Events

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest

Oct. 6-7. No community does Oktoberfest quite like Ocean Beach, which marks its 21st annual installment this year. Enjoy two days of seaside merriment—including family-friendly vendors and activities; a beer garden (21+); live music by locally and nationally touring artists; the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest; the OFest Drag Show; men’s and women’s stein holding contests; a pretzel toss; arts and crafts vendors; and plenty of festive German fare. F 4-11:30 p.m.; Sa noon-11:30 p.m. $10 general admission at gate; VIP tickets available online. Along Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach. oboktoberfest.com

Fashion Week San Diego

Oct. 7-8. Returning for its 16th annual fall event, Fashion Week San Diego presents its official 2023 runway shows at Andaz Hotel San Diego. On Saturday, check out 10-piece collections by 13 local and global fashion designers as models work the catwalk—including Nina Cicolo, Odd Bird Designs, Sierra Mitchell, JumpBall Apparel, Pynk Pyneapple, CW Couture and My Generation. Return Sunday for a trunk show and chance to meet the designers on the hotel’s pool rooftop. Sa 6-9 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See website for tickets. 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter. More Info

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

Oct. 7-8. Calling all art aficionados and oenophiles. The 15th annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival comprises a 13,000-square-foot wine and craft beer garden, featuring more than 35 local and regional wineries, breweries and distilleries; 160-plus art booths; a high-end silent auction, with proceeds benefiting local schools; a gourmet food court; live music and other entertainment all day; interactive family-friendly activities, such as face painting and science experiments; and more. Noon-6 p.m. General admission is free; tickets for wine and beer garden are $40-$75. Along Girard Avenue, La Jolla Village. More Info

Food + Drink

San Diego Spirits Festival

Oct. 7-8. The San Diego Spirits Festival is back for its 14th installment, returning this year to the oceanfront Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. Join fellow cocktail aficionados and industry insiders in exploring more than 65 cocktail brands—including, gin, rum, vodka, tequila, mezcal and specialty liqueurs—plus live entertainment (the famous samba belly dancers are back!); bites by restaurants like Beeside Balcony and Lobster West; and access to the remodeled museum’s art galleries. Dress to impress. Sa 3-7 p.m.; Su 1-5 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. sandiegospiritsfestival.com

Taste of North Park 

Oct. 7. North Park is home to myriad culinary and imbibing outposts, and this fun 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 30 restaurants and 15 breweries and cideries; along with local art vendors and live music. Participating businesses include Original 40 Brewing Co., Bivouac Ciderworks, Communal Coffee, City Tacos, Louisiana Purchase, Mabel’s Gone Fishing, Gelati & Peccati, Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream and The Smoking Goat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $30-$65. Across North Park. More Info

Lobsterfest at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market

Oct. 8. Attention, lobster lovers: Spiny lobster season is here! The Tuna Harbor Dockside Market hosts this fourth-annual, family-friendly event—when local fishermen will be selling live spiny lobsters direct to customers at off-the-boat prices. (Nearly 1,500 pounds of lobster are sold each year!) The experience includes easy spiny lobster recipes you can make at home and cooking tips from the pros. Chef Marcus Twilegar will also be selling gourmet lobster meals on the dock. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (or until lobsters sell out). See website to join guest list. 598 Harbor Lane, downtown. More Info

“Think Pink” at La Valencia

Throughout October. La Valencia Hotel, aka “The Pink Lady,” invites you to “think pink” in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—offering myriad special promotions and happenings throughout October. Order the signature “Pink Lady” cocktail through Oct. 31 and La Valencia will donate 10% of all sales to Susan G. Komen San Diego. There’s also a “Pink Tea” series Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 ($85 per person); “Movie Night for a Cause” on Oct. 12; and even a “Think Pink” room package. See website for all details. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 855.476.6870. lavalencia.com

Taste of Mission Hills

Upcoming | Oct. 11. The quaint uptown ‘hood of Mission Hills has evolved into quite the eclectic culinary community. You’re invited to get a taste of it at this 11th-annual event, which raises funds for the nonprofit Mission Hills Business Improvement District. Sample bites and beverages from more than 25 participating restaurants—including Bar by Red Door, Cardellino, Fort Oak, La Puerta and Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria. To get around, enjoy free trolley service, which includes stops at designated spots every 15 minutes. 5-9 p.m. Advance tickets are $40 (see website). Across Mission Hills. More Info

Arts + Culture

Opening Night at The Conrad

Oct. 7. La Jolla Music Society opens its 55th Anniversary Winter Season on Saturday at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, aka The Conrad. Spend an evening with acclaimed British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason (pictured)—who performs a solo showcase of piano classics by Chopin, Schumann, F. Mendelssohn and Haydn—at The Conrad’s Baker-Baum Concert Hall. Wowing audiences in her debut performance with her brother Sheku last season, Kanneh-Mason returns to The Conrad just days before her next performance at Carnegie Hall. 7:30 p.m. See website for tickets. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.3728. theconrad.org

North Coast Rep’s The Angel Next Door

Extended Through Oct. 8. Catch it before it closes! North Coast Rep presents playwright Paul Slade Smith’s world-premiere play, The Angel Next Door—an adaptation of Ferenc Molnár’s classic farce, Play at the Castle. A fast-talking, charismatic cast of characters romps through a sea of comedic chaos—taking audiences on a breathless rollercoaster ride as they navigate misunderstandings, romance and inevitable disaster. It’s 1940s-era screwball comedy at its finest. David Ellenstein directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Suite D, Solana Beach, 858.481.1527. northcoastrep.org

Photo credits: The Conrad / Isata Kanneh-Mason by David Venni. North Coast Rep by Aaron Rumley. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.