Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Oct. 6 to Friday, Oct. 10.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
M.L. Rio author event: New York Times bestselling author M.L. Rio will discuss the new book “Hot Wax!” There will also be a signing and photo opportunity. 7 p.m. Monday, Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library. $29. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/rio.
Free museum days: During October, children ages 12 years and under can get free admission to over 60 museums across San Diego County. 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. Plus, Children can also get into the San Diego Zoo for free with an adult in October. Oct. 1-31. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree
2025 Fall Arts Preview: Everything we’re excited about this season
Spooky movies at Rooftop Cinema Club: The fall season at Rooftop Cinema Club continues with fan-favorite scary and Halloween-themed movies: “Final Destination: Bloodlines” Monday, a “Supernatural” mini marathon Tuesday, “Twilight” and “American Psycho” on Wednesday, “The Dark Knight” on Thursday and “Ready of Not” on Friday. Check online for show times. Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, San Diego. $20.90. rooftopcinemaclub.com/san-diego/
Tuesday
All-You-Can-Eat-Tacos: ZENTRL serves street tacos at a chef-attended patio station on Tuesdays. Guests can order as many as they want for $18 each. They come in three protein options, including one vegetarian options. 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. ZENTRL Liberty Station, 2620 Truxtun Road, San Diego. $18. zentrlkitchen.com/taco-tuesday-liberty-station
“Huzzah!”: The Old Globe presents this world premiere musical by the co-writers of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” about a family fighting to keep their Renaissance fair alive. 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 19. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $55 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Small”: The Old Globe presents Robert Montano in the West Coast premiere of his Drama Desk-nominated solo play about outgrowing his career as a horse-racing jockey to become a successful Broadway dancer. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 19. Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $44-$118. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Wednesday
Scarecrow Days: The annual Fallbrook Scarecrow Days are 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 fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.
Taste of Coronado: The 16th annual A Taste of Coronado is back with live music, entertainment and a self-guided food tasting tour. There will also be vendor booths for shopping and a complimentary trolley service throughout the event. Attendees can check in at three places in Coronado to get their event passes and map: Clayton’s Bakery at 849 Orange Ave., Rotary Park at 1002 Orange Ave. and Coronado Ferry Landing at 1201 First St. Proceeds from the event will go to the nonprofit Forever Balboa Parkto help restore the Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carrousel, according to event organizers, the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club. 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. . coronadojuniorwomans.org/a-taste-of-coronado
Clare Leslie Hall: ‘Broken Country’ Warwick’s and the Coronado Public Library co-present a pair of events featuring this Dorset, England-based journalist and novelist. “Broken Country” is Hall’s U.S. debut after publishing two acclaimed noir thrillers, “Him” and “Mine,” in England under the name Clare Empson. Her latest novel is a tribute to LP Hartley’s “The Go Between” about a forbidden love affair with catastrophic repercussions. Book discussion at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado. warwicks.com/event/clare-leslie-hall-2025. Luncheon with the author at 11 a.m. Oct. 9 at a La Jolla-area restaurant. Reserve at 858-454-0347, booked4lunch@warwicks.com.
“Manifest P*ssy”: Diversionary Theatre presents the closing weekend of trans performer Shakina’s autobiographical “glam rock odyssey.” 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 19. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. $64.50-$71.50. 619-220-0097, diversionary.org
“Follies”: Cygnet Theatre presents this 1971 musical about a group of long-retired showgirls gathering on the even of their old theater’s demolition. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 19. Clayes Theatre at The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.com
“Arms and the Man”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents George Bernard Shaw’s “Anti-Romantic Comedy in Three Acts” about a war-weary solder finding refuge in the home of a sympathetic young woman. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 16. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $49-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Thursday
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble: ArtPower at UCSD presents this London-based chamber ensemble performing works by Schubert, Françaix and a new commissioned work by Huw Watkins. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Prebys Concert Hall, Russell Lane at Rupertus Way, UCSD, La Jolla. $50-$65. artpower.ucsd.edu
Burgers & Badges in City Heights: Residents of City Heights with children ages 12 or under are invited to go to a special event at McDonalds that will be hosted by San Diego Police Department and STAR/PAL. Visitors can get a free cheeseburger and trick-or-treat inside the restaurant, while supplies last, as well as meet police officers and win giveaways. 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. McDonald’s, 3879 Fairmount Ave. San Diego. Free.
