.
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.
Whether your comfort lies in diving into a story or socializing on a picturesque bike ride through San Diego’s green spaces, there’s plenty for San Diegans to engage with this week.
The Barista Botanist is hosting a night market, artist Levani Ko is performing a one-person show about masculinity and The San Diego LGBT Community Center has an open mic night centering people of color, transgender and nonbinary voices.
For food distribution events and other no-cost grocery options, check out our online map to find one near you. We also have a list of events to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and another focused on Mental Health Awareness 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.
May 21
Bike Anywhere Day: The San Diego Association of Governments is holding its annual free community bike ride to encourage people to ride to work, school, the beach or anywhere their day takes them. Casa Familiar is hosting a pit stop at Peninsula Bikes, one of more than 100 stops across the region. Register online for a chance to win an e-bike. 6:30 - 9:30 a.m., Peninsula Bikes, 146 W. San Ysidro Blvd., San Diego, 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
Studio Sessions: Live from MCASD — Giants: Future Is Color is presenting a special Studio Sessions jazz night and listening room at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, featuring art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. RSVP for free online. 3 - 5 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
Verbatim Books in the Park 'til Dark: Verbatim Books returns for the third year of its community reading series. Bring a blanket, chair, dinner or snacks and your current read. The free event is open to all ages and dog friendly. Recurring every third Thursday of the month through September. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Bird Park at Morley Field, corner of Upas Street and Pershing Avenue, North Park, San Diego, CA 92104
Paper Mates: Tender Hooligan hosts a weekly art night every Thursday with open turntables organized by DJ Mane One. A sign-up sheet will be available for open tables with slots expected to fill quickly. The bar will have Tribal Lager beer specials. 6 - 10 p.m., 221 Third Ave. Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Night Market: The Barista Botanist is hosting its second night market with more than 10 vendors, live music by David Pozay, pizza by the slice and ice cream from Killer Whale Creamery. 6 - 8 p.m., The Barista Botanist, 4680 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109
Thursday Boogie: DJs Blackbelt Jones and Loki are spinning funk music at The Rabbit Hole in Normal Heights. 7 - 10 p.m., The Rabbit Hole, 3377 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
The Omega Male Program: Artist Levani Ko is performing a one-person show about masculinity as part of the San Diego Fringe festival. The show previously won Best of the Fringe Award at the San Francisco Fringe Festival. May 20, 7:30 p.m.; May 21, 6 p.m., 9 p.m.; May 22, 9 p.m.; May 23, 7:30 p.m.; May 24, 4 p.m., Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road #205, San Diego, CA 92106
May 22
Lesbian Cafe: The San Diego LGBT Community Center invites queer folks to gather every fourth Friday for a welcoming, inclusive and light-hearted discussion group tailored for women of all ages. 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Say It Loud: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is hosting an open mic night centering Black, BIPOC, trans and nonbinary voices with poetry, music, comedy and prose performances, including sets by Amber St. James and DD Stepps Comedy. Open to ages 16 and up. RSVP online. 6 p.m., The Center's Auditorium, 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Sunset Social: The Living Coast Discovery Center is hosting an evening for adults 21 and older along San Diego Bay with DJ Artistic, a photo booth, animal encounters, dried bouquet making, face painting, a vision board lounge and partner organizations from across the conservation community. Craft cocktails, beer and wine are available for purchase. Tickets available online. 6 - 9 p.m., Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910
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
Beautiful Girls Love Slow Jamz: Time Lover is hosting an all-vinyl night of 1990s and 2000s R&B slow jams. The event is free. Guests must be 21 and older. 9 p.m. - 2 a.m., Part Time Lover, 3829 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
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. Tickets can be reserved online and prop bags can be purchased at the theater for $5. 10:30 p.m., La Paloma Theatre, 471 S Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
May 23
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
Free Yoga by the Bay: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park hosts monthly, all levels yoga lessons led by Viktoria Talbot from Fit Athletic. Attendees need to bring their own mats, water and sunscreen. Register online. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
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, CA, 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
