Vanguard Culture

San Diego Restaurant Week
2026-01-25 00:00 - 2026-02-01 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Savor San Diego Restaurant Week, an 8-day culinary celebration where 100+ restaurants from Oceanside to Chula Vista offer special multi-course menus starting at just $30. Whether you’re exploring trending local favorites, planning a foodie date night, or discovering new flavors with friends, this is the perfect chance to taste your way through the region’s vibrant dining scene. With diverse menus and great deals, it’s all about connecting over delicious food and memorable moments.

Spamilton: An American Parody
2026-01-25 19:00 - 21:00
Created by Gerard Alessandrini, the comic mastermind behind the long-running hit Forbidden Broadway and performed by a versatile cast of eight, Spamilton: An American Parody is a side-splitting new musical parody. A crash course of everyone’s favorite Broadway blockbusters, including celebrity satires, pop culture zings accompanied with hip-hop on the piano! After tearing it up in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and London, Spamilton: An American Parody will stage a singing, dancing, comedy revolution in San Diego!Created, written, and directed by Gerard AlessandriniHILARIOUS MUSICAL SPOOF

Balboa Theatre868 Fourth AveSan Diego, CA 92101

Oceans at Night: Aquanauts
2026-01-29 18:30 - 20:30
Live out your childhood ocean dreams at Oceans at Night: Aquanauts, a 21+ after-hours adventure at the aquarium. Enjoy a kid-free night of immersive exhibits including Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, meet artist Hope Ginsburg, and connect with real-life aquanauts. Watch scuba divers feed sharks, eels, and Giant Sea Bass in the Giant Kelp Forest, then dive into hands-on activities exploring saturation diving and underwater research. Food, drinks, and music available for purchase.

Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 6:30 – 9:30 PM

Birch Aquarium2300 Expedition WayLa Jolla, CA 92037

D.K. Harrell
2026-01-29 19:00 - 21:00
Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter D.K. Harrell, one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence, sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell—a major draw at blues festivals around the world—is already in a league of his own. D.K. Harrell is a fast-rising blues dynamo…One of the most talented and exciting young blues artists to emerge in decades. –San Diego Union Tribune

D.K. Harrell along with Taryn Donath duo Thursday, January 297PM | Concert Hall

The Art of Banksy Without Limits
2026-01-30 08:00 - 2026-04-19 17:00
The Art of Banksy Without Limits Exhibition In San Diego For The First Time. When the topic is street art, there is no way around him: Banksy is probably the most famous and also the most mysterious graffiti artist in the world. The Art of Banksy Without Limits is in San Diego for the first time after its incredible worldwide success with over 2,800,000 visitors! Explore 200 of the artist’s works, such as his original art, prints, photos, sculptures, and much more.

Del Mar Fairgrounds2260 Jimmy Durante BlvdDel Mar, CA 92014

Sol Invictus
2026-01-30 19:30 - 21:30
Witness Sol Invictus,a high-energy dance performance that celebrates light and movement created by award-winning choreographer Hervé Koubi. This thrilling production combines urban dance, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery for a theatrical performance not to be missed! This electrifying evening is a declaration of love to dance, to its past, its present, its future.

Balboa Theater868 Fourth AvenueSan Diego, CA 92101

M(other) Tounge
2026-01-31 00:00 - 2026-04-18 23:59
Kirstyn Hom – Image Credit: Leah Nichols, Ava Sayaka Rosen

M(other) Tongue brings together artists who use textile to examine the interconnected experiences of migration, displacement, and cultural inheritance. Drawing on textile traditions rooted in women’s domestic and communal practices, the works approach stitching, weaving, and dyeing as forms of mark making; methods of carrying ancestral stories across borders and generations. In M(other) Tongue, cloth becomes both archive and language, expressing the tensions of uprooting and the desire to remain connected to one’s past. Each piece invites viewers to reflect on how identity is continually woven from personal narratives, shared histories, and the ongoing work of becoming.

Featuring work by Leila Khalizadeh Aghdami, Chitra Gopalakrishnan, Kirstyn Hom, Yasmine Kasem, Shirin Towfiq.

