24 Things to Do in San Diego This Week · July 16–19, 2026

Music & Nightlife

Nate Bargatze – Big Dumb Eyes World Tour

Comedian Nate Bargatze brings his Big Dumb Eyes World Tour to Pechanga Arena San Diego for a night of deadpan comedy.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 7:00 PM · Pechanga Arena San Diego

REVERB: Pride Edition at EQ San Diego

A queer and BIPOC-focused techno night at EQ San Diego featuring forward-driven, deep dancefloor sets for Pride week.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM · EQ San Diego, Hillcrest

Evanescence 2026 World Tour with Spiritbox and Nova Twins

Evanescence brings their 2026 World Tour to the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, joined by Spiritbox and Nova Twins.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista

Ladies Night at Lou Lou's – Two Shows

Six decades of pop anthems performed live at Lou Lou's Jungle Room with Whitney Shay and special guests — two shows at 7pm and 10pm, 21+.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 7:00 PM & 10:00 PM · Lou Lou's, The Lafayette

DoSD Summer Launchpad Series – Debut Show

DoSD's first-ever live concert series kicks off at Music Box SD, spotlighting the next wave of San Diego artists — RSVP to get on the guest list.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · Music Box SD, San Diego

Festivals & Special Events

HoloHolo Fest

A stacked outdoor music festival with a packed lineup returning to Waterfront Park in San Diego for one big day of live music.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · Waterfront Park, San Diego

San Diego Comic-Con

The world's most famous pop culture convention returns to San Diego with panels, celebrity appearances, exclusive merch, and immersive experiences across the Gaslamp and convention center.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 4:00 PM · San Diego Convention Center & Gaslamp Quarter

Outdoors & Active

Sōma Yoga One-Year Anniversary Beach Celebration

Sōma Yoga Studio celebrates its one-year anniversary with a free outdoor gathering at Mission Beach featuring lunch, giveaways, beach games, and a short yoga flow.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM · Mission Beach, San Diego

Sports

San Diego Strike Force vs New Mexico Chupacabras

The San Diego Strike Force host the New Mexico Chupacabras at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · Frontwave Arena, Oceanside

SDFC vs FC Dallas

San Diego FC returns to MLS play after the World Cup break, hosting FC Dallas at Snapdragon Stadium — first 25,000 fans receive a commemorative bucket hat courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 6:30 PM · Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

San Diego Wave FC vs Seattle Reign – Pride Match

San Diego Wave FC hosts Seattle Reign at Snapdragon Stadium for the official NWSL Pride Match.

Sunday, July 26, 2026 2:00 PM · Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

Free Events

Free Intro to Salsa & Bachata Lessons

Majesty in Motion Dance Studio offers free weekly intro salsa and bachata lessons every Saturday at 11am — no partner or experience needed.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 11:00 AM · Majesty in Motion Dance Studio, 6380 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego 92115

UBRC Beauty & Wellness Meetup

A free professional networking and community meetup for beauty and wellness industry professionals in National City.

Sunday, July 19, 2026 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM · Daygo Performance, 1145 Highland Avenue, National City, CA 91950

Mad House Comedy Club Open Mic

A free open mic night at the World Famous Mad House Comedy Club in the Gaslamp Quarter — free entry, 21+.

Monday, July 20, 2026 8:00 PM · Mad House Comedy Club, 801 4th Ave, Historic Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Arts & Culture

MCASD x SDMA Axline Lecture: Derrick Adams

Multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams joins MCASD and the San Diego Museum of Art for the 2026 Axline Lecture on contemporary Black life and culture.

Friday, July 17, 2026 5:00 PM · Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

SDMA 100 Years Exhibition

The San Diego Museum of Art celebrates its centennial with a landmark exhibition tracing 100 years of the institution's collection and history in Balboa Park.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

Dead Media Film Screening with Q&A

San Diego premiere of 'Dead Media' as part of the Bonus Features Tour, featuring a filmmaker intro and Q&A with actor Jessica N. Fenton and director Joseph Scrimshaw at Digital Gym Cinema.

Sunday, July 19, 2026 · Digital Gym Cinema, San Diego

Shredding the Multiverse

A live concert event just before Comic-Con featuring music from Cobra Kai, The Penguin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and more, presented by ArtPower at UC San Diego.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · ArtPower at UC San Diego

Date Night

Two Ducks Pop-Up Dinner at The Lion's Share

An intimate, upscale pop-up dinner with a seasonal summer menu at $245 per person including wine pairings and gratuity, held in the loft at The Lion's Share.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 6:00 PM · The Lion's Share, San Diego

ABBA Under The Stars at Sunset Terrace

An outdoor evening celebrating ABBA's greatest hits at Sunset Terrace — a perfect summer night out under the stars.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · Sunset Terrace, San Diego

How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert – North American Premiere

The San Diego Symphony performs John Powell's score live as How to Train Your Dragon 2 screens at The Rady Shell — composer John Powell joins in person for this North American premiere.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego Bay

Salsa & Bachata Dancing at Monsaraz

An evening of salsa and bachata dancing with DJ Molyon at The Monsaraz hotel — lesson at 5pm, dancing until 9pm, $15 cover.

Sunday, July 26, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM · The Monsaraz San Diego, 1451 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92106

Family-Friendly

Sea Otters: A Wild Family Adventure at Fleet Science Center

Catch this IMAX film following an irresistible otter pup through Vancouver Island's rugged coast, showing on San Diego's only IMAX Giant Dome Theater at the Fleet Science Center.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park

Food & Drink

Crudo Cevicheria Pop-Up at Vino Carta

Crudo Cevicheria returns to Vino Carta for a special pop-up from 5–9pm, featuring seafood dishes blending Mexican, Asian, Peruvian, and Italian influences alongside natural wine.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Vino Carta Wine Shop and Bar, San Diego