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The West Coast’s premier culinary celebration is back and bolder than ever! From November 2–9, 2025, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival (SDFW) transforms “America’s Finest City” into an eight-day epicurean playground, blending flavor, culture, wellness, and advocacy in a way no other festival does. Now in its 21st year, San Diego Food + Wine has evolved into one of the largest culinary festivals of impact in the country, attracting over 11,000 food and wine enthusiasts from bothvsides of the U.S./Mexico border. Beyond just an entertainment event, the festival unites James Beard Award winners, Michelin-seasoned chefs, world-class winemakers, and innovators for eight days of extraordinary experiences. This year ushers in a bold new chapter: an expanded James Beard Foundation partnership, the first-ever Wellness Weekend featuring chef-driven, nutrient-dense dishes and trendsetting zero-proof cocktails, a can’t-miss live filming of the Outdoor Channel’s Jason the Butcher during the Grand Tasting, and an expanded roster of James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred chefs, and national food celebrities from across the U.S. and Mexico headlining across the week. BOLD NEW COLLABORATIONS AND FESTIVAL FIRSTS 11.2 SDFW WELLNESS WEEKEND: Delicious, nutrient-rich dishes, low/no ABV pairings, movement pop-ups, and activations from leading wellness brands at the visionary agri-hood, Fox Point Farms. 11.3 INDUSTRY NIGHT PRESENTED BY CHEF WORKS – Bica Block Party: The ultimate hospitality industry “thank you” party. A celebration for exhibitors, sponsors and this year’s scholarship recipients along with all the chefs and restaurants whose participation makes the Festival possible. 11.6: BAJA CULINARY EXPEDITION: A Journey Through Michelin Guide Mexico: Experience a journey through Michelin Guide Mexico with acclaimed chefs and winemakers, rare wines, Michelin-honored talent, and cross-border culinary artistry. 11.6: FORKCAST: THE FUTURE OF FOOD SUMMIT: This summit will bring together changemakers shaping the future of our food system. Chefs, policymakers, activists, scholars, and industry leaders will explore the intersection of food, policy, equity, and sustainability through engaging panel discussions and community dialogue. 11.6, 11.7, 11.9: CULINARY CINEMA: The Coronado Island Film Festival and SDFW will once again partner to showcase rich, food inspired films that will screen during this year’s festival. In addition to the screenings, the series will feature engaging panel discussions, providing insights from filmmakers, on-screen talent, and renowned chefs. 11.7 FRIENDS OF JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION Opening Night: Grand Decant: Kick off the Grand Weekend with an unforgettable evening of rare pours, iconic flavors, and culinary excellence. It’s the best of the best, poured and plated, setting the tone for San Diego’s most delicious weekend. Global wine and spirits brands will uncork their most coveted bottles including award-winning vintages, small-batch spirits, and collectible labels worth savoring, paired with a standout lineup of celebrated chefs, rising stars, and Michelin-honored and James Beard Award winners and nominees from across the country serving their signature bites. 11.8 GRAND TASTING: An epic waterfront celebration of all-star chef and beverage talent featuring Live Fire VIP experiences, Michelin-rated and James Beard nominated chefs, the return of Cohn Restaurant Group’s “Cohnchella”, One World Beef's Brandt Experience, Grind & Prosper Hospitality’s “Tropic Like It’s Hot,” live music and tons of immersive tastings from Paso Robles Wine Country, Temecula, Sonoma, Lake County, and international wine and spirits 11.8-9 THAT’S COOL! Bagavagabonds partners with the Festival to debut That’s Cool! Try & Buy Shoppe, a new experience-driven retail pop-up at Malibu Farms in Seaport Village. Located steps from the Festival entrance, the Shoppe will spotlight emerging brands through free daily programming and curated evening events featuring food, beverage, art, and music. No ticket necessary and open to the public (21+), offers an immersive space to sample, sip, and shop, extending the Festival experience beyond the gates. 11.9 GRAND FIESTA: The capstone to the Grand Weekend - a vibrant celebration of food, beverage and culture from Baja and beyond, featuring expanded cross-border connections, more guest Bocuse d’Or and Michelin recognized chefs from Mexico, and an even larger selection of Baja wines and spirits. Guests will enjoy abundant culinary stations, live music, and an expanded version of the beloved annual “Taco TKO” competition, the ultimate showdown of taco supremacy, to include a new “Overall Best Bite” category. Visit: www.sandiegowineclassic.com/ San Diego Food + Wine Festival | San Diego on Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

