News Summary
This weekend, San Diego buzzes with excitement as various events kick off, including the free Pacific Beachfest, the SDTJ International Jazz Festival, and culinary delights like the Taste of North Park. Families can enjoy Kids Free San Diego to explore attractions economically. There’s a mix of cultural theater productions, live music, and art exhibitions taking place to enrich the local experience. With something for everyone, this weekend promises to create lasting memories as the fall season unfolds.
San Diego Celebrates a Vibrant Fall Weekend with Festivities, Festivals, and Culinary Experiences
This weekend, San Diego is brimming with exciting events, offering residents and visitors a chance to celebrate the season through various festivities, festivals, and culinary experiences. Highlights include the free Pacific Beachfest, the SDTJ International Jazz Festival, and Oktoberfests in El Cajon and La Mesa.
The Pacific Beachfest is a beachside festival taking place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. This event features craft beer tastings, numerous vendors, and a fish taco contest that will be a highlight for food lovers. Also taking place this weekend is the popular SDTJ International Jazz Festival, running from September 26 to 30 across multiple venues, with ticket prices ranging from $42 to $118.
Families with children aged 12 and under can take advantage of Kids Free San Diego, offering complimentary perks for kids at over 60 local venues throughout October when accompanied by a paying adult. This initiative allows families to explore San Diego’s attractions without the worry of additional costs for their young ones.
Food and Drink Highlights
For food enthusiasts, North Park is hosting the Taste of North Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will feature over 500 food options along with 15 drink stops. The event includes live music and art pop-ups, creating a lively atmosphere for all. Tickets for the tasting experience are priced at $65 for a 21+ food and sip package, though food-only and shareable sip tickets have already sold out.
This Sunday, a unique event titled Mexico in a Bottle will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bread & Salt Gallery, showcasing Mexican distilling traditions, with tickets starting at $66.
Theatrical and Cultural Events
The Civic Theatre is set to present Shaina Taub’s musical Suffs, which focuses on the women’s suffrage movement. Performances will begin this weekend with tickets starting at $52 for eight performances. Additionally, the San Diego History Center is offering a special Dine & Doom speakeasy experience with a Roaring Twenties theme on Saturday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is priced at $75 for members and $85 for non-members.
On the musical front, Nathaniel Rateliff will be performing at The Sound in Del Mar for his album release concert on September 30. His performance blends R&B, folk, and Americana influences, appealing to a wide audience.
Other notable events include the San Diego Italian Film Festival running from September 30 to October 11, featuring screenings and a celebratory event on October 11 with ticket pricing at $22 and $90. Concert events at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre will include performances by Thee Sacred Souls and UB40, with tickets ranging from $30 to $85.
Art Exhibitions
An exhibition titled A Step Beyond, featuring installations inspired by Mars, will be on display at the Walter Redondo Fine Art Collection from September 28 to October 9. Additionally, North Park will be home to an art exhibit named Emotion X Connection, showcasing works by psychotherapists Anuj Jenveja and Priyanka Pathak, open through October 31.
This exciting blend of cultural experiences, culinary adventures, and artistic expressions makes for a vibrant weekend in San Diego. With something for everyone, the city’s festivities promise to create lasting memories as the fall season unfolds.
As the 21st annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival approaches from November 2 to 9, with over 11,000 attendees expected, this weekend serves as a prelude to even more food and beverage experiences in the months to come.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Magazine: Things to Do This Weekend
- Patch: San Diego Food & Wine Festival
- San Diego Magazine: Things to Do This Month
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Del Mar Wine & Food Fest
- San Diego Magazine: Del Mar Wine & Food Festival Details
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego Festivals 2025
- Google Scholar: San Diego Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Google News: San Diego Food Festivals
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
