Fri, Sep 25–27
22 things to do across 12 venues in Balboa Park this weekend (Fri, Sep 25–27): 13 art & exhibitions, 3 film, 2 theater, 2 other. Updated nightly.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Suzan-Lori Parks about two brothers battling for survival, described as crackling with gritty humor and tension. Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. Runs late September through mid-October 2026.
Tickets & detailsA free guided tour designed for families that brings the Museum's collection to life in a dynamic and engaging way. Tours run on the second and fourth Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and require no pre-registration.
Tickets & detailsThe Spreckels Organ Society hosts free outdoor organ concerts at Balboa Park's famous Spreckels Organ Pavilion. This Sunday concert is a beloved San Diego tradition for all ages.
Tickets & detailsAn entry-level exhibition at the Mingei International Museum drawn from its permanent collection, exploring the global significance of grains as both a source of sustenance and an inspiration for human creativity and craft.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibition at the Mingei International Museum featuring over sixty works of craft and art related to fishing, exploring both utilitarian fishing objects and the deep cultural relationship between people and fish.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibition at the Mingei International Museum featuring intricately woven reed sculptures by India Thompson that transform everyday domestic objects into meditations on ownership, emotional attachment, and the meaning of home in the age of renting.
Tickets & detailsThe first exhibition dedicated to the multifaceted career of Cecil Beaton (1904–1980) — photographer, fashion illustrator, Oscar-winning costume designer, and writer — showcasing his extraordinary influence on both British and American creative scenes in the twentieth century.
Tickets & detailsAn interactive exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum inspired by the Doctor Who universe, exploring the intersection of science fiction and real-world science. The exhibit runs from August 3, 2026 through January 14, 2027.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibit at the San Diego History Center marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, on view through September 30, 2026. Admission is donation-based.
Tickets & detailsA free, ongoing demonstration series featuring artists creating works in arts and crafts and visual arts disciplines at the Village Arts Center in Balboa Park. The series runs through September 30, 2026.
Tickets & detailsA collaborative exhibition by the Oceanside Museum of Art and the San Diego History Center bringing together contemporary artists from Southern California and Baja to explore a region in constant transformation, on view through January 1, 2027.
Tickets & detailsThis community art exhibit at the Japanese Friendship Garden showcases original works by local and national artists inspired by yōkai, the supernatural creatures and spirits of Japanese folklore. The exhibit is included with general admission and runs through November 8, 2026.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum exploring San Diego's unique position at the crossroads of desert and sea, examining what makes the city a natural oasis that draws millions of visitors each year.
Tickets & detailsAn IMAX film at the Fleet Science Center that takes audiences on an unforgettable journey along Vancouver Island's rugged coast, following a sea otter named Finn in a story about family and wild beauty.
Tickets & detailsAn IMAX experience at the Fleet Science Center showcasing the breathtaking images captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, journeying to the beginning of time, newly discovered cosmic landscapes, and distant exoplanets.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibition at the Fleet Science Center uncovering one of the most daring wildlife experiments in American history — the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park after a 50-year absence, told through long-lost 16mm archival footage.
Tickets & detailsAn epic IMAX film at the Fleet Science Center that travels the globe to celebrate the extraordinary bond between humans and horses, exploring how these remarkable animals have shaped human history and culture.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum telling the remarkable stories of three animal species rescued from the edge of extinction, exploring how conservationists fight to save species when time is running out.
Tickets & detailsAn exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum that takes visitors to three untouched remote atolls thousands of miles from civilization, revealing secrets about ocean ecosystems and the human impact on our planet.
Tickets & detailsGuided tours of the historic California Tower at Balboa Park are available throughout the remainder of 2026.
Tickets & detailsGuided tours of the California Tower in Balboa Park are available through late December 2026. Details beyond the title and dates are not provided on this page.
Tickets & detailsA new musical based on the film written and directed by John Carney, featuring music and lyrics by Pat Monahan and the band Train. Two unlikely dreamers discover that music has the power to change everything in a city alive with possibility. Directed by Lorin Latarro with…
Tickets & details