The best things to do this week in San Diego: June 15-19
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, June 15 to Friday, June 19.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Jeanne Carstensen author event: Jeanne Carstensen, author of “A Greek Tragedy,” will join a panel discussion with journalist Marco Werman and Daylight San Diego reporter Kate Morrissey on immigration and the refugee crisis from the U.S. border to the sea. 6:30 p.m. Monday. Free. Verbatim Books, 3793 30th St., San Diego. verbatimbooks.com/events
Tuesday
Juneteenth celebration: The University of California, San Diego Black Staff Association is organizing a Juneteenth celebration inside campus' Great Hall. This year's theme is "A Family Affair, Embrace Our Progress." The event will have a keynote speech from Dr. Dennis Childs, chair of the Black Diaspora and African American Studies department. A complementary lunch will also be provided while supplies last. 2 to 4 p.m. June 16. 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Free to attend with registration. 858-822-1791, ucsd.edu/sponsor/bsa/juneteenth
Balboa Park twilight concert series: The public can watch over 30 free concerts this summer at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. This year's Twilight in the Park outdoor concert series will feature musical performances by the American Flyboys Band, the San Diego Jazz Orchestra, a Carlos Santana tribute band, Charlie Chavez y su Afrotruko, the Bayou Brothers and more. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. June 16 through Aug. 27. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American East Road, San Diego.Free. balboapark.org/twilight-concerts
“The Monsters”:La Jolla Playhouse, in collaboration with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, presents Ngozi Anyanwu’s new play about estranged siblings who ultimately find strength in each other while competing in the sport of mixed martial arts. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through June 28. Mandell Weiss Forum, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$74. lajollaplayhouse.org
Wednesday
San Diego County Fair:This year's fair theme is "Once Upon A Fair," and attendees can expect the usual classic activities, such as carnival games, amusement park rides, livestock shows and various concerts. Some of the new food items include a Korean churro, a cinnamon crunch cheesecake rice crispy cone and a crispy chicken shawarma wrap. There will also be a variety of cultural events, like the fair's first Black and Brown Festival Showcase. Plus, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias is scheduled to perform a special stand-up comedy show. June 10 through July 5. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com
Mainly Mozart All-Star Festival opening night: Mainly Mozart San Diego opens its six-concert musical festival in two locations over 11 days. On opening night, pianist Anne-marie McDermott will accompany the orchestra in a program that includes works by Mozart, Prokofiev and Beethoven. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Baker‑Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $68-$155. mainlymozart.org.
“The Most Happy Fella”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents an intimate production of Frank Loesser’s 1956 musical about an aging vineyard farmer who falls for a much-younger woman and uses deception to win her heart. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through July 5. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. $68.50-$90.50.northcoastrep.org
Bret Michaels and Night Ranger: Bret Michaels will perform as part of the San Diego County Fair’s lineup of summer concerts. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Grandstand. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $33 and up. sdfair.com/events/2026/bret-michaels-night-ranger
Thursday
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: Iglesias has been performing stand-up comedy since 1997, performing on countless stages, including Madison Square Garden and The Sydney Opera House in Australia. He has also partnered with Netflix on four stand-up comedy specials and executive-produced and starred in his own television series "Mr. Iglesias." 8 p.m. Thursday. Grandstand. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $60.50 and up. sdfair.com/events/2026/gabriel-fluffy-iglesias
Andrea Moriarty author event: Andrea Moriarty will discuss “Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise.” 6 p.m. Thursday. Camino Books: For the Road Ahead, 1555 Camino Del Mar Suite 114, San Diego. caminobks.com/events/2026/06
Author event: “Remember the Ladies: A USA 250th Birthday Adventure with authors Laura Kamoie, Reyna Grande and Elizabeth Cobbs. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Library Shop Mission Hills, 925 W. Washington St., San Diego. 619-236-5800, libraryfoundationsd.org/news-events $4.50-$65. adventuresbythebook.com/calendar
“Tango Libertad”: Authors and tango dancers Katerina and Colette will host a salon event for their sapphic love story memoir "Tango Libertad" with readings, tango dancing, empanadas and Argentine wine. 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rose, 2219 30th St., San Diego. $65. tangolibertad.com
