The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Jan. 16-18

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 18.

Friday

The Old Globe hosts Powers New Voices Festival: Friday through Sunday, the Globe presents its 13th series of play readings by three local playwrights and four national emerging and award-winning playwrights. Celebrating Community Voices, featuring short plays by three local writers, is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. “On the Far End” by Mary Kathryn Nagle will be presented at 4 p.m. Saturday. “The Valentine Vendetta: A Famous Girl Detective’s Least Famous Case” by Laura Winters at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; “This Is Not an Immigrant Story” written and performed by Reza Salazar at 4 p.m. Sunday; and “Three-headed Monster” by JuCoby Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. Free . Reserve tickets at theoldglobe.org/shows–tickets/powers-new-voices-festival

Bobby Lee: San Diego native Bobby Lee will return for four hometown shows this weekend. The comedian and podcaster was recently seen in “Happy Gilmore 2” and “And Just Like That.” 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $47.90. 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. ticketmaster.com/bobby-lee-tickets/artist/888070

Romance trivia: Library Shop SD and the San Diego Public Library are teaming up with LoveLitCon for a night of romance trivia. There will be prizes as well as free drinks and treats. Participants can sign up as teams or individuals. 6:30 p.m. Friday. Library Shop Mission Hills, 925 W. Washington St., San Diego. Free. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/lovelit2026trivia

“Monty Python’s Edukational Show”:  Trinity Theatre Company presents this staged series of sketches from England’s Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show, including “Dead Parrot,” “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” “The Lumberjack Song” and more. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Jan. 25. Mission Valley Mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio North Suite 129, San Diego. $30. 619-500-4985, trinityttc.org

San Diego Rodeo: The San Diego Rodeo is bringing county culture for a third year at Petco Park. Visitors to this three-day event can expect to see bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling and bareback riding. There will also be more food and entertainment options such as vendors, concerts and family-friendly activities centered on rodeo cultural traditions. Jan. 16-18. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. $30-$405. rodeosd.com

“Of Mice and Men”: Lamplighters Community Theatre presents the stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel about two laborers in Central California struggling to survive and make a life for themselves during the Great Depression. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (no evening performances on Saturday and Jan. 31). Through Feb. 1. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $25-$30. 619-303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com

J’Nai Bridges headlines multimedia song cycle ‘Cotton’ plays Jan. 16 in La Jolla: La Jolla Music Society and San Diego Opera are co-producing “Cotton,” a multimedia song cycle by composer Damien Geter and photographer John Dowell. Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges joins baritone Justin Austin and pianist Laura Ward in a performanceof the piece, which explores African American history and heritage and the economy of the American cotton industry. 7:30 p.m. next Friday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $96-$118. 858-459-3728, theconrad.org/events/cotton

Saturday

Wyatt Earp tour: On this walking tour in the Gaslamp, learn about the local history of outlaw Wyatt Earp. Noon and 2 p.m. Gaslamp Museum, 410 Island Ave., San Diego. Saturday. $25 adults, $20 seniors and military, $15 students, free for kids 7 and under. tours.gaslampmuseum.org/products/specialty-tour-wyatt-earp-in-san-diego

Monster Energy AMA Supercross: Part of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, the AMA Supercross on Saturday will feature some of the best oC-road motorcycle racers in the world. 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. $59.10. snapdragonstadium.com/events/detail/monster-energy-ama-supercross

Vision board mixer: For those looking for community and space to conceptualize goals for 2026, a vision board mixer is being held at Cafeina Cafe in City Heights. The nonprofit organization Mi Gente CA is organizing this event. Ticketed attendees will get all supplies to create their vision board, along with a drink of their choice and pan dulce. Guests can also bring their own photos and supplies to customize their vision board. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. 4011 46th St., San Diego. $30-$50. migenteca.org 

Burgeon’s ninth anniversary: Carlsbad-based Burgeon Beer Company is celebrating its ninth birthday with a community event. General admission tickets include unlimited two-ounce pours from Burgeon and 50 guest breweries, a commemorative Burgeon Beer ninth anniversary tasting glass, live music, snacks and games. There will also be exclusive merchandise and food for sale. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. 6350 Yarrow Drive, Carlsbad. $75. 760-814-2548, burgeonbeer.com 

