San Diego Weekend Guide: July 25-27 — Bites & Brass
The Navy’s Harborside Brass Quintet performs in Mission Valley this weekend. Here a member makes a new friend during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Malaysia Billman/U.S. Navy) Awww, jom-icon, schwam-icon, you may say. If you pay attention though, a lot of the local fun this San Diego weekend is a play on the pop cultural behemoth taking place downtown, including films, anime and indigenous and wrestling fests. So go ahead, give in. And if you want more info on Comic-Con itself or all the activations downtown that don’t need a badge, we’ve got you too. Celebrate comics that focus on Tribal art at Indigi-con Friday and Sunday at UC San Diego Park & Market in the East Village, with panels of Native artists and writers. Anime and music band together for Crunchyroll Anime FanFest, a two-day free music festival opening Friday at the Rady Shell. Performers include SPYAIR, yama, Denzel Curry and INIKO. Look for immersive experiences from anime series including “Gachiakuta” and artist pop-ups too. Gates open at 1 p.m. both days. If you want a little more action with your pop culture, try luche libre night at the Soap Factory in Logan Heights. Watch Tinieblas Jr, La Hiedra, Pimpinela Escarlata, Lady Flamer – more than 20 wrestlers total – battle it out at 6 p.m. Friday. Tickets start at $50. Take a bite out of Chula Vista at Taste of Eastlake at 6 p.m. Friday. Tickets for the event, at the Chula Vista Elite Athletic Training Center, cost $80. They include bites from 40 eateries (and drinkeries) and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Eastlake Educational Foundation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Diego Made | Studio Rentals | Coworking | Event Space (@sandiegomadefactory) You have three chances this weekend to upgrade your summer movie experience at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater. The venue continues its free evening screenings Friday with Inside Out, Saturday with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Sunday with The Incredibles. Reserve spots online. The con of crafts is happening at Waterfront Park, opening at 10 a.m. Saturday. General admission is $5 for the two-day Makers Arcade Summer Fair, with 120 vendors, “make-and-take” craft stations, live music and more. There’s also the option of a “premium” Crafter’s Retreat for a deep dive into particular arts. The Julian Chamber of Commerce co-hosts the ninth annual Sip of Julian, opening at 11 a.m. Enjoy samples from many of Julian’s wineries, breweries and cideries paired with small bites. Pick up maps and glasses at the chamber, located at Town Hall, 2129 Main St., before starting the crawl. Tickets cost $35. Saturday’s Summer Band Festival at Civita Park Amphitheater in Mission Valley celebrates local concert bands. The bill kicks off at 11 a.m. and includes eight performers, including the Harborside Brass Quintet, part of U.S. Navy Band Southwest. Tickets are free, but RSVP online. The Carlsbad Wine and Food Festival begins at 4 p.m. Saturday with tastes available from almost 65 wineries, restaurants, breweries and more. Admission costs $125 for the event, at the Viasat campus, 2456 Town Garden Road. The fest closes with a dance party. Joyful noise meets majestic vessel at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with the Bayside Gospel Concert Aboard the Midway. Performers on the flight deck at the USS Midway Museum include The Family, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Kelontae Gavin, Palace, Corey Thompson and Robert Earl Dean. General admission starts at $25. Crash Mi Gente Block Party at the Normal Heights Masonic Center and try a little fun for a good cause – supporting local creatives. Dance and bring a buddy too, because the event, at 11 a.m. Sunday, is dog friendly. Suggested donations start at $5.
