Events

San Diego Asian Film Festival

Nov. 6-15. The 26th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) spotlights feature films, shorts and animation from Asian artists worldwide. The event will showcase 150-plus films from 30 different countries and in 30 languages—organized by fun program categories such as “Asia Pop!,” “Classics Restored,” “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. 8), venues and tickets. An All-Fest Pass can be purchased for $325 per person. sdaff.org 

Kaskade in the Park 2025

Nov. 8. Head to Petco Park’s Gallagher Square for LED Presents’ Kaskade in the Park. Trailblazing dance music icon and Grammy Award nominee Kaskade (pictured) returns to San Diego to headline an epic evening. One of the most successful American progressive house DJs of the 2000s, Kaskade is known for hits like “I Remember” with deadmau5 and “Escape” with Hayla. The lineup also includes performances by Dimension, Interplanetary Criminal, Wenzday and Jax Carter. 5-10 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (18+). 840 K St., East Village. kaskadeinthepark.com

San Diego Food + Wine Festival

Through Nov. 9. Marking its 21st anniversary, the festival brings together Michelin-honored chefs, James Beard Award winners, national food celebs and top Baja culinary talents for events and activations countywide; along with the region’s premier wineries, breweries and distillers. Popular events like the Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night & Grand Decant (Nov. 7), Grand Tasting at Embarcadero Marina Park North (Nov. 8), and Grand Fiesta at Liberty Station (Nov. 9) return this year; along with the debut of Forkcast: The Future of Food Summit. Details

Food + Drink

San Diego Beer Week

Nov. 7-16. Paying homage to San Diego’s beer scene, the 17th annual San Diego Beer Week returns for a 10-day, countywide festival—presented by San Diego Brewers Guild—with dozens of participating breweries, bars and restaurants. The fun includes a virtual kickoff toast on Nov. 7 at your favorite brewery or tasting room (7:30 p.m.). Other highlights: the Capital of Craft Beer Fest (Nov. 8) at Harley-Davidson Festival Grounds (4645 Morena Blvd.); and Hike & A Pint (Nov. 15) along Annie’s Canyon Trail. See website for full schedule and details. sdbeer.com

“Sails & Ales” Beer Fest at Kona Kai 

Nov. 8. Enjoy an afternoon of local brews, bay and sunset views, food, cocktails and live entertainment at Kona Kai Resort & Spa’s fifth annual beachfront beer festival. Guests can enjoy unlimited pours from more than 25 acclaimed local craft breweries, including Stone Brewing, Eppig Brewing, Mike Hess Brewing and many more (plus food available at an additional cost). A portion of the proceeds will benefit Surfrider Foundation San Diego County. 1-5 p.m. Tickets start at $65 per person (21+). 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.452.3138. Details

Canvas Café + Lounge

Now Open. Carté Hotel unveils a new restaurant and bar in partnership with RMD Group: Canvas Café + Lounge. (The hotel has also refreshed its first-floor lobby, lounge and reception spaces.) The contemporary dining and imbibing destination serves an all-day menu. For breakfast, fuel up on steak and eggs, chilaquiles, banana-bread French toast, and blueberry-lemon pancakes. For lunch and dinner: shareables like meat and cheese boards, roasted bone marrow and tuna tostadas; plus salads, bowls, sandwiches, burgers and cocktails. 401 W. Ash St., Little Italy, 619.546.9600. Details

Taco Centro Little Italy

Now Open. Taco Centro—the modern Mexican street food concept by Adrian Gutierrez—opens its second San Diego location. The taqueria and cerveceria offers more than a dozen tacos made with fresh corn tortillas: carne asada, carnitas, grilled mahi mahi, nopal (cactus) and more. The menu also boasts burritos, taco bowls, quesadillas, nachos and fries; plus birria pizza, birria ramen and quesabirria; and churros, paletas and bunuelos for dessert. To drink: Mexican beers, margaritas and palomas. See website for hours. 2171 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.915.5049. tacocentro.com

Arts + Culture

The Old Globe: The Grinch

Nov. 5-Dec. 31. Who better to get us into the holiday spirit than the grumpy green guy? The Old Globe presents its long-beloved 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 28th 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

Oceanside Museum of Art: Irving Gill Exhibit

Opens Nov. 6. The Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) brings us Modern Simplicity: The Architecture of Irving J. Gill in Oceanside, through April 26, 2026. The new exhibit is well timed, as Oceanside approaches the centennial of two civic landmarks designed by Gill: the former City Hall and the original Fire Station #1 and police station. (The buildings define the east-west axis of the OMA campus.) The exhibit spotlights Gill’s trailblazing influence on early modern architecture. See website for museum hours. 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720. oma-online.org

Sparks Gallery: Ilan-Lael Exhibit

Opens Nov. 9. Sparks Gallery presents The Power of Place, Inspirations from Ilan-Lael—opening on Saturday with a free reception (5-8 p.m.); and on view through Dec. 31. The exhibit showcases eight visiting artists from the Ilan-Lael Foundation, whose works and creativity were shaped by their time at the Ilan-Lael compound near Julian (the home and studio of renowned artist and architect James T. Hubbell). Works span photography, plein air paintings (Toni Williams is pictured), woodworking, stained glass and mixed media. 530 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Details

The Old Globe / Grinch by Jim Cox. Irving J. Gill (pictured: Americanization School, 1931) by M. Wayne Donaldson. Sparks Gallery / Ilan-Lael by Rhi Burmeister. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.