17 things to do in San Diego this weekend: October 1-6

Fall is here and it's finally time to break out the cozier side of your wardrobe and dive into those fall activities! This week, San Diego is buzzing with culinary festivities, including the highly anticipated Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, back in its second year, along with Taste of North Park and the ever-popular La Mesa Oktoberfest. But that's not all: the San Diego Filipino Film Festival and Fashion Week begins, the Padres prepare to face the Atlanta Braves in their first postseason showdown, and much more.

Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater and art exhibitions | More fun activities

Food and drink events in San Diego this weekend

Dinner at a local bounty farm at Mille Fleurs

October 2nd

This Thursday, Mille Fleurs is hosting a five-course meal that's proven to be farm-fresh. The restaurant's executive chef, Harrison Axelrod, and pastry chef “Papa” Moussa Ndiaye work with San Diego County farmers, fishermen and ranchers to combine locally sourced ingredients such as berries, cod and lamb, as well as regional wines. Reservations are $135 per person and can be made through OpenTable.

6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

3rd-7th Oct

Wednesday begins a week of festivities featuring celebrity guests, TV personalities, professional athletes and the best food, wine and culture in Southern California. The second annual Del Mar Wine + Food Festival brings a stellar lineup of events to locations throughout the county, including wine seminars, a pickleball tournament featuring former NFL player Drew Brees and exclusive dinners Top chef Participants and the big tasting on Saturday and Sunday at the Surf Sports Park. Tickets for individual events can be found here or Grand Tasting passes here.

14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar

La Mesa Oktoberfest

4th–6th October

Raise your beer mugs for a Bavarian-style party at La Mesa Village. La Mesa Oktoberfest is a three-day celebration of Europe's favorite drinking holiday with lots of family-friendly fun, including traditional games, dancing and dachshund racing. Admission is free for all, but the event also offers a variety of VIP options, including a pass to all beer gardens.

8633 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa

Taste of North Park

October 5th

Eat, drink and shop until you drop this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Taste of North Park features more than 65 neighborhood businesses, and free MTS transit passes allow ticket holders to get to stops across the map. For the full tasting fun (food and drinks), grab a deluxe pass for $73. The food-only pass costs $56.

North Park

10th Annual Taste of Oceanside

October 5th

Taste of Oceanside is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. From 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., ride the Taste Trolley to over 40 restaurants to discover local bites and sips. A portion of event proceeds will go to the nonprofit organization Lived Experiences, which helps provide equitable services to underserved families. Tickets can be purchased online now ($50 for food and $65 for food and drinks) or for $10 more on the day of the event.

By the sea

Concerts and festivals in San Diego this weekend

San Diego Filipino Film Festival at AMC Plaza Bonita

1st-6th October

The San Diego Filipino Film Festival takes place this week at the AMC Plaza Bonita and features screenings from Filipino filmmakers – including the gripping feature film Where is the lie?– as well as the Philippine Film Trade Fair, live wall art and interactive panels. Day tickets for the festival start at $30. All-access passes ($330) and all-screening passes ($165) are also available here.

3050 Plaza Bonita Road, Chula Vista

Dashboard confessional at SOMA

October 4th

Dashboard Confessional is coming to SOMA this Friday evening. The Boca Raton-based emo group packs an emotional punch, and the lyrics hit even harder when you sing along live. Tickets for this concert are $52.24 on TicketWeb.

3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway

San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival

4th-6th October

The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival features performances on both sides of the border. See the Gilbert Castellanos All-Star Sextet, Binational Youth Ensemble, Magos Herrera and other artists at venues such as the California Center for the Arts, the Tijuana Jazz & Blues Festival and the Quartyard San Diego. Saturday and Sunday portions of the festival are free, while Friday tickets range from $42 to $167.80.

340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido | 1301 Market Street, East Village

Pacific Beach Festival

October 5th

Experience the PB life at Pacific Beachfest this Saturday from 9am to 7pm. This free boardwalk event makes for a wonderful day on the waterfront: a morning 5K workout, a four-on-four beach volleyball tournament, fish taco tastings, a beer garden and three live music stages featuring local Bands play sunset.

Promenade between Felsspar Street and Thomas Street, Pacific Beach

Theater and art exhibitions

Theater and art exhibitions in San Diego this weekend

Latinx New Play Festival at La Jolla Playhouse

4th-6th October

Latin American playwrights will premiere powerful original works this weekend at La Jolla Playhouse's Latinx New Play Festival. The free festival will feature four public readings as well as panels and other interactive theater events. Places can be reserved online.

2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla

Masa at OnStage Playhouse

4th-27th October

By Solomon Maya MasaA woman known for her tamale recipe is leaning on her Mexico City community after the tragic loss of her husband. Tickets for this production at OnStage Playhouse are $25 for adults 30 and older; $20 for seniors, students and educators; and $15 for those under 30.

291 Third Avenue, Chula Vista

Embodied Pacific: Invisible Ocean at Birch Aquarium

Opens October 4th

Opening this Saturday at Birch Aquarium, Embodied Pacific: Invisible Ocean is an immersive group exhibition exploring marine science technology. The exhibition is part of PST ART, a Getty initiative that brings together more than 70 Southern California institutions to host exhibitions exploring the relationship between art and science. The exhibit is included in aquarium admission ($29.95 for adults).

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

National Comedy Theater 25th anniversary show at home and away

October 5th

Audiences have kept National Comedy Theater performers on their toes for a quarter of a century, and now, as the troupe celebrates 25 years of unpredictable improv magic, it's time to celebrate this milestone. This Saturday's anniversary performance begins with a celebration at 6:30 p.m., followed by a comedy show at 7:30 p.m. in the theater. Then celebrate with the cast at Home & Away. Tickets for the show are $22.

3717 India Street, Mission Hills

San Diego Fashion Week at Andaz

5th-6th October

Fashion Week San Diego is sending models down the runway at Andaz San Diego this Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. At Sunday's trunk show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can shop runway looks, enjoy free breakfast and coffee and chat with designers. General admission tickets for the runway event are sold out, but VIP passes (starting at $150) and truck show-only tickets ($10) can be found here.

600 F Street, downtown

The art of flora and fauna at the Borrego Art Institute

October 5th – November 3rd

The Borrego Art Institute opens its 2024-2025 season with an exhibition dedicated to nature. In The art of flora and faunaDiscover regional artists' interpretations of the beauty around us. The show opens with a free reception this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m

665 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs

More great things to do in San Diego this weekend

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves at Petco Park

1st-3rd October

Postseason baseball is back in San Diego! The Padres will open their playoff season starting Tuesday with a best-of-three wild-card series at home against the Atlanta Braves. A series win for the Friars would set up a rematch against the Dodgers that shouldn't be missed. Tickets for this playoff matchup start at $127.60 as San Diego continues its quest for its elusive first World Series title.

100 Park Boulevard, downtown

Kids free in San Diego

1st-31st October

October is a unique opportunity for families to explore the many museums, botanical gardens and heritage sites San Diego County has to offer during Kids Free San Diego. As part of this annual discount promotion, children up to 12 years old and, at some locations, the entire family receive free admission to more than 50 local art institutions. After the children purchase the necessary vouchers online, they can make memories all month long.

October offers families the opportunity to explore San Diego's many museums, botanical gardens and cultural institutions with vouchers from Kids Free San Diego. As part of this annual discount promotion, children 12 and under receive free admission to more than 50 local arts institutions (and some even waive admission for the entire family).

citywide