20 Things to Do in San Diego This Week · September 17–20, 2026

Music & Nightlife

Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour 2026

Country rising star Zach Top brings his Cold Beer & Country Music Tour to Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 8:00 PM · Pechanga Arena San Diego

Killers of Kill Tony

The Killers of Kill Tony comedy show comes to San Diego Civic Theatre for a special live performance.

Friday, September 18, 2026 7:00 PM · San Diego Civic Theatre

FUERZA Vol. 2 at EQ San Diego

A high-energy techno night featuring local San Diego artists delivering intense beats and a packed dancefloor at EQ San Diego.

Friday, September 18, 2026 9:00 PM · EQ San Diego

Date Night

Wine Down Jazz Out

A live jazz, blues, and funk night with good wine, food, and company at Mixed Grounds North Park.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 7:00 PM · Mixed Grounds, North Park

The Jazz Room: A Frank Sinatra & Louis Armstrong Tribute

An intimate jazz tribute to Sinatra and Armstrong performed live at CHAPEL in Liberty Station.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 8:30 PM · CHAPEL, Liberty Station

Love Isn't Blind | Live Comedy/Dating Show

A live comedy-meets-dating show experience at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter for a wild Friday night out.

Friday, September 25, 2026 6:30 PM · Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Arts & Culture

Public Tour: Focused Narratives at MCASD

A free guided public tour exploring the Focused Narratives exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 5:00 PM · Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla

BIPOC Improv Jam

A free, welcoming improv jam session centered on BIPOC voices and performers at Mockingbird Improv in Liberty Station.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 7:00 PM · Mockingbird Improv, Liberty Station

Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour 2026

A curated showcase of Sundance Film Festival short film selections comes to Digital Gym Cinema for a week-long run.

Friday, September 18, 2026 · Digital Gym Cinema

Sports

San Diego Wave FC vs. Kansas City – Native American Heritage Night

The San Diego Wave host Kansas City at Snapdragon Stadium on Native American Heritage Night, with a clear crossbody bag giveaway.

Friday, September 18, 2026 7:00 PM · Snapdragon Stadium

Marlins at Padres

The San Diego Padres host the Miami Marlins at Petco Park for a home series game.

Friday, September 18, 2026 7:00 PM · Petco Park

Premier Boxing Champions: Cruz vs. Bravo

Premier Boxing Champions presents a live boxing card headlined by Cruz vs. Bravo at Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 1:45 PM · Pechanga Arena San Diego

Festivals & Special Events

Alley Cat Art Fest

Downtown El Cajon's arts district comes alive with 50+ local artists, live music, food, and a new mural restoration program along Main Street and Arts Alley.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 · Downtown El Cajon, Main Street and Arts Alley

San Diego Yacht Rock Festival

Smooth sailing sounds take over Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station for an afternoon and evening of yacht rock music.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 4:00 PM · Ingram Plaza, Liberty Station

Outdoors & Active

Urbn Run Club – Sunset Strides

Join Urbn Run Club for a sunset run meetup at Mission Valley River Park as part of the September Mile-a-Day Challenge.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 6:00 PM · Mission Valley River Park

Belmont Park Dipper Dash 5K

Race along the Mission Beach Boardwalk in this 5K hosted by Fit Social, including a custom medal, complimentary drink, and unlimited rides after.

Sunday, September 20, 2026 · Belmont Park, Mission Beach

Family-Friendly

Pumpkin Painting at The Oasis

Enjoy live music and pumpkin painting at The Oasis in Pacific Beach — materials and one drink included in the ticket price.

Sunday, September 27, 2026 3:00 PM · The Oasis, Pacific Beach

Food & Drink

Pali Wine Co. Tasting Room – September Wine Tasting

Pali Wine Co. has moved from Little Italy to Hillcrest, bringing its Central Coast wines and laid-back tasting room to a new San Diego neighborhood during California Wine Month.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 · Pali Wine Co. San Diego Tasting Room, Hillcrest

SD Restaurant Week

100+ restaurants across San Diego County serve special multi-course menus at wallet-friendly prices during San Diego Restaurant Week.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 · San Diego County (various restaurants)

Free Events

HWAC Surf Dog-A-Thon

Dogs on surfboards take over Del Mar with four-legged surfers, beachside adoptions, a costume contest, and very good dogs — free to watch.

Sunday, September 20, 2026 · Del Mar Doggy Beach, Del Mar