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Come dressed in your best costume and join us for Lions Tigers & Bears’ Pumpkin Bash on Saturday, October 25th at 10 a.m.! Watch rescued big cats and bears tear into pumpkins stuffed with tasty treats as part of their special fall enrichment. From playful pounces to pumpkin smashing, you’ll see the animals enjoy every moment of this seasonal celebration. Bring your Halloween spirit, cheer them on, and experience a one-of-a-kind autumn adventure at the sanctuary. Visit: Pumpkin Bash at Lions Tigers and Bears Lions Tigers & Bears on Instagram and Facebook

A Blind Tasting of Rare & Reserve Whiskeys Hosted by Tom Fischer, Founder of BourbonBlog.com Back by popular demand, the sold-out seminar returns with new bottles, bold palates, and one legendary pour. Join whiskey educator Tom Fischer for a guided blind tasting of rare and reserve whiskeys—no labels, no hints, just taste. Hidden in the lineup? Pappy Van Winkle 20. Can your palate pick the icon? What’s Included: – Blind tasting flight featuring rare and limited-release whiskeys – Tasting techniques + insider stories from Tom Fischer – Lineup reveal featuring Pappy 20 Perfect for whiskey lovers, collectors, and curious sippers. Taste blind. Choose wisely. One pour is the legend. Visit: San Diego Food + Wine Festival: 'Who's Your Pappy?' The Legend Continues San Diego Food + Wine Festival on Instagram and Facebook

Embark on a guided tasting that uncorks the soul of one of France’s most storied wine regions. From the steep, misty hillsides of the Northern Rhône to the sun-drenched vineyards of the South, this immersive seminar showcases the incredible diversity of styles, grapes, and terroirs that make up the Côtes du Rhône. Led by Rhône Valley expert Christophe Tassan, you’ll taste through a hand-selected lineup of wines from across the region—each bottle telling a distinct story of place, tradition, and winemaking philosophy. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into how climate, soil, and history shape the bold reds, vibrant whites, and aromatic rosés that define the Rhône’s signature character. Whether you’re new to Rhône wines or looking to deepen your knowledge, this seminar offers a compelling journey through the flavors and landscapes of one of the world’s most dynamic wine regions. Visit: San Diego Food + Wine Festival: A Tasting Tour Of The Côtes Du Rhône San Diego Food + Wine Festival on Instagram and Facebook

Discover the wines of one of the world’s oldest winemaking regions in this guided tasting experience that bridges 8,000 years of tradition with a bold, modern revival. Often referred to as the cradle of wine, Georgia is home to indigenous grape varieties, distinctive winemaking techniques like qvevri fermentation, and a wine culture deeply woven into its history. This seminar will explore what makes Georgian wines so unique, approachable, and worth adding to your rotation. What’s Included: – A tasting of diverse wines from across Georgia’s key wine regions – Intro to native grape varieties and traditional winemaking methods – Cultural insights that highlight Georgia’s place in global wine history Perfect for adventurous palates and curious wine drinkers Come sip your way through a region where ancient tradition meets fresh discovery. Visit: San Diego Food + Wine Festival: Wines Of Georgia, Ancient Roots, Modern Sips San Diego Food + Wine Festival on Instagram and Facebook

Experience the ultimate fusion of food and film in this extraordinary collaboration between two of the most iconic festivals in San Diego: the San Diego Food + Wine Festival and Coronado Island Film Festival. The Culinary Cinema series is a perfect marriage of sensory pleasure. Immerse yourself in the stories and flavors that define the art of gastronomy through a curated selection of films, each paired with a culinary experience or tasting that complements the on-screen story. In addition to the screenings, the series will feature engaging panel discussions, providing insights from filmmakers, on-screen talent, and renowned chefs. This is your chance to meet and greet the creative minds behind the films and the culinary geniuses who bring the food to life. Dates: Thursday, November 6, 2025 Friday, November 7, 2025 Sunday, November 9, 2025 Stay tuned for films to be announced! Visit: San Diego Food + Wine Festival: Culinary Cinema Series In Partnership With Coronado Island Film Festival San Diego Food + Wine Festival on Instagram and Facebook Coronado Island Film Festival on Instagram and Facebook

Everyone’s favorite pumpkins are back, just in time for Halloween! Come along with Gordy, Squash and Calabaza as they try to top last year’s Spooky Hollow party and meet lots of fun folks along the way. This is an all-ages hybrid shadow and live puppet show with music, songs, and audience shout-outs! Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater on Facebook / Instagram

The stars have aligned in Baja. Back by popular demand after last year’s sold-out debut, our Michelin Guide–inspired expedition returns to Valle de Guadalupe for another extraordinary cross-border culinary adventure. Once again curated and hosted by Baja Wine + Food founder Fernando Gaxiola, this all-inclusive experience celebrates the restaurants and wineries that continue to earn global recognition. This year’s journey takes you deeper into Baja’s Michelin story, with sparkling brunches, chef-led pairings, and multi-course dining at Michelin-recognized restaurants, alongside intimate reserve tastings at some of the region’s most iconic wineries. What awaits is more than a day trip—it’s your chance to be part of the movement that has made Valle de Guadalupe one of the most celebrated food and wine destinations in the world. San Diego Food + Wine Festival on Facebook / Instagram

