The best things to do this week in San Diego: June 22-26
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
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. Wednesdays-Sundays. Through July 5. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com/events
“America at 250: San Diego 1776-2026:” San Diego History Center has opened an ongoing exhibit celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary from a local perspective, with more than 100 objects revealing the people, places and moments that shaped San Diego’s history from a Spanish settlement to a frontier town to the vibrant city it is today. 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, Balboa Park, San Diego. 619-232-6203, sandiegohistory.org
‘Journey Through 250 Years of History': At the free "Journey Through 250 Years of History,” attendees learn about Oceanside history and U.S. history in celebration of the country's 250th anniversary, led by Capt. Mel Vernon of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, and Kristi Hawthorne, executive director of the Oceanside Historical Society. 5 p.m. June 22. Oceanside Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway. oceansidepubliclibrary.org.
Tuesday
Richard Louv author event: Richard Louv will have a launch party for his latest book “Noticing: Intimate Encounters with the Natural World.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival: The 2026 festival continues with concerts at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Single tickets, $68-$155. Tickets and full concert programs at mainlymozart.org
“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
“Measure for Measure”: The Old Globe presents an outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s drama about complications that arise when a duke leaves his community in the hands of a puritanical deputy with twisted morals. 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Through July 12. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $38 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Wednesday
Meryl Banch-McTiernan author event: Meryl Banch-McTiernan will discuss “What You Should Worry About.” 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Book Catapult, 3010-B Juniper St., San Diego. 619-795-3780, thebookcatapult.com
Madhushree Ghosh author event: Madhushree Ghosh will discuss “Safar: Finding Home, History, and Culture Through Punjabi Food in the American West.” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com
“Field Notes on Memory”: California Center for the Arts Escondido Museum is presenting works by 2025-26 Artists-in-Residence Farshid Bazmandegan, Tony M. Bingham and Helena Westra in an exhibition exploring memory, land and its histories through installation, sculpture, photography and sound. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 16. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Free to $12. ccaemuseum.org
“José Hugo Sánchez: Amoxtlis”: California Center for the Arts Escondido Museum is also featuring this solo exhibition of the printmaker’s large-scale prints, which draw from the visual language of Mesoamerican codices while engaging the cultural and political conditions of the U.S.-Mexico border. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 16. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Free to $12. ccaemuseum.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
“The SpongeBob Musical”: Cygnet Theatre presents this musical comedy based on the animated TV series “SpongeBob SquarePants.” 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. June 30; 2 p.m. July 1. Through July 12. Joseph Clayes III Theater at The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $54 and up for adults. Children 5 to 15 are half-off. No children under 5 will be admitted. cygnettheatre.org
Thursday
Luau: Luau season is back at Catamaran Resort Hotel. 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 and activity bags for kids. 6 p.m. Thursdays. Through Sept. 3. Catamaran Resort Hotel, 3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego. $74.54 for kids, $128.41 for adults. catamaranresort.com/sunset-luaus
“Decoding DaVinci”: ArtPower at UCSD presents this interactive, mystery-solving experiential theater show, where groups of ticket-holders will explore the campus deciphering codes, uncovering hidden symbols and outwitting enemies to solve a Renaissance-style mystery. Tours take place beginning at 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through July 19. UCSD, La Jolla. $30-$40. artpower.ucsd.edu/decoding-davinci
“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
“The Rise & Fall of Little Voice”: Backyard Renaissance Theatre presents Jim Cartwright’s play about a shy teen who finds her voice imitating the singing styles of Judy Garland and others. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Through July 3. 10th Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown. $15-$50. 760-975-7189. backyardrenaissance.com
“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
San Diego Symphony Shell season kickoff: The San Diego Symphony, conducted by Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare, will open its summer season next weekend at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The concert will feature Shostakovich’s Festive Overture Op. 96, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor featuring soloist Stefan Jackiw. 7:30 p.m. today. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $39-$124. theshell.org
The Emo Night tour: Lovers of emo music can hear a night full of greatest hits at this famous celebration of the genre. 8 p.m. Friday. 1337 India St., San Diego. $28.57. musicboxsd.com/event/14794013/the-emo-night-tour/
Opera Neo presents “Fausto”: This San Diego opera company presents a full production of Louise Bertin’s rarely performed 1831 opera based on Goethe’s “Faust.” 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Street, Old Town. $28-$75. 858-888-2231, operaneo.com
“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. Friday; 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Light Box Theatre, 2590 Truxtun Road, #205, Liberty Station.. $30-$40. 619-892-8123, onwordtheatre.com
“Isaac’s Eye”: OnStage Playhouse presents Lucas Hnath’s surrealistic play about the fierce rivalry between 18th century British scientists Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke. Opens tonight and runs through July 19. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Plus 7:30 p.m. July 13. OnStage Playhouse,292 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $20-$25. onstageplayhouse.com
“1776”: Vanguard Theatre and Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church are co-producing this classic Sherman Edwards-Peter Stone musical about America’s Founding Fathers, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will feature a cast of 27. Opens Fridayt and runs through July 12. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 2128 Chatsworth Blvd., San Diego. $25. vanguardsd.org/shows
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:58 PM.