Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21.
Friday
Family Fun Fridays: Fridays can still be fun this fall, even though the summer months are over, as Belmont Park is offering deals on its theme park rides, arcades and food. Visitors can purchase one unlimited rided wristband at the regular price and get a second wristband for free. Guests can also purchase unlimited arcade games for one hour for $15. Plus, children can eat for free at the restaurant and sports bar Draft, with a purchase of an adult entree. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 21. 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. 858-488-1549, belmontpark.com
“Les Misérables”: Now in its 40th years, this epic musical about life, death, war and hope set in 19th- century France, makes its eighth visit to San Diego. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $43 to $186. broadwaysd.com
“All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Noah Diaz’s play about a trans man and his wife embarking on a parenting journey while their home is haunted by the spirits of his past. Previews, today and Saturday. Opens Sunday and runs through Oct. 12. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $30-$59. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
“The Effect”: OnStage Playhouse presents the San Diego premiere of Lucy Prebble’s play about two subjects in a clinical drug trial who secretly fall in love. Opens Friday and runs through Oct. 12. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $25 and up. onstageplayhouse.org
“Beside Myself”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Paul Slade Smith’s world premiere comedy-drama about a therapist grappling in unique ways with her own mental health issues. 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 5. 987D Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach. $58.50-$80.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“Huzzah!”: The Old Globe presents this world premiere musical by the co-writers of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” about a family fighting to keep their Renaissance fair alive. Previews, Friday through Wednesday. Opens next Thursdayand runs through Aug. 3. 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $55 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Follies”: Cygnet Theatre presents this 1971 Stephen Sondheim-William Goldman musical about a group of long-retired showgirls gathering on the even of their old theater’s demolition. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 12. Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.com
Jon Batiste: The Grammy Award winner and former music director for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will perform at The Rady Shell as part of his The Big Money Tour. His new album, “Big Money,” debuted just last month. San Diego artist Andra Day, who is featured on the album, will also perform. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $85.40. theshell.org/performances/jon-batiste
Art of Elan’s Midday Music September: This San Diego presenting organization presents a free, one-hour concert of classical music. Noon Sept. 19. Joan and Irwin Jacobs Common, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown. Free. artofelan.org
John Scalzi author event: Author John Scalzi will talk about the newest book in the Old Man’s War series, “The Shattering Peace.” A 30-min discussion will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. 7 p.m. Friday. Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, 3555 Rosecrans St. #107A. Free. Book purchases include guarantee for signing line. mystgalaxy.com/91925Scalzi
“(title of show)”: New Village Arts presents Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell’s unusually named meta comedy about two friends writing a musical about two friends writing a musical. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 27. New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $40 and up. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org
“The Prince of Egypt”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents this regional premiere of the newly revised musical adaptation of this animated film about the Biblical character Moses, from birth to the exodus from Egypt. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Through Sept. 27. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $46-$67. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
“The Heart”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of this musical story of a human heart on its 24-hour journey from a dying man to a transplant recipient. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 5. Potiker Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse campus, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UCSD campus, La Jolla. $30-$119. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
Art of Elan’s Midday Music September: This San Diego presenting organization presents a free, one-hour concert of classical music. Noon Friday. Joan and Irwin Jacobs Common, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown. Free. artofelan.org
Project BLANK Season Launch: This San Diego experimental music organization will open its 2025-26 season with an ICA San Diego NextGen 2025 emerging voices-themed program, featuring performance artist Allison Beaudry, violist Amy Cimini and vocalist Mariana Flores Bucio. 7:30 p.m. Friday. ICA San Diego, Balboa Park. $5-$50 ($15 suggested donation). projectblanksd.org
Saturday
