Featured events

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and Dimensional Art Exposition
Friday, Sept. 2 – Monday, Sept. 5

This annual four-day event attracts sculptors from around the world and results in sandcastles and art that stretches out into the bay. The B Street Pier (1140 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown) is home to the Labor Day weekend event.

Tickets start at $11 for one-day admission with two-day and VIP packages available. Ticket prices increase on Aug. 16. Visit ussandsculpting.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Fleet Week 2016 Party on the Pier
Friday, Sept. 9

Celebrate our naval forces (Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) with a fun-filled evening on the waterfront. There will be live music, entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and more. 4:30 p.m. B Street Pier, Downtown. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org.

Fleet Week Sea & Air Parade
Saturday, Sept. 10

This event is returning to San Diego with a display of U.S. military cruisers, amphibious ships, destroyers, frigates, submarines, and landing craft in addition to a demonstration of SEAL capabilities, Coast Guard Search and Rescue, a fly-over of contemporary Navy and World War II aircraft and much more. Attendees can observe the action all along the San Diego region waterfront, from the South Bay to Coronado, the Embarcadero, Harbor and Shelter Islands from noon–2 p.m. There is also VIP viewing aboard the Midway from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. including food, drinks, seating and more for $150 per person. Also on the B Street Pier there will be ship tours (Sept. 10–14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.), a STEM fair (Sept. 10–11, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.), and more static displays — all free to the public. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org.

Sixth annual AimLoan.com San Diego Blues Festival
Saturday, Sept. 10

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank will host the sixth annual AimLoan.com San Diego Blues Festival along the Downtown San Diego waterfront. The family-friendly event will feature nine musical acts on two stages with Los Lobos headlining. Festival attendees can partake in local craft beer, food vendors, specialty cocktails and wine, while perusing arts and crafts vendors. Tickets start at $25 with free admission for children 12 and under. Attendees are asked to bring two cans of food for donation. All proceeds and food drive donations will benefit the San Diego Food Bank. Noon–8 p.m. Embarcadero Marina Park North, 400 Kettner Blvd., Downtown.Visit sdbluesfest.com.

Second annual GI Film Festival San Diego
Wednesday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, Sept. 18

This film festival will feature films for, about and by service men and women, from around the U.S. including San Diego, and they range from shorts to feature-length films. Twenty-eight films will be screened in themed film blocks including nine West Coast premieres and one world premiere. Venues for the event include the Doubletree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley (7450 Hazard Center Drive), Museum of Photographic Arts (1649 El Prado, Balboa Park), the Village Theatre Coronado (820 Orange Ave.), and UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley (7510 Hazard Center Drive, #100). Visit gifilmfestivalsd.org/2016 for specific showtimes and tickets.

Knotty Brewing grand opening
Wednesday, Sept. 14

This grand opening will also serve as a fundraiser for the East Village Association Landmark Sign. The event will feature happy hour special from 4–7 p.m., $3 pints after 7 p.m., free admission and more. 10 percent of food and drink purchases from 4–8 p.m. will benefit the Landmark Sign. 844 Market St., East Village. Visit knottybrewing.com and eastvillagesandiego.com.

Downtown San Diego Partnership’s annual Taste of Downtown
Thursday, Sept. 15

More than 40 restaurants from the Gaslamp Quarter, Headquarters, Core District and East Village neighborhoods will be serving up samples during the Taste of Downtown. A free shuttle will be available throughout the participating areas. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Will call will be located at Rustic Root, 535 Fifth Ave. Visit downtownsandiego.org.

Landlubbers Day
Saturday, Sept. 17

In celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Seaport Village is hosting the second annual Landlubbers Day, a festive celebration of all things pirate. The free event will feature live music from the Jackstraws, San Diego’s very own pirate-themed band; costume and “Talk Like a Pirate” contests; arts and crafts; and pirate’s booty food and drink specials from Seaport Village eateries. Festivities will take place from 1–4 p.m. Visit seaportvillage.com.

Taste of the Port
Thursday, Sept. 22

The Port of San Diego and San Diego Magazine are presenting the inaugural event featuring sustainable and local food and beer samples. There will be live music along with views of San Diego Bay to enjoy. Tickets start at $40. 6–9 p.m. Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive. Visit bit.ly/2bVGOBJ.

