January 2026
🎆 🥂 Happy New Year!!🍾
There are additional NYE events listed in addition to the links below. The Holiday Bowl Parade is Jan. 2. The San Diego International Auto Show is Jan. 1-4. The ice rinks and some of the holiday events are open into January.
Nov. 14-Jan. 14, Lightscape, Encinitas Botanical Gardens
Nov. 29-Jan. 3, Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour
https://www.sandiego.org/plan-your-trip/plan-by-season/holidays/holiday-lights-festivals-parades
Ice Rinks:
Nov. 20-Jan. 4, Rady Children’s at Liberty Station
Nov. 7-Jan. 4, Viejas Outlet Center
Nov. 21-Jan. 4, Hotel del Coronado
https://www.sandiego.org/plan-your-trip/plan-by-season/holidays/outdoor-holiday-merriment
Bill Magee:
Jan. 14, Drumtastic! Featuring Enrique Platas, Jimmy Patton, Sol E Mar, Kainga Music, Belly Up, Solana Beach, 7pm
Jan. 29, D.K. Harrell with Taryn Donath duo, Center for the Arts, Escondido 7pm $35+
Mar. 20, Vanessa Collier and Anthony Cullins Band, Vintana, Escondido 6pm $30-$60
Apr. 25, Shemekia Copeland with Ben Powell, Center for the Arts, Escondido 7pm $35+
Ron Ebel:
Jan. 9, Vista Elks 5:30pm
Gone Blonde:
Dec. 31, Encinitas Elks Lodge, 5-10pm
Jan. 16, Surf Club, Oceanside 6pm
Jan. 23, Coyote Bar & Grill, Carlsbad 6pm
Feb. 13, Surf Club, Oceanside 6pm
Custard Pie:
Jan. 3, The Landings, Carlsbad 6pm
Jan. 17, Aquarius Bar & Grille, San Diego 6pm
Jan. 23, Ringers, Bonsall 8pm
Jan. 31, Mr. Peabody’s, Encinitas 9pm
Cool Rush Band:
Jan. 3, Lorimar Winery, Temecula 6pm
Jan. 9, Ringers, Bonsall 8pm
Jan. 11, Coyote Bar & Grill, Carlsbad 5pm
Jan. 30, Fast Times, San Diego 7pm
Feb. 8, Galley at the Marina, Chula Vista 6pm
Feb. 13, Ringers, Bonsall 8pm
Feb. 15, Coyote Bar & Grill, Carlsbad 5pm
Lifetime Rocker:
Dec. 31, LTR, NYE Grape Drop, Temecula 8-10pm
Jan. 9, LTR, Canyon Lake Country Club Restaurant 6pm
Jan. 25, Bob Seger Tribute Band, The Vibe, Temecula 2pm
Feb. 5, Live Band Karaoke, Canyon Lake Country Club Restaurant 6pm
Feb. 13, LTR, Lorimar Winery, Temecula 6pm
Anthony Cullins:
Jan. 3, Baba Coffee, Carlsbad 6pm
Daring Greatly / Croome Brothers / Half Shot:
Jan. 2, Half Shot, Coyote Bar & Grill, Carlsbad 6pm
Jan. 3, Half Shot, The Barn, Ramona 6:30pm
Feb. 14, DG, Pour House, Oceanside 9pm
Feb. 18, Croome Brothers, The Camp Store, Carlsbad 4pm
Feb. 27, DG, The Holding Company, San Diego
Feb. 28, Croome Brothers, CoLab Public House, Vista 6pm
https://www.daring-greatly.com/
Danny Gali:
Tony Suraci:
https://www.tonysuracimusic.com/
Pretending Chrissie:
Jan. 9, The Landings, Carlsbad 6pm
Feb. 13, Just Too Duo, Common Grounds Café & Coffee Bar, TERI, 5-7pm
Feb. 27, The Landings, Carlsbad 6pm
http://pretendingchrissie.com/
Raynaldo Martine:
Sundays, Open Mic at Coomber Winery, Oceanside 6pm
Jan. 2, Coomber Winery
Bonsall:
Harlow’s Lounge has live music scheduled semi-regularly, check their website for the current updates. Open Thursday-Saturday 4-10pm
Fallbrook:
https://www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/
Warrior Avenues:
The donation drive for basic hygiene items for our military personnel is ongoing. More details are on the website. Other resources are available in support of active military, spouses and veterans. Items can be dropped off at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce or email courtney@warrioravenues.org to coordinate a drop off or pick up of donations.
