Events
Padres Kickoff Party at Margaritaville Hotel
March 26. Located close to Petco Park, Margaritaville Hotel San Diego is hosting a post-game party on Padres Opening Day at its rooftop 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. The fun includes beats by DJ Chino of 93.3; lawn games, cornhole and mini golf; photos ops and Padres merch; and a special Game Day menu. Enjoy bites like the Grand Slam Philly Fries and BBQ Smash Burger; and specialty sips such as the Ballpark Paloma and Butter Up. See website for details. 3-7 p.m. 435 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.819.9500. Details
San Diego Padres 2026 Opening Series
March 26-28. Baseball season is in full swing as of this Thursday—when the San Diego Padres take on the Detroit Tigers for their season home opener. Presented by Sycuan Casino Resort, the Padres 2026 Opening Series includes Party in the Park on Friday (the first 40,000 fans receive an Opening Series Scarf); and live entertainment at Gallagher Square on Saturday, plus post-game fireworks. See website for tickets, parking guide and other helpful info. Opening Day game begins at 1:10 p.m. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., East Village. Details
East Village Opening Weekend Block Party
March 28. In celebration of the San Diego Padres Opening Weekend, the East Village Association presents its 14th annual block party in front of Petco Park—where the San Diego Padres take on the Detroit Tigers in three games to start the season. The party includes local food trucks, a beer garden and craft cocktails; plus live music, local retail vendors, photo ops, a multi-block classic car show and other family-friendly activities. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. General admission is free. J Street, between 6th and 10th avenues, East Village. Details
Food + Drink
North Park Thursday Market
March 26. Grab fresh flowers, organic produce, artisanal foods, pantry items, jewelry and more at this weekly alfresco market—showcasing more than 50 local vendors—plus kids activities at North Park Mini Park; along with live music while you shop. Some of our favorite finds: floral bouquets from Hidalgo Flowers; citrus fruits, eggs and avocados from R&L Farms; bread from Hommage Bake House; and salsas and tortillas from Ruth’s No. 5. 3-7:30 p.m.; rain or shine. North Park Way (between Granada Avenue and Ray Streets), North Park, 619.294.2501. Details
Padres Opening Day Fun at Barleymash
March 26. Located just five blocks from Petco Park, Gaslamp bar and restaurant Barleymash opens its doors at 11 a.m. to celebrate the Padres’ Opening Day. Rock your brown and gold and roll in for a bite and a brew before the game (which starts at 1:10 p.m.); with festivities starting up at the seventh-inning stretch, including live DJ music, beer specials and giveaways. To eat, Barleymash is known for its flatbreads, “Iron Fries,” salads, and shareables like oven-roasted, beer-brined chicken wings. 600 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.255.7373. barleymash.com
Flamenco Dinner Show at Cafe Sevilla
March 28. Spice up your Saturday night with dinner and flamenco dancing at this beloved Spanish eatery. Cafe Sevilla presents a flamenco performance, featuring dancers who were trained in Spain; along with a three-course dinner featuring its award-winning Paella Valenciana. Add-ons include a tapas menu, wine and a full bar. Advance tickets are required and include entry to the restaurant’s nightclub. 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m., with communal-style seating assigned upon arrival.) $95 per person. 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979. Details
New Brunch Menu at The Smoking Gun
Now Available. Breakfast Burrito or Smoking Bowl? Choose your own adventure at The Smoking Gun, which has launched a new Weekend Brunch menu. Nine tasty options are now available as a burrito or bowl, including Rise & Swine: peppered bacon, hashbrowns and cheddar; Brisket Cali: smoked prime brisket, fries, smoked gouda and salsa fresca; and Elote & Egg: grilled sweet corn, roasted garlic aioli, cotija cheese, hashbrowns and hot sauce; plus drinks like The Smoking Michelada. Sa-Su starting at 10 a.m. 555 Market St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.3836. thesmokinggunsd.com
Arts + Culture
San Diego Opera: Carmen
March 27-29. San Diego Opera stages Carmen at the Civic Theatre. Georges Bizet’s epic opera—with libretto by Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac—centers on the fiery factory worker, Carmen, who seduces naïve soldier Don José (before setting her sights on a bullfighter), leading him down a destructive path of jealousy and violence. An extra treat: the San Diego Symphony performs the opera’s epic score. Keturah Stickann directs; Louis Lohraseb conducts. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.533.7000. sdopera.org
The Conrad: San Diego Sings!
March 28. Choral Consortium of San Diego presents its San Diego Sings! Festival 2026 at The Conrad. Experience choral music at its best, with 15 San Diego County choirs performing across three different concerts (five choirs performing in each)—in the acoustically stunning Baker-Baum Concert Hall. The lineup includes: San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, Encore Vocal Ensemble, Stellarum Chamber Choir, San Diego Women’s Chorus and more. Concerts take place at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. See website for pricing. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.3728. theconrad.org
North Coast Rep: The Maltese Falcon
Through April 5. “The falcon’s legendary. The performances are transformative. The laughs are lethal.” North Coast Rep presents the world premiere of The Maltese Falcon. Written by Matthew Salazar-Thompson (based on the classic 1930 detective novel by Dashiell Hammett), this comical noir thriller transports us to 1920s San Francisco—where a mysterious woman hires detective Sam Spade, leading to his partner’s murder and pursuit of a priceless falcon statuette. See website for showtimes and tickets. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Suite D, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
