The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: July 24-26

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26.

Friday

Comic-Con: Comic-Con International, the massive annual conference and outdoor festival celebrating pop culture, returns to downtown San Diego this weekend. Today is the second full day of activities, and badge holders will be able to see panels about the latest TV and movies, shop for exclusive merchandise, learn about the comic book industry and compete in video and board games. San Diegans without badges can also get in on the fun by visiting the Gaslamp Quarter and areas around the San Diego Convention Center to participate in immersive experiences set up by TV and film studios and other brands. The convention also brings out crowds of cosplayers dressed up in movie quality and often homemade costumes. Friday through Sunday. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. Times and prices vary for activities inside and outside the convention center. comic-con.org

Interactive Zone: One of the easiest ways to get involved at Comic-Con is at Petco Park’s interactive zone. In a parking lot outside the ballpark, various brands will set up activities, photo opportunities and food trucks. This year’s participants include Labu’Tique Shop, KAYOU and the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck. Visitors can also shop for exclusive merchandise. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Lexus Premier Lot. Free.

“Il turco in Italia”: Opera Neo closes its 2026 season with an outdoor production of this rarely performed Gioachino Rossini opera about an encounter between Selim, a Turkish traveler, and Fiorilla, a free-spirited Italian woman. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park. $10-$75. 858-888-2231, operaneo.com

Your guide to events outside Comic-Con that don’t require a badge

Mini Garden Art Mart: In honor of Comic-Con, the San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum will host a mini mart with pop culture vendors, meet and greets with writers and artists and a live portrait. There will also be a prize raffle and crafts. 2 to 6 p.m. today. San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum, 404 Third Ave., San Diego. Free. sdchm.org

Elizabeth Helen author event: Meet Cute Romance Bookstore is hosting a book release party for Elizabeth Helen’s “Stolen by Shadows.” 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday. $19.99. Meet Cute Romance Bookstore, 8235 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 619-228-9548, meetcutebookshop.com

Julie Fiveash author events: The San Diego Library Foundation will host two free book events on Friday where young readers can meet former librarian Julie Fiveash, the author of the children’s graphic novel “The Froggy Library.” Fiveash will speak at 1 p.m. at the Skyline Hills library branch at 7900 Paradise Valley Road in San Diego, and then at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown. libraryfoundationsd.org/news-events

Peanuts Pop-Up: The Peanuts pop-up will have exclusive merchandise especially highlighting Snoopy and his siblings. There will be a puppy-themed adoption area by Super7 and each purchase will come with additional certifications designed by Best Friends Animal Society. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Noelle. 200 W. Harbor Drive, No. 105., San Diego. Free. super7.com/pages/peanuts-pop-up

“Say ‘NO’ to One Paseo”: Moxie Theatre presents a free staged reading of Siena Marilyn Chongchua-Morris’ play about three friends who watch their city, and theirselves, evolve oer two decades. The reading, which includes appetizers and refreshments, is being presented free in honor of Pride Month. 7 p.m. tonight. 6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. Free. moxietheatre.com

Southwest Summer Shakespeare Festival: Southwestern College’s Theatre Arts Department presents its fourth annual festival, which this year includes “Twelfth Night” and translingual adaptation of “As You Like It” (“Como Gustes”) by local playwright Mabelle Reynoso. “As You Like It”/”Como Gustes”: 7 p.m. Friday, Monday and July 30 and Aug. 1; 2 p.m. July 25. “Twelfth Night”: 7 p.m. Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday and July 31; 2 p.m. Aug. 1. Southwestern College Performing Arts Center, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista (free parking in lot “O”). $16.38. swctheatre.com

“Cyrano”: The Old Globe premieres Jason O’Connell and Brenda Withers adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 French play “Cyrano de Bergerac.” 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 16. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $44 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: Moonlight Stage Productions presents the San Diego regional premiere of this musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s dark children’s novel about a poor boy who wins the opportunity to visit a mysterious chocolatier’s candy factory. 8 p.m. today and Saturday. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $21-$71. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com