Fallbrook Community Drum Circle:
Jan. 25, at Jackie Heyneman Park on S. Mission under the gazebo, bring your own chairs, 1-4pm, held on the 4th Sunday of each month. For more information email Daniel at eminentsun@icloud.com. See Solana Beach for another drum circle there.
Fallbrook Farmers and Artisan Market:
Saturdays 9am-1pm, on Main between Hawthorne and Fig, more info 760-728-5845 or info@fallbrookfarmersmarket.org
This is an informative website about Fallbrook you may want to check out: www.everythingfallbrook.org
Fallbrook Art Center:
Nov. 4-Jan. 10, International Holiday Show
Jan. 24-Mar. 7, Baja Art Exhibition
Mar. 17-Apr. 18, Signature Watermedia Exhibition
Fallbrook Mission Theater:
Movies:
Jan. 2, Men in Black (1997) Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith
Jan. 9, Jailhouse Rock (1957) Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy
Jan. 16, Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) Clint Eastwood, Shirley MacLaine
Jan. 23, School of Rock (2003) Jack Black, Joan Cusack
Jan. 30, To Have and Have Not (1944) Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall
Movies 7pm, doors 6pm for Happy Hour, $10/$12
Check their website for late updates
Live Events:
Dec. 31, NYE Celebration & Dance Party, doors 6pm, ball drop 9pm $30/$40
Jan. 10, Elvis & The Electras featuring James Kruk 7pm $30/$40
Jan. 18, Fire & Grace, violin/guitar duo, $20/$25 2pm tickets at www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org
Mar. 20-21, Journey USA Tribute $45/$60
https://fallbrookmissiontheater.com/
Fallbrook VFW Post 1924:
Lots of special events and meals, brunch, Bike Night last Friday of the month, and more, open to the public.
Vista:
Moonlight Theater 2026 Stage Season will be back in the spring with tickets on sale now.
Apr. 29-May 16, The Cher Show
June 3-20, Mean Girls
July 8-25, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Aug. 12-29, Guys and Dolls
Sep. 9-26, Come From Away
Escondido:
Center for the Arts:
Saturdays in January, February: Beginner Swing Classes with Mercedes Moore 2pm
Jan. 17, Eric Hutchinson 7:30pm
Jan. 18, The Screwtape Letters 3pm and 7pm
Jan. 27-29, Shen Yun 2026 7pm
Jan. 29, D.K. Harrell with Taryn Donath 7pm, Six String Society
Feb. 14-15, Dream by Jason Mraz Foundation, 7pm and 3pm
Feb. 14, Tony Bennett’s Legacy “The Good Life” 7:30pm
Feb. 15, Great American Crooners 7:30pm
Feb. 20, Whose Live Anyway? Comedy 7:30pm
Feb. 22, Swan Lane with live orchestra by World Ballet Company 6pm
Intimate Classics Series 3pm (season tickets available for purchase):
Jan. 18, Matt Herskowitz
Mar. 8, Lincoln Trio
Apr. 26, Amit Peled
May 31. Eugene Drucker & Friends
The Grand – Ritz Theater:
Both indoor seating and an outdoor rooftop venue
Jan. 9, K-Pop Stars
https://www.thegrandescondido.org/projects-8
Welk Theatre:
Wednesdays 7pm:
2026 Season info to be posted in January
https://tickets.thewelksandiego.com/
https://visitescondido.com/full-calendar/
Escondido Wine and Craft Beer map: https://visitescondido.com/wineries/
Ramona:
The Barn, Thursday Night Line Dancing, all ages
Ramona Mainstage on Main Street, formerly the Ramona Theatre, has been refurbished and updated. The original grand opening was in 1947. Now a performing arts facility, there is live music periodically scheduled. Doors open 7pm.
San Marcos:
Bornemann Theatre:
Jan. 24, A George Harrison Story 7pm
Jan. 30, Last Laugh Friday with Lamont Ferguson 7pm
Feb. 6, The Lennon & McCartney Show 7pm
Feb. 7, Strange Days, Doors tribute 7pm
Feb. 14, Smooth Operator, Sade tribute 7pm
Feb. 27, Last Laugh Friday with Doug Starks 7pm
https://www.thebornemann.com/show-calendar
There is also live music at the TERI Common Grounds Cafe 5-7pm
https://www.tericommongroundscafe.com/
My Yard Live:
Live music Fridays-Sundays, Karaoke Thursdays, Trivia Night Wednesdays, Dueling Pianos first Friday of each month. Reservations required.