Meet soccer star Jonathan Dos Santos: Mexican soccer star Jonathan Dos Santos, who played for Barcelona and Villareal in La Liga as well as the LA Galaxy in the MLS will meet fans during a pop-up event. 5 p.m. Thursday. First Down, Harrah’s Resort SoCal. Free. harrahssocal.com
Sunset Luaus: Luau season is back at Catamaran Resort Hotel. On Thursdays throughout the summer, Pride of Polynesia will perform with music and dancing and tickets also include a welcome drink, a lei and an all-you-can-eat buffet. There will also be fire dancers. 6 p.m. Thursday. Catamaran Resort Hotel, 3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego. $74.54 for kids, $128.41 for adults. catamaranresort.com/sunset-luaus
“Adult Storytime: A Caregiver's Guide to the Blues”: OnWord Theatre presents this monologue-driven play with live blues songs and music ,inspired by author Marti Gobel’s interviews with caregivers and others. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through June 28. Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road, #205, Liberty Station.. $30-$40. 619-892-8123, onwordtheatre.com
“Rent”: Diversionary Theatre presents Jonathan Larson’s musical about a group of bohemian artists struggling to survive and make their mark in 1990s AIDS-stricken New York City. 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through June 28. 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego. $41-$75.619-220-0097, diversionary.org
“Hairspray”: New Village Arts presents the musical comedy about a spunky 1960s Baltimore teen aiming to integrate the city’s TV dance party show. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through July 19. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$70. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org
Friday
Free admission for ‘Giants’: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will offer free admission on Juneteenth so San Diegans can see the exhibit ‘Giants.’ It’s a presentation of art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 19. MCASD, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free. mcasd.org
Juneteenth festival: For those planning to visit the San Diego County Fair this year, an all-day Juneteenth festival will be held. The event includes live music by Elliott Lawrence and Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins, spoken word by Kendrick Dial, performances by WorldBeat Center's African drummers and dancers, DJ Kool T and the ERRRVERYBODi Line Dancers. Various vendors are also scheduled to set up. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 19. Chevrolet Paddock Stage, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Free with San Diego County Fair admission ticket. sdfair.com/events/2026/juneteenth-festival
NASCAR San Diego weekend: Stock car auto racing enthusiasts can witness history at the inaugural NASCAR San Diego race on Naval Base Coronado. The 3.4-mile, 16-turn circuit will be NASCAR's first competition on an active military base. There will also be other events such as a truck series race, autograph sessions and question and answer sessions with drivers. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19-21. 300 Alameda Blvd., Coronado. Prices vary. nascarsandiego.com/events/nascar-cup-series
Juneteenth block party:The New Orleans-style eatery Louisiana Purchase is bringing back its Juneteenth community block party. The event will present live music, local vendors, food trucks and pop-up food businesses. The all-ages event is free to attend. Noon to 6 p.m. June 19. 2305 University Ave., San Diego. 858-683-6828, instagram.com/louisianapurchasesd
The Freedom Table:The public can get a taste of a Juneteenth culinary experience at The Freedom Table. The fundraising event spotlights the culinary skills of six chefs: Alex Carballo, Cameron Dixon, David Lay Jr., Khine Moore, MaryAnn Green and Shellie Robinson. Each chef will create a special menu for dinner. The event will also have a cocktail hour with a hosted bar, live music, art installations and complimentary parking. The Freedom Table is hosted by Natalie and Lionel Saulsberry of the Couples Unfiltered podcast. The event takes place at the TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos and a portion of ticket sales goes to the nonprofit Achievement in Motion, according to event organizers. 4 to 9 p.m. June 19. 555 Deer Spring Road, San Marcos. $250-$400. events.humanitix.com/the-freedom-table
Kinfolk Fest: Kinfolk Fest, a Juneteenth celebration hosted by SD Melanin, features live performers, DJ sets and art installations along with more than 100 Black-owned vendors, food, a full bar, art activations and a spades tournament. Friday through Sunday, Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway. sdmelanin.com/juneteenth-2026.
Final weekend of ‘The Hombres’: The Old Globe presents Tony Meneses’ comedy-drama about a pair of macho construction workers who tap into their softer side at a yoga studio.7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Mean Girls”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the San Diego regional premiere of this musical comedy inspired by the Tina Fey film about a girl trying to be accepted by the cool, but mean, girls at her new high school. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $44-$66. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 12:07 PM.