This weekend in San Diego is absolutely loaded. CRSSD Festival takes over the Waterfront with two days of electronic music, Balboa Park is pulling double duty with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade AND the Cherry Blossom Festival happening simultaneously, Miguel is playing the Open Air Theatre, the Wave FC kicks off their season at Snapdragon, and the Gipsy Kings are in town. Oh, and Margo Price is at the Belly Up on Friday if you need a warm-up. Good luck picking just one thing.
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Festivals
CRSSD Festival Spring 2026
Saturday-Sunday, March 14-15 — Waterfront Park (21+)
San Diego’s premier electronic music festival returns to the Waterfront with three stages, 36+ artists, and one of the best lineups in years. Dom Dolla, Polo & Pan, La Roux, Lane 8, Amelie Lens, Cirez D, TOKiMONSTA, Tycho, and Cut Copy are just the highlights. Doors at noon both days, craft beer and food on-site, and those downtown bay views that make every other festival jealous. 21+ only.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival
Saturday, March 14 — Balboa Park
The 44th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 10:30am from Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street, rolling through the Hillcrest/Balboa Park area with all the green, music, and dancing you’d expect. Stick around for the Irish Festival in Balboa Park (9am-6pm) with traditional music, Irish food, and enough Guinness to make you forget it’s March in San Diego and not Dublin.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Thursday-Sunday, March 12-15 — Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park
The Japanese Friendship Garden’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival is back with lantern displays, taiko drummers, lion dances, a geisha opera singer, food vendors, and a beer and sake garden. The cherry blossoms are in bloom and the garden looks absolutely stunning right now. Open 10am-7pm daily, tickets $18-25. Pre-sale may be sold out, but day-of tickets are available on-site.
Concerts
Miguel: CAOS Tour
Saturday, March 14 at 8:30pm — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, SDSU
R&B star Miguel brings the CAOS Tour to the Open Air Theatre with special guest Jean Dawson — who’s a San Diego native, by the way. If “Adorn” and “Sure Thing” are still in your rotation (they should be), this is a Saturday night no-brainer. The Open Air Theatre is one of the best outdoor venues in town, especially on a March evening.
Gipsy Kings ft. Tonino Baliardo: Historia Tour
Saturday, March 14 at 8pm — Sycuan Casino Resort, El Cajon
The Gipsy Kings are one of those bands that transcend genre — flamenco, rumba, pop, world music, whatever you want to call it, it’s infectious. Tonino Baliardo leads the Historia Tour at Sycuan’s Heritage Event Center. Tickets from $69. If “Bamboleo” doesn’t get you moving, check your pulse.
Margo Price: Wild at Heart Tour
Friday, March 13 at 9pm — Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach (21+)
Grammy-nominated country/Americana artist Margo Price brings the Wild at Heart Tour to the Belly Up with special guest Ny Oh. Price is one of the best live performers in Nashville right now, and the Belly Up’s intimate setup makes this the kind of show people brag about seeing. $30 advance, $35 day-of.
The Gershwins on Broadway with Rob Fisher
Saturday, March 14 — Jacobs Music Center
A celebration of the Gershwin songbook at the newly renovated Jacobs Music Center. Vocalists and a small ensemble bring George and Ira Gershwin’s Broadway classics to life. Perfect for a more refined Saturday evening if the festival scene isn’t your thing.
Candlelight: The Best of The Beatles
Saturday, March 14 — Fleet Science Center
A string quartet performs the Beatles’ greatest hits surrounded by thousands of candles inside the Fleet Science Center. It’s atmospheric, it’s intimate, and it’s one of those experiences that looks as good as it sounds. Multiple showtimes available.
Sports
San Diego Wave FC Home Opener vs. Houston Dash
Saturday, March 14 at 5:45pm — Snapdragon Stadium
The Wave kick off their fifth anniversary season at Snapdragon Stadium against the Houston Dash. This is the NWSL season opener — the energy is always electric for the first home match. If you haven’t been to a Wave game yet, this is the one to start with.
San Diego Gulls vs. Colorado Eagles
Friday, March 13 at 7pm & Saturday, March 14 at 6pm — Pechanga Arena
Another two-game home stand for the Gulls, this time against Colorado. Friday night hockey is always a good time at Pechanga, and Saturday’s early start means you can catch the game and still make it to whatever else is happening that night.
Theater
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
Friday, March 13 at 7pm & Saturday, March 14 at 7pm & Sunday, March 15 at 3pm — Theater for Young Professionals
This electropop opera based on a slice of War and Peace continues its run at TYP San Diego. If you missed it last weekend, you’ve got three more chances. The intimate space makes this show hit different — it’s meant to surround you.
Family & Outdoors
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Open daily through May 10 — Carlsbad
We’re now two weeks into bloom season and the Flower Fields are starting to really pop. The ranunculus rows are filling in with color, and early-mid March is prime time before the Easter crowds descend. Bring a camera and prepare for maximum Instagram.
Elephant Valley at SD Zoo Safari Park
Now open — San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido
Elephant Valley is officially in its second full weekend and the buzz hasn’t died down. The Zoo’s largest-ever project gives you a front-row seat to African elephants in a savanna-style habitat, plus the two-story Mkutano House restaurant with watering hole views. Still a hot ticket — go early.
Food & Drink
SeaWorld Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival
Ongoing through April 26 — SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld’s food and beer festival is in full swing with over 125 offerings — craft brews, international street food, cocktails, and live music. Included with park admission. Running every weekend through late April.
