The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: April 17-19

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19.

Earth Day events across San Diego County: From free festivals to Creek to Bay Cleanup

Friday

Leo González: Comedian and content creator Leo González is hosting shows on back-to-back nights at Mic Drop Comedy. González has approximately 3.6 million followers on TikTok and 1.8 million followers on Instagram, where he posts comedic sketches and characters. In 2023, he earned a Streamy award for his writing. In 2025 he hosted red carpets for the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the world premiere of the HBO Max series "Peacemaker" featuring John Cena. He can also be seen on season two of Hulu's original series "This Fool." 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. $40-$55. 858-225-2100, micdropcomedysandiego.com

Escondido Bead & Design Show:Creative handmade artistry is being celebrated at the Escondido Bead & Design Show inside the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The three-day public event is a curated marketplace bringing together bead makers, creative suppliers, gemstone specialists, jewelry artists, textile designers and vintage dealers. Shopping and visitors can also see live demonstrations and select hands-on workshops throughout the weekend. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $8-$10. 760-839-4138, artcenter.org

Orchid spring show:The San Diego County Orchid Society is inviting the public to its spring show this weekend. Visitors can see various orchids from local vendors and growers selling their products. There will also be flowering classes and an awards show for the best exotic and fragrant orchids. The free two-day event takes place in Balboa Park. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 1650 El Prado, San Diego. sdorchids.com

Casino night fundraiser: The El Cajon Valley Lions Club is organizing a casino night fundraiser. The ticketed event gives attendees $200 in fake play chips to participate in casino-style games such as poker and blackjack. Guests are encouraged to dress in cowboy and Wild Wild West attire. There will also be a hosted bar and appetizers will be passed around. Money from the event will be going to help support eye exams and prescription glasses for local children, according to event organizers. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. 195 East Douglas Ave., El Cajon. $75. eventbrite.com/e/2026-gunsmoke-casino-night-tickets

“Airness”: Loud Fridge Theatre Group presents Chelsey Marcantel's comedy play about a group of young people participating in an air guitar competition. 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Loud Fridge at Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Ste. N, Rolando. Free; pay as you wish. 619-387-8186, loudfridge.com

“The Notebook”: Broadway San Diego presents the national touring production of this Broadway musical inspired by the Nicholas Sparks novel and film about one couple’s turbulent but enduring 50-year relationship. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $53.25-$332.75. broadwaysd.com/upcoming-events/the-notebook

Nat at Night: San Diegans can visit the Natural History Museum after hours during Nat at Night. Visitors can enjoy the rooftop with food and drink from Wolf in the Woods or Craft Taco in the Atrium. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. $7-12. sdnhm.org/index.php?cID=1207

Sophocles’ “Elektra”: SDSU School of Theatre presents Timerlake Wertenbaker’s translation and adaptation of the Greek tragedy about Elektra enlisting her brother Orestes in killing their mother Clytemnestra for killing their father, Agamemnon. 7:30 p.m. Friday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Prebys Stage, SDSU, 5500 Campanile St., San Diego. $17-$20. ttf.sdsu.edu/calendar

“Your Unconscious Mind”: Brilliant Spectrum Art presents Brenda Townsend’s audience interactive play that invites audience members to learn about exploring the unconscious mind to create works of art from Sigmund Freud, Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo. Wear your pajamas and create your own take-home art. 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Californina Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $20. yourunconsciousmind.square.site/

“The Lehman Trilogy”: Stefano Massini Tony-winning drama features three actors tracing the 150-year history of the birth, rise and fall of the Lehman brothers. 7 p.m. Fridays, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through April 26. Dottie Studio Theater, Cygnet Theatre, The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. $68 and up. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org

“Matt & Ben”: New Village Arts presents Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers’ 2002 play about the lifelong friendship between actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, but played by two women actors. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through April 26. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$60. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org

“Fences”: The Old Globe presents August Wilson’s 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a 1950s working-class Black man whose hopes and dreams have been limited by racism, missed opportunities and his own mistakes. 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through May 3. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $40 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org

“The Play That Goes Wrong”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the San Diego professional premiere of this London-born stage comedy about a troupe of theater actors struggling to get through a performance while the everything collapses around them. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through June 7. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

Saturday

South Bay Earth Day: The event includes a fix-it-clinic, tie-dye workshop, live entertainment, food trucks, kids' games and more than 50 green vendors with information on being environmentally friendly. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Port of San Diego's Bayfront Park, 980 Marina Way. Free. southbayearthday.com.

Spring into El Cajon: This Arbor Day event will include free train rides, bounce houses, live performances, food trucks, a movie in the park and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Renette Park, El Cajon. Free. elcajon.gov/your-government/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/spring-into-el-cajon

Horseless Carriage Car Show: See Edwardian-style motorcars from the early 1900s. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway. Free. poway.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=5701&month=4&year=2026&day=18&calType=0

From Vine to Vessel: The Culture and Commerce of Roman Wine Enjoy a wine tasting along with a history lecture on the ancient Roman world. This event is for ages 21 and up only. Online registration required. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. Donation recommended. sandiegoarchaeology.org/event/from-vine-to-vessel-the-culture-and-commerce-of-roman-wine