“Blues for an Alabama Sky”: Moxie Theatre presents Pearl Cleage’s drama about a struggling blues singer surviving with the help of friends in Depression-era Harlem. 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 26. 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, Rolando. $20-$59. 858-598-7620, moxietheatre.com
“Jekyll & Hyde”: San Diego Musical Theatre presents Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse and Steve Cuden’s gothic musical based on the Robert Louis Stevenson about a Victorian-era physician at war with the dark side of his psyche. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Nov. 2. 4650 Mercury St., Kearny Mesa. $49-$69. 858-560-5740, sdmt.org
Friday
“STRANGE JOURNEY:” The Story of Rocky Horror: After a world premiere at SXSW Festival, a new documentary about the making of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will make an appearance in San Diego. 4:45 and 7 p.m. Friday. 1100 Market Street, 2nd Floor, San Diego. $13. rockyhorrordoc.com/buy-tickets
HAIM: The SoCal sisters of Haim will bring their I Quit Tour to San Diego. The Grammy-nominated group includes Alana Haim, who is also on screen right now in the film “One Battle After Another.” 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $80.25. theshell.org/performances/haim
The Taylor Party: Belly Up is hosting Taylor Swift Night. Gather with fellow fans to celebrate the singer, who just released a new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” 9 p.m. Friday. Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego. $27.30. ticketweb.com/event/the-taylor-party-taylor-swift-music-box-tickets/14506293?pl=bellyup&REFID=bupwebsite
Bates Pumpkin Patch: Hay rides, a petting zoo, a straw maze, a bounce house and slides and pony rides on weekends along with food and lots of pumpkins and gourds are all part of the festivities through Oct. 31 at Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Valley Woods Road. Fall Festival Fridays are from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24. The farm is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays with free parking and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There is free admission and $10 parking on October weekends. Activity tickets are $2.50 each. Visit batesnutfarm.biz.
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest: Live music on two stages, food and beer and more await attendees to the 2025 Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. This two-day festival, for those 21 years and older, brings a beer garden, a bratwurst eating contest, games such as a pretzel toss, bands and DJs. Scheduled performers include Spacehall Sound Machine, Band of Gringos, BoomBox and the EMO Kids. 4 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Noon to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, 5099 Newport Ave., San Diego. $15-$75.47. oboktoberfest.com
Pace Live: ‘A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music and Dance Sensation’: This spirited group pays tribute to traditional and contemporary Irish dance with Celtic-themed sets and precise, enthusiastic performances. Irish songs, videos of the Emerald Isle and professional steppers from “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance” have social media reviewers writing that they would “see it again in a heartbeat.” There are two shows: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $58.80-$94.80. artcenter.org; and at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. $66.60-$98.10. sandiegotheatres.org
Turnstile: There are good reasons why this Baltimore hardcore-punk quintet’s admirers include everyone from Demi Lovato and Metallica’s James Hetfield to Charli XCX and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford. Turnstile’s latest album, the audacious “Never Enough,” finds the band deftly incorporating elements of pop, rock, funk, jazz and 1980s New Wave in a way that feels liberating, not commercially calculating. They top the bill here at a four-act show that also includes Amyl & The Sniffers, Speed and Jane Remover. 7 p.m. Oct. 10. Gallagher Square at Petco Park, 840 K St., San Diego. $82.25. ticketmaster.com
Evening in Bavaria: San Rafael Parish will host its annual Oktoberfest, “An Evening in Bavaria,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at 17252 Bernardo Center Drive. The event features a German band, German food, children’s entertainment and a raffle. Admission is $20, in advance; $25 at the door and $10 for ages 6 to 18; free for children 5 and younger. Call (858) 487-4314.
Where is the beer, bratwurst and oompah? Guide to Oktoberfest celebrations across San Diego
Pianist Daniel Beliavsky: This concert and lecture will feature works by Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich. 7:30 p.m. Friday Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $$12-$45. 858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org
“All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the closing weekend of Noah Diaz’s play about a trans man and his wife embarking on a parenting journey while their home is haunted by the spirits of his past. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $30-$59. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
“Kimberly Akimbo”: Scripps Ranch Theatre presents the original play version of David Lindsay-Abaire’s bittersweet tale about a teenage girl who has a premature aging disorder that makes her an old lady at 16. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 19. Scripps Ranch Theatre at the Legler Benbough Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, Alliant International University, San Diego. $30-$52. 858-578-7728, scrippsranchtheatre.org