Events

La Mesa Oktoberfest

Oct. 4-6. Prost! Now in its 51st year, La Mesa Oktoberfest comprises multiple biergartens, German fare and international food stations, live music—from rock and oompah bands to DJs to traditional German and Bavarian music—dancing, kids activities, a Ferris wheel, an artisan market, games and more. Oh, and the Dackeldorf Dachshund Village is back, complete with Wiener dog races, a fashion show and doggy goodie bags. See website for daily hours, full schedule and ticket pricing. (Free and low-cost activities are also available). Along La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa. lamesaoktoberfest.org

East Village Oktoberfest 

Oct. 5. Bust out the lederhosen and head to the Quartyard in East Village for an Oktoberfest block party. The bier will be flowing with brews on tap from local brewers—including Societe Brewing Company, Karl Strauss, Ketch, Eppig, Fall Brewing and more. Soak it all up with festive food such as Munich-style pretzels, bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, frikadellen (meatballs) and bratkartofflen (fried potatoes with bacon). The fun also includes live music, cornhole and other games, and costume and stein-holding contests. 1-7 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1301 Market St., East Village. More Info

Fashion Week S.D. Runway & Trunk Shows

Oct. 5-6. Returning for its 17th annual installment, Fashion Week San Diego presents its official 2024 runway show and trunk show at the Rooftop by STK at the Andaz Hotel. On Saturday, check out 10-piece collections by 11 local and global fashion designers as models work the catwalk—including CW Couture, Lady Lane, GFASH, Sarra’s Petals, Grisham Manor and more. Return on Sunday for a trunk show and opportunity to meet the designers; including complimentary mimosas. Sa 6-9 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See website for tickets. 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter. More Info

Fall Fest at Belmont Park

Through Oct. 27. Belmont Park’s annual celebration of all things autumn offers something fun for everyone. Festivities include the “Belmont Bites: Fall Flavor Pass” that lets you try exclusive seasonal treats from the Sweet Shoppe and other outposts; the new Belmont BeerFest (Oct. 20), with beer pop-ups from 20 local brewers; live music with weekly “pumpkin jams”; and free trick-or-treating every Sunday in October (5 p.m.; costumes encouraged). Stay and dine at the park’s restaurants, such as Cannonball and Draft. Open daily (see website for hours). Free general admission. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. belmontpark.com

Food + Drink

Taste of Oceanside

Oct. 5. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Taste of Oceanside promises a fun-filled day of fabulous food, libations and live entertainment. (The exclusive VIP Experience pre-event at Oceanside Museum of Art on Friday, Oct. 4 recently was cancelled.) The main event on Saturday lets guests explore downtown Oceanside on foot; or hop on the free “Taste Trolley” to sample and sip your way through town. Participating businesses include 333 Pacific, Blade 1936, Handel’s Ice Cream, Valle Oceanside, Pier Pizza, Cosmos Burgers and many more. 1:30-5 p.m. See website for addresses and ticket pricing. Details

Taste of North Park 

Oct. 5. North Park is home to myriad culinary and imbibing outposts, and this 13th annual event—presented by North Park Main Street—is your chance to try bites and sips from most of them. Take a self-guided tour through the ‘hood and sample offerings from more than 40 restaurants, breweries and cideries; along with local art vendors and live music. Participating businesses include Original 40 Brewing Co., Bivouac Ciderworks, Thai Time, Louisiana Purchase, Pinky’s Cafe, Shank & Bone, Working Class and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $50-$65. Across North Park. More Info

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

Oct. 2-7. The culinary extravaganza returns for its second annual installment. Showcasing Michelin-starred chefs, acclaimed vintners, celebs and pro athletes, the festival comprises myriad unique experiences across six days. Events include a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Drew Brees; a beach cleanup with Rob Machado, followed by a seafood brunch hosted by chefs Brian Malarkey and Javier Plascencia; the Happy Fillmore Golf Classic; wine seminars with sommeliers; and the two-day Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park, featuring more than 100 exhibitors. See website for full schedule, locations and tickets. delmar.wine

Arts + Culture

New Exhibit at Oceanside Museum of Art

Opens Oct. 5. A “World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024” exhibition, My Intimate Partner opens at Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) on Saturday—on view through March 16, 2025. Curated and designed by Smadar Samson, the multimedia exhibit “explores the complex intersection of intimacy, power and control, highlighting the realities of intimate partner violence.” (Pictured: The Rosin Box Project Dance Studio, Free!, 2022.) See website for museum hours and admission info. (OMA cautions that this sensitive topic may be challenging for some visitors.) 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720. oma-online.org

SDTJ Jazz International Festival (Day 3)

Oct. 6. The inaugural, three-day San Diego Tijuana (SDTJ) International Jazz Festival—which celebrates day one on Oct. 4 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and day two on Oct. 5 in Tijuana—presents its third and final day at Quartyard on Oct. 6. Enjoy performances by a Youth Ensemble consisting of San Diego’s acclaimed Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (pictured) and the Instituto Contemporáneo de Música de Baja California; Sure Fire Soul Ensemble; and Bostich + Fussible of the Grammy-nominated Nortec Collective, along with trumpeter Iván Trujillo. 5-9 p.m. Free. 1301 Market St., East Village. sdtjjazz.org

Broadway San Diego: Kimberly Akimbo

Upcoming | Oct. 8-13. Broadway San Diego brings us Kimberly Akimbo, winner of five Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” at the Civic Theatre. The new musical centers on ever-optimistic Kimberly, who, just before her 16th birthday, moves to suburban New Jersey—where she deals with her rare genetic condition, first crush and dysfunctional family; and gets into a bit of trouble. Based on the book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), the production features a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori. Jessica Stone directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com

Photo credits: Kimberly Akimbo by Joan Marcus. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.