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Featuring LIVE DJ vinyl set by @Maeormaenot and small bites sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library.Central Library’s Judith Harris Art Gallery330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Staying Power
2026-02-03 08:00 - 2026-04-11 17:00
Helen Shirk, Brooch, 1967 silver. 1.75 x 1.5 x .75 inches Courtesy of the artist

The San Diego State University School of Art and Design presents Staying Power, a major exhibition celebrating the university’s long-standing legacy in craft. Staying Power is SDSU’s contribution to Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide Semiquincentennial initiative, led by Craft in America, the Los Angeles–based nonprofit known for its Peabody Award-winning PBS documentary series spotlighting the importance of the handmade in American history and culture.

Staying Power will showcase the past, present, and future of the School of Art and Design’s craft legacy spanning more than five decades, with a special focus on work from the Southern California region. The exhibition is curated by Barbara Paris Gifford, Senior Curator at the Museum of Art and Design, New York, and features exceptional work in metal, ceramics, wood, and other craft media made by emeritus faculty, current faculty, and selected distinguished alumni from our Applied Design areas.

The exhibition will run Feb. 3–April 11, 2026, in the University Art Gallery, located in the School of Art and Design’s 4th-Floor Courtyard. Gallery hours are Tuesday–Thursday from 12–4 p.m. and by appointment. The gallery will be closed March 31–April 2.

Hi-Res - live storytelling series
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00
Join the San Diego Made Factory for the launch of the Hi-Res live storytelling series, a platform for creative exchange, bringing creativity and community into focus by creating space for connection and conversation. This event will be curated monthly as part of San Diego Made on First Thursdays.

The innaugural Hi-Res event on February 5, 2026, will feature:

Stories by hamsa fae, Jazzmine Moore, and Angie Huang

Drinks and live DJ set by Cuts & Cocktails

“The Wall of Questions & Colors” by Justin Huelbig of Compagnia Creativa

Doors at 6 p.m. with stories between 6:45 and 7:15 p.m.Our events are free and open to all.Cash bar supports our creative collective.

San Diego Made Factory2031 Commercial St.SD CA 92113.

Steve Hackman’s Beethoven X Beyoncé
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:30
Steve Hackman’s newest production celebrates and elevates the power of women by combining pop’s Queen with classical music’s King: Beethoven and Beyoncé. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, the symphonic repertoire’s most joyful and pulsing celebration of dance, is the canvas onto which Hackman seamlessly interweaves 15 of Beyoncé’s most popular songs spanning her entire catalog, including, “Girls,” “Crazy in Love,” “Sorry,” “Cuff It,” “Single Ladies,” and “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The production’s emotional peak features the soulful union of two of the most recognizable melodies from each composer: Beyoncé’s “Halo” and the hauntingly beautiful second movement from Beethoven’s seventh symphony.
Hackman brings with him three powerhouse female soloists and a band featuring drums, guitar/keys and bass.
Steve Hackman’s Beethoven X Beyoncé is a SoundFuse Production.
February 6, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Jacobs Music Center

Chinese Love Stories
2026-02-07 14:00 - 16:00
Experience an enchanting afternoon of storytelling at San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, featuring Butterfly Lovers and other timeless tales of devotion, destiny, and transformation brought to life by professional storytellers. These rich narratives—rooted in cultural heritage and human emotion—invite audiences of all ages to connect with classic stories in a live, theatrical setting. Join us for an immersive journey through love, loss, courage, and renewal told through the art of spoken word.

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum404 Third AvenueSan Diego, CA 92101

Politics of Portrayal
2026-02-09 00:00 - 2026-03-05 23:59
Politics of PortrayalThree Generations of Chicana Portraiture in Los AngelesIn Conversation with San Diego artists

A powerful intergenerational exhibition at the San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery brings together Chicana artists from Los Angeles and San Diego to explore identity, activism, memory, and healing through portraiture. Spanning Baby Boomers to Millennials, the show connects ancestral traditions, magical realism, and contemporary social justice themes through richly symbolic figurative work. Featured artists include Barbara Carrasco, Yreina D. Cervantez, Marianela de la Hoz, Karla Diaz, Katie Ruiz, Ale Ruiz Tostado, and more. Don’t miss the Feb. 11 reception and Feb. 28 artist panel for deeper insight into this vital lineage of Chicana art.

We invite you to view this exhibition and join us for a reception on Wednesday, February 11, 4 – 7 pm. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. There will be a panel discussion with some of the featured Los Angeles and San Diego artists on Saturday, February 28 at 4:30 pm. A free catalog is available.

