Search results for

Hillcrest’s most iconic Halloween celebration is back and this year, Nightmare on Normal Street takes over University Avenue for a night of screaming fun. Expect a vibrant open-air Halloween block party filled with local artisan and food vendors, freakishly good beats dropped by hottest local DJs all night long, and a monstrous full bar with spooky cocktails and mocktails! Don’t miss San Diego's largest costume competition, where the winners will be rewarded with over $2,000 in prizes and bragging rights! Be sure to dress in your most creative costume and get ready to strut your stuff on the catwalk! Let’s make this Halloween one to scream about at this all ages dance party. Regular GA tickets are on sale now for just $30! There will be a limited amount of tickets sold at will the day-of the event for $35. Tickets are powered by events.com. Fabulous Hillcrest on Facebook / Instagram

So we can't do the real North Park Book Fair this year, but that won't stop San Diego's literary community. Join us for... Taste of the Book Fair Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Authors at Bivouac Ciderworks Artists/crafters at Verbatim Books Booksellers/zines in the Bargain Center parking lot (Ray St. And North Park Way) Over thirty literary vendors popping up around North Park! Support local authors, artists, and booksellers! Verbatim Books will also be selling SUPER limited edition tshirts and totes designed by @nicholasdanger for the star-crossed 2025 North Park Book Fair! Wear them ironically, or to remind yourself to stay strong, keep moving forward, and don't let others bring you down. Verbatim Books on Facebook / Instagram

If Santa Claus is the good cop of Christmas, then Krampus is the bad one: a creature from European folklore who scares children into behaving themselves, complete with goat horns and gnashing teeth.

*AT SCRIPPS RESEARCH AUDITORIUM* Next up, on Wednesday, November 19, is a return visit by the Django Festival Allstars, who will be joined by the remarkable jazz vocalist Veronica Swift. This masterful French gypsy jazz quintet returns for its first local performance since debuting on the Athenaeum series in 2016. Step into a night that feels lifted from a Parisian café and reimagined for the 21st century. The Django Festival Allstars deliver a musical experience bursting with spirit, swing, and soul in what The Wall Street Journal calls “the best jazz show in town.” Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of gypsy jazz legend Dorado Schmitt, this all-acoustic ensemble of international virtuosos radiates joy and passion through blazing guitar riffs, soaring violin, dazzling accordion, and deep, grooving bass. They celebrate the music of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt who teamed with famed jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli in the 1930s and 40s to create the quintet of the Hot Club de France, which went on to become one of the most important jazz partnerships in history. Vocalist Veronica Swift made her local debut on the Athenaeum series in 2019 with pianist Benny Green. She is among the upper echelon of 21st century jazz singers because of her virtuosic brilliance, interpretive ingenuity, bracing songwriting, and keen arrangements. The Wall Street Journal wrote, “She has a miraculous voice, musical ability and technique, as well as an innate gift for entertaining a crowd.” Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

The flavors, sounds, and spirit of Serbia come alive at the 52nd Annual San Diego Serbian Festival on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Bay Park. From 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., this family-friendly celebration transforms the church grounds into a lively cultural experience filled with food, music, dance, and history. Guests arriving between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. will receive a complimentary dessert while supplies last, so early arrival is recommended! Serbian cuisine is known for its rich, bold flavors, and the festival is the perfect place to enjoy it all! Feast on roasted pork and lamb, savory burek (meat or cheese pastry), grilled cevapcici (minced sausages), sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), flaky pita (apple and cherry pastries), palacinke (Serbian crepes), and rich baklava, with vegetarian favorites like musaka and sopska salata (similar to Greek salad) also available. Traditional Serbian folklore dancing brings the stage to life featuring award-winning performers from St. George’s Morava group and visiting ensembles from across Southern California. Two live Serbian bands will perform throughout the day, bringing to life centuries-old storytelling through music and keeping the celebration going late into the night. Families are especially welcome, with a kid zone featuring a playground, face painting, and fun to keep little ones entertained. Festival-goers can also tour the St. George Church for an unforgettable chance to experience the only church in North America fully adorned with breathtaking Venetian glass mosaics that cover the church’s entire interior. A Vespers service will be held at 6 PM, inviting guests to experience the beauty and depth of the Orthodox Christian tradition. With over half a century of history, the San Diego Serbian Festival is not only a staple in the Southern California event calendar—it’s a warm invitation to eat, dance, celebrate, and connect. Location: St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 3025 Denver St., San Diego, CA 92117 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025 Time: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. Admission: $5 | Free for kids under 12, active military & first responders Bonus: Free dessert from 12–4 p.m. (limited availability, early arrival recommended) For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, vendor applications, and more information, visit: https://sdserbianfestival.com Follow San Diego Serbian Festival on Instagram: stgeorgeserbsd