Bold bites, warm hearts, full plates. For one night only, three of the nation’s most celebrated Filipino chefs reunite in San Diego for a dinner grounded in kapwa – the Filipino concept of shared identity and connection – where culture, community, and cuisine converge. Hosted at Animae, where two-time James Beard Finalist Tara Monsod leads as Executive Chef and Culinary Director, this four-course, family-style dinner experience invites you to taste the soul of Filipino cuisine – elevated, intentional, and full of heart. Monsod is joined by Chef Lordfer Lalicon of Kaya in Orlando, a James Beard Finalist and recipient of a Green Michelin Star, and Melissa Miranda, the James Beard Finalist chef behind Seattle’s beloved Musang. These three chefs bring their distinct styles, regional influences, and shared passion to the table right here in San Diego, for one night only. Come curious. Come hungry. Come ready to feel the kapwa in every dish, every story, and every moment shared. San Diego Food + Wine Festival on Facebook / Instagram

Mainly Mozart – the San Diego nonprofit behind the acclaimed Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival – today announced the return of its Wine Pairing Series, following the enthusiastic response to its 2024 debut. Presented by Jean-Charles Boisett Wineries, this year’s series features four concertmasters across four weekends of performances, an expansion from last year’s three, and adds Saturday concerts alongside Sundays. The series will again be hosted at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club. The 2025/2026 series showcases four of America’s leading concertmasters: Jun Iwasaki of the Kansas City Symphony (Nov. 15–16, 2025), Nurit Bar-Josef of the National Symphony (Jan. 10–11, 2026), Nathan Cole of the Boston Symphony (Feb. 21–22, 2026), and Frank Huang of the New York Philharmonic (April 11–12, 2026). The Mainly Mozart Wine Pairing Series events begin with an open hors d'oeuvres reception before audiences are seated for an intimate concert and tasting experience. Each piece on the program is paired with curated wines, chosen to mirror the style and emotion of the music. Wines are poured and selection commentary is provided before each musical work, setting the stage for a multi-sensory experience. Tickets are available at www.mainlymozart.org/wine-series. Seating is limited and early purchase is recommended. 2025/2026 Wine Pairing Series Lineup - Kansas City Symphony November 15 and 16, 2025 - Jun Iwasaki, Concertmaster - Sean Chen, Piano - National Symphony January 10 and 11, 2026 - Nurit Bar-Josef, Concertmaster - Loewi Lin, Cello - Erich Heckscher, Bassoon - Boston Symphony February 21 and 22, 2026 - Nathan Cole, Concertmaster - Steve Ansell, Principal Viola - Blaise Dejardin, Principal Cello - New York Philharmonic April 11 and 12, 2026 - Frank Huang, Concertmaster - Cynthia Phelps, Principal Viola Concert Times Saturdays: 5 p.m. Wine Reception | 6 p.m. Wine Pairing Event Begins Sundays: 4 p.m. Wine Reception | 5 p.m. Wine Pairing Event Begins Mainly Mozart® on Facebook / Instagram

Mainly Mozart – the San Diego nonprofit behind the highly acclaimed Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival – is honored to announce Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., MBA, Professor, President and CEO of La Jolla Institute for Immunology, is the 2025 San Diego Genius Award honoree. Dr. Sapphire will be recognized Oct. 18 at the Genius Awards Dinner at the Westgate Hotel. Tickets are available now at mainlymozart.org/genius. Since 2015, the Genius Award has celebrated extraordinary individuals whose contributions span science, technology, and the arts, enrich the community, and embody “Genius in the Spirit of Mozart.” Saphire joins past recipients Dr. Irwin Jacobs (2015), Dr. Andrew Viterbi (2016), Dr. Walter Munk (2017), Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn (2018), Chancellor Pradeep Khosla (2019), Susan Tousi (2022), Dr. David Brenner (2023), and Dr. Al Pisano (2024). This year’s Genius Award Selection Committee members included Martha Dennis (chair), Steve Hart (chair), Irwin Jacobs, Joel Buxbaum, and David Brenner. Dr. Saphire’s pioneering research at La Jolla Institute for Immunology has unraveled the molecular mechanisms by which viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and SARS-CoV-2 infect human cells and evade immune defenses. Under her leadership, teams have solved the high-resolution structures of multiple viral glycoproteins, guided global vaccine design efforts, and spearheaded the collaborative consortia—including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation–supported CoVIC initiative and the NIAID Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Immunotherapeutic Consortium—that united scientists across five continents in life-saving immunotherapeutic research, closing the critical gap between scientific breakthroughs and real-world medical interventions. Recognizing another crucial research gap, Dr. Saphire recently launched a groundbreaking institute-wide initiative focused on uncovering sex-based differences in the immune system. Dr. Saphire’s work has been recognized at the White House with the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering, with young investigator awards from the International Congress of Antiviral Research, the American Society for Microbiology, the MRC Centre for Virus Research in the United Kingdom, and the California Life Sciences Pantheon Award for Academia and Marion Spencer Fay Award. She has been awarded a Fulbright Global Scholar fellowship from the United States Department of State and a Mercator Fellowship from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, to develop international collaborations using cryoelectron microscopy to further global health. Tickets for the gala support Mainly Mozart’s artistic and educational programs, including the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra, the All-Star Orchestra Festival and Mainly Mozart’s music education initiatives and community outreach programs, including its long-term partnership with Art of Autism. Mainly Mozart® on Facebook / Instagram