The Poetry Brothel: Devotion
2026-02-12 19:00 - 23:30
Step into The Poetry Brothel: Devotion, an immersive, cabaret-style experience where poetry, burlesque, live jazz, and theatrical variety intertwine in a sultry world of enchantment and allure. Set in an evocative, bordello-inspired atmosphere, this performance invites you to explore desire, intimacy, and connection through provocative spoken word, stunning dance, and spellbinding music. Attendees are encouraged to dress in mystical, theatrical attire and become part of the night’s seductive story. A bewitching evening for adventurous spirits craving art, performance, and connection.

Park & Rec4612 Park BoulevardSan Diego, CA 92116

7:00 p.m. – Midnight

Perspective
2026-02-13 00:00 - 2026-02-15 23:59
San Diego Ballet presents Perspective, a dynamic program that showcases bold, contemporary choreography alongside striking classical influences. Featuring world premieres and expressive works by acclaimed choreographers, this performance highlights the depth and versatility of the company’s dancers. From athletic movement to emotionally resonant storytelling, Perspective offers an inspiring glimpse into the evolving landscape of ballet. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience San Diego’s rich dance scene live on stage.

February 13 @ 7pmFebruary 14 @ 8pmFebruary 15 @ 2pm

San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa ParkJames S. Copley Auditorium1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

The Secret Society of Adultologists: Love Bites
2026-02-13 19:00 - 23:00
Love hurts. Love heals. Love bites. Join the Secret Society of Adultologists for a wickedly fun night as we sink our teeth into the wild side of romance, attraction, and survival. This after-hours, 21+ event will take you through the seductive science of mating rituals, venomous lovers, and heartbreak in the animal kingdom. Whether you’re lovestruck, love-shy, or love-scorned, this cheeky pre-Valentine’s bash has something for you. Dress to impress—or to distress—and toast (or roast) the season of affection with your fellow curious creatures.

Food and drink will be available for additional purchase.

San Diego Natural History Museum1788 El Prado, Balboa ParkSan Diego, CA 92101

Cyanotype
2026-02-14 00:00 - 2026-06-20 23:59
Explore the luminous world of cyanotype at the Visions Museum of Textile Art, where four artists—bailey macabre, Shane Booth, Morgan Ford Willingham, and Patricia Gaddis—demonstrate diverse approaches to this historic photographic printing technique. The exhibition highlights how artists transform the deep-blue process into contemporary textile and mixed-media works that blend craft, photography, and storytelling. On view February 14–June 20 in the Arts District Liberty Station, the show offers a striking look at how traditional methods continue to inspire innovative artistic expression.

Visions Museum of Textile Art2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92106

Vitamin String Quartet
2026-02-17 19:30 - 21:30
Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world. Erasing the boundaries between classical, dance, hip-hop and pop, VSQ performs spellbinding renditions of everything from Billie Eilish to BTS, Taylor Swift to The Weeknd, and Danny Elfman to Daft Punk. Praised by the likes of Buzzfeed, the New York Times, Consequence of Sound, Nerdist and more, VSQ has garnered over 2 billion streams and numerous Billboard chartings since its inception. VSQ can also be heard in numerous hit shows, including Netflix’s Bridgerton, HBO’s Westworld, and ABC’s Modern Family.

The Jacobs Music Center1245 Seventh AveSan Diego, CA 92101

February 17, 20267:30 p.m.

A Conversation With Edith Head
2026-02-19 00:00 - 2026-03-01 23:59
Susan Claassen stars as Edith Head in this behind-the-scenes feast of great movie lore. Dresser of classical stars like Mae West, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor, she received 35 academy award nominations and won 8 Oscars. Hear her tell HER story, one filled with humor, ambition, and above all glamour.

MOXIE Theatre6663 El Cajon Blvd Suite NSan Diego CA 92115

Pecha Kucha: Edges, Margins, Frontiers
2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00
Join the San Diego Archaeological Foundation for a special PechaKucha-style evening exploring the boundaries of design—where conventions are challenged, new territories emerge, and innovation takes shape. Speakers will consider how architecture, landscape, and urban design are pushing the limits today. Enjoy a fast-paced lineup of engaging presentations. A fun, community-centered event for curious minds, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys learning through storytelling.