‘Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote’ children’s opera premieres this weekend in Chula Vista: Bodhi Tree Concerts presents the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis’ bilingual chamber opera inspired by Duncan Tonatiuh’s children’s book about a coyote who smuggles people into the U.S. from Mexico. Free tickets are available in the first two rows for students in kindergarten through 12th grade by emailing: btcpanchorabbit@gmail.com. 7 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday. Southwestern College Performing Arts Center, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. $40-$75. panchorabbit.org/tickets

San Diego Symphony: Conductor Thomas Guggels and pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin join the symphony for Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 in D Minor. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $42-$125. sandiegosymphony.org

“Non-Objective Lessons”: Space 4 Art opens its 2026 season with this survey of San Diego abstract art curated by artist Katie Ruiz. Exhibit opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday and runs through Feb. 12. Art Produce, 3139 University Ave., San Diego. sdspace4art.org

“Songs for the Anthropocene”: Cygnet Theatre and the Iowa Playwrights Workshop presents The Dee Silver, M.D. Commission-funded staged reading of Christopher Lysik’s new play with music about a group of singers struggling emotionally with the realities of climate change and grief. 7 p.m. Saturday. Dottie Theatre, The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. Free. Reserve seats by phone at 619-337-1525 or email boxoffice@cygnettheatre.org.

“Louisa Gillis”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Joanna McClelland Glass’ psychological thriller “Louisa Gillis,” about a family ripped apart by haunting secrets from their past. Opens Saturday and runs through Feb. 8. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $58.50-$80.50. 858-481-10055, northcoastrep.org

Sunday

MLK Harmony Health Festival: This event brings together mental and physical health and wellness activities and vendors to encourage well-being. There will be workshops and resources to promote healthy lifestyles and the values encouraged by Martin Luther King Jr. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. Free. sandiegoalphas.com/sdmlkfestival

Shaun Cassidy: Singer, actor and writer Shaun Cassidy will bring “The Road To Us” tour to San Diego. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Magnolia, 210 E Main St., El Cajon. $41.70. shauncassidy.com/tour

Sunset jazz cruise: Elan Trotman and his friends are bringing the sounds of jazz, rhyme and blues to City Cruises’ sunset dinner cruise. Trotman is a saxophonist, educator and has been named the Jazz Artist of the Year by the New England Urban Music Awards and Barbados Music Awards. The sunset event includes meet-and-greet opportunities with the musicians, photo opportunities, and a buffet dinner. VIP tickets include a three-hour open bar, early boarding and priority seating. 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. $61.36-$423.70. cityexperiences.com/city-cruises/live/san-diego/sunset-jazz-elan-trotman-and-friends

Opera Stars of Tomorrow Winners Concert: The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition San Diego District hosts a concert by past competition awardees, soprano Carly Cummings, a 2024 district winner, countertenor Corey Hable, a 2021 winner, and 2025 Audience Choice Award winning soprano Lily Prado. 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Shiley Hall, Camino San Diego, University of San Diego. Free. moncsd.com

The Yale Whiffenpoofs: America’s oldest collegiate a cappella vocal group, featuring 14 Yale seniors on their winter tour, makes a local stop this weekend. 4 p.m. Sunday. All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd.,San Diego. $17.01-$53.59. whiffenpoofs.com

San Diego Early Music Society: Swiss harpsichordist Corina Marti and lutenist Michal Gondko perform the music of 16th-century Poland. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2728 Sixth Ave., downtown. $30. sdems.org

Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East: La Jolla Music Society presents this Asian folk quintet which performs a mix of Punjabi, improvised jazz, Bollywood film music and Spaghetti Western sounds. 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The JAI at Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $60-$65. theconrad.org

“Swing State”: OnStage Playhouse opens its 2026 season with Rebecca Gilman’s drama about Peg, a grieving widow who lives alone on her 40-acre Wisconsin property. Her life is disrupted by the appearance of an old family friend with a checkered past. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 5 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 1. 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista. $15-$25. 619-422-7787, onstageplayhouse.org