The Lunar New Year is upon us — this time, it’s the Year of the Snake. In San Diego, you can celebrate Lunar New Year at several free local festivals.
San Diego Lunar New Year Festival | Friday, Jan. 24-Sunday, Jan. 26 | Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park | The Little Saigon San Diego Foundation will host this City Heights fest featuring lion dances, folk dancing, art exhibitions, kid-friendly activities, and food vendors.
San Diego Tết Festival | Friday, Jan. 31-Sunday, Feb. 2 | NTC Park Liberty Station | The Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance and Vietnamese Federation of San Diego will highlight the Year of the Wood Snake with lion dances, live entertainment, vendors, and arts and crafts. Take note: The festival’s normal location at Mira Mesa Community Park is under construction this year, so be sure to head to Liberty Station instead.
San Diego Chinese New Year Fair | Saturday, Feb. 8 + Sunday, Feb. 9 | Third Avenue and J Street | This 42nd annual fair will fill the streets of downtown SD with performances, crafts, a lantern parade, art displays, and food vendors aplenty.
“Beyond Prison Walls” | Thursday, Jan. 23-Saturday, Jan. 25 | Times vary | SDSU Conrad Prebys Theatre | Free | Playwrights Project partners with SDSU to present scripts written in the Out of the Yard program by playwrights at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison.
Friday, Jan. 24
Marley Fest San Diego | 5-11:30 p.m. | The Holding Company | $34+ | This laid-back reggae music fest will feature Johnny Clarke, the Fully Fullwood Band, Gonzo, Ginger Roots, and other acts.
Indy Ignite at San Diego Mojo | 7:05 p.m. | Viejas Arena | $23+ | Our city’s pro women’s volleyball team takes on the newest member of the Pro Volleyball Federation — it’s gonna be lit.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Sober January Fitness Fest | 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Waterfront Park | $60+ | Energize and connect with others through workouts, coffee, music, and cold plunges.
Razkal Market Fashion Show | 12-8:30 p.m. | Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center | $12+ | Browse 40+ vendors and local fashion designers while a DJ spins tunes at the market, and stick around for the evening fashion show.
Lunar New Year AXIS Event | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Old Globe | Free | Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the theater’s Copley Plaza with live performances, music, food, and arts + crafts.
Sunday, Jan. 26
San Diego Restaurant Week | Sunday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Locations vary | Price of purchase | The annual foodie celebration returns with 100+ participating restaurants across 30+ neighborhoods offering prix fixe SDRW menus.
Monday, Jan. 27
Tiffany Haddish, Natasha Leggero + Friends | 7 p.m. | Belly Up, Solana Beach | $61+ | It’s the ultimate comedy show at the North County venue — Moshe Kashner, Mark Serritella, Mal Hall + Dave Wright will also join the lineup.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
“New Girl” Trivia | 6-8 p.m. | Liberty Public Market | Free | Hey girl, whatcha doin’ — gather your crew and answer questions about the loft crew for a chance to win a prize... maybe it’s that parking spot?
“Some Like it Hot” | Tuesday, Jan. 28-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Civic Theatre | $52+ | This Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comedy follows the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit.
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
56%. That’s the percentage of full-time employees in the US who want a new job in 2025. Of this, 27% have already started searching. What’s more, the first part of the year sees the largest uptick in job postings + submitted job applications online.
If you’re hiring this year, don’t let your job posting get lost on over-saturated job sites. We created 6AM City Job Board to help you cut through the noise and find top local talent. Share your opportunity with the most connected locals, SDtoday readers.
A Red Flag warning continues through 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24 for San Diego County’s inland valleys and mountains. To reduce wildfire risk, SDG&E might initiate Public Safety Power Shutoffs. This week’s dry, windy conditions have led to several brush fires in communities including Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley, and Bonsall. (CBS 8)
Trending
Chelsea FC Women and San Diego Wave FC are reportedly finalizing a record $1.1 million transfer deal for USWNT superstar defender Naomi Girma. If everything goes to plan, the 24-year-old’s signing will set a world record in women’s soccer. (ESPN)
Award
Yes, chef. Three SD-area restaurants received semifinalist nominations for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards. Downtown’s Roma Norte was recognized in the Best New Bar category, while Tara Monsod of Animae and Roberto Alcocer of Valle were given nods for Best Chef: California. Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 2. (Eater San Diego)
Civic
San Diego has adopted Creative City, its first comprehensive plan to guide investments in arts, culture + creativity over the next decade. With input from locals, the plan was formed over the past two years with a focus on supporting local artists and positioning our city as a global creative hub.
