The best things to do this week in San Diego: Sept. 29 to Oct. 3
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Sept. 29 to Friday, Oct. 3.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Free museum entry: Children ages 12 years and under can get free admission to over 60 museums across San Diego County during October. These include Comic-Con Museum, Children’s Museum of Discovery and the San Diego Natural History Museum. Kids can also get free access to county aquariums and gardens such as the Birch Aquarium, Japanese Friendship Garden and the Living Coast Discovery Center. Additionally, children can also use this promotion at the San Diego Zoo. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree
Pumpkin spice bagel: Spill the Beans is bringing back its pumpkin seasonal bagel. Throughout October, customers can order the pumpkin spice bagel with pumpkin cheesecake cream cheese. This bagel contains cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and black pepper. The cream cheese mixes pumpkin puree, brown sugar, graham crackers and the same pumpkin spices used for the pumpkin bagel. Spill the Beans also serves a pumpkin pie cold brew coffee and a pumpkin cold foam or maple spice cold foam can be added to any beverage on the menu. Spill the Beans as locations in Ocean Beach, Gaslamp Quarter, Gaslamp, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach and Seaport Village. Now through Oct. 31. spillthebeanssd.com
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Kids eat free: San Diego County museums are not the only places children can enjoy for free in October. Hasta Mañana Cantina is offering free kids’ meals for free with a purchase of an adult entree or equal or greater value. The restaurant’s children’s menu features a cheese quesadilla, a bean and cheese burrito and a grilled chicken taco on a flour tortilla. Each item is $10 and comes with a drink and a choice of rice, fruit or fries. Now through Oct. 31. 310 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $45. 858-321-5515, hastamananacantina.com
Tuesday
Hispanic Heritage celebration: The Otay Ranch Town Center is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a free family-friendly party. The event will include live music, cultural performances, loteria games, prizes, giveaways, face painting for children and a photo booth. There will also be a special performance by the Manny Cepeda Orchestra and salsa dancers. 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. 2015 Birch Road, Chula Vista. Free. otayranchtowncenter.com
UCSD’s Toy Piano Festival marks 25th anniversary: An all-star cast of pianists, including festival founder Scott Paulson and “Queen of Boogie-Woogie” Sue Palmer, will perform on miniature pianos at this annual concert event. Noon-1 p.m. Tuesday. Geisel Library, UC San Diego, La Jolla. Free. calendar.ucsd.edu/event/25th-annual-toy-piano-festival
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Salsa Under the Stars: The free series “Salsa Under the Stars” with Latin music will feature the Manny Cepeda Orchestra quartet and offer music and dancing for all ages from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Otay Ranch Town Center as part of the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Visit www.otayranchtowncenter.com/en/events/15666.
Wednesday
San Diego Library Foundation: Matchbook Story Contest The San Diego Library Foundation kicks off its 2025 short story contest on Oct. 1 with all entries due by Nov. 15. The annual competition asks writers to pen a story short enough to fit on the inside of a matchbook (about 50 words). The winner will receive 50 matchbooks and a $50 library shop gift card. Details at libraryfoundationsd.org/events/matchbook
Scarecrow Days begin: The annual Fallbrook Scarecrow Days will be held Oct. 1-31. Scarecrows will be displayed at businesses and residences throughout Fallbrook. A Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt is Oct. 8-31. The volunteer ScareCREW group provides hands-on scarecrow building workshops Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11. A Scarecrow Kids Corner is at the Fallbrook Farmers Market with fall crafts, games and an art contest for kids from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Visit www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.
Thursday
‘Wicked’ Sing-A-Long: Fans of Elphaba and Glinda can watch the 2024 film “Wicked” and sing along. 7 p.m. Thursday. Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $15. moonlightstage.com/events-tickets/moonlight-concert-series/wicked-sing-along
Mona Awad: ‘We Love You, Bunny’: Warwick’s and the University of San Diego co-host this bestselling author in conversation with Jason Blitman on her latest novel. It’s a follow-up to her black comedy “Bunny,” the story of a group of rich college girl conjurers who all call themselves “Bunny.” In the sequel, central character Sam has exposed their mystical Bunny adventures in a book, and her fellow Bunnies come after her with a vengeance. 7 p.m. Oct. 2. IPJ Theatre, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, 5555 Marian Way, San Diego. $35.01 for admission and book, $46.32 for two admissions and one book. warwicks.com/event/awad-2025
Mona Awad: ‘We Love You, Bunny’ Warwick’s and the University of San Diego co-host this bestselling author in conversation with Jason Blitman on her latest novel. It’s a follow-up to her black comedy “Bunny,” the story of a group of rich college girl conjurers who all call themselves “Bunny.” In the sequel, central character Sam has exposed their mystical Bunny adventures in a book, and her fellow Bunnies come after her with a vengeance. 7 p.m. Oct. 2. IPJ Theatre, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, 5555 Marian Way, San Diego. $35.01 for admission and book, $46.32 for two admissions and one book. warwicks.com/event/awad-2025
Friday
San Diego Symphony: ‘French Fairytales’: Music Director Rafael Payare and the orchestra launch their second season in their gorgeous new concert hall with a French flair and cast of hundreds. Two light-hearted pieces by Debussy will be followed by Ravel’s comic fantasy, The Child and the Magical Spells. The semi-staged production, directed by Gerard McBurney, will feature eight opera singers, San Diego Symphony Chorus and the San Diego Children’s Choir. Magnifique! 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 5. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., Downtown. $42-$125. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
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La Mesa Oktoberfest: For three days, La Mesa turns into a German folk festival as the La Mesa Oktoberfest returns for its 52nd anniversary. The event will allow the public to sample beer and bratwurst, listen to live music and experience Bavarian entertainment. There will also be family‑friendly attractions, including a Ferris wheel and a children’s carnival. Plus, more than 100 vendors will be selling food, artwork, handmade goods and Oktoberfest novelty items. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. $8-$49. lamesaoktoberfest.org
Second week for Oktoberfest: The German American Societies of San Diego host Oktoberfest in El Cajon Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5 at 1017 S. Mollison Ave. An opening day parade with keg tap and crowning of the Oktoberfest Queen is at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Highlights include authentic German food and beers on tap along with oompah music by the Guggenbach-Buam band from Germany. There will be traditional folk dancing along with games and contests. Other attractions include shopping booths and a kids’ zone. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Entry fees are $15 for adults on Fridays and Saturdays, $5 on Sundays and free for those younger than 21, club members with a current membership and active duty military. Visit OktoberfestElCajon.com.
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