Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7.
Friday
San Diego County Fair: The San Diego County Fair will conclude on Sunday. Visitors can spin and swirl on various carnival rides, play games for prizes, see concerts, hang out in a disco speakeasy, meet alpacas, learn about beer, make crafts, eat whacky fair foods and try any number of other activities. The schedule for this weekend also includes various musical performances along with a hypnotist and a comedy show. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Tickets start at $20 and youths under 12 can visit for free on Fridays. Children ages 5 and under can attend for free all weekend. sdfair.com
Fourth of July Carnival: The National City Lions Club is hosting its annual Fourth of July Carnival at Kimball Park with fireworks at the park at 9 p.m. Saturday. The carnival, featuring food, rides and games, is open throughout the weekend. 5 to 11 p.m. tonight, 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 12th and D streets, National City. nationalcityca.gov.
Fashion show at Air & Space Museum: The San Diego Air & Space Museum hosts The Runway 40 Fashion Gala from 4 to 8 p.m. July 6 at 2001 Pan American Plaza, in Balboa Park. The event features the latest collection from award-winning designer Ugochi Iwuaba surrounded by displays of the history of aviation. The show includes vintage-inspired to cutting-edge designs. Tickets are $52.50-$175 at eventbrite.com/e/runway-40-fashion-gala-tickets-825048681817.
Summer Nights at the Comic-Con Museum: On Fridays leading up to Comic-Con (except July 5), the Comic-Con Museum will be open late for its new Summer Nights event series. Each Friday evening will feature a different theme, with this Friday focusing on crafting. Wine, beer and snacks will be available for purchase except for July 12. 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Comic-Con Museum, 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego. $15. bit.ly/CCMSummerNights
“The Color Purple”: New Village Arts presents the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Celie, an indomitable Southern Black woman in early 1900s Georgia. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Select Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Through July 22. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $33 and up. (760) 433-3245, newvillagearts.org
‘Picture This’ on display at MOPA at SDMA in Balboa Park: The Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art is now exhibiting “Picture This: Recent Aquisitions,” a collection of photography, video and new media by renowned photographers including Hendrik Kerstens (pictured), Berenice Abbott, Martín Chambi, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Mary Ellen Mark and many more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Runs through Sept. 1. ission is pay what you wish. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. (619) 232-7931, mopa.org
“Eating Stone: Wilderness Paintings”: Plein-air painter Jane Culp is exhibiting a selection of her paintings of the deserts of Southern California, in particular the Anza-Borrego desert, where she lived and worked for a decade. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 30352 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel. https://santaysabelartgallery.com
“Camelot”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Lerner and Loewe’s classic musical about King Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $54-$79. northcoastrep.org
Mission Beach cleanup set for July 5: A Mission Beach Morning After Mess Beach Cleanup is from 9 a.m. to noon July 5. Bring your reusable cleanup supplies, if you have them. Sign up at volunteer.surfrider.org/opportunities/Slyr4y6YIy. For other July 5 beach cleanups around the county, visit volunteer.surfrider.org.
‘Henry V’ kicks off Old Globe’s summer Shakespeare fest: The Old Globe presents the largest production in its 89-year history, the world premiere of Barry Edelstein’s two-play adaptation of William Shakespeare’s three “Henry VI” history plays, which tell the story of England’s War of the Roses. “Part One: Flowers and ” now playing through Sept. 14. “Part Two: Riot and Reckoning” runs Tuesday through Sept. 15. All performances at 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. The plays will rotate in repertory. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $35-$116. (619) 234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Star Spangled Sisters to sing at mall: The Forum Carlsbad Discovery Days, a free summer series for all ages, kicks off from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 5 with an Independence Day Celebration in the garden area near the Yeti store at the mall, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Highlights include vocal performances by the Star Spangled Sisters and an airplane-making craft with a pilot. Adult supervision is required. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.
“Nine”: Coronado Playhouse presents this 1982 Broadway musical inspired by Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini’s 1963 autobiographical movie “8-1/2,” about the women in his life, including his mother, wife, mistress and leading lady. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through July 14. 1835 Strand Way, Coronado. (619) 435-4856, coronadoplayhouse.org
“Twelfth Night of the Living Dead, or What You Kill”: Loud Fridge Theatre Group presents this world premiere mashup of Shakespeare and zombies by A.J. Schaar. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. City Heights Performance Annex, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. Free; donations of any amount encouraged. loudfridge.com
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s audience-interactive comedy musical about five awkward adolescent contestants at a regional spelling bee. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 18. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $38-$92. (619) 437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Guided tours from San Diego Bay to Balboa Park: Bay to Park Paseo provides a free guided tour from 10:30 a.m. to noon July 6 along Park Boulevard from San Diego Bay to Balboa Park to see installations designed by leading San Diego artists. The 1.7-mile paseo, endorsed as an Impact Project of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, was created to encourage walking and to highlight the connection between the San Diego Bay and Balboa Park. The paseo includes up to 13 installations outside iconic locations along Park Boulevard. The tours start at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and run the first and third Saturdays of each month through Nov. 16. Visit baytoparkpaseo.org.