February 19, 20266:00 PM – 8:30 PMCarrier Johnson185 F St #500San Diego, CA 92101

Poetry+Sound In 2 Acts
2026-02-20 19:00 - 2026-02-21 21:00
Part of Project BLANK’s The Salty Series, Poetry+Sound In 2 Acts brings an intimate evening of music, poetry, and theater to Bread & Salt Gallery. Act One features a first-time live collaboration between experimental musician Wilfrido Terrazas and poet Ronnie Yates, exploring the space where language dissolves into sound. Act Two presents The Mexican Husband, Fabiola Carranza’s powerful bilingual reimagining of a Brecht play, confronting immigration, love, and systemic injustice through performance and live score. Expect a night of close listening, bold storytelling, and urgent, boundary-crossing art.

Feb 20, 2026 Fri • 7:30 PM – Poetry + Sound in Two Acts

Feb 21, 2026Sat • 2:00 PM – The Mexican Husband: Encore Performance

BREAD & SALT1955 Julian AveSan Diego, CAUSA 92113

Space Maker
2026-02-21 00:00 - 2026-06-07 23:59
Space Maker examines where art and architecture meet, tracing how creative practices rooted in design influence the shaping of spaces, objects, and communities. Featuring a blend of historic pieces with contemporary works by local artists – including Russell Forester, Robert Irwin, Miki Iwasaki, Irma Sofía Poeter, and others – the exhibition highlights wide-ranging interpretations of form, geometry, and place. Through these varied perspectives, the exhibition uncovers the reciprocal relationship between artistic expression and architectural thinking – revealing how each discipline informs, echoes, and transforms the other.

February 21 – June 7, 2026Opening Reception: Friday, February 205:00PM Members Preview6:00PM Public Opening

La Jolla Historical Society780 Prospect St.La Jolla, CA 92037

Celebration of New Writers
2026-02-23 00:00 - 2026-02-24 23:59
Directed by Matthew Salazar–Thompson & Carla Navarro

Celebration of New Writers is an opportunity to showcase the works of a diverse and underrepresented pool of talented playwrights. This evening includes short new pieces YOU get to hear first, with a discussion afterward. Our team brings together local talents in the best light to introduce you to the next artistic wave.

This year’s Celebration will be co-directed by Matt Thompson and Carla Navarro, who return to guide this festival of new voices with their signature blend of insight, heart, and bold theatrical vision.

We invite audiences to experience these fresh works brought and to join us for an evening that celebrates creativity, and Cultural Culinary Connections.

February 23, 2026 | 7:30 PMWestminster Presbyterian Church(Point Loma, San Diego)3598 Talbot St.San Diego, CA 92106

February 24, 2026 | 7:30 PMMOXIE Theatre6663 El Cajon Blvd.San Diego, CA 92115

Cirque Flip Fabrique: Blizzard
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:30
Experience the magic of winter through breathtaking acrobatics, live music, and stunning visual poetry in Blizzard, the internationally acclaimed contemporary circus by Québec-based company Cirque FLIP Fabrique. This imaginative production transports audiences into a snow-covered world filled with wonder, mystery, and high-flying artistry, blending humor, emotion, and extraordinary physical skill. With performers at the peak of their craft, Blizzard promises a mesmerizing journey that captures both the beauty and power of the season.

Friday February 27th, 2026 – 7:30pmPoway Center for the Performing Arts15498 Espola RdPoway, 92064

Faith Ringgold: Full Circle – The Teachings and Her Legacy
2026-02-28 00:00 - 2026-05-01 23:59
Explore the powerful legacy of groundbreaking artist Faith Ringgold in this compelling exhibition at UC San Diego’s Mandeville Art Gallery. Featuring works from across her career, the show traces her evolution through painting, textiles, and narrative storytelling while honoring her impact as an artist, educator, and activist. Free and open to the public, with an opening celebration Feb. 28.

