Hello, January! It’s a fresh start, and San Diego knows it too – from food and beer fests to nature escapes, there are so many fun things happening in our lovely city. Here’s what you can’t miss!
1. January 1st free guided hikes
If you were looking for a healthy start of the year…this is your sign! For January 1st, California State Parks hosts its annual “First Day Hikes” with free, guided walks in over 60 parks. Over 80 adventures are available for nature enthusiasts – don’t miss it! Read all about the best ones here.
2. San Diego Restaurant Week
This is the culinary highlight of the year. Over 100 restaurants across the county, from the South Bay to North County, offer special three-course prix-fixe dinner menus and two-course lunch menus. It’s the perfect time to try that high-end spot you’ve been eyeing at a more approachable price point. It takes place between January 25 – February 1, 2026. Enjoy it and eat your heart out!
3. Candlelight – The Lord of the Rings
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Candlelight are bringing the magic of Middle-earth to life with Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — a classical music concert. This 60-minute journey features a string quartet performing iconic scores from the beloved movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
You’ll be surrounded by thousands of candles as you revisit epic themes. Tickets are now on sale for this stunning tribute to the legendary film trilogy’s powerful soundtrack. Grab yours below!
Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings
4. San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park
For the third year in a row, the San Diego Padres are transforming our beloved stadium into a world-class rodeo arena. You can expect top-tier riding, barrel racing, and team roping – all right in the heart of the East Village! Catch the action on January 16 – 18, 2026.
5. San Diego Brew Fest
Craft lovers, this one’s for you! Held at Liberty Station’s NTC Park on January 10, 2026, this festival celebrates San Diego’s status as the “Craft Beer Capital of the World.” It features over 70 breweries, 200 different beers, food trucks, and wonderful live music. Happy sipping!
6. Whale watching
Did you know over 20,000 gray whales swim 10,000 miles every single year? They travel from Alaska to Baja so the moms can have their calves in the warm lagoons, heading back north once the babies are big enough for the trip. It’s incredible to see in person! In San Diego, you’ve got 70 miles of front-row seats to this wonderful parade.
7. See over 200+ works of Banksy at this exhibit coming to San Diego for a limited time
Opening at the end of January and running through mid-April, this exhibition brings more than 200 works by the anonymous artist Banksy to San Diego. It’s one of the most expansive exhibits dedicated to his work, featuring certified originals alongside photographs, sculptures, installations, murals, and mixed media pieces. If you’ve ever wanted to see the full scope of Banksy’s impact in one place, this would be a great exhibit to start the year with. Grab your tickets below.
The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" Exhibition
8. Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
The holiday glow is still shining bright! Lightscape has returned to the Botanic Garden this month with a massive, illuminated trail. It’s basically an outdoor art show made of lights, and it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit. It runs until January 4, so grab your tickets below. It’s the perfect excuse to spend a twinkly night hanging out under the stars.
9. Skating by the sea
You’ve got until January 4 to hit the ice at this legendary spot. It’s roughly $40–$45 for an hour and a half of skating (skate rentals included). Even better, part of the proceeds help out Make-A-Wish San Diego. If you’re not a big skater, you can still have a blast in a private igloo on the sand, kick back by a firepit at the Frostbite lounge, or watch a Christmas movie under the stars.
10. soundON Festival
The annual soundON Festival returns, presented by San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. Now in its 18th year, the festival features bold contemporary works by composers from around the world, exploring the space between myth and history through 3 nights of thought-provoking music.
11. Poway Winter Festival
The Winter Festival is heading to Poway Community Park on Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10. It’s set to be a classic winter hangouts spot where people can go sledding, build snowmen, or roast marshmallows by the campfire. You can even meet ‘winter wonderland’ characters – there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Best of all? It’s free!
12. Be the jury in a live courtroom drama around AI
AI has been one of the biggest conversations of the past year, and The Jury Experience turns those questions into a live, immersive event. As an audience member, you become part of the jury, deciding which evidence to examine and ultimately voting on a guilty or not guilty verdict. It’s part theater, part social experiment, and a surprisingly dramatic, yet thoughtful way to engage with questions around responsibility, technology, and justice. Grab your tickets below!
The Jury Experience – Death by AI: Will San Diego Deliver Justice? - 4.16 · 90 reviews
13. Spend an afternoon (or a night) at The Lafayette Hotel
The newly renovated The Lafayette Hotel feels less like a single destination and more like several spots all under one beautiful roof. Each space has its own personality – live music in one room, pool views in another, even a bowling alley tucked inside the historic property. It’s a favorite for locals and visitors alike, whether you’re stopping by for people-watching or leaning fully into it with a stay.
14. Kick off the year at The San Diego International Auto Show
Running January 1 to 4, the San Diego International Auto Show features more than a dozen new vehicle debuts, including a world premiere from Ram Trucks. One of the biggest surprises this year is the BlackFly, an all-electric flying car making its first-ever appearance at an auto show as part of The Soar Tour. It’s a solid pick for car enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about where transportation is headed next.
15. Grab a drink at this newly-opened listen bar – Kiku Room
San Diego’s bar scene is genuinely so fun, and Kiku Room is no different. Described as a neighborhood music bar, Kiku offers four rotating classic cocktails priced at $10, made by former Youngblood bartender Taylor Ivision. The owners’ reasoning is simple: drinks shouldn’t cost $18. The space itself carries history too, once home to the iconic Casbah, where artists like Kurt Cobain and Alanis Morissette performed. If you’re skipping alcohol, San Diego’s listening-bar-meets-coffee scene is worth exploring as well, with spots like Longplay HiFi and Nomade San Diego.
16. Start the year with a trip to the thrift store
A new month is a good excuse to refresh your space, and San Diego has no shortage of worthwhile thrift shops. Favorites include Darrell’s Modern Trends Thrift & Furniture in Hillcrest, Bridge Thrift, which donates 100% of its profits back into the community, and Father Joe’s Villages Thrift Stores. It’s an easy way to shop with intention, and you can donate to these places, too!