The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: May 8-10
Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10.
Friday
Martha Wells author event: The author of the Murderbot Diaries series will discuss and sign the eighth book, "Platform Decay," as well as participate in a Q&A session. Ticketed guests will receive a copy of the book. 7 p.m. Friday. Cygnet at "The Joan," Liberty Station, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $30. mystgalaxy.com/5826Wells
Floral workshop: The Sorrento Valley eatery Treehouse and event florist Sage & Autumn are partnering up for a floral workshop a few days before Mother's Day. Attendees will learn to design their own flower crowns using seasonal garden blooms from Sage & Autumn. There will also be paper goods and keepsake materials to use to write letters to moms as well as photo opportunities. 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. 9945 Pacific Heights Blvd., San Diego. $75. eventbrite.com/e/crown-her-w-love-floral-crown-making-workshop
Paint night: The community organization ARTS (A Reason To Survive) in National City is hosting a painting class. Guests will be taught how to paint a flower bouquet by artist Lerida Armendariz. All painting materials will be supplied, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. 200 East 12th St., National City. $25. 619-297-2787, areasontosurvive.org/arts-after-dark
"Lend Me a Soprano": Scripps Ranch Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's new farce about a problem-plagued opera company in 1934 Cleveland. It's a female-centered follow-up to his 1989 smash "Lend Me a Tenor." 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through May 17. Legler Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. $27-$52. 858-395-0573, scrippsranchtheatre.org
“MJ, The Musical”: Former San Diego resident Jordan Markus leads the cast of the touring Broadway musical about the life of pop star Michael Jackson, from childhood to the height of his fame. 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. $67-$124.50. broadwaysd.com/upcoming-events/mj-2026/
Wellness Day for Mother’s Day: Kona Kai is hosting its first wellness day with yoga, zumba, cardio, bracelet-making, flower arranging, meditation, mini facials, chair massages and a body scrub workshop. 7:30 a.m. to noon. Friday. SpaTerre at Kona Kai San Diego, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. $45 per person. exploretock.com/kona-kai-resort-san-diego/event/597351/wellness-day
“The Cher Show”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the San Diego premiere of this Broadway musical about music artist and actor Cher, starring “American Idol” and Broadway star Constantine Maroulis as Gregg Allman. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Through May 16. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $49-$67. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
“Alien Girls”: The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Amy Berryman’s sci-fi-enhanced story of the up-and-down friendship between two female friends over several decades. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $41 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Beau Jest”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents James Sherman’s 1989 comedy about an unmarried Jewish woman trying to please her pushy parents by hiring an actor to pose as her fiance. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays. Through May 17. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $53.50-$68.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“The Velocity of Autumn”: OnStage Playhouse presents the San Diego premiere of Eric Coble’s drama about an aging artist who barricades herself in her home to avoid being forced into a nursing home, leading her estranged son to return home after 20 years. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through May 24. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $25 and up. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org
“Lend Me a Soprano”: Scripps Ranch Theatre presents Ken Ludwig’s new farce about a problem-plagued opera company in 1934 Cleveland. It’s a female-centered follow-up to his 1989 smash “Lend Me a Tenor.” 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through May 17. Legler Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. $27-$52. 858-395-0573, scrippsranchtheatre.org
“The Play That Goes Wrong”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the San Diego professional premiere of this London-born stage comedy about a troupe of theater actors struggling to get through a performance while the everything collapses around them. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through June 7. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Saturday
Rhythm Of The Earth Festival: The Deer Park Monastery in Escondido is hosting the Rhythm Of The Earth Festival. The event brings a full day of live performances at multiple outdoor spaces, walking meditation through park trails, land blessing and rituals, a community drum circle and Vietnamese vegan food. 1 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. 2499 Melru Lane, Escondido. Adult admission is $65 and children under 16 years can attend for free. deerparkmonastery.org
Alisa Weilerstein to perform ‘Dzonot’ concerto: Renowned cellist Weilerstein will join the San Diego Symphony to perform “Dzonot,” a concerto for cello and orchestra written for her by composer Gabriela Ortiz that earned a 2026 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Also on the program, conducted by the symphony’s music and artistic director Rafael Payare, who is married to Weilerstein, are Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 and Beethoven’s “Leonore” overture. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B Street, downtown. $42-$125. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
Balboa Park Powwow: The 38th annual Balboa Park Powwow is taking place this weekend. There are scheduled events and activities throughout both days, including bird singing, inter-tribal dancing, vendors and food. The powwow is a celebration of Native American culture and people from the local region.10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Corner of Park Boulevard and President's Way in Balboa Park. Free. sdaihc.org/powwow
San Diego River Days 2026: The San Diego River Park Foundation is hosting 40 events over nine days during this year's 23rd annual San Diego River Days. The festivities kick off with a 5k walk fundraiser on Saturday. Other events include a cleanup day at El Monte County Park, a bike ride through the San Diego River trail, free flycasting lessons and sunset gardening. Saturday through May 17. Various locations. sdriverdays.org
Coronado Art & Wine Festival: For the fifth time, Coronado will be the scene for an art and wine festival raising funds for schools. The event is free to attend but tickets are required for wine areas. This year’s featured artists are Ethan Blu, Cathy Surgeoner Deibler, Walter Redondo and Sabah Alassil. There will be a special area with crafts and activities for kids. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tenth and Orange Avenue. Tickets start at $60. coronadoartandwinefestival.com
Mother’s Day Weekend Art, Garden & Studio Tour: San Dieguito Art Guild will host its 29th annual self-guided driving tour where ticket-buyers can visit eight private homes across North County known for their art and gardens. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $40 and are good for both days. sandieguitoartguild.com
Art Glass Guild Spring Patio Show: A juried exhibition of blown, fused, torch,stained, cast and etched glass will be available for viewing and purchase. There will also be torch-work demonstration, entertainment and hands-on mosaic crafts for all ages.10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego. artglassguild.com
Spring Choral Concert: The First United Methodist Church of San Diego presents its annual free community concert, featuring its Masterwork Chorale, Chancel Choir and soloists. The program will include Rossini’s “Petite Messe Solennelle.” 4 p.m. Saturday. 2111 Camino del Rio South, San Diego. Free. fumcsd.org
Sunday
Coronado historic home tour:On Mother's Day, the Coronado Historical Association is hosting a historic homes tour. The five-hour event takes attendees through various historic homes in Coronado and gives the back story of each home, including its architectural styles. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 1100 Orange Ave., Coronado. $125. 619-435-7242, coronadohistory.ticketsauce.com/e/2026hometour
Free Admission + Live Music at MCASD: Looking to spend Sunday in the arts? The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is offering free admission on Sunday, along with a photo walk at 1 p.m. and live music starting at 2 p.m. The museum’s current exhibits includes “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. MCASD, 700 Prospect St. La Jolla. Free.mcasd.org
Chanticleer: St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church presents the Grammy-winning all-male vocal ensemble from San Francisco. 4 p.m. Sunday. 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $20-$65. stjamesmusicseries.com/events/chanticleer
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