Events

San Diego Food + Wine Festival

Through Nov. 10. Marking its 20th anniversary with a refreshed look and expanded programming, the festival has partnered with the James Beard Foundation and Food Tank this year to present myriad experiences countywide that spotlight Latin, Asian and BIPOC culinary influences—with 175-plus chefs, vintners and industry leaders; plus 800 wines and spirits. Popular events like the Grand Fiesta at Liberty Station and the Grand Tasting at Embarcadero Marina Park North return; joined by new happenings like the Food Tank Summit, Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night & Grand Decant, and more. More Info

San Diego Asian Film Festival

Nov. 7-16. The 25th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) spotlights feature films, shorts and animation from Asian artists worldwide. Taking place at various locations across San Diego County, the event will showcase 170-plus films from 35 different countries and in 40 languages—organized by fun program categories such as “Asia Pop!,” “Classics Revived,” “Masters,” “Unknown Pleasures,” Asian American Panorama,” and “Special Presentations.” See website for full lineup of films, special events (including the SDAFF Awards Gala on Nov. 9), venues and tickets. An All-Fest Pass can be purchased for $325 per person. sdaff.org

Food + Drink

“Sails & Ales” at Kona Kai Resort

Nov. 8. Enjoy local brews, sunset and bay views, food, cocktails and live entertainment at Kona Kai Resort & Spa’s fourth annual beer festival. Guests can enjoy pours from more than 30 local craft breweries, including Ballast Point, Eppig, Hess Brewing, Karl Strauss, Kona Brewing Company and more. A lavish dinner buffet includes a Mediterranean appetizer station offering mezze platters, chicken kabobs, veggie skewers and mini gyros; plus salads, braised short ribs, Salmon Provencal, desserts like baklava and tiramisu, and more. 5:30-10 p.m. $59 per person. 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.452.3138. resortkonakai.com

Anniversary Offerings at The Crack Shack

Nov. 9-11. In celebration of its ninth anniversary, the flagship Little Italy outpost of The Crack Shack—first opened in November 2015 by the original team behind Juniper & Ivy next door—is offering giveaways, exclusive anniversary specials, limited-edition merchandise and other swag all weekend long; as well as throwback menu items like the popular deviled eggs and Birthday Cake Cookies. Stop by the open-air “shack that started it all” and grab a special anniversary shirt available for purchase; along with a craft cocktail. Open daily at 10 a.m. 2266 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 877.230.1835. crackshack.com

Uncorked Wine Festival

Nov. 9. Wine corks will be poppin’ at Uncorked, which presents its latest installment at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s Seaside Cabana. Alongside “bettin’ on the ponies” at Del Mar Racetrack, guests can sample from a selection of more than 100 wines and bubbly from California and around the world; along with local food trucks and live DJ music all afternoon. A portion of proceeds benefit Urban Surf 4 Kids—a local nonprofit that provides water and surfing therapy for at-risk youth and foster children. 1-4 p.m. $37-$96 (21+). 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. dmtc.com

Paradis

Now Open. Mission Hills welcomes a European-inspired café and modern pintxo bar, Paradis, now open in the iconic Sasan building in the heart of the ‘hood. The quaint eatery by restaurateur Jacquee Renna-Downing offers baked goods, small plates and tasty sippers all day. Stop by in the morning for stracciatella toast and a cornmilk-blueberry-matcha latte; and in the afternoon and evening for the Forbidden Fruit spritz or The Eleventh Hour craft cocktail; along with a selection of gourmet tapas, pintxos, salads and desserts like the seasonal fruit tart. See website for daily hours. 901 W. Washington St., Mission Hills. paradissd.com

Arts + Culture

Old Globe: How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Nov. 6-Dec. 31. Who better to get us into the holiday spirit than the hairy, grumpy green guy? The Old Globe presents its long-beloved, family-friendly musical, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, based on the classic Dr. Seuss book—with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. Now in its 27th year, the production features fan favorite Andrew Polec (pictured) returning as The Grinch, an endearing Who-ville cast, and popular songs such as “Welcome Christmas.” See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org

Broadway San Diego: Hadestown 

Nov. 8-10. Don’t miss the “hell-raising journey to the underworld and back” that is the Broadway smash Hadestown, which visits the San Diego Civic Theatre. The winner of eight Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” and the 2020 Grammy Award winner for “Best Musical Theater Album,” Anaïs Mitchell’s haunting yet hopeful theatrical experience is performed by an electric ensemble cast of actors, singers and dancers. The story follows following two young lovers with big dreams, who wind up in industrial Hadestown. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com

Lamb’s: The Importance of Being Earnest

Through Nov. 10. Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado brings us Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, first performed in 1895. In this timeless farce, we are transported to London’s fashionable West End—where two men assume the identity of a fictional man named Ernest, leading them to both fall in love; all while deceiving those around them. Shenanigans and hilarity ensue. Kerry Meads directs a talented cast of nine; with period costumes designed by Jeanne Reith. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.437.6000.  lambsplayers.org

MOPA@SDMA: Prix Pictet’s Human Exhibit

Through Dec. 15. Prix Pictet, the world’s leading award for photography and sustainability, presents Human at MOPA@SDMA. Spotlighting works by 12 photographers who were shortlisted for the 10th cycle of Prix Pictet, the exhibit comprises imagery that sheds light on global sustainability issues—spanning landscapes, portraiture, documentaries and more—centered on issues like industrial development, collapse of economic processes, gang violence, and plights of indigenous people. See website for hours and admission info. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. mopa.org

Photo credits: San Diego Food + Wine Festival by James Tran. The Grinch / The Old Globe by Jim Cox. MOPA@SDMA (pictured: “Untitled,” 2022, by Vasantha Yogananthan) is courtesy of the artist. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.