‘Irving J. Gill: New Architecture For A Great Country’ exhibition opening
Saturday, Sept. 24

This new exhibition will give attendees a chance to learn about a fascinating, and sometimes misunderstood, individual who helped create a new style of architecture right here in San Diego which is now revered throughout the world. Exhibition continues through March 31, 2017. Open daily from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado, #3, Balboa Park. Visit sandiegohistory.org.

Ikebana International meeting
Wednesday, Sept. 28

The San Diego chapter of this Japanese floral arrangement organization meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Meetings are free and begin at 10 a.m. This month’s subject will be a teacher’s showcase featuring floral displays by teachers from various teachers. Casa Del Prado, Room #101, Balboa Park. Email Yuko Burkett with questions at [email protected].

The Art Glass Association of Southern California presents its 35th annual show
Thursday, Sept. 29 – Monday, Oct. 10

The art glass will be on display daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Studio 21 in the Spanish Village Arts Center in Balboa Park and the public is invited to come see this exhibition free of charge. A reception will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 from 4–7 p.m. Members of the Art Glass Association sponsor workshops, teach techniques, and offer educational trips to studios and businesses related to all aspects of the glass arts industry. Visit agasc.org.

Autism Speaks Walk
Saturday, Oct. 1

This annual walk will feature a 3.1-mile rolling start walk, kid-friendly activities, live entertainment, a resource fair with community vendors and more. Little Tommy of KyXy will be on hand and over 4,000 participants are expected to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Registration starts at 8 a.m., opening ceremonies are from 9:30–10 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma. Visit autismspeakswalk.org/sandiego.

FOR DOWNTOWN LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS, VISIT DOWNTOWNSANDIEGOLIVE.COM

RECURRING EVENTS

TUESDAY

Residents Free Tuesdays in Balboa Park: Participating museums change the first four Tuesdays of the month. Free for San Diego city and county residents with ID, active military and dependents. Hours vary by museum. Visit balboapark.org/visit/Tuesdays.

Coronado Certified Farmers Market: 2:30–6 p.m. First and B streets at Coronado Ferry Landing. Visit welcometocoronado.com.

THURSDAY

Gaslamp Quarter Historical Walking Tour: Stops on this tour include architecturally significant structures from the 1800s including Old City Hall, the Keating Building, Davis-Horton House and more. 1 p.m. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp. Visit gaslampfoundation.org.

Sunset Trivia: Bring a team or play alone. 7–9 p.m. 98 Bottles, 2400 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. Visit 98bottlessd.com.

FRIDAY

Weekly Downtown Clean & Safe walkabouts: Join DSDP’s Clean & Safe program at 10 a.m. in alternating neighborhoods: Cortez Hill, Core/Columbia, Gaslamp Quarter, Marina and East Village. For more info, call 619-234-8900, visit downtownsandiego.org or sign up for their newsletter.

Take a bite out of Downtown: Hosted by food tour service Bite San Diego, join fellow foodies and winos for a historical walking tour sampling some of Downtown’s finest restaurants. 21-plus. Noon. Tickets are $45. Tours also on Saturday. Visit bitesandiego.com/index.php.

SATURDAY

Little Italy Mercato: 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Rain or shine, visit over 100 booths on West Cedar Street between Kettner Boulevard and Front Street. Visit littleitalysd.com/mercato.

Gaslamp Quarter Historical Walking Tour: Stops on this tour include architecturally significant structures from the 1800s including Old City Hall, the Keating Building, Davis-Horton House and more. 11 a.m. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp. Visit gaslampfoundation.org.

SUNDAY

Walk-in eReader and device assistance: Free and open to the public. Bring your Android and iOS devices for hands-on learning. 2–4 p.m. Room 222, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown. Visit sandiegolibrary.org.

Outdoor organ concert: The San Diego Organ Society presents a free organ concert. With over 4,500 pipes, this organ is one of the largest organs in the world with a wonderful sound, playing classic and popular hits by Dr. Carol Williams. Enjoy free parking, lots of seating. Balboa Park’s Organ Pavilion. 2 p.m. Visit balboapark.org.

—Compiled by Jen Van Tieghem. Send items for inclusion to editor Morgan M. Hurley at [email protected].