Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31.
San Diego County is hoppin’ with Easter egg hunts and festivities: Here’s a guide to events
Friday
Halfway to Halloween Film Festival: AMC Theaters is teaming up with Blumhouse to produce a film festival to celebrate the spookiest holiday outside of October. For five days, Blumhouse films will be shown in theaters across the country, including in San Diego. The featured movies will be “Sinister,” “The Purge,” “Ouigi: Origin of Evil,” “Insideous” and “The Invisible Man.” San Diego’s participating theaters are Chula Vista 10, Mission Valley 20 and Plaza Bonita 14. Through April 2. Times vary. $8. amctheatres.com/events/halfway-to-halloween
Balboa Theatre Centennial screenings: As part of its 100-year anniversary celebrations, the Balboa Theatre is hosting a series of events. On Friday, the theater will screen “The Flying Feet,” a silent film, to be played along with the theater’s organ. On Saturday morning, families can bring their kids to watch classic cartoons, such as Mighty Mouse and Popeye, accompanied by an organ. There will be a roaring ’20s costume parade for the kids and free coloring books. 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday. 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. $3.50. sandiegotheatres.org/balboatheatre100
Dinner fundraiser for local youths: The Rincon Reservation Road Brewery is hosting a fundraising dinner for the California Indigenous Athletes and the Native Youth Foundation today. The event will feature a live performance by the band I Know Jack, networking opportunities and a discussion. Money raised from this event will go toward local girls programs such as self-defense seminars and a new all-girls flag football team. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday. 777 South Resort Drive, Valley Center. $50-$500. caindigenousathletes.com
San Diego Theatre Month: Locals can celebrate theater and other performing arts throughout the month of March with $15, $30 or $45 tickets at various venues. Broadway San Diego, City Ballet of San Diego, Mockingbird Improv, New Village Arts, Cygnet Theatre, Moxie Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, SDSU School of Theatre, Television and Film and San Diego Junior Theatre are among the participating organizations this year. See the full list at sandiegotheatremonth.com
“Motown: The Groove that Changed America”: CCAE Theatricals presents this theatricalized concert featuring vocalists and the D. Ben-Jamin’ Band performing the music of Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and much more in the 1,500-seat concert at the city of Escondido’s arts center. 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $25-$75. (800) 988-4253, artcenter.org
“Beauty and the Beast” ballet: San Diego Civic Youth Ballet presents this classic fairy tale directed by Danika Pramik-Holdaway. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Casa del Prado Theater, 1650 El Prado, Balboa Park. $25. (619) 259-0220, sdcyb.org
“The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate: The Musical”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the world premiere of Omri Schein and Daniel Lincoln’s musical adaptation of the 2009 young adult novel about an 11-year-old girl exploring the natural world around her. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through May 5. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $28-$82. (619) 437-6000, lambsplayers.org
“The Harvest”: OnStage Playhouse opens its 40th season with Samuel D. Hunter’s drama about a group of evangelical missionaries facing questions of faith, family and the future on the eve of a missionary trip to the Middle East. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays. Through April 14. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $15-$25. (619) 422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org
“Hand to God”: Roustabouts Theatre presents Robert Askins’ irreverent, R-rated comedy about a college theater student who becomes possessed by the evil spirit that inhabits his hand puppet. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Roustabouts at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. $45. (619) 568-5800, theroustabouts.org
Saturday
Mingei opens three spring exhibits: Mingei International Museum this week debuts three spring exhibitions. On Tuesday, it opened “Pysanky,” an exhibit of hand-painted eggs from Ukraine. And on Saturday it opens both Shirin Towfiq’s “Threaded Journeys” exhibit of Persian folk art textiles and “Cups to Connections,” a global collection of cups, flasks and bowls. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. Free-$15. (619) 239-0003, mingei.org
Women’s History Month tour: The Balboa Park Visitors Center will host a new tour on local women’s history. Participants will learn about women’s contributions to the park. 11 a.m. Saturday. Meet at the Bea Evenson Fountain in front of Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego. Free. Sign up online: balboapark.org/event/march-womens-history-tour/2024-03-30
“The Tricks Marie Loved”: Magical ventriloquist and puppeteer Steve Taylor presents a new family-friendly comedy puppet show in memory of legendary San Diego puppeteer Marie Hitchcock. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, 2130 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego. $4-$5. balboaparkpuppets.com
EGGstravaganza Spring Festival: The city of Carlsbad will host multiple egg hunts with groups of 20 to 30 kids scrambling for eggs. There will be separate fields for children ages 6 and older; ages 5 and younger; and young children or kids with special needs. The event features a family scavenger hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, a fun zone with bounce houses and a giant slide. For participants, $5 activity cards and $5 unlimited Fun Zone wristbands are available at city community centers through March 30 and at the event. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (or until eggs run out) Saturday. Poinsettia Community Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad. carlsbadca.gov
Spring Egg Scramble: The city of San Marcos hosts a free egg scramble with thousands of eggs and carnival games along with jumpers at this spring celebration. The scramble for babies through age 11 starts promptly at 10:15 a.m. and continues by age group until about 11 a.m. Families are encouraged to come early. 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Williams Barn at Walnut Grove Park, 1950 Sycamore Drive, San Marcos. san-marcos.net
Beer festival: The Handlery Hotel San Diego is hosting a beer festival on Saturday. There will be a dozen local craft beer companies on hand, including Belching Beaver Brewery, Harland Brewing, Latitude 33 Brewing, Mother Earth Brew Co., Pizza Port Brewing and more. The event will also have live music from local band Ron’s Garage and various styles of barbecue. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. $25-$60. (619) 298-0511, sd.handlery.com
Wine festival: The eighth annual Uncorked San Diego Wine Fest returns to Spanish Landing Park on Saturday. Ticket holders will have the options of tasting over 100 wines from around the world, along with canned seltzers and cocktails. There will also be food trucks selling various items, lawn games and a live DJ. Funds from the event go toward the nonprofit Urban Surf 4 Kids, which provides surf therapy for homeless youths and to foster children. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. 3900 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. $65-$80. uncorkedwinefestivals.com
“Strings & Keys: A Musical Journey”: San Diego Music Society presents violinist Cristian Fatu and pianist Evangeliya Delizonas-Khukhua performing works by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Kreisler and more. 3 p.m. Saturday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $25-$55. (800) 988-4253, artcenter.org
POSTPONED: East Village Block Party
“Allied Craftsmen: Hands on Design”: Oceanside Museum of Art presents this juried exhibit of works by The Allied Craftsmen of San Diego. Opens Saturday and runs through Aug. 18. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside. Free-$10. (760) 435-3720, oma-online.org
Sunday
Bach’s birthday: A free all-Bach music concert, hosted by the Spreckels Organ Society, will celebrate Bach’s birthday. The concert will be performed by San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez. 2 p.m. Sunday. Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Pan American Place, San Diego. Free. balboaparkconcerts.org