Often unseen yet deeply influential, archives shape how we remember, research, and relate to art and culture. Join us for our next edition of Inner Workings, which explores the art and impact of archiving, highlighting the role museums, universities, and smaller organizations have as caretakers and storytellers. Through this panel conversation, we aim to reveal the creative and ethical dimensions of preserving history—and how inclusive, responsive archival practices can transform the stories we tell. MCASD’s Inner Workings program series pulls back the curtains of the art and museum world, offering a rare glimpse into the often-overlooked roles and disciplines that shape institutions and the broader art industry. Designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding, this series invites our communities to explore the hidden mechanics of art institutions, shedding light on the expertise and behind-the-scenes activity that bring contemporary artists' work to life. All program RSVPs include admission to the Museum. Program 5:30 p.m.: Doors Open 5:50 p.m.: Introductions 6 p.m.: Discussion with panelists Noel Nguyen, Kishauna Soljour, and Pamela Vadakan, moderated by Nicole Verdés About the Guests Moderator – Nicole Verdés Nicole Verdés (they/she) is the inaugural Managing Director of Lambda Archives, where she works to ensure equity and access in cultural preservation. She serves on the board of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition and has held leadership roles with the San Diego LGBT Community Center's Young Professionals Council, Rising Arts Leaders San Diego, and Diversionary Theatre's Community Advisory Committee. Nicole has presented on youth archival futures and ethical advocacy practices at national conferences, including ALMS Berlin and Creating Change 2025. She has reviewed several academic works on LGBTQ+ historic preservation and served on grant panels for the California Arts Council. She holds a Master's Degree in Sociological Practice from Cal State San Marcos and is a graduate of the Western Archives Institute. Panelists – Noel Nguyen, Kishauna Soljour, Pamela Vadakan Noel Nguyen Noel Nguyen (he/him) is a San Diego based artist involved with Scannners Archive, a nonprofit arts organization centered around DIY community and culture. He helps manage the space’s growing zine library and runs a monthly group archiving workshop for the collection. Currently he is earning his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. Kishauna Soljour Dr. Kishauna Soljour (she/her/ella) is an Assistant Professor at San Diego State University, specializing in Public Humanities and African Diaspora Studies. She was an Andrew W. Mellon Public Humanities Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Sarah Lawrence College. Dr. Soljour received her Ph.D. in History from Syracuse University. Soljour’s research concentrates on the nexus of cultural, political, and social change for Diasporic communities in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Embracing the mission of public humanities, Dr. Soljour is the Associate Director of the Public & Oral History Center and the Associate Director of the Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice at SDSU. She developed several initiatives including curated exhibitions, digital oral history projects, archival & preservation projects, and podcasts; as well as, partnered with Humanities New York, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Old Town State Historic Park, the United Nations Volunteer Program, the Hudson River Museum, and the Yonkers Public Library. Pamela Vadakan Pamela Vadakan (she/her) has been the project coordinator of California Revealed since its inception in 2010 and became the Director in early 2019. She most enjoys working with partner organizations at regional workshops, meeting people and their collections on the ground, and offering guidance and encouragement for long-term collections care. She has a Master of Arts degree in Moving Image Archiving and Preservation from New York University. She is also a core member of the Community Archiving Workshop and serves on the board of the Center for Home Movies. Visit: https://mcasd.org/events/archiving-preserving-history Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

Our littlest visitors and their families are invited to explore toddler-centered folk art, craft, and design! On July 18, we'll meet outside by the Nikigator where we'll explore the art of camouflage by reading "Hide and Snake" by Keith Baker, a story that shows just how good snakes are at hiding. After the story, we will create our own colorful snakes and find creative ways to hide them. Mini Mingei is perfect for parents, grandparents, and caregivers with children ages 2–5. These events are free for Mingei Members. General admission is $12 for one adult and one child (includes Mingei Passport holders). Each additional adult or child is $5. Mingei International Museum on Facebook / Instagram

The Barona Cultural Center & Museum chronicles the history of the Barona people from the ancient past to today.