Let’s boo this – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion will be our special guests at our 3rd Annual Spooktacular & Trunk-or-Treat – Coming Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Lake 1 and Lake 2. This will be a ghoulish day of trunk-or-treating, food trucks, games, inflatables, face painting, DJ, photo opportunities, and much more. There will be a Mary’s Donut walk and local businesses will be decorating their trunks/booths and handing out tons of candy to our little monsters. Dress in your best costume and join us! Parking is $10 and the event is FREE. A big THANKS to our 2025 Spooktacular Sponsors, we could not do this without their generous support! Visit: Santee Lakes Spooktacular & Trunk-or-Treat Santee Lakes on Instagram and Facebook

Premieres Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / KPBS+. Secret messages from Mary, Queen of Scots are finally decoded, with 57 encrypted letters detailing the tragic monarch’s efforts to free herself from imprisonment and gain an advantage over her rival, Queen Elizabeth.

San Diego’s best night market. Presented by Viridian Productions and hosted at AleSmith Brewing Company on the 1st Friday of every month. Fun Games | Family-Friendly | Dogs Welcome Indulge in an epic assortment of eats and treats, including Pizza, Tacos, Sushi, Donuts, Chick’n Sandwiches, Dumplings, Mulitas, Potato Croquettes, Tamales, Noodles, Cinnamon Rolls, Cali Burritos, and so much more. In between bites, shop a curated selection of local products, crafts and services. The San Diego Vegan Night Market is located at AleSmith Brewing Company, an expansive indoor and outdoor venue that features several seating areas, fire pits, golf simulators, ax throwing and games. It’s the perfect spot to gather and share food, drinks and good times. Stop by the A Way Home For Dogs booth to meet adoptable pups and to learn about fostering and other volunteer opportunities. This is a rain or shine event. There is a free parking lot onsite and free street parking nearby. Viridian Productions: San Diego's Best Festivals and Markets Sustainable events that cultivate community and inspire healthy living. Featuring a rotating lineup of diverse vendors offering the most eco-friendly food, products, and services in Southern California. Since 2019, we have presented events across San Diego County, shaping a greener future through connection and local impact. Learn more: https://www.viridianproductions.com Viridian Productions on Facebook / Instagram

The Greater San Diego Chamber Orchestra, directed by Dr. Angela Yeung, presents a concert honoring the Saints and the faithful departed in anticipation of All Saints and All Souls Days. The program includes Boyce's "Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day," Charpentier's "Pour un reposoir," Borodin's "Au Couvent," Ravel's "Le Tombeau de Couperin" and Pavane "pour une infante défunte." Soprano Emily Ortlieb will perform "Pie Jesu" by Lili Boulanger, and the aria “The Field of the Dead” from Prokofiev's film score for the historical drama, "Alexander Nevsky." Admission is free with free-will donation at the performance. Donation via Venmo, Zelle, or by check can be tax deductible. All Saints Episcopal Church offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Registered audience receive directions to free parking. Visit https://gsdmusicoterie.org/all-events/ for updates. Greater San Diego Music Coterie on Facebook

