17 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: November 12–16

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in San Diego. Winter Wonder at Belmont Park, SeaWorld’s Coastal Christmas, and Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden are all wonderful ways to get in the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, wine aficionados can get their fill at Uncorked: Derby Days at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club or at one of Mainly Mozart’s multi-sensory wine pairing concerts. And, for local sports fans, the USA Pickleball National Championships kick off Saturday, the San Diego Clippers have a pair of games against the Salt Lake City Stars, and San Diego State will hit the gridiron for a clash against Boise State. Here’s what else is going on in SD this weekend.

Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Bikes & Beers San Diego

November 15

Start your weekend off with a Saturday morning cycle of 15, 30, or 45 miles. Riders of all skill levels are invited to the 13th annual Bikes & Beers San Diego. Cyclists will start and finish at AleSmith Brewing, then enjoy a craft beer–filled afterparty featuring live music, a charity raffle, and much more. Registration ranges from $79 to $99, and post-ride entry for non-cyclists—which comes with two beers, a koozie, a raffle ticket, and a Bikes & Beers pint glass—is available for $40. Proceeds from this event benefit BikeSD and the nonprofit’s efforts to make San Diego more bike-friendly. 

9990 AleSmith Court, Miramar

Uncorked: Derby Days at Del Mar Fairgrounds

November 15

This Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will host its sixth annual Uncorked: Derby Days festival, with more than 100 international wines, Champagnes, and cocktails available for a deluxe sampling experience. Attendees can watch nine races from the Seaside Cabana, explore food trucks, enjoy a live DJ, and dress in their snazziest derby attire for the chance to be crowned the best “Derby Dame” or “Dapper Dan.” Ticket options include general admission ($79), early admission at noon ($95), and non-drinking tickets ($37). A portion of each Uncorked ticket will go towards SoCal aquatic therapy nonprofit Urban Surf 4 Kids. 

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

Mainly Mozart Wine Pairing Series 

November 15–16

Mainly Mozart welcomes concertmaster Jun Iwasaki of the Kansas City Symphony and pianist Sean Chen of the UMKC Conservatory for the first round of its 2025–26 Wine Pairing Series. The performances Saturday (5 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.) at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club will begin with an hour-long wine reception with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a concert where each musical piece is paired with a corresponding wine. General seating is $131 for Saturday and Sunday, and subscription packages for all Saturday or Sunday shows in the season start at $520. 

15150 San Dieguito Road, Rancho Santa Fe

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend

Cameron Crowe: The Uncool Book Tour at The Magnolia 

November 13

Cameron Crowe’s relationship to San Diego is legendary, with him penning music reviews as a teen for The San Diego Door and spending a year as an undercover student in Clairemont for Fast Times at Ridgemont High. To commemorate the release of his new book The Uncool: A Memoir, the Academy Award–winning filmmaker has embarked on a seven-city tour, with each stop featuring a special guest. Crowe appears alongside actress Kate Hudson, the star of his semi-autobriographical magnum opus Almost Famous, this Thursday night (7 p.m.) at The Magnolia. Tickets start at $64.

210 East Main Street, El Cajon

Earl Sweatshirt at SOMA

November 14

Fresh off the August release of his fifth studio album Live Laugh Love, rapper Earl Sweatshirt performs at SOMA this Friday at 8 p.m. His openers are a trio of musicians that should be on everyone’s radar: lo-fi R&B artist Liv.e and super-quotable emcees ZelooperZ and Cletus Strap. Tickets are $48 for this concert. 

3350 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway

SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration

November 14–January 4, 2026

Come for the 30-foot Christmas tree, stay for the 320-foot Skytower Tree of Lights. At SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration, parkgoers of all ages can enjoy live reindeer, nightly snowfall, and a music-activated light tunnel along with new activities like a Christmas-themed sea lion and otter show and a special storytime with Mrs. Claus. Additional highlights include live character shows, musical performances, photos with Santa, laser light shows, holiday fireworks, and seasonal menu items. Admission starts at $62.

500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay

Winter Wonder at Belmont Park

Weekends from November 15–January 4, 2026

Belmont Park will celebrate Christmas every weekend with its Winter Wonder festival. The amusement park will deck the halls with festive decorations; family-friendly activities; DJs playing “jingle jams” (Saturdays and Sundays); and plenty of holiday treats, like red velvet cookie sandwiches and Christmas tree–colored Dole Whip. Plus, right after Thanksgiving, Draft will launch its holiday cocktail pop-up (Nov. 28–Jan. 4) with seasonal cocktails, ornament shots, and collectible mugs. Belmont Park admission starts at $16.

3146 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

Leslye Villaseñor: Refractions of Silence at Best Practice 

Through December 13

Curated by Elizabeth Rooklidge, this new exhibition at Best Practice gallery showcases the dozen canvas paintings that make up San Diego–based artist Leslye Villaseñor’s Refractions of Silence series, which focuses on possessions left beyond at Otay Valley Regional Park. Refractions of Silence will be on display Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 13. 

