Free · updated hourly
Free events in San Diego
39 things on Fri, Nov 6 – Thu, Nov 19, 39 free, 21 good for kids, across 21 parts of the county. Times, addresses and the tips that help you go.
Top picks
Ranked by interest, not by who paid
Friday, November 6Today · 4
KPBS Kids Event: Molly of Denali
10am
Children's Museum of Discovery · Escondido
A children's event featuring character appearances and activities at the museum. This is perfect for younger visitors.
2 tips for going
First Friday La Jolla Art Walk
4pm
La Jolla Village Square · La Jolla
Explore galleries, pop-ups, and cultural exhibits throughout the La Jolla Village. This monthly outing is perfect for art lovers and casual strollers.
2 tips for going
Wild Wonders Art Exhibition Opening Reception
5pm
San Diego Watercolor Society · Point Loma & Liberty Station
This gallery opening reception showcases over 95 original watercolor paintings. It is open to art enthusiasts and the public.
2 tips for going
Sounds of the Square Concert Series
6pm
Clairemont Town Square · Clairemont
A weekly series of outdoor concerts held at Clairemont Town Square featuring popular music tributes. This event is suitable for all ages.
1 tip for going
Saturday, November 7Tomorrow · 4
North Park Community Fair: Shop North Park
10am
Verbatim Books · North Park & South Park
A neighborhood street fair celebrating local businesses with an all-ages and pet-friendly atmosphere.
1 tip for going
Free Kids Event: Imagination Builders
11am
Lakeshore Learning Store · Mission Valley
A hands-on activity where children can build creations using foam cubes. This drop-in event is perfect for young artists and families.
2 tips for going
Salsa Night at Mission Trails Regional Park
5pm
Mission Trails Regional Park · Navajo & Mission Trails
An evening of live brass music and salsa dancing lessons at the park. Beginners are welcome to participate.
3 tips for going
Free Eau Vodka Tasting
8pm
619 Spirits North Park · North Park & South Park
A promotional tasting event where visitors can sample locally made vodka and meet the brand team.
1 tip for going
Sunday, November 83
Community Market
11am
WorldBeat Center · Balboa Park
Shop for local goods including crafts, plants, and produce at this monthly community gathering. The market also offers wellness services and food.
3 tips for going
Slow Fashion Day 2026
12pm
Lane · Downtown & Gaslamp
This community gathering promotes sustainable clothing through a market, workshops, and a runway show. It is suited for fashion-conscious locals.
2 tips for going
Big Gay Picnic
2pm
Cypress Grove Picnic Area · Downtown & Gaslamp
A potluck picnic open to everyone in the community. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share and enjoy an afternoon outdoors.
2 tips for going
Tuesday, November 103
Understand Your Social Security Options & Build Stronger Finances
6pm
South Chula Vista Library · Chula Vista
A free educational session on financial planning and Social Security basics for local families. The workshop aims to simplify complex money topics for everyday residents.
1 tip for going
Our 20th Chapter: One Book, One San Diego Author Event in North County
6:30pm
The Grand | Ritz Theater · Escondido
The author of a prominent local book selection presents a talk and discussion. It is a suitable event for readers and literature enthusiasts.
1 tip for going
Trivia Night at The Crack Shack Pacific Beach
6:30pm
The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach · Pacific Beach
A weekly trivia night where teams compete for prizes while eating at a restaurant. It is a casual activity for groups or individuals.
2 tips for going
Thursday, November 122
Resident Free Thursday!
10am
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House · Downtown & Gaslamp
Local residents can visit this historic museum for free on the second Thursday of each month. A nice opportunity for locals to learn about regional history.
2 tips for going
The Secret Room: Creative Writing Workshop
2pm
Carlsbad Village Books · Carlsbad
A workshop focused on creative writing exercises for science fiction, fantasy, and horror enthusiasts. Participants of all experience levels are welcome to join.
1 tip for going
Saturday, November 1411
Guided Nature Walk
8:30am
Kumeyaay Lake Campground · Navajo & Mission Trails
Led by a trail guide, these walks explore the local riparian habitat and wildlife. They are open to all visitors and suitable for those who enjoy moderate outdoor activity.
3 tips for going
Yokohama Festival
9am
Balboa Park
A celebration of Japanese culture featuring performances, activities, and food to mark the friendship between San Diego and Yokohama.
3 tips for going
San Diego Potters Guild Fall Patio Show and Sale
10am
Spanish Village Art Center · Balboa Park
The seasonal patio sale features the work of local ceramic artists. A welcoming event for families and art lovers.
3 tips for going
Train Song Festival
10am
Old Poway Park · Rancho Bernardo & Poway
An annual event celebrating folk music with live performances and train displays, perfect for families and train enthusiasts.
1 tip for going
Free Train Song Festival
10am
Old Poway Park · Rancho Bernardo & Poway
A folk music festival held in a historic park with local vendors, model trains, and live performances.
1 tip for going
San Diego Fixit Clinic
10am
Fletcher Cove Community Center · Del Mar & Solana Beach
A community workshop where residents can receive help repairing bicycles, household gadgets, and clothing.
2 tips for going
Barrio Art Crawl Market
12pm
Mercado Del Barrio · Barrio Logan
A monthly community market featuring local art, vintage goods, live music, and kids activities.
3 tips for going
Native American Heritage Festival
1pm
Carlsbad City Library Learning Center · Carlsbad
A day dedicated to indigenous art, traditional crafts and music. It is open to the public and offers educational opportunities for families.