Pacific Islander Festival: The 31st annual Pacific Islander Festival arrives at Ski Beach this weekend for two days of cultural celebration. The event features vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, including music and dance performances, raffles and more. The festival is expected to bring 200,000 visitors, according to organizers. The event’s goal is to honor the traditions of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia through art, food, dance and music. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ski Beach, 1600 Vacation Road, San Diego. pifasandiego.com
Carlsbad Oktoberfest: Beer, music and strawberries are the stars of the show at the 43rd annual Carlsbad Oktoberfest. The gathering is filled with giant tents that will have German bands playing throughout the event, along with a beer garden, German food vendors and various family-friendly games and activities. The admission fee allows access to the Carlsbad strawberry fields. Food and beverages can be purchased separately. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. 1060 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. $15. rotaryoktoberfest.org
Monster truck show: Bigfoot, Bone Shaker and the new Skelesaurus monster trucks will all be in action at the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show. Fans can also get access to an interactive pre-show party approximately two hours before general admission doors open, for a chance to meet monster truck drivers and see the vehicles up close. The show is also part of Bigfoot’s 50th birthday tour. Attendees can make homemade birthday signs for a chance to win prizes during the show. 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. 11:30 a.m. Sunday Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. $31-$160. hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com
East Village Oktoberfest: Quartyard in downtown San Diego is being taken over by the ninth annual East Village Oktoberfest. The event features live polka music, craft beer, German food and interactive games. Some of the food items include pretzels, sausages and tacos from El Comal. There will also be vendors selling goods and accessories. This is a 21 and over event. 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego. eastvillagesandiego.com/events/east-village-oktoberfest
Here are all the bands and DJs playing this year’s Adams Avenue Street Fair
Lao Boat Racing Gala: The Lao Community Cultural Center San Diego is celebrating its 10th annual Lao Boat Racing Gala. The event takes place after the boat races. The gala includes live entertainment by Muang Pak Nguam and Five-0. There will also be food available from Tram Chim Restaurant. 7 to 11:59 p.m. Saturday. 4350 54th St., San Diego. $23.18-$30. eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-lao-boat-racing-gala
“Manifest P*ssy”: Diversionary Theatre presents trans performer Shakina’s autobiographical “glam rock odyssey.” Opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 12. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. $64.50-$71.50. 619-220-0097, diversionary.org
2025 Trolley Dances return this weekend: San Diego Dance Theater’s 27th site-specific contemporary dance series featuring the work of six choreographers, including event founder Jean Isaacs, and 50 dancers performing at multiple San Diego Trolley Green Line stops. Tours begin on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fashion Valley Transit Center, 1205 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego. Tickets include trolley fare. $41.80, general; $26.50, students, seniors, military and professional artists. 619-225-1803, ticketleap.events/tickets/sddt-7/2025-trolley-dances#
Adams Avenue Street Festival: The Adams Avenue Street Fair returns for two days of live entertainment on seven stages in San Diego’s Normal Heights. Event includes 75 musical acts, vendor booths, a beer garden and more. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 3330 Adams Ave., San Diego. adamsavenuebusiness.com/adams-avenue-street-fair/street-fair-music-schedule-lineup/
“Echoes of Shanshui: A Symphony of Inkscape and Soundscape”: The San Diego Chinese Art and Cultural Society presents the world premiere of this work by composer and UCSD professor Lei Liang with painter Charles Chang-Han Liu and eight collaborators to transform Chinese shanshui painting into an immersive, real-time experience that blends film, live music, dance, calligraphy, penjing, visual AI and culinary art. 5 p.m. Saturday. Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. $50-$300. shanshui21.org
Sacha Boutros’ “Paris After Dark”: This jazz singer, songwriter and producer will celebrate the release of her new album, “Paris After Dark,” by launching her Music Without Borders concert series. Together with a band led by trumpeter Stéphane Belmondo, she will use music to chronicle a century of French and American composers whose work captures the essence of France’s famed city of Light and Love. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $28-$98. https://transaction.theconrad.org/2749/2750
“LOVE LETTER / CARTA DE AMOR”: Madison Galleries presents a solo exhibition by the contemporary artist RETNA. The artist (born Marquis Lewis) will be exhibiting works that blend graffiti, illuminated manuscripts and global iconography to reflect the power of connection and his own recent personal transformation. Public reception, 6-9 p.m. Saturday. Runs through Oct. 11. 320 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 200, Solana Beach. 858-523-9155, madisongalleries.com
Sunday