Carlsbad:
https://www.carlsbad-village.com/events
New Village Arts:
Various shows, comedy and more, Season 24 in progress
The Landings at Palomar Airport, 6-9pm unless otherwise noted:
Sundays 11am-2pm
Tuesdays-Thursdays Happy Hour 3-6pm
Wed-Sun live music (most)
Jan. 2, Smokin’ Guns
Jan. 3, Custard Pie
Jan. 9, Pretending Chrissie
Jan. 10, Love Is a Rose
Jan. 17, Rick Trotter Band
Jan. 23, The Nada Band
Full schedule not posted yet.
Friday and Saturday evenings: reservations are required for parties over 8, $30/person minimum.
Coyote Bar and Grill:
Live Music:
Saturdays 1-4:30pm and 6-10pm
Sundays 1-4:30pm and 5-9pm
Tuesdays-Friday 6-10pm
Mondays, Karaoke 6-10pm
Dec. 31, Bumpasonic 6-10pm
Dec. 31, DJ – New Year’s Eve Bash 9pm-1:30am
Jan. 2, Half Shot
Jan. 13, Jimmy & Enrique 6pm
Jan. 23, Gone Blonde 6pm
Jan. 27, Jimmy & Enrique 6pm
Schedule not fully posted
Oceanside:
https://visitoceanside.org/events/
Coomber Craft Wines, tasting room, food, live music most nights
Sundays, Open Mic with Raynaldo Martine 6pm
Dec. 31, New Years Eve with Dance Evolution 6-9pm
Jan. 2, Raynaldo Martine 6pm
https://www.coomberwines.com/calendar
Oceanside Sunset Market every Thursday 5-9pm
This link also has information on the various artisan and gift markets in Oceanside.
Del Mar:
Jan. 10-11, Oddities & Curiosities Expo, O’Brien Hall
Jan. 16-19, Jurassic Quest, O’Brien Hall
Jan. 30-Apr. 22, The Art of Banksy Without Limits Exhibition
https://www.delmarfairgrounds.com/events
The Sound:
Encinitas:
https://www.encinitas101.com/event/
Botanic Garden:
Nov. 14 – Jan. 14, Lightscape 2025 is back for its 4th year, one mile evening walk with 1 million lights, laser garden, lantern trees, more. Special ticketed event, reservations required
Solterra Winery:
Live music Fridays and Saturdays 6-9pm, Sundays 4-7pm
Solana Beach:
Belly Up:
Fridays, Atomic Groove: Get Your Groove Back Happy Hour 5:30pm, $12
Full schedule
San Dieguito Drum Circle:
First Saturday of each month, San Dieguito Park, for more information contact Lisa at awarelisa@gmail.com
San Diego:
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/things-to-do
San Diego International Car Show:
Jan. 1-4, San Diego Convention Center
San Diego Brew Festival:
Jan. 10, NTC Park, Liberty Station, 12-4pm, 70 breweries, 200 beers, 10 food trucks, live music, lawn games, $50-$65
https://www.sandiegobeerfest.com/
The Shell:
Jan. 24, Fit Athletic Yoga 9:30am
Feb. 21, Fit Athletic Yoga 9:30am
Mar. 14, Fit Athletic Yoga 9:30am
Mar. 20, Foreigner + San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Full season starts May 1 with Star Wars: A New Hope in concert
Snapdragon Stadium (at SDSU) opened for sports, monster jams, concerts
Jan. 2, Snapdragon Holiday Bowl Bash
https://snapdragonstadium.com/
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre:
Diverse series of concerts/events
https://as.sdsu.edu/calcoast/events
The Magnolia:
The Magnolia, formerly the East County Performing Arts Center, has been fully renovated and is now open and hosting a variety of events year-round with a pretty full schedule, including concerts, movie nights, comedy, beer festivals, etc. 210 E. Main, El Cajon
https://www.magnoliasandiego.com/venue-info
Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay:
Back next year, some concerts scheduled starting April 24, 2026
https://www.humphreysconcerts.com/
Humphrey’s Backstage Live:
Dec. 31, Detroit Underground, New Year’s Eve Dance into 2026 Party
www.humphreysbackstagelive.com/events
Tio Leo’s: live music Tuesday-Saturday at the Napa Street, San Diego, location. www.tioleos.com
Aquarius Bar & Grill, Mission Bay:
Live music every day but the website only shows a few days at a time. Check there for current info.
