Events

San Diego Pride Festival

July 16-17. San Diego Pride Weekend is here! Join thousands of people from across the country in Balboa Park for the city’s biggest celebration. The event includes dancing and 100-plus live entertainers across four stages; a children’s garden; a youth zone for middle school and high school students; food trucks; and much more. Guests are encouraged to “Rock Your Pride” by dressing in festive rainbow attire. See website for details, tickets and a full list of Pride Weekend events. Festival hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; $38 general admission. Along El Prado, Balboa Park. sdpride.org

San Diego Pride Parade

July 16. Among the largest Pride parades in the U.S., the annual San Diego Pride Parade draws 250,000 LGBTQ+ supporters locally and from across the U.S. Don your rainbow attire and grab the sunscreen for a festive day of floats, performers, local dignitaries and marching bands. The parade route begins at the Hillcrest Pride flag at the corner of University Avenue and Normal Street; continues west along University; then turns south onto Sixth Avenue—ending at Laurel street, near the San Diego Pride Festival entrance. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Hillcrest. sdpride.org

The Temptations and Four Tops in Concert

July 17. An evening concert by the bay equals quintessential summertime fun in San Diego. Outdoor venue Humphreys Concerts by the Bay presents a special performance by legendary groups The Temptations and Four Tops. Formed in 1960, Detroit-based vocal outfit The Temptations is known for smash hits such as “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” Detroit vocal quartet the Four Tops has been crooning since 1953, with hits like “Reach Out, I’ll Be There.” 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $116 per person. 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. More Info

Little Blue Penguins at Birch Aquarium

Now Open. Get ready for some cuteness overload. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography debuts an exciting new exhibit: the Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins. The world’s smallest penguin species—standing less than a foot tall and weighing 2-3 pounds—little blue penguins are tiny in size but huge in personality. The 2,900-square-foot exhibit features an 18,000-gallon pool and a small amphitheater—where visitors can watch the penguins in action as they build nests, interact and play. See website for hours and admission info. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Food + Drink

Bastille Day at Bleu Bohème

July 14. The popular French bistro celebrates both its 15th anniversary and Bastille Day with Champagne cocktails, crepes, live music and more. Stop by on Thursday (5-7 p.m.) and receive a complimentary smoked salmon appetizer and goat-cheese crêpe for two; while enjoying music by San Diego Symphony accordionist Mark Danisovszky. Wash it all down with Bleu Bohème’s exclusive holiday cocktail—Bastille Bubbles—made with Chenet Blanc de Blanc brut Champagne and Canton French ginger liqueur, topped with fresh blueberries and raspberries. Call for reservations. 4090 Adams Ave., Kensington, 619.255.4167. bleuboheme.com

Bastille Day at Wormwood

July 14. The French bistro and absinthe bar is offering a special Bastille Day menu; plus poetry and live music. Dishes include watermelon gazpacho with honeydew, crème fraiche and garden herbs; ratatouille pavé with escargot adobado; street corn cremeux with Chilean black truffles; Ora King salmon au beurre; and mille-crêpe cake with mango, passion-fruit caramel and coconut-horchata crème glacée. To drink, try Wormwood’s special cocktail, La Fée Liberté (“freedom fairy”), made with absinthe, vodka, pisco and Chareau liqueur. Reservations recommended. 4677 30th St., North Park, 619.915.6706. wormwoodsd.com

Best Coast Beer Fest

July 16. Calling all beer lovers! Sample suds for a good cause on Saturday at Waterfront Park. Best Coast Beer Fest showcases more than 100 West Coast breweries along the park’s main lawn, collectively offering 200-plus craft brews; plus live local music, a “food truck alley” and San Diego Bay views. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit group Cuck Fancer. Tickets range from general admission to the VIP Experience, which includes early admission at noon, a private lounge and restrooms, and a rotating tap of exclusive reserve beers. 1-4 p.m. $55-$155. 1600 Pacific Hwy., downtown. Tickets

Craft House at the Sky Deck

Open. Have you been to Craft House yet? The elevated-casual outpost at the Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center is a gem—serving New American cuisine infused with Mexican flavors. This means dishes such as Oaxacan-braised short ribs with mole, charred octopus with pistachio pesto, and whole-grilled branzino. Carnivores will love the handcrafted “Monster Burgers” and the herb-butter tomahawk steak. Or grab a seat around the sleek, low-lit bar for a specialty cocktail like the Tamarind Painkiller. Open daily (see website for hours). 12841 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.925.7067. crafthouseskydeck.com

Arts + Culture

Cabaret at Cygnet Theatre

July 13-Sept. 4. Cygnet Theatre’s bestselling hit musical, Cabaret, returns to Old Town Theatre— already extended to Sept. 4 due to popular demand. In it, we follow an American writer and a past-her-prime cabaret singer who performs at the seedy Kit Kat Club in Berlin, which is soon to be taken over by Nazis. Cabaret has garnered eight Tony Awards, including “Best Musical.” Cygnet’s provocative production features choreography by Katie Banville and music direction by Patrick Marion; Sean Murray directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525. cygnettheatre.com

Weekend Concerts at The Shell

July 15-17. A summertime concert under the stars is always a good idea. Join the San Diego Symphony Orchestra this weekend for “Beethoven by the Bay” on July 15, when maestro Edo de Waart conducts Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and more; and “Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial” on July 16. Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Joss Stone (pictured) performs in a special concert (sans Symphony) on July 17, with special guest KT Tunstall. 7:30 p.m. each night. See website for ticket pricing. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown, 619.235.0804. theshell.org

Photo credits: The Temptations by Jay Gilbert. Wormwood by Arlene Ibarra. Craft House by Kimberly Motos. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.