Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20.
Friday
“Shrek the Musical”: Carlsbad Community theatre present this family-friendly stage musical inspired by the 2001 animated film about an ogre who falls in love with a beautiful princess. 7 p.m. today; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. Sage Creek High School, 3900 Bobcat Blvd., Carlsbad. $18-$25. 619-540-6611, carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com
Comic-Con: Fanatics of comics, superheroes, Japanese animation, vintage toys and cosplay will gather in the San Diego Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter for the 2025 Comic-Con International. The schedule for this yearly celebration of pop culture and comics includes panel discussions, movie and television showings, outdoor activations, exhibitions, a masquerade ball and more. July 23-27. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. comic-con.org
Vintage Animation Show: EC Gallery is getting into the Comic-Con spirit and showcasing a collection of animated original cels (a transparent sheet of celluloid) as part of its Vintage Animation Show. These are never-seen-before animated cels that were used to create cartoons from Disney, Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros., according to EC Gallery. Some of the animated character cels that guests can see are Snow White, The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny and Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.” 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Aug. 2. 621 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Free. 800-599-7111, ecgallery.com
Indigo-Con at UCSD: The University of San Diego’s Park & Market facility in downtown San Diego is hosting a two-day Indigi-Con. The event highlights Indigenous voices in comics, graphic novels and visual storytelling. On Friday, creators Darcie Little Badge, Roy Boney Jr. and Theo Tso will lead a panel discussion on how comic books have influenced them. Also, artists Jackie Fawn, Weshoyot Alvitre and Xatímniim Drake will talk about how sequential art helps them tell indigenous stories. On Sunday, Alvitre comes back with Ethan Banegas to discuss the process of creating comics and the avenue comics give artist to share personal and community stories. After the discussion, attendees are invited to create their own comics, with supplies provided. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.10 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday.1100 Market St., San Diego. Free. 858-534-1010, eventbrite.com/e/2025-indigi-con
Japanese dance company presents ‘A Woman’s Journey’: Japan’s Mademoiselle Cinema dance company will present its signature dance work inspired by the historic experiences of Japanese “picture brides,” who were women who immigrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century with only a photograph of their prospective husbands. The performance is presented as part of San Diego Dance Theater’s Live Arts Fest. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Light Box Theater, 2590 Truxton Road, #205, Liberty Station, San Diego. $21.40-$36.70. 619-225-1803, sandiegodancetheater.org
SummerFest Opening Concert: La Jolla Music Society kicks off its monthlong classical music concert series tonight with “Great Expectations” featuring works by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Enescu with an all-star lineup of performers led by festival director Inon Barnatan. The festival continues through Aug. 23. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $93-$143. theconrad.org
“The Elixir of Love”: Opera Neo presents an outdoor production of Donizetti’s comedy about a poor villager who drinks a love potion to win the love of his dream woman. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego. $5-$75. operaneo.com
Natasha Leggero: The comedian known for roles in “Broke” “Brickleberry” “Ugly Americans” and other TV and movies will offer her latest jokes during Comic-Con. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday. American Comedy Co. 818 Sixth Ave., San Diego. $36. americancomedyco.com/collections/natasha-leggero-w-moshe-kasher
“Anastasia”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the closing weekend of the San Diego regional premiere of this musical about a Russian woman seeking answers to her mysterious past. 8 p.m. today and Saturday. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $41-$62. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
Star Trek Trivia at Knotty Barrel: Roddenberry Entertainment is hosting a Trek Trivia night at Knotty Barrel in downtown San Diego. In addition to the Trek-themed trivia, there will be a live Q&A with entertainment insiders and free giveaways. Fans can expect all things Star Trek including revealing information from Roddenberry’s vault, fanfic readings and all the classic Star Trek debates front and center. 7 to 11 p.m. July 25. Knotty Barrel, 844 Market St., San Diego.
