Events

Oceanside Sunset Market 

Sept. 4. Oceanside’s popular seaside market comprises four city blocks and close to 240 merchants—including artisanal food vendors, international street food, eclectic shopping, art, kids’ activities and live music by local bands and musicians. Shop for gifts, fashion accessories and home wares at World Marketplace; and sample gourmet cuisine and desserts from around the world. The year-round event takes place every Thursday; see website for special themed evenings and seasonal events. 5-9 p.m. Free entry. Along Pier View Way, Oceanside. Details 

AfroDiaspora Festival at Waterfront Park

Sept. 6. Head to Waterfront Park for the city’s most vibrant celebration of African and Afro-Caribbean culture—including live music, authentic cuisine, libations, dance performances, an artsy marketplace, and games and activities for all ages. The music lineup—spanning afrobeats, dance hall, afro-house and more—includes TXC (pictured), Andrew Power, BLVK H3RO, Mysta Crooks, Tomi Tribe, Reggae Bash World, Plural Selectas, Shaespins, IJO and DJ Francois. See website for all details and ticket pricing. 2-9 p.m. 1600 Pacific Hwy., downtown. Details

Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park

Weekends. Taking place every weekend in September and October, Belmont Park’s annual autumn celebration offers something fun for everyone, including: seasonal treats like caramel apples from Sweet Shoppe and pumpkin-spice churro fries from Snackin’ Kraken; a community 5K (Sept. 21); Belmont BeerFest (Oct. 26); live music; 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). 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. belmontpark.com

“Return of the ‘80s” at Quartyard

Sept. 7. Lovers of ‘80s music: Sunday is your night! Alfresco event venue Quartyard and Electric Playground present a special concert and dance party: “Return of the ‘80s Pt. 2.” Rebel Robbie opens the show with an ‘80s musical tribute; followed by tributes to the Talking Heads and The Pretenders by Talking Threads; along with special guests Pretending Chrissie. Plus: cocktails and food from award-winning El Comal. Wear your dancing shoes and feel free to dress the part. 5-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1301 Market St., East Village. More Info

Food + Drink

Shorebird San Diego

Now Open. With locations in Sedona, Newport Beach and Palm Desert, Shorebird Restaurant opens its first S.D. location. The two-story bayfront outpost serves American cuisine; think: seafood, steak, and wood-fired and rotisserie dishes. Choose from dinner delights such as “overstuffed bacon and eggs,” Hokkaido scallops, fish ‘n’ chips, and almond-wood-fired Snake River Farms ribeye. Return for brunch and try the crab eggs Benedict and lemon-ricotta soufflé hot cakes. Open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 885 W. Harbor Drive, Seaport Village, 619.819.5055. More Info

The Victorian at Hill Street

Now Open. Oceanside’s iconic 1888 Victorian home, Weitzel House, has been overhauled into an elegant restaurant. Feast on California-inspired shared plates such as tuna carpaccio, steak tartare, grilled vermillion, heirloom tomato salad, peri peri chicken, and veggie dishes. To drink, cocktails (named after literary greats) range from the Charlotte Bronte with Junmai sake and raspberry blanc vermouth; to Miss Havisham with lavender-tea-infused Lillet. See website for hours and dinner reservations. 524. S. Coast Highway, Oceanside. victorianoceanside.com

Arts + Culture

Art & Wine Walk at The Forum Carlsbad

Sept. 6. A fusion of art, wine and community, The Forum Carlsbad hosts its Fall Art & Wine Walk. Stroll around the center and peruse artwork spanning paintings, photography, ceramics and more; plus live music. Artists include Brazilian fine artist Leticia Demeuse, glass artist Max Kropczynski, and handcrafted home goods and jewelry by Gather Wild. And stop in the wine garden, presented by Jimbo’s—offering tastings of fine wines from around the world; plus bites from Mirabelle Charcuterie. 3-6 p.m. Free admission. 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad. More Info

Shifting Visions Exhibit at MOPA@SDMA

Now On View. Head to MOPA@SDMA’s Nash Gallery to check out Shifting Visions: Photographs from the Collection of Ken and Jacki Widder, on view through Jan. 25, 2026. Spotlighting mid-20th Century American photography (from the ’19’30s to the ’80s), the collection captures works spanning photojournalism, architectural studies, modern culture, “environmental” portraiture, urban environments and more. (Pictured: Ray Metzker, “80 H-Y5,” 1980; gelatin silver print.) See website for museum hours and admission info. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org

Two New Exhibits at Comic-Con Museum

Now Open. Comic-Con Museum has recently transformed three floors into new exhibits. Its two newest include Tokidoki: 20 Years of Kawaii & Chaos, spotlighting two decades of Japanese-inspired pop culture brand Tokidoki, known for its “kawaii” (cute) aesthetics and edgy streetwise designs; and Growing Up Luann: 40 Years of Comics. The latter takes us back to 1985, when a girl named Luann became the focal point of a comic strip; the exhibit features original art by her dad, cartoonist Greg Evans. 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.546.9073. comic-con.org

“The Joan” at Arts District Liberty Station

Upcoming | Opens Sept. 10. The historical Navy Building 178 at Liberty Station is now the $43.5 million Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, aka The Joan. Cygnet Theatre has relocated from Old Town to The Joan, presenting its first production there, Follies, Sept. 10-Oct. 12. The center houses two theaters—a 280-seat proscenium theater and a 150-seat flexible studio—plus two bars, landscaped patios, ample restrooms, rehearsal and orchestra space, and more. 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station. building178.org | cygnettheatre.org

“Shifting Visions” / “80 H-Y5” by Ray Metzker is © Estate of Ray K. Metzker; courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery. “The Joan” is by Karli Cadel. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.