Events
Chinese New Year Festival at Balboa Park
Feb. 21-22. Celebrate the “Year of the Horse” at the 2026 Chinese New Year Festival at Balboa Park’s International Cottages. Presented by the House of China, the festival includes colorful cultural performances, lion dances, Chinese cuisine, crafts, calligraphy and more. Last year included performances by the Fan Dance Academy, JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts & Culture; CCBA Lucky Lion Dancers, Asian Story Theater, Southern Sea KSK Dragon and Lion Dance, and many more. Sa-Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entry. 2191 Pan American Road W., Balboa Park. Details
Oceanside International Film Festival
Feb. 21, 25-28. More boutique and unique than the typical film festival, the 15th annual Oceanside International Film Festival showcases dozens of independent films from around the world—tied in strongly to the Oceanside community, with an assemblage of skate, surfing and music-focused films; as well as documentaries, comedies and more. The festival comprises “Surf Saturday, ” a special “pre-kickoff” event on Feb. 21; then continues with its Opening Night Red Carpet on Feb. 25; and running through Feb. 28. See website for full lineup, locales and tickets. osidefilm.org
SeaWorld Mardi Gras
Feb. 21-22. SeaWorld San Diego brings some big New Orleans energy to the park. The carnival-style celebration includes special costumes, decorations channeling the world-famous French Quarter, and Creole and Cajun cuisine—from jambalaya to beignets. Mardi Gras-inspired entertainment includes live music, ukulele jesters, DJs and fire-dance performances; a walk-through tunnel of 5,000 colorful lights; the Royal Mardi Gras Parade; and much more. See website for hours and tickets. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732. seaworld.com
San Diego Museum Month
Through Feb. 28. Now in its 37th year, San Diego Museum Month is presented by the San Diego Museum Council. Art and culture lovers can access more than 70 museums; plus cultural attractions, historical sites, aquariums, zoos and gardens—all for half-off admission. These include the Museum of Making Music (pictured), 17 Balboa Park museums and gardens, Maritime Museum of San Diego, USS Midway Museum, San Diego Botanic Garden and many other venues. Passes are available at 80-plus local public libraries and digitally online. (see website). Details
Food + Drink
The Rum Curious Summit 2026
Feb. 21. Are you a rum lover or “rum curious” perhaps? The Rum Curious Summit at the indoor/outdoor JULEP venue on Saturday is for you. Guests can sample from among 150-plus rums by more than 30 top brands, including Holmes Cay Rum, Tanduay, Planteray, Roaming Road and El Dorado Demerara Rum. Plus: seminars, specialty cocktails by seasoned local bartenders, craft tacos and other bites, live entertainment all afternoon, swag bags, and a VIP Rare Rum Tasting Room. 3:30-7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1735 Hancock St., Midtown. Details
À L’ouest
Now Open. Chef Brad Wise and Trust Restaurant Group bring us “nouveau brasserie” À L’ouest. The mod Parisian-inspired bistro spans 4,800 square feet, featuring green upholstered banquettes, high ceilings with chic chandeliers, a glass-enclosed kitchen, imported Italian marble, and an ample patio and bar seating outside. On the menu: SoCal-infused French fare, such as Confit Pork Shank and Dover Sole Meuniere; wood-fired treats like smoked mussels; a full raw bar; and specialty martinis. 3002 University Ave., North Park, 619.257.0045. alouestsd.com
Arts + Culture
Jacobs Music Center: S.D. Symphony Concerts
Feb. 21-22. As part of its Jacobs Masterworks series, San Diego Symphony presents “Storms and Fireworks: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Pathétique” at Jacobs Music Center. The Symphony Orchestra showcases Tchaikovsky’s epic composition (nicknamed Pathétique by his brother); as well as Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, featuring guest pianist Benjamin Grosvenor (pictured); and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes. Nicholas Carter conducts. Sa 7:30 p.m.; Su 2 p.m. See website for tickets. 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804. sandiegosymphony.org
The Conrad: Shadow Cities
Feb. 22. Rooted in African American and Latinx street and social dances, Ephrat Asherie Dance (EAD) collaborates with pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill for a special show presented by La Jolla Music Society at The Conrad: Shadow Cities, featuring seven dancers and four musicians. It’s a powerful meld of live music by O’Farrill—the Grammy Award-winning director of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra—and electric choreography and performances by EAD. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.3728. theconrad.org
World Ballet Company: Swan Lake
Feb. 22. California Center for the Arts, Escondido hosts the Los Angeles-based World Ballet Company for a special performance of Tchaikovsky’s spellbinding ballet, Swan Lake, at its main Concert Hall. The glittering production features a cast of 50 international dancers performing everything from the Dance of the Little Swans to the Black Swan’s 32 fouettés; along with handcrafted sets and more than 150 hand-sewn costumes—all accompanied by a live orchestra. 6 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800.988.4253. Details
Broadway San Diego: BEETLEJUICE
Upcoming | Feb. 24-March 1. Broadway San Diego presents the hilarious musical BEETLEJUICE (don’t say it three times fast unless you dare!), based on the 1988 Tim Burton film. In it we meet Lydia, an “unusual” teenager whose family moves into the home of a recently deceased couple … And along comes an interesting fella from the Netherworld who loves black and white stripes. Variety hails it as “screamingly good fun!” See website for showtimes and tickets (recommended for ages 13 and older). Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
“Shadow Cities” is by Mark Garvin. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