Food and wine festival:The Lakehouse Resort is hosting its fifth annual food and wine festival. The three-hour event welcomes over 30 vendors, where ticketed guests can sample food and drinks from local eateries and restaurants. Some of the vendors scheduled to attend include Orfilia Vineyards, Glass Box San Diego, Uvas Winery and Pizza Port. The event will also feature local breweries and spirit distilleries. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. $89-$160. 877-526-2671, thelakehouseresort.com/food-and-wine-festival

MCASD offering free admission to ‘Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ on Saturday: On Saturday, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will open the West Coast premiere of this expansive ehibition of more than 130 contemporary international artworks collected and owned by the two New York-raised Grammy-winning music artists. “Giants” was curated by the Brooklyn Museum and is now on an international tour. The exhibition features paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations by nearly 40 Black American and diasporic artists from around the world. Admission on Saturday only will be free of charge from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Giants” continues through Aug. 9. Also opening concurrently with “Giants” is “The Dean Collection Presents: Hometown Heroes,” a selection of newly acquired photographs by San Diego Chicana/o/e artists MJ Pimental, Oscar Cruz and Chata, whose work will be exhibited alongside photographs from the MCASD collection. “Local Heroes will run through Nov. 8. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. 858-454-3541, mcasd.org/events/public-opening

Bard Birthday Party: The San Diego Shakespeare Society will host an event celebrating William Shakespeare’s birthday month. Guests can expect entertainment, light refreshments and birthday cake. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St., San Diego. Free, $10 or $15 donations recommended.sandiegoshakespearesociety.org/event/bard-birthday-party

Earth Day in Mission Valley: Mission Valley Mall is hosting a free event filled with family-friendly activities to celebrate Earth Day. The American Society of Civil Engineers and eco-focused vendors will demonstrate sustainable solutions to care for the earth, such as upcycling fashion and art tips and water preservation lessons from the San Diego River Park Foundation. Plus, there will be live music and a floral pop-up where the first 100 people can create their own flower bouquet. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego. mission-valley.com

Fan appreciation night: It’s fan appreciation night as the San Diego Gulls play the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The first 8,000 fans will get a Gulls-themed sandless beach towel. There will also be prizes throughout the night. 6 p.m. Saturday. Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. $27. sandiegogulls.com/tickets/fan

Free Concerts in the Parks series: There will also be free activities for the kids and food trucks. The lineup of performers includes The Sleepwalkers, Monette Marino Band, Kogee Soul Reprise and Sambrosas Latin Orchestra. 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays from April 18 to May 9 at John Landes and Joe Balderrama parks. oceansidemusicseries.com

Earth Month Celebration: This event will include hands-on workshops, family-friendly activities, live music and demonstrations of how to repurpose everyday items and reduce waste. This year's theme is "Love Our Planet: There's No Place Like Earth." Highlights include making upcycled items like T-shirt bags, swapping gently used clothing, learning about composting and water conservation. There will be information booths from local vendors and groups working to protect the environment. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Poinsettia Community Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road. carlsbadca.gov/earthmonth.

“Alien Girls”: The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Amy Berryman’s sci-fi-enhanced story of the up-and-down friendship between two female friends over several decades. Previews, Saturday through Wednesday. Opens Thursday and runs through May 10. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $41 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org

La Mesa Earth Day Fair: Eco-friendly vendors, food trucks, kid's zone and educational resources and activities about how to care for the planet will be offfered. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. MacArthur Park, 4900 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Free admission. cityoflamesa.gov/1811/Earth-Day

Lemon Grove Arbor & Earth Day resource fair: A community resource fair to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day will cinlude 30 booths with information on Arbor Day, Earth Day and health and wellness along with food for purchase and blood drive. Free non-persihable food for the first 100 attendees. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Treganza Park, 3200 Main St. Free. lemongrove.ca.gov/parks-events

Vista Earth Day Festival: The annual event at the 14-acre Alta Vista Botanical Gardens includes children's Earth Day activities, plant sale, live music, art and dance performance along with food and vendors. 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday. Brengle Terrace Park, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive. Free. altavistabotanicalgardens.org

Sunday

Fallbrook Avocado Festival:All things avocados will be celebrated at the Fallbrook Avocado Festival. This all-day event features a guacamole contest, a best-dressed avocado costume contest and an avocado holding competition. There will also be an artisan walk, a beer and wine garden, a children's stock car race and live music from various bands. Plus, there will be vendors selling avocados. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Main Street from Fallbrook Street to East Mission Road in Escondido. fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/avocado-festival

WorldBeat Center's 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival: This tradition of over three decades brings together cultural responsibilities, environmental speakers, gardening and other activities. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego. Free. worldbeatcenter.org/event/worldbeat-centers-34th-annual-global-earth-day-festival

Cultural Walk and Talk at Sikes Adobe with the San Dieguito River Park: Learn about local history, culture and ecology at this walk and talk event. Participants will also get to make their own herbal tea blends. 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse, 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido. Free. givebutter.com/stories-in-the-landscape

Ocean of Poetry presents Gustavo Hernandez: The cit of Encinitas presnts its monthly poetry event, featuring Hernandez, the poet laureate of Orange County and autho of the poetry collections “Bachelor” and “Flower Grand First.” Following his reading, members of the public are invited to do their own poem readings. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Community Room, Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas. Free but donations appreciated. visitencinitasca.com/places/encinitas-library/

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 1:38 PM.