15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: July 2–6
Now that we’re (almost) officially halfway through the year, the upcoming holiday weekend presents a chance to start the second half of 2025 on a high note. San Diegans can celebrate this momentous occasion however they see fit, whether it’s stopping by the ballpark to watch the Padres take on the Texas Rangers or enjoying great live music, with options like Earth, Wind & Fire at The Rady Shell and Almost Nakey’s EDM-heavy Freedom Fest. Those looking to tap into the local creative community can attend the opening of the annual PROUD+ exhibition at The Studio Door, fundraise for Border Angels at Provecho Coffee’s Fronterizo Friends, or catch a performance of The Morning After at Art Produce Gallery.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Wet Hot Moonshine Summer at Moonshine Beach
July 3
Start your Independence Day partying early at PB bar Moonshine Beach’s Wet Hot Moonshine Summer, complete with drink specials, a performance by country music duo Lakeview (7 p.m.), and a hot dog–eating contest (10:30 p.m.). The winner of the contest will receive $250 cash, and all participants will get a themed T-shirt; anyone interested in signing up can do so here. Tickets for the Lakeview concert, featuring pop country artist Austin G, range from $18 general admission to $81 VIP meet & greet passes.
1165 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Fronterizo Friends: Community Without Borders at Provecho Coffee
July 6
Logan Heights’ Provecho Coffee is hosting a community fundraiser from 10 a.m. until sell out this Sunday, with all proceeds going to local nonprofit Border Angels to assist in its advocacy for migrant and refugee rights. Fronterizo Friends will include 25 local pastry chefs, three local DJs, and exclusive merch. Plus, Provecho Coffee will offer a menu of limited-time flavors, with cold brew lemonade, dirty horchata, and classic cold brew available at its pop-up cart during the event.
1955 Julian Avenue, Logan Heights
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Summer of Loud at Gallagher Square
July 2
Bands I Prevail, Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, and Beartooth headline the rowdy Summer of Loud tour. This Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., the hard rock– and metalcore-centric tour will make its way to Gallagher Square for an all-day set, with support from The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, and Alpha Wolf. Tickets are $73 for this concert; one dollar from each purchased ticket will be donated to the Living The Dream Foundation, which connects young people living with life-threatening illnesses with their favorite musicians.
899 J Street, Downtown
Summer Nights at San Diego Botanic Garden
Thursdays, July 3–31
The San Diego Botanic Garden’s Summer Nights series returns this Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. with Country Night, featuring the musical trio MarCon Express. Summer Nights will offer five Thursday concerts throughout the month of July in Ecinitas, along with after-hours admission to the Botanic Garden (with last entry at 6:45 p.m). Concertgoers are invited to bring food and peruse a bar with craft beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks. Tickets are $18 for non-member adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 17, $5 for members, and free for ages 2 and under.
300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
Almost Nakey Freedom Fest
July 5
Let freedom rave! Almost Nakey’s fifth annual Freedom Fest is back for another patriotic party this Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. at Fit Social in Mission Beach. This stars-and-stripes spectacular will include huge inflatables, skydeck bars, a two-tiered main stage, a hard-partying lineup of DJs, and special guest host Nelly. General admission tickets are $104, while $195 VIP passes, which come with access to a private entrance, private bathrooms, and a private bar, are also still on sale.
3125 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach
Earth, Wind & Fire at The Rady Shell
July 6
Just like the elements that make up their name, the music of Earth, Wind & Fire is eternal. This Sunday night, the R&B legends will serenade the crowd at The Rady Shell with instantly recognizable classics like “Fantasy” and “September.” Tickets range from $107 to $284 and can be purchased here.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Athenaeum Summer Festival
Sundays, July 6–27
Every summer at the Athenaeum, pianist Gustavo Romero plays the works of a specific composer over the course of four concerts. The 26th Athenaeum Summer Festival is all about the catalog of Sergei Rachmaninoff and his Russian contemporaries. Tickets for individual concerts ($50 for members and $55 for nonmembers) and the entire series ($192 for members and $212 for nonmembers) can be purchased online. Tickets for Sunday’s concert can be purchased here.