1955 Julian Avenue, Logan Heights

Modern Media at Art Scene West

November 11–January 4, 2026

Nestled in Seaport Village, Art Scene West’s Modern Media exhibition will feature inventive works from more than 20 artists. Stop by the free opening reception this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m., or view the show on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Jan. 4. 

803 West Harbor D, Embarcadero

Beauty’s Daughter at Diversionary Theatre 

November 13–30

OnWord Theatre adapts Dael Orlandersmith’s Beauty’s Daughter—a one-woman play set in Harlem and starring Marti Gobel—for a 13-show West Coast premiere in the intimate black box at the Diversionary Theatre. See Beauty’s Daughter this Thursday (preview) and Friday (opening night) at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. General admission is $40, and there will be pay-what-you-can shows this Thursday and on Nov. 28. 

4545 Park Boulevard, University Heights

The Finish Line at Cygnet Theatre

November 14–15

Experience stories from three emerging playwrights as part of Cygnet Theatre’s free play reading series The Finish Line. The theater has partnered with the UCSD MFA Playwriting Program to organize a week-long workshop followed by a two-day public showcase, produced by Kian Kline-Chilton. There will be readings and talkbacks for Jonah Gercke’s Right Hand Left Hand (Friday at 7 p.m.), Katie Đỗ’s Martini (Saturday at 3 p.m.), and Christopher Oscar Peña’s Los Feliz (Saturday at 6 p.m.), with a reception following Los Feliz. Reservations are required here. 

2880 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma

Master Class at Scripps Ranch Theatre

November 14–December 14

Opera singer Maria Callas teaches a fictional seminar in Master Class, presented by Scripps Ranch Theatre and The Roustabouts Theatre Co. In Terrance McNally’s play, the larger-than-life star in the twilight of her career revisits her past and commands the stage for a room of singing students. This week, Master Class will premiere with a preview Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by its opening night Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $27 to $38 for Friday’s preview and $30 to $52 for all successive shows. 

9783 Avenue of Nations, Scripps Ranch

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend

San Diego Clippers vs. Salt Lake City Stars at Frontwave Arena

November 14 & 16

The G League Clippers are looking to flush away their dismal first year in San Diego and start anew in year two. For their first two home games of the 2025–26 season, the team will host the Salt Lake City Stars for Opening Night (Friday at 7:30 p.m.) and Military Night (Sunday at 6 p.m.). Tickets start at $15 for Friday and Sunday; fans at Friday’s game will receive a limited edition T-shirt while Sunday’s game will feature a schedule magnet giveaway. 

3475 Hero Drive, Oceanside

Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden 

November 14–January 4, 2026

Flora, meet fluorescence. San Diego Botanic Garden’s annual Lightscape returns this Friday with a colorful mix of fan-favorite displays and over 20 new festive features on the mile-long stroll. At this all-ages event, holiday tunes soundtrack the trail’s visual delights, and attendees can purchase mulled wine, hot chocolate, and seasonal treats to warm them up while they wander. Ticket options include adult entry, which ranges from $31 to $38, and anytime access tickets with parking included ($53–$63). Lightscape will also host 21+ only nights on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4. 

300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Boise State Broncos at Snapdragon Stadium

November 15

Despite being humbled by Hawaii on Saturday to the tune of a 38-6 defeat, the 7-2 Aztecs are having a resurgent season under head coach Sean Lewis. SDSU heads into Saturday’s matchup (7:30 p.m.) against Boise State tied with the Broncos atop the Mountain West standings, making this an opportunity for both teams to fight for first place. The Aztecs are hoping to secure their first conference championship since 2016, while the Broncos are looking to three-peat. Tickets start at $39. 

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley

San Diego Holiday Made Market 

November 15–16

Search for seasonal gifts for friends, family, or yourself from over 125 local vendors at the San Diego Holiday Made Market. This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NTC Park, shop handmade items; explore interactive art installations; and enjoy live music, craft workshops, lawn games, gourmet food trucks, and craft cocktails and mocktails. General admission is $5 (or $10 with a canvas shopping bag), while kids ages 10 and under will receive free entry. Plus, be sure to grab a punch card at the entrance and make three qualifying purchases to receive a complimentary handmade gift while supplies last.

2455 Cushing Road, Point Loma 

USA Pickleball National Championships

November 15–23

See the best of the best in professional and amateur pickleball duke it out on the courts of Barnes Tennis Center at the USA Pickleball National Championships. Fans can grab a spectator ticket and watch up to nine days of pickleball action, beginning with early round matches (Nov. 15–19) before proceeding deeper into the pro and medal rounds (Nov. 20–23). From Nov. 15–19, single-day admission is $23; from Nov. 20–23, single-day admission starts at $33. Four-day passes are available for $97 (general) and $145 (reserved seating). Children ages 5 and under will receive free entry. 

4490 West Point Loma Boulevard, Point Loma

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