Valentine’s Day and Black History Month celebrations: Things to do in San Diego Feb. 12-18
This week, look forward to volunteer opportunities, learning about native plants and San Diego’s own Mardi Gras.
Written by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
This week, San Diegans can enjoy weekend-long events for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month by skating at Cupid’s Skate Party in Petco Park, attending a book fair where all books are $5 and under, hanging out at the Lesbian Cafe at The San Diego LGBT Center or participating in a free “palentines” community clothing swap.
In celebration of Black History Month, the San Diego College of Continuing Education is featuring poetry, storytelling and other performances on Thursday; the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park is showcasing Black comic creators and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir is performing at the First United Methodist Church of San Diego.
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.
Feb. 12
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
One Hundred Years of Celebration: San Diego College of Continuing Education is celebrating Black History Month with an afternoon of poetry, storytelling and performance. Featured artists include poet Selah Blak Sol, storyteller Yolanda Marie Franklin and jazz saxophonist Erisa Nicole. Food will be provided by Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food, a local soul food truck. Noon - 1:30 p.m., Educational Cultural Complex, Front lawn, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Cupid's Skate Party: Petco Park's Gallagher Square will be transformed into an outdoor skating rink with festive décor, stations to buy chocolates, candles, floral bouquets, local art and permanent jewelry, photo opportunities and live music. Reserve tickets online, starting at $12. 2 - 10 p.m., Feb. 12-15, Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Community Land Trust Workshop #1: The Urban Collaborative Project and Mundo Gardens are hosting the first event in a series on community land trusts and co-operative models. The session will discuss ways to develop a land trust in your community, and organizers encourage people from Southeast San Diego and National City to attend. Register online, and email info@ucproject.org or call 619-786-6890 to ask questions. Free parking available on site. 5 - 8 p.m., Educational Cultural Complex, Room 134, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Feb. 13
Lesbian Cafe: Women’s Services at The San Diego LGBT Center hosts a welcoming, inclusive, and joyful group tailored for women of all ages on the second Friday of each month. 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
City Heights Food Distribution: Bridge of Hope distributes food on Fridays and is open to everyone. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Bridge of Hope SD, 3406 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Foodies & Goodies Emergency Food Drive: The North County LGBTQ Resource Center hosts weekly food distribution every Friday. Food is first come, first serve. There are no requirements, but there is a short census with basic demographics. 12 - 2 p.m., 1919 Apple St., Oceanside, CA 92054. Non-perishable, pantry item donations can be dropped off Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
ICE Watch & Community Defense: States at the Core is hosting a virtual training on protecting neighborhoods from Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. The webinar will cover documenting ICE activities, building neighborhood resilience and supporting neighbors. Register online. 4 - 5:30 p.m., Zoom
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
Gyal-o-tines: Tender Hooligan is hosting a Gyal-o-tines event with an all-female DJ line up throughout the night. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Rachel's Women's Center and Sister League of SD. 8 - 10 p.m., Tender Hooligan, 221 Third Ave., Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Feb. 14
Tree Trek in Chula Vista: Join Tree San Diego in Chula Vista to learn about the local trees and native plants, including their history and benefits to the neighborhood. Register online. 10 - 11:30 a.m., 373 Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Garden Coffee Book Fair: Garden Coffee San Diego is hosting a book fair where all books will cost $5 or less. There will be trinkets, raffles, bundle deals and free hidden coffee cards. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 2611 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
Black Comix Day: The WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park is hosting its eighth annual Black Comix Day showcasing Black creators working in comics, film and animation. The two-day event includes activities for kids, plus a discussion of Afrofuturism and the culture of Black comics. Reserve free tickets online. Feb. 14-15, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Blacktronika: UCSD professor and music producer King Britt is discussing Afrofuturism through electronic music every Saturday in February at the San Diego Central Library. Online registration is encouraged. Every Saturday in February, 3 - 5 p.m., Central Library Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
MLK Community Choir: The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir has three free performances scheduled across the county throughout the month. 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108
Community Care Day: The San Diego Democratic Socialists is accepting food donations and supplies to assist local organizations in delivering them to City Heights residents. Sign up here to donate or volunteer to help with distribution. 9:30 a.m to 12 p.m., City Heights, San Diego, CA. Specific location is TBD
Feb. 15
Palentine's Preloved Community Swap: Soultry Sisters is collaborating with the Village Rock Shop for their fifth free clothing swap meetup. Donations are welcome. RSVP online. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 2815 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad, CA 92008
Mardi Gras on the Boulevard: The annual Mardi Gras Crawl with live brass band music is making its way between stops at local businesses down El Cajon Boulevard. The day includes drink and food specials, as well as other activities along the way. The event is free, but you can purchase a $20 necklace online that includes four $5 tickets to enjoy specials at different stops. Day of tickets are $24. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 3052 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Love Bugs Brunch: Mellano Farm Stand is hosting a light brunch to honor Valentine’s Day weekend. Attendees can make their own bouquets, lavender sachets and tour the farm. Purchase tickets online for $40, which covers one adult plus one child. Additional children tickets are $15 each. 12:30 - 2 p.m., 5714 N. River Road, Oceanside, CA 92057
DSA Education Series: Black History Month: The Democratic Socialists of America is hosting its second event in an educational series on The Black Panther Party to honor Black History Month. The event is focused on American writer and activist Eldridge Cleaver, an early leader of the Black Panther Party. Register online. 6 p.m., Torque Coffee, 4359 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Feb. 16
Not Our Presidents' Day Protest: A coalition of local organizations is leading a protest against President Donald Trump in Carlsbad. Hosted by the Democratic Club of Carlsbad Oceanside, Encinitas and North Coast Democratic Club, Carlsbad Democrats and Indivisible49, organizers ask attendees to bring signs and to stand up for democratic values and accountability. 10 - 11:30 a.m., Carlsbad Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Feb. 17
‘Sinners’: The Pacific Beach/Taylor Library is screening “Sinners,” a 2025 vampire film set in 1930s Mississippi. Directed, written and produced by Ryan Coogler, the movie has been nominated for 16 Academy Awards this year, breaking the record for the most nominations to a single film in history. 4 - 6:15 p.m., Pacific Beach/Taylor Library Community Room, 4275 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109
LGBTQ+ Professionals Mixer: Pride Point Network is hosting its monthly mixer for LGBTQ+ professionals to meet and mingle at Urban Mo's in Hillcrest. This month's mixer features nonprofit San Diego Black Pride, which supports LGBTQ+ Black life in San Diego. Guests must be 21 or older with a valid ID to attend, and they will receive a 20% discount on food and beverages. Reserve tickets online starting at $18 for general admission, or $85 for an annual membership. 6 - 9 p.m., Urban MO's Bar & Grill, 308 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
‘The Harder They Come’: The San Diego Central Library is screening “The Harder They Come,” a 1972 film about a young Jamaican man who dreams of becoming a reggae singer. Register online. 6 - 8 p.m., Central Library Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Spanish Club: Commonplace San Diego is hosting its Spanish Club meeting at Mujeres Brew House for folks to practice their language skills on the third Tuesday of each month. The free event is open to all language levels. Register online. 7 - 8 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Feb. 18
Our Stories, Our Legacy: Black History Through Artifacts: San Diego Mesa College librarian Edeama Jonah is hosting a storytelling event where elders will share their personal histories in connection to cultural artifacts. 11 a.m. - 12:35 p.m., San Diego Mesa College, 7250 Mesa College Drive, D101, San Diego, CA 92111