“Arcadia”: Cygnet Theatre presents Tom Stoppard’s mystery drama that alternates between 1809 and the present day at a grand English country estate. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 9. The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego. $32.50 and up. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.com

“Dive Bar Time Machine”: Blindspot Collective presents this new play with music by Blake McCarty and Shellina Hefner set in a dive bar where human stories are told through songs by artists who definevd their eras, including Frank Sinatrao, Donna Summer and Billie Holiday. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 9. The Loft, 4151 Matthews Lane, La Jolla. $35. blindspotcollective.org

“North by Northwest”: The Old Globe presents the North American tour of this London-born stage comedy based on filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 mistaken-identity thriller about a man pursued across the country by a mysterious group of criminals. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 2. Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $43 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org

“American Rhythm”: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Lamb’s Players Theatre has revived its high-energy musical celebration of 100 years of American music, from ragtime to swing, jazz and rock and roll. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 27. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

Saturday

Bucket hat giveaway: San Diego FC is doing a bucket hat giveaway for the Saturday game against FC Dallas. The first 25,000 fans will receive one. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. Tickets start at $30. sandiegofc.com/tickets/single

Military Heroes Festival: For the eighth time, Liberty Station is joining with the Rock Church to host a military heroes festival for active military families, gold-star families and active-duty reservists. They can receive free backpacks, groceries, haircuts and other gifts of appreciation. There will also be live entertainment, a kids zone, a sports zone and prizes. RSVP online. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Liberty Station Lot J, (one block south of Ingram Plaza) 2670-2798 Cushing Road, San Diego. Free. brushfire.com/sdrock/events/629545

Caitlin Rother author event: Caitlin Rother will discuss and read from her new book “Staged.” 3 p.m. Saturday. Barnes and Noble, 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego. stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2984

Orchid summer sale: The San Diego County Orchid Society will host an exhibition and summer sale in Balboa Park. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Casa del Prado, Room 100, Balboa Park. sorchids.com/up-coming-show

“Celebrate Summer in Harmony”: The California Note Catchers, a women’s a cappella four-part harmony chorus, and other small groups, will perform in concert. 2 p.m. Saturday. Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, 455 Church Way, El Cajon. Donations accepted at the door. 619-248-9599, californianotecatchers.com

Nickelodeon “Fun Flows Here”: The event at The New Children’s Museum’s children’s park will feature an interactive stage show with live performances modeled after series like “PAW Patrol,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “The Thundermans” and “Star Trek: Scouts.” Guests can also enjoy a slime booth, themed photo installations and a family movie night on Friday, July 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The New Children’s Museum, Children’s Park, 326 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego. thinkplaycreate.org/event/fun-flows-here

“Harvesting Hope”: TranscenDANCE Youth Arts Project will perform a dance theater program of contemporary and hip-hop choreography, poetry and visual art featuring more than 60 local youths ages 9 to 19. 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hoover High School Performing Arts Center, 4474 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. $20-$45. tdarts.org

‘Scapin’ opens Saturday in Solana Beach: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell’s zany adaptation of Molière’s 17th-century comedia delle-arte farce about a schemer who helps two young men marry the women of their dreams. Opens Saturday and runs through Aug. 16. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8  p.m. Fridays; 2  and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $63.50-$85.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

Sunday

Bigger Than You Think! Tour – The Sequel!: Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan and 3OH!3 are joining together for the Bigger Than You Think! Tour – The Sequel!  Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Events Center, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $98.20. officialsimpleplan.com/tour

The Athenaeum’s 27th Annual Summer Festival — Gustavo Romero plays Franz Liszt: The fest continues with the final concert by the famed San Diego-raised pianist. 4 p.m. Sunday. 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $55-$60. ljathenaeum.org/events/summer-festival-2026-0726

“The Family Album”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of this musical by MILCK, AG and Sam Chase about an aspiring singer-songwriter whose responsibilities to her family put an unexpected roadblock in her life and career. Opens Sunday and runs through Aug. 23. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $74 and up. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org

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