Dec. 31, live music from 4:20pm-12am champagne toast $15 cover
Jan. 1, live music 12-3pm and 4:20-7:30pm $5 cover
Check out The Power of Words by Dr. Masaru Emoto on their website, this is a great book!
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Dec. 19-Jan. 4, Jungle Bells All the Way at the Zoo
Nov. 28-Jan. 4, Wild Holidays at the Safari Park
SeaWorld:
Nov. 14 – Jan. 4, Christmas Celebration www.seaworld.com
Balboa Park www.balboapark.org free organ concerts every Sunday 2-3pm
Birch Aquarium https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
USS Midway Museum, www.midway.org
The Old Globe Theatre www.theoldglobe.org
Liberty Station:
Nov. 20-Jan. 4, Rady Children’s Ice Rink 10am-10pm
https://libertystation.com/events/calendar
Petco Park sports and concerts:
Dec. 31-Jan. 1, New Year’s Eve CRSSD Proper, 2-day electronic music festival
https://www.petcoparkinsider.com/petco-park-events
https://www.petcoparkinsider.com/category/concerts-at-petco-park/
San Diego Brewers Guild has a link for the current status of local breweries that is constantly being updated here, including live music www.sdbeer.com
Pechanga Arena sports, concerts, monster trucks:
Dec. 31-Jan. 1, CRSSD Proper New Year’s Eve Concert
Jan. 16-28, Petco Park Rodeo
https://pechangaarenasd.com/events/category/concerts/
San Diego Food Bank:
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank feeds about 400,000 military and civilian people per month, year-round. Please help them feed the hungry in our local communities. They are doing an enormous job!
http://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/
Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, open and with a fully booked schedule, reservations.
Temecula:
Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Grape Drop, Civic Center Quad 6-10pm
Lifetime Rocker will be performing.
No information is listed for the ice rink this year.
http://www.temeculaevents.org/
Vail Headquarters:
Different events scheduled throughout the year
Old Town Blues Club, live music Thursday-Sunday
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
https://tickets.temeculatheater.org/
More Temecula activities and information:
Wineries:
This website has a comprehensive and detailed list of the status of the wineries and what they are currently offering.
Pala Casino, all times 8pm unless noted otherwise:
Indoor concerts, Event Center:
Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Toast to Tinseltown
Feb. 13, Bee Gees Fever $35/$25
Mar. 6, DSB -Tribute to Journey $35/$25
Harrah’s Rincon Casino:
Jan. 16, Theresa Caputo Live
Jan. 18, The Temptations & The Four Tops – celebrating 40 years
Jan. 30, Andrew Santino, comedy
Feb. 15, Air Supply
Mar. 7, Chris Isaak
Mar. 12, Black Label Society
Mar. 19, Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence, comedy
Mar. 29, Clint Black
Pechanga Resort & Casino:
Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Celebration
Jan. 9-11, Pechanga Pow Wow
Jan. 15, Gladys Knight
Jan. 22, Victor Trevino – Elvis tribute
Jan. 23, The Lalas Burlesque Show
Jan. 24, Im Chang Jung
Jan. 29, The Fab Four: Help!
Jan. 30, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Feb. 1, Paris by Night Special
Feb. 5, Rock of the 80’s
Feb. 12, Lisa McClowry – Cher tribute
Feb. 14, Song Gain
Feb. 17, Diana Ross
Feb. 21, Jerry Seinfeld
Feb. 22, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Quotes for the moment:
💝May we all have a vision now and then, of a world where every neighbor is a friend. Happy New Year. ABBA, Swedish band
💗Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, “it will be happier”. Alfred Lord Tennyson, 19th century English poet
💜As we look to the new year, hold on tight to what is good. Let go of what is bad. It really is that simple. Mandy Hale, contemporary American author
💐Approach the new year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day. Michael Josephson, contemporary American professor
💖And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been. Rainer Maria Rilke, 20th century Austrian poet
As always, feel free to forward this to anyone who may appreciate it. Today, and always, I send blessings of love and laughter to all!! May you all stay safe, healthy and well!
Mahalo,
Annette 😇
Share Smiles, Show Kindness, Spread the Love
For in-depth coverage of many of the local musicians and concerts (and more):
Click here for BackStage360: http://www.backstage360.com/
Disclaimer: times and events may change after publication.
BY: ANNETTE HIGBY