Free public opening celebration from 6–8 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2026On view through May 1, 2026

Mandeville Art Gallery9390 Mandeville LaneSan Diego, CA 92093

SDMA Centennial
2026-02-28 10:00 - 19:30
Since opening its doors in 1926, The San Diego Museum of Art has served as a cultural cornerstone of Southern California. Located in the heart of Balboa Park, the Museum is the region’s largest and most-visited art museum, welcoming more than half a million visitors annually. The Museum has established itself as a vital institution for world-class exhibitions, arts education, and cultural dialogue. Its collection spans centuries and continents, from Spanish Old Masters to South Asian miniature paintings to Contemporary works that reflect the evolving global landscape. For generations, SDMA has inspired curiosity, fostered creativity, and brought the transformative power of art to the San Diego community.

In 2026, The San Diego Museum of Art celebrates 100 years of serving the community through art and bringing the world’s greatest art to San Diego. In recognition of this remarkable milestone and looking ahead to the next century with plans for a transformative west wing expansion, SDMA presents a Centennial Celebration that not only honors the past but offers a bold vision for the future of art, community, and cultural engagement in San Diego. The year will feature groundbreaking exhibitions, dynamic public programs, and unforgettable events that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of our region.

SDMA Centennial ProgrammingSaturday, February 28, 2026Birthday Fest 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.On the Steps at SDMA: Centennial Celebration 4:30–7:30 p.m.

Live Arts Fest: Common Ground
2026-02-28 19:30 - 21:00
Presented by San Diego Dance Theater, Live Arts Fest: Common Ground is a vibrant celebration of contemporary dance and creative collaboration. This dynamic performance brings together innovative choreographers and artists exploring connection, community, and shared humanity through movement. Experience an inspiring evening of original works in the intimate Light Box Theater at Liberty Station. Don’t miss this immersive showcase of bold voices and cutting-edge performance.

Saturday Feb. 28th at 7:30pmSan Diego Dance Theater’s Light Box Theater2590 Truxtun Road, Second Floor Suite 205San Diego, CA 92106

The Art of Tango II
2026-02-28 19:30 - 21:30
Experience tango reimagined through the bold, genre-bending style of The Camarada Tango Quartet, joined by guest bandoneon virtuoso Pablo Jaurena and world-class dancers Carolina Jaurena and Anton Domansky. This electrifying program travels through tango legends like Piazzolla, Troilo, Pugliese, Matos, d’Arienzo, and de Caro, while also premiering a dynamic new commission by composer Andrés Martín. Expect a powerful blend of tradition and innovation—raw, refined, and unforgettable.

Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 7:30 PMThe Baker-Baum Concert Hall7600 Fay Ave L to, La Jolla, CA 92037

Singing Colors
2026-03-01 00:00 - 2026-03-28 23:59
Shapes and Shadows by Edward Abrams

The San Diego Watercolor Society presents Singing Colors, a juried exhibition featuring dynamic works in water-based media selected by award-winning artist Shuang Li. Showcasing more than 95 original paintings, the exhibition highlights the surprising versatility of watercolor through bold, contemporary approaches that push the medium beyond tradition. Join the free opening reception on March 6 (5–8 PM) in Liberty Station’s Arts District, where guests can meet artists, enjoy refreshments, and experience this vibrant celebration of watercolor.

San Diego Watercolor Society2825 Dewey Rd, Suite 105Building 202San Diego, CA 92106

Gallery Hours11 AM to 3 PM Wednesday – SundayClosed Monday & Tuesday

San Diego Theatre Month
2026-03-01 00:00 - 2026-03-31 23:59
Celebrate the best of live performance during San Diego Theatre Month, a city-wide showcase highlighting professional and community theatre across the region. Throughout March, audiences can enjoy a dynamic lineup of plays, musicals, dance, and performance art from venues big and small, spotlighting local talent and artistic diversity. From classics to new works, the month celebrates the power of live storytelling and invites theatre lovers to experience the breadth of San Diego’s vibrant performing arts scene.

See our top picks for San Diego Theatre Month HERE.

Rhapsody in Blue
2026-03-07 - 2026-03-11
City Ballet of San Diego presents Rhapsody in Blue, an exhilarating evening of contemporary ballet showcasing innovative choreography and dynamic storytelling. Featuring Geoffrey Gonzalez’s vibrant interpretation of George Gershwin’s iconic score, the program also includes Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s hypnotic Ecliptic and the San Diego premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s romantic neoclassical work The American. Together, these works highlight the creativity and technical brilliance driving today’s ballet forward.
March 7th @ 8pmMarch 8th @ 2pmMarch 11th @ 8pm