Boarding Pass to Freedom: LaRaza Travels and Director Loving host a monthly workshop at The Block Club for people interested in building a travel business, covering how to earn income from travel, the business model behind travel entrepreneurship and step-by-step starting points with no travel industry experience needed. The series repeats monthly. Free street parking available. 1 - 3 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Friend in Common: Future Is Color Studio Sessions is presenting a no-phones music event designed to foster a more connected and engaged atmosphere. Phone cameras will be stickered upon entry. Tickets available online. 4 - 9 p.m., 975 Waterfront Place, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101
Beetlejuice Jr.: The High Tech High North County Theatre Club is presenting the Raptor Actors of High Tech High North County in a student production of Beetlejuice Jr. Runs approximately two hours. Reserve tickets online. May 23-24, High Tech High North County, 1420 W. San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92078
May 24
Movement on the Water: Movement Matters Collective is partnering with the Maritime Museum of San Diego for a series of mindful movement sessions aboard the historic Berkeley ferry, featuring breath work, yoga and Pilates-inspired movement, light refreshments and same-day museum admission. All levels are welcome. Sessions run Sundays in May. Reserve tickets online, $30 general admission, $15 for Maritime Museum members. 9 a.m., Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Street Creep San Diego: Street Creep San Diego is hosting a group bike ride through Marian Bear Memorial Park and Rose Canyon Open Space, returning via the Rose Canyon Bikeway. Fat tires suggested. Meet at the Old Town Transit Center parking lot at 9:30 a.m., Old Town Transit Center, Telegraph Way, San Diego, CA 92110
Vinyl at the Market: Mo Records is hosting a Memorial Day weekend record show at Liberty Public Market featuring thousands of records for sale, curated vendors and vinyl DJs spinning all day. For vendor or DJ inquiries, message @mo.records on Instagram or email vinylatthemarket@gmail.com. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Kaphé Muna One-Year Anniversary: Coffee shop Kaphé Muna is celebrating its first anniversary with a pop-up at Soul Side Vinyl featuring food by Chef Austin and a photo booth by I'm Still Developing. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Soul Side Vinyl, 3535 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Book Swap: San Diego Book Swap Society is hosting a book swap event for people to trade books. Attendees are asked to bring at least one book and may take home up to four. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Collective Coalition San Diego. Reserve tickets online for $10. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Good News Bar, 3821 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103
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
May 25
Memorial Day Breakfast: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Poinsettia Ward hosts a Memorial Day breakfast celebration, beginning with a 5K fun run around the park followed by a free breakfast of pancakes, eggs, fruit and more. 7 - 10 a.m., Poinsettia Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Monday Flowstate: Yoga at the Cliffs: Soulfish Yoga & Experiential Events is hosting a donation-based, all-levels vinyasa flow class overlooking Sunset Cliffs. The session includes about 50 minutes of movement and 10 minutes of sound savasana. Attendees are encouraged to bring a mat, towel, layers, water and sunscreen. Registration is free but required due to permit limits. Donations are accepted at the event via Venmo, Zelle or cash. 9 - 10 a.m., Adair Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92107
Music Bingo: King Trivia is hosting a free music bingo night, where players can sing along to favorite songs for a chance to win prizes. The retro, 1970s-style bar serves charcuterie and cheese boards alongside cocktails and craft beer. Register online. 8 - 10 p.m., Sycamore Den, 3391 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
May 26
Open Tables: DJ Loki and Tacos El Villasana host a weekly open-format DJ night welcoming vinyl and digital sets at Mason Ale Works. Aspiring DJs can contact the organizers to get on the list to play. 5 - 9 p.m., Mason Ale Works, 2179 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Community Collaging and Crafting: Be Creative Zone is hosting a drop-in creative night at the Reuse & Repair Collective focused on collaging and crafting with magazines and paper. Attendees can work on vision boards, bookmarks, birthday cards, jewelry, art and more. Basic supplies including magazines, glue sticks, Mod Podge, poster board and paint are provided free, and some premium materials available for purchase. The potluck event also welcomes musicians and poets. Register online. 6 - 9 p.m., The Reuse & Repair Collective, 611 Beech St., San Diego, CA 92101
May 27
Cool Aunties Campo: Strong Hearted Native Women is hosting a crafting and wellness gathering at Campo Tribal Hall with traditional crafts, healthy treats and good vibes. Contact Linda Quihuis at lquihuis@sihc.org or (619) 820-5331 or Nicole Joles at njoles@sihc.org or (619) 922-9439. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Campo Tribal Hall, 36190 Church Road, BIA Rd 10, Campo, CA 91906
Open Vinyl Night: DJ Loki hosts a weekly open-format vinyl night at Jaguar Paw in Barrio Logan. Message @1loki619 on Instagram to get on the DJ list. 6 - 11 p.m., Jaguar Paw Bar, 2185 1/2 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