Development
SDSU is working to develop two student housing projects that would add ~5,000 beds to the College Area by January 2034. One development includes six multi-story buildings on 55th Street, while the other would build a nine-story tower over a parking lot on Montezuma Road. The university will discuss the proposal publicly next week. (CBS 8)
Open
Soup’s on. Local ramen chain Tajima has opened a new location on Ingraham Street in Crown Point. The menu features the brand’s appetizers (that Takoyaki, though), fried rice bowls, and that beloved Tonkotsu ramen that takes up to 12 hours to cook. Visit Thursday-Tuesday, 5-10 p.m.
Transit
Starting on Sunday, Jan. 26, MTS will add more late-night and weekend Trolley service across all four of its lines. The agency will also roll out its Route 910 Express, an overnight service between San Ysidro and downtown SD that runs every 30 minutes.
Coming Soon
What’s crackin’ in Pacific Beach? The Crack Shack will open its newest location next month on Mission Boulevard with a menu featuring its signature fried chicken + stacked sandwiches. If that sounds egg-cellent but you can’t wait, the restaurant also has locations in Little Italy, Encinitas, and Costa Mesa.
Announced
San Diego Wave FC released its 2025 regular season schedule, which includes the home opener at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 22 and 12 other home matches through mid-October. The NWSL team also announced its preseason roster featuring eight new players.
Plan Ahead
San Diego Museum Month — the annual event offering half-price admission at 70+ local museums and attractions — returns Saturday, Feb. 1-Friday, Feb. 28. To get the deal, pick up a free, printed Museum Month pass at SD’s public libraries starting Friday, Jan. 24, or download a digital pass in February.
Sports
Can the Los Angeles Chargers secure Mark Andrews to boost their offensive arsenal? As the Chargers eye the 2025 season, the need for a pass-catching tight end becomes crucial. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Financial grace periods are few and far between these days. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day — time speeds by between them. But these credit cards allow you nearly two years to pay them off (with zero interest), allowing you flexibility in 2025.*
Health
Weight Loss by Hers is a holistic program crafted by experts in weight loss, nutrition, and psychology. Receive personalized treatment plans tailored to your goals by a medical professional, along with access to GLP-1 medications starting at $165 per month with a 12-month plan.*
Eat
Yes, healthy grocery shopping can be easy and affordable. Meet Thrive Market, where healthy living is simple. Get groceries for the whole family delivered to your door, free from 1,000+ harmful ingredients. Join to save 30% on your first order and claim a free gift worth $60.*
City Guide
City Guide
☕ Some like it hot
We agree, San Diego’s coffee scene is dope. | Photo by Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday
For richer or pour over, San Diego’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. America’s Finest City has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. Here’s our guide to some of the best local coffee shops.
Roasts to boast
HOB Coffee | If you like to add more coffee to your coffee, HOB — aka House of Black Coffee — is the spot for you. It sources its beans and roasts them locally, and you’ll find three locations in San Diego County.
Where to write your novel
Lestat’s | Relax at this local shop that has been a part of San Diego’s uptown community since 1997. Each spot features seating, WiFi, art, sandwiches, and — of course — coffee.
Plenty of outlets and internet connection
The Forum Coffee House | Reboot with a caffeine boost at this techy cafe. Many of the drinks have computer science-related names, but the baristas will help you troubleshoot if you need to decode the menu.
Single use face towels. Real talk: those washcloths you’ve used for years are likely harboring bacteria and roughing up your delicate moisture barrier. Go for a hygienic, gentler alternative with Sky Organics hypoallergenic face towels, made from 100% renewable plant fiber.
Have you visited the San Diego Symphony’s renovated Jacobs Music Center yet? Well, I can confirm it’s absolutely stunning inside, from the stage and lighting to the intricate architecture. The venue is offering a string of performances throughout the winter season (and beyond) — get yourself there to support our local arts scene. Bravo.
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