On Friday, September 26, Songwriter Sanctuary will host three acclaimed artists performing in the round: Jordy Searcy, Gráinne Hunt ft. Jules Stewart, and Joe Summers. The event is hosted by the legendary Jeff Berkley in partnership with Normal Heights United. (4650 Mansfield St. Suggested Donation $10. All ages. Doors 6:30 p.m., Music 7p.m.) Only three concerts remain in the 2025 season! Scroll on for the remaining lineup of original local acts on deck to close out the year. About the Artists Gráinne Hunt w/ Jules Stewart: Gráinne Hunt's reputation as a powerhouse performer has landed her on stages alongside U2 and Glen Hasard (who called her "The hardest working woman in Irish music") with opening slots for Gladys Knight and Mary Black. After showcasing at Folk Alliance International in 2024, she secured an 0-1 Visa to cement her presence stateside. She kicked off 2025 showcasing at Celtic Connections and is touring the US presently, before a showcase tour in Australia. She launches her new show "Queer Arrivals" at Liverpool Irish Festival in Oct 2025. She's joined tonight with tourmate and lifemate Jules Stewart, beloved touring and studio drummer known for her stellar work with groups like Billy Nation, Alex Bergan, Please Ask for Paul, Mariela, and more. Joe Summers: Joe Summers is a San Diego songwriter with roots in Folk, Blues, and Soul who mixes these styles to explore the emotions of loss, grief, and growth. He believes that music can help speak things that are hard to grasp with words alone, and that it can help realize our connection with the world around us. Jordy Searcy is an indie-pop singer-songwriter known for heartfelt lyrics, dynamic live performance, and intimate storytelling. Following early national attention from The Voice (season 7), he has released several albums and maintained a rigorous touring schedule, garnering more than 50 million streams and nearly 600,000 monthly Spotify listeners. Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church: 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Thank you to our generous venue partner for sharing this beautiful space with the local music community! Time: Doors 6:30 p.m., Show 7-9 p.m. ish. Suggested Donation: $10 (all ages) but please be generous in your support of these top tier talents whose creative work is their livelihood. 100% donations go to artists. No one turned away for lack of funds. All Ages: Bear in mind we do not censor our artists so please make sure to check out the lineup and make the best decision for your family. Parking: Street parking. Food/Drink: Beverages for small purchase, thanks to our sponsors Babe Beverages and Duck Foot Brewing Company. Guests are welcome to bring their own food into the venue (please eat and dispose of waste respectfully). There are so many delicious restaurants within walking distance - feel free to grab something take-out and bring it in! Accessibility: Please direct any accessibility / accommodation requests to Molly mollyrose@nhunited.org at least (5) business days prior to the event. Our sensory/safety station in the foyer includes single use masks, ear plugs, and hand sanitizer. Our venue runs two Corsi-Rosenthal box fan filters during the event. There is an ADA ramp entrance and two rows of reserved seating for folks who use wheelchairs or need extra space for mobility aids, and ADA accessible restrooms in the adjacent reception hall. Balcony seating is available (via stairway access only) for guests who prefer fewer people and less noise / stimulation. It's a very old building with an unusual circular seating arrangement, but we want to make sure everyone feels safe and supported - please reach out to us directly in advance to chat about how we can best accommodate you and your party. Photo/Video Consent: Please ask for consent before posting the faces and/or prominent features of artists or audience members online. If someone hasn’t given permission, consider using a blur tool to protect their privacy. While we've previously operated under the assumption that public events imply consent, a thoughtful call-in reminded us that consent must always come first—especially in a time when people’s images can be weaponized. Songwriter Sanctuary is committed to prioritizing consent and will continue to model and encourage this practice in our community. Remaining 2025 Season Schedule *subject to change Oct. 24 - Shea Givens - Anthony Cullins - DevvLov Dec. 5 - Holiday Edition! - JT Moring - Cara Cormier - David Beldock and Peggy Watson For inquiries, media comps, or further information, please contact: Lindsay White lindsaywhite.music@gmail.com Songwriter Sanctuary on Instagram