Arts and Culture
Located in the heart of Balboa Park, Fleet Science Center recently unveiled its first major renovation in decades, transforming more than 9,000 square feet of museum space. The reimagined space expands exhibit areas by more than 20% and introduces new interactive galleries, a free public entrance gallery celebrating San Diego's spirit of science and innovation, and the new Element 8 Cafe.
The Tony Award-winning production of Dear Evan Hansen is coming to Cygnet Theatre in Liberty Station from September 9-October 4 in the Joseph Clays III Theater. Dear Evan Hansen, winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, follows high school senior, Evan, who becomes involved in an unfortunate misunderstanding that evolves into a web of lies he did not intend to create. The powerful musical explores themes of mental health, family dynamics, and human connection in the era of social media.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego's fall exhibition, Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art will be on display September 19-January 2027. The exhibit explores the intersection of queer nightlife and contemporary art through works that explore physicality of these spaces — dance clubs, dive bars, backyards and bathhouses — as critical sites of queer collectivity, transcendence, and resilience.
The La Jolla Playhouse continues their 2026-2027 season with two world-premiere productions this fall: A Black-billed Cuckoo and GRIM. A Black-billed Cuckoo takes places over 24 hours in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a close-knit birding group is turned upside down when some of its members glimpse this rare bird and others don’t. UC San Diego MFA playwriting graduate Mat Smart introduces the audience to a fascinating community of people who revel in the idea that any given day might bring something they’ve never seen before. GRIM is an irreverent, hilarious and heartbreaking world-premiere musical that celebrates life… and death. After 300,000 years collecting souls, the Grim Reaper is retiring.
San Diego Theatres is bringing the magic of classic cinema back to the Historic Balboa Theatre this fall with the return of Silent Movie Mondays. The immersive series pairs beloved silent-era films with live performances on the historic Wonder Morton Theatre Organ, offering guests a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the artistry, history and nostalgia of early filmmaking in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
The Downtown El Cajon Association introduces Alley Cat Art Fest this fall, a newly unified arts celebration that brings together Downtown El Cajon's two signature creative events — Artivál and the beloved Alley Cat Art Walk — into one exciting festival. Taking place on September 12, the free, open-air event will showcase local artists, public art, live music, and food and beverage vendors, creating a larger event to connect the community with East County's thriving creative scene.
Andaz San Diego is continuing its partnership with Sparks Gallery by welcoming local artist Daniel Ketelhut as its newest featured artist beginning in September. A San Diego-based painter, Ketelhut creates abstract works inspired by nature, imagination and the idea that life is constantly changing. His colorful, organic paintings will be displayed in the lobby for guests to enjoy.