Calendar

140 shows to see · 15 opening · 2 art walks

Updated August 25, 2026

Calendar

Four Weeks at a Glance

every dated listing, laid out by the day

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2324Becoming Heirlooms: A Craft Desert ExhibitionKaty RobinsonThao French256:00 pm AUGUST | Artist Alliance Quarterly Critique12:00 pm Curator’s Eye: Forging a Legacy6:00 pm Sterling Silver Ring Making - Tue, 8/25Free Resident Day | San Diego Automotive Museum+2 more266:00 pm to 7:30 pm America at 250: Women and American Democracy6:00 pm Herbal Formulations: Detoxification and Hormones - Wed, 8/269:00 am to 4:00 pm Nonprofit Arts Leadership Summit5:30 pm Walking Tour+3 more275:00 pm to 7:00 pm Community Salute11:00 am to 12:00 pm Chair Yoga11:00 am to 12:00 pm Virtual Talk - The History of Manuscript Illumination5:00 pm to 7:30 pm Woodworking: Make Your Own Bird House - Thu, 8/2728ART FROM COLLECTIONS2910:30 am New Member Welcome Event5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Opening Reception - The Giving Tree6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Reception for Spotlight ArtistsSave The Waves Film Festival+2 more
305:00 pm Exhibition Celebration: OMA Artist Alliance at Sparks Gallery12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Weave a Basket TrayFiber Arts | Basket Weaving: Weave a Basket Tray31Sep 1211:00 am to 2:00 pm DISPARATE VECTORS Reception39:30 am to 11:30 am La Semilla Ribbon Cutting Ceremony5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Next Exhibit Reception44:00 pm to 8:00 pm First Friday Arts District5:00 pm to 9:00 pm First Friday Oceanside Art WalkOpen Invite | Oceanside Museum of ArtSeptember Docent