“Karaoke Dreams”: Blindspot Collective presents this immersive, world premiere jukebox musical set in a karaoke bar, where characters tell their own stories through song. 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 3. The Loft, 3151 Matthews Lane, UCSD campus, La Jolla. $35. blindspotcollective.org
Star of India sleepover: For $100 per person, guests can sleep overnight on the iconic Star of India ship this summer. The event is tailored to families and groups. Each crew will engage in activities such as raising the sails, moving cargo and exploring areas of the 1863 ship that are normally shut off to the public. The sleepover experience also includes dinner and breakfast. Sleeping arrangements will be in the ship’s storage and cargo area to recreate 19th-century accommodations. All ages are welcome for this event, which occurs three times this summer. Youth under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Boarding starts at 2 p.m. and the experience ends at 9 a.m. the next day. July 25 and Aug. 8 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. sdmaritime.org
“Oklahoma!” Cygnet Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical about love, betrayal and changing times in the early 1900s Oklahoma Territory. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 2. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego. $39-$73. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents this Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a scheming British man who plots to knock off all the eight relatives in line ahead of him for an inheritance. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Aug. 17. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $62-$84. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“Matilda”: San Diego Musical Theatre presents this family-friendly musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s children’s novel about a magical English schoolgirl. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 10. 650 Mercury St., Kearny Mesa. $49-$69. 858-560-5740, sdmt.org
Peanuts pop-up: For the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts franchise, a Peanuts-themed shop will pop-up five minutes from the San Diego Convention Center, bringing fans all sorts of exclusive art and merchandise from over the years. Concurrently, an old-style Peanuts newsstand displaying decades of artwork will be stationed inside the center. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday July 24 through Saturday July 26, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday July 27, at 200 West Harbor Street.
“Noises Off”: Tony-winner Jefferson Mays stars in the Old Globe’s production of Michael Frayn play-within-a-play farce about a problem-plagued theater production. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 10. Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. $54-$143. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Saturday
Arcade Summer Fair: The inaugural Makers Arcade Summer Fair is taking place in downtown San Diego. This curated market features over 120 local vendors selling their original creations such as clothes, accessories, candles and jewelry. The event also features live music, children’s activities, interactive art installations, food trucks and drinks for sale. Plus, there will be hands-on craft stations throughout the fair where guests can create personal projects. It is $5 to enter the market and free for children under 10 years of age. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. makersarcade.com/summer-fair-2025
Fashion show: The downtown apartment complex 800 Broadway is hosting a fashion show on its rooftop. The event highlights three San Diego designers: Irina Madan, Oseas Villatoro and Nolan Dean. Each designer will showcase their fashion designs via a runway show. The ticketed event will also feature cocktails and a live DJ. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday. 800 Broadway, San Diego. $15.18-$44.52. eventbrite.com/e/40th-floor-affair-a-runway-above-it-all-tickets
“Fabulous Fiber”: Oceanside Museum of Art opens an exhibition of textiles curated by Kate Stern of Los Angeles, featuring works by Southern California artist in the fields of quilting, tufting, embroidery, felting, weaving, beading, crochet and basketry. Opens Saturday and runs through Nov. 2. 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside. 760-435-3720, oma-online.org
“American Monkeys, Re-Creation of the Scopes Monkey Trial”: New Fortune Theatre will present a live theatrical event inspired by the 1925 trial that challenged the teaching of evolution in public schools. A play inspired by the actual trial transcripts will have three readings throughout the day, but there will also be a circus-like atmosphere with activities, a shopping zone, live music and other spectacles to re-create the media frenzy the trial generated. 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St., Point Loma. Free. 602-380-3706, newfortunetheatre.com
Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ in concert: The iconic 1989 “Batman” will play in full at Gallagher Square, accompanied by a live 50-piece orchestra who will play along in-sync to Danny Elfman’s iconic score. Costumes are welcome and encouraged. 8:30 p.m. July 26. Gallagher Square, 840 K St., San Diego. Tickets start at $58. feverup.com/m/394598
Sunday
Beauty and wellness: Haim Salon’s first beauty and wellness event is happening at Del Mar Plaza. The Coastal Luxe Beauty & Wellness Event will involve outdoor yoga, skincare treatments, styling touch-ups by Haim Salon, a fragrance bar and more. The event takes place on the Del Mar Plaza terrace and is open to the public, but tickets are required to participate in the hands-on experiences and receive a goodie bag. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar. $20. 858-847-2284, delmarplaza.com/event
Marvel-ous Brunch: Comedy fans can find a superhero-inspired brunch variety show on Sunday. There will alos be trivia and a lip sync battle. 1 p.m. Sunday. Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. $25.50. micdropcomedysandiego.com/shows/293902
Originally Published: July 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM PDT