The Library's Autumn Concert Series takes place on Fridays from September 5 to October 31. Each concert will begin at 1 p.m. in the Winn Room. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the performance. On September 5, we will have Jeremy Kurtz-Harris on the double bass, performing classical works inspired by folk music, world music, and more. Bassist Jeremy Kurtz-Harris has a diverse musical background that includes solo, chamber, and orchestral performance. He has been the Principal Bassist of the San Diego Symphony since 2004 and has also played Guest Principal Bass with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. During 2015-16, Kurtz-Harris was an acting member of the San Francisco Symphony, performing as Principal for most of the season. He has also played Associate Principal Bass in the summers with the Sun Valley Music Festival since 2010. Kurtz-Harris is an avid proponent of the double bass as a solo instrument. He regularly performs solo recitals, has been featured as a soloist with numerous ensembles, and recorded an album, "Sonatas and Meditations" which featured his long-time collaborator, pianist Ines Irawati. He actively encourages composers to write both solo and chamber music for bass, and has commissioned and premiered multiple works for the instrument. As a chamber musician, he has performed at La Jolla Summerfest, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, and on San Diego’s “Art of Elan” chamber series. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and Rice University, Kurtz-Harris is a dedicated pedagogue. He has been the classical bass teacher at San Diego State University since 2006, and has taught master classes in the U.S., Mexico, and Australia. He has also served as a board member for the International Society of Bassists, which fosters interaction among bassists from many countries, backgrounds, and musical genres, and also opportunities for young bassists. In addition to his double bass performing and teaching pursuits, Kurtz-Harris also enjoys experimenting with sound design, audio recording, composing, arranging, and playing drums. He lives with his wife and two children in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego. Jeremy Kurtz-Harris on Facebook / Instagram

Community historian and professor T.J. Tallie is wrapping up a year-long research project on the lives of Black LGBTQ+ San Diegans in the '80's and '90's. Plus, a local filmmaker debuts a film about the realities of being an adjunct professor. Then, your weekend preview of San Diego arts events.

Feeling crafty? Join us on the 2nd Tuesday of every month for arts and crafts. In the month of August, we'll incorporate a bit of the beach by decoupaging seashells. This program is for adults over the age of 18. Registration is not required but recommended. Coronado Public Library on Facebook / Instagram

District leaders want to help more students complete career pathways in fields such as engineering, health science and hospitality.

Enjoy a dynamic evening at The San Diego Museum of Art with a full suite of interactive activities, captivating performances, delicious food, refreshing beverages, and other enchantments celebrating the opening of special exhibition "Eduardo Chillida: Convergence." This special Art Party celebrates the Basque region of Spain as well as other facets of Spanish culture and opens "Eduardo Chillida: Convergence", a brand-new exhibition of work by Basque artist Eduardo Chillida. Regarded as one of the foremost sculptors of the twentieth century, this exhibition showcases Chillida’s profound attunement to the landscape as well as his sensitive handling of materials associated with his native Basque Country, including iron, steel, and oak. Chillida’s sculptures join elements of nature—such as earth, sea, wind, light, and space—with aspects of culture, including music, poetry, philosophy, and architecture. The event is an indoor/outdoor experience with an open-air activity terrace in addition to festivities in the Museum’s rotunda and gallery spaces. Come dressed to impress in your most festive themed attire. You won’t want to miss this multi-sensory evening at the Museum! San Diego Museum of Art on Facebook / Instagram

The annual Día de Muertos altar at Mercado Hidalgo is a beloved Tijuana tradition honoring the deceased.