1008 Wall Street, La Jolla
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Grace Colletta: The song you heard singing in the leaf and Andre Woodward: installations at Oolong Gallery
Through July 23
Oolong Gallery’s newest exhibitions focus on nature’s beauty and relationship to humanity. Encinitas native Grace Colletta’s plein art exhibition The song you heard singing in the leaf captures the environments around her, while Andre Woodward’s installations examines the convergence of manmade tech and the natural world.
6030 La Flecha, Rancho Santa Fe
PROUD+ Exhibition at The Studio Door
July 3–August 1
The Studio Door’s eighth annual PROUD+ exhibition opens this Thursday (with extended hours until 8 p.m.), featuring 64 international LGBTQ visual artists and the launch of the collaborative Words of Pride project with 30 local artists. This year’s exhibition will also include photography from author and auteur Max-Arthur Mantle and the debut of local artist Carole Kuck’s Bold and Brilliant: The Colors of LGBTQIA+ Pride installation. On Saturday, July 12, PROUD+ will have a VIP reception ($100) from 4 to 6 p.m. with complimentary drinks and gourmet hors d’oeuvres, followed by a free community reception from 6 to 9 p.m.
3867 Fourth Avenue, Hillcrest
The Morning After at Art Produce Gallery
Saturdays & Sundays, July 5–13
See eight San Diego dancers piece together the fallout of an eventful night out at Art Produce Gallery’s The Morning After, an experimental production directed by Erica Buechner. There will be 30-minute performances of The Morning After on July 5 and 12 at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. and July 6 and 13 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. General admission is $25.
3139 University Avenue, North Park
Access at Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
July 5–August 15
The Bonita Historical Society welcomes five multidisciplinary artists—a mix of current and recently graduated Master of Fine Arts students from San Diego State—for Access, a new group exhibition at Bonita Museum & Cultural Center. The participants contemplate questions of arts access, community, and expression through printmaking, textiles, ceramics, digital graphics, painting, woven sculpture, and more. See Access at a public reception on Saturday, July 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. The show will remain on display Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through August 15.
4355 Bonita Road, Bonita
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Summer Sera in Little Italy
July 2
The Little Italy Mercato hosts a special evening block party: Summer Sera, a community event for all ages happening this Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. This free seasonal festa on the streets of Little Italy will include kids’ face-painting and flower crown–making; a photo booth; a dog costume contest; live music; and a plethora of local artisan vendors selling food, drinks and handcrafted items.
India Street, Little Italy
Big Bay Boom Firework Show
July 4
Shooting off from four barges around San Diego Bay this Friday at 9 p.m., the Big Bay Boom will roar across the city’s shores and light up the night with a crackling display. Though there are numerous spots to watch from, recommended viewing locations include Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, and Coronado Ferry Landing. Plus, spectators can tune into 91X FM to hear music synced to the razzle dazzle in the sky. Those looking for a front-row seat for the pyrotechnics can reserve parking ahead of time or explore other transportation options here.
San Diego Bay
San Diego Padres vs. Texas Rangers at Petco Park
July 4–6
This Friday, the Padres kick off a vital 10-game homestand at Petco Park, beginning with three games versus the Texas Rangers. Wins in this series will help the Friars clinch a wild card spot for the postseason. Tickets start at $38 for this weekend’s series.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Dogma: 25th Anniversary at Digital Gym Cinema
July 4–10
Director Kevin Smith’s cult-classic religious satire Dogma turns 25 this year, and, following filmmaker and actor Alessandra Williams’ purchase of its digital rights, the film has been restored in 4K and re-released in cinemas with bonus content only available in theaters. Digital Gym Cinema will host a week-long run of the film beginning this Friday. This week, there will be showtimes on Friday at 7 p.m, Saturday at 4:40 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., with daily screenings through July 10. Tickets are $13 for Dogma.
1100 Market Street, East Village
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