San Diego Weekend Events

We’re only one week away from Thanksgiving Day and holiday celebrations start now with a weekend of festive fun and local love. But don’t get out those turkey basters just yet! Check out some of the exciting events happening in your county. From culinary classes to comedy shows, San Diego welcomes a multitude of talent and treasure to its finest venues and landmarks.

Thursday, November 18

The 7th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival kicked-off the five-day celebration yesterday with the San Diego Wine Rave. The festivities continue through Sunday with a daily Tastemaker Dinner Series featuring local market chefs teaming up with celebrities of the culinary world. Special classes for tonight include The Creative Process of Chocolate Making and The Art of Tequila.

Several great acts hit the Gaslamp Quarter to provide locals and visitors with awesome entertainment. If you’re in the mood for some belly busters, bounce over to the Balboa Theater for The Comedy Road Show withVince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers) and Kevin James (King of Queens).

Feeling fly like a G6? Far East Movement rockets their way from your radio waves over to Voyeur at 9pm for a live show. Also check out Pepper with Fishbone and Pour Habit as they bring down the House of Blues for an all-ages show as part of the Like a Surgeon Tour.

Friday, November 19

The three-day long Del Mar Antique Show starts today! Catch a ride over to the O’Brien Hall at the fairgrounds for several days of shopping through aged treasures. Appraisers are also available at the show to value collectibles for a small fee.

Couldn’t make the Pepper show Thursday night? No worries. The boys of the Like a Surgeon Tour are back for an extra 21+ round of fun at the House of Blues Friday night. Dimpled crooner Bruno Mars loves you just the way you are, so hopefully you’re a part of the lucky audience reciprocating the love at his sold-out show in the UCSD Price Center.

Saturday, November 20

Come celebrate the holidays at the San Diego USO Holiday Concert as the Navy Band Southwest and Peter North, the original voice of Charlie Brown, entertain the crowd. Admission is free, however they do ask for a donation of a new unwrapped toy to be given to a child of an active duty member. Tonight also marks the opening night for Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe Theater which runs until December 26th, 2010.

Support the local San Diego State Aztecs as they take on the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium, go see Lifehouse at the Pechanga Theater with American Idol alum Kris Allen OR hit the House of Blues to hear Unwritten Law with guests Authority Zero, Best Regret and Super Groupie.

Sunday, November 21

Rally the kids and drive down to El Cajon to check out the amazing floats lined up for the 64^th Annual Mother Goose Parade. The family fun continues with a musical adventure at the Balboa Theater for the Toy Stories Family Concert as well as a  full day of autumn activities and shopping sprees at the Encinitas Fall Festival.

Gather at the Old Globe’s Copley Plaza for this year’s Grinch Christmas Tree Lighting with the cast of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or hop over to the House of Blues for a special Local Brews, Local Grooves All-Access treat as the main stage features some of the best acts in town.

Take a Peek into Next Week

Mon, Nov 22 – The Sadies featuring The Loons at The Casbah
Tues, Nov 23 – Black Mountain and the Black Angels at the Belly Up Tavern
Wed, Nov 24 – 31st Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival
Thurs, Nov 25 – THANKSGIVING!
Fri, Nov 26 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the San Diego Sports Arena
Sat, Nov 27 – Soulfly with Desperate Union at the House of Blues
Sun, Nov 28 – Son Cubano Night with Combo Libertad at Belly Up

Music artists’ photos courtesy of GEt A LiFE, Michi Moore Images, clogozm via flickr. The Grinch Lighting photo comes courtesy of The Old Globe Theater.