Freedom Fest at Beach House: The Almost Nakey Freedom Fest will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. July 6 at the Plunge pool and Beach House at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. Highlights include entertainment on three stages and huge inflatables. The Almost Nakey team will turn the “swimming extravaganza into a yuma tent.” Clear decking will cover the water, lighting will come from the waters and a stage will be built inside. Tickets are $45-$125.00. A portion of ticket sales benefit the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Visit almostnakey.com/pages/almost-nakey-freedom-fest.
Saturday
Pride storytime: Lady Marmalade will lead a children’s storytime at the North University Community Library. This event is described as being family-friendly and designed to honor individuality and diversity via children’s stories and songs. 10 to 10:30 a.m. July 6. 8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego. sandiego.gov/public-library/locations/north-university-community-library
“Christina Rosenthal: Invitation to a Journey”: Gallery 21 present a solo exhibition of paintings, jewelry, mobiles and stabiles by this multidisciplinary Carlsbad artist. Opening reception at 5 p.m. Saturday and continues through July 15. Hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Gallery 21, Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego. instagram.com/spanishvillageart
“tick, tick … BOOM!”: Cygnet Theatre presents Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical about a young theater composer’s anxiety over not being a big success by age 30. Opens Saturday and runs through Aug. 4. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego. $30 and up. (619) 337-1525, cygnettheatre.com
Japanese street food cooking classes: Learn how to prepare the Japanese street food okonomiyaki at one of three cooking classes offered at Duck Foot Brewing. Educators and chefs from CocuSocial will teach guests how to make okonomiyaki, which has a vegetarian base with scallions and cabbage, with the option of bacon or shrimp. The dish is similar to a pancake and can be made with many toppings. The class includes all ingredients and equipment. 1 to 3 p.m. July 6, 27 and 31. 8920 Kenamar Drive #210, San Diego. $59. (858) 433-7916, duckfootbeer.com
San Diego County summer movies: San Diego County’s series of more than 100 summer movie screenings is underway and continues this weekend with a showing Saturday of “Elemental” at Lincoln Acres County Park. Attendees can bring their own blankets, beach chairs and picnics, and some locations may offer pre-movie activities. 7 p.m. Saturday. Full schedule at summermoviesinthepark.com
Sunday
Fire & Safety Expo and Firefighter Demolition Derby: The Burn Institute’s Fire & Safety Expo and Firefighter Demolition Derby presented by San Diego City Fire Fighters Local 145 features activities for kids, firefighting demonstrations and the Firefighter Demo Derby. The event kicks off with the Burn Run Parade made up of fire engines and apparatus trucks. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Del Mar Arena, at the San Diego Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. burninstitute.org/event/2024-fire-and-safety-expo-firefighter-demolition-derby/
Gustavo Romero plays Frédéric Chopin: The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s 25th Summer Festival will feature the renowned pianist performing four concerts of works by Chopin at 4 p.m. every Sunday in July. This weekend’s series-opening concert includes nocturnes, the Grande Valse Brillante in E flat and the Piano Sonata No. 2 “Funeral March.” 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. four-concert series tickets are $212. https://www.ljathenaeum.org/events/summer-festival-2024-series
Pilates and Palomas at Lakehouse Resort: Lakehouse Resort hosts Pilates and Palomas as part of its Summer Wellness at the Lake Series from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 7 at 1025 La Bonita Drive. The event includes a full-body workout, cocktail and day- at the resort’s pools. Participants must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Tickets are $45; or $25 without pool access at thelakehoesort.com.
Free concert July 7 at library: The Friends of the Encinitas Library hosts Missy Anderson in a free concert from 2 to 3 p.m. July 7 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Anderson is known for her blues and Americana-inspired guitar work and gospel-tinged vocals. She has performed at prestigious venues in Europe and North America. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Visit encinitaslibfriends.org.
Blanket Sounds Summer Concerts series continues July 7: The Blanket Sounds Summer Concerts series continues from 4 to 8 p.m. July 7 atWaterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway. The event features local artists, musicians and collaborators to create a “multicultural and multigenerational space that uplifts creativity.” Picnics are encouraged. ission is free. For free tickets, visit events.eventnoire.com/e/blanket-sounds-summer-concerts/tickets.
