This weekend's picks from

SAN DIEGO LOOP

Things to do in San Diego this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15

Yokohama comes to Balboa Park on Saturday

By Lou P. and the San Diego Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026

The Yokohama Festival fills Balboa Park on Saturday, and the San Diego Potters Guild sets up its fall patio sale in Spanish Village the same day. Sunday brings the Tianguis at Centro Cultural de la Raza and jazz from David Sánchez in La Jolla. The Damned and Los Tigres del Norte are both in town.

IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING

Yokohama Festival

The Yokohama Festival takes over Balboa Park on Saturday starting at 9 a.m., and it only happens once this weekend.

A free day of Japanese culture in Balboa Park marking 70 years of friendship between San Diego and Yokohama. Expect taiko drumming, Bon Odori dancing, food, cultural booths and activities for all ages.

Saturday at 9 am · Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

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FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing

Tree Giveaway and Education Series

Saturday at 10 am

MacArthur Park - 4975 Memorial Drive La Mesa CA 91942

La Mesa residents can request a free 5-gallon tree to plant at home, as part of the city's tree education series. It's first-come, first-served, and you register ahead through Tree San Diego.

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46th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Sunday at 4 pm

Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA, 92122

Beth Israel and First United Methodist Church gather for their 46th joint Thanksgiving service, with a message from Reverend Trudy Robinson and both choirs singing together. A reception follows, and you can bring new socks for Father Joe's Villages.

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WITH KIDSbring them

Cut, Paste, Skate

Sunday at 11 am

Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA, 92102

Drop in and make your own mini-zine with artists from the San Diego print collective Burn All Books, inside the Skate Craft exhibition. It's free, and no RSVP is needed.

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THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.

Rave Jesus - Rave Revival Fall Tour

Rave Jesus brings the Rave Revival Fall Tour to the House of Blues on Thursday.

Thursday at 7 pm · House of Blues San Diego, 1055 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101

TicketsDirections

OUTSIDEfresh air

Wander the Wetlands - Fish Seining at Crown Point Park

Saturday at 9 am

Crown Point Park North

Help with fish seining in Kendall-Frost Marsh while learning about its habitats and wildlife with UC San Diego and San Diego Bird Alliance. No registration needed. Bring closed-toed shoes, sun protection and water, and expect muddy, uneven ground.

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DATE NIGHTfor two

Dim Sum & Jazz CCLXXVI - The Garners Quartet

Friday at 6:30 pm

Golden Island Dim Sum, 10660 Camino Ruiz, San Diego, CA, 92126, United States

The Garners, a married duo playing gypsy jazz, swing, blues and folk on ukulele and guitar, take the stage for the 276th installment of this long-running weekly dining and music night. Call for reservations.

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David Sánchez “Tambó” | Athenaeum Jazz Fall 2026 Series

Sunday at 7:30 pm

Scripps Research Auditorium, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121

Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sánchez leads his quintet in "Tambó," which links the African roots of Puerto Rican music with the drumming traditions of Palenque, Colombia. Part of the Athenaeum Jazz fall series.

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BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales

San Diego Potters Guild Fall Patio Show and Sale

Saturday at 10 am; also Sun 10 am

Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Pl, San Diego, CA, 92101

The San Diego Potters Guild fills the Spanish Village courtyard with its latest ceramics for its November patio show and sale. It's free, and the guild's studio and gallery are right there too.

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Tianguis

Sunday at 8 am

Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92101

A monthly artisan market at Centro Cultural de la Raza with arts and crafts, natural self-care products and home goods from local makers. Live music and children's art workshops make it a good family stop. Free.

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BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these

PLAN AHEAD

  • Dec. 5Small Town Holiday / Tree Lighting, Pier Plaza - 910 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach, CA 91932 Imperial Beach CA 91932. Details
  • Nov. 27Magic of Christmas Show, Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. Details
  • Dec. 3The Klezmatics | A Happy Joyous Hanukkah, Price Center East Ballroom. Details

WHAT DID WE MISS?

We do our best to read every calendar in San Diego, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.

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