1 tip for going
Saturdays in the Courtyard: Left Coast Quintet
5pm
Carlsbad City Library · Carlsbad
An outdoor concert featuring a quintet honoring veterans. Rain moves the event indoors.
1 tip for going
Solo Exhibition: Kelly Vivanco Opening Reception
6pm
Distinction Gallery · Escondido
An opening reception for an art exhibition featuring acrylic paintings, open to all ages.
1 tip for going
Free Movie in the Park: The Incredibles
6:30pm
El Camino Memorial Park · University City & UTC
Watch a family-friendly animated movie at this community gathering. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.
1 tip for going
Sunday, November 155
Cars and Coffee
6:30am
San Diego Automotive Museum · Downtown & Gaslamp
A morning gathering of car enthusiasts displaying a wide variety of vehicles in a parking lot.
3 tips for going
Tianguis
8am
Centro Cultural de la Raza · Balboa Park
This monthly artisan market offers handmade goods, crafts, and self-care products. It features activities for families including music and creative workshops.
3 tips for going
San Diego Potters Guild Fall Patio Show and Sale
10am
Spanish Village Art Center · Balboa Park
The seasonal patio sale features the work of local ceramic artists. A welcoming event for families and art lovers.
3 tips for going
Cut, Paste, Skate
11am
Mingei International Museum · Balboa Park
Visitors can participate in a drop-in zine-making workshop inspired by skate culture. This event is family-friendly and open to all skill levels.
3 tips for going
Free Holiday Makers Market
12pm
California Wild Ales · San Diego
An indoor holiday market featuring local vendors selling handmade gifts, art, and food.
2 tips for going
Wednesday, November 181
Ongoing
Exhibitions, theater runs and weekly regulars on during these dates. Pulled out of the daily lists so they don't repeat on every day.
Art Mart
Nov 14 – Dec 20 · 10am
Park Boulevard and Presidents Way Lawn · Balboa Park
An ongoing outdoor exhibition featuring works from professional and amateur artists. It is suitable for visitors exploring the park who enjoy visual arts.
3 tips for going
Community Art Workshop
Nov 12 – Dec 17 · 11am
Balboa Park
Hands-on creative sessions inspired by museum collections are available for artists of all ages. All materials are supplied for these community-focused workshops.
3 tips for going
Trivia Night
Nov 11 – Dec 16 · 6:30pm
Kairoa Brewing Company · Normal Heights & Kensington
A weekly team-based trivia competition covering various topics like pop culture and history. Participation is free and open to the public.
2 tips for going
Free Meditation Class
Nov 9 – Dec 16 · 11am
Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga · North Park & South Park
These ongoing mindfulness sessions teach various meditation and relaxation techniques. The classes are open to participants of all experience levels.
1 tip for going
Every weekend
The San Diego playbook
The plays locals fall back on, whatever's on the calendar. Each one links to the full tip.
Saturday morning
Start at a farmers market. Little Italy Mercato runs every Saturday; the tip has every market by day.
What farmers markets are open in San Diego each day of the week?
Any afternoon
Balboa Park's gardens and plazas are free; pick one or two museums rather than the whole park.
Do you have to pay to get into Balboa Park?
Golden hour
Sunset from the cliffs, a pier or a hilltop. Get there 30 minutes early on weekends.
5 best places to watch the sunset in San Diego
Sunday
Brunch is the Sunday ritual. Book or go before 10am.
Where is the best brunch in San Diego, and how do you skip the wait?
If it rains
The indoor fallbacks that are actually good, by neighborhood.
6 things to do in San Diego when it rains
On a budget
The free list, with what's genuinely worth the trip.
10 free things to do in San Diego that are actually worth it
With kids
What works for toddlers vs. tweens, and what to skip.
What are the best things to do in San Diego with kids, by age?
Driving downtown Sunday
Which meters you can skip feeding on Sunday, and which you can't.
Are parking meters free on Sundays in San Diego?
How this calendar works
Every hour it re-reads the official calendars (Balboa Park's museums, San Diego Theatres, House of Blues, the Padres schedule) and the county's biggest listing calendars, then merges the same show listed in two places into one entry.
A play with three shows a day for six weeks is one listing with showtimes, not a hundred cards. Anything nobody would "go to" (city council meetings, webinars, sales seminars) is filtered out. Each listing is matched to the guides on this site that help you get there: parking, transit, free days, what the place is like.
Details change. Each listing links to its source; check it before you buy tickets or drive across the county.
Questions
How often is this calendar updated?
Every hour. A scheduled job re-reads the official calendars (Balboa Park, San Diego Theatres, House of Blues, the Padres schedule) and the main listing sites, merges duplicates, and drops anything that has ended. Each listing links to its source so you can confirm details before you go.
Why does a listing say 'time on listing'?
Some organizers publish a date but no start time. Rather than guess, we say so and link to their page.
Where do the photos come from?
From the organizer's own page or feed when they publish one. When there isn't one, you'll see a colored date tile instead of a stock photo, so a picture on this page is always of the actual event or venue.
What are the tips on each event?
Each listing is matched to the sandiego.tips guides that help you actually go: parking at that venue, getting there without a car, free days, what the place is like. They're chosen by venue and neighborhood, not by keyword stuffing.
How do I get an event added?
If it's on a venue's own calendar, the San Diego Reader or KPBS calendar, it will appear here within a few hours. Government meetings, webinars, sales seminars and similar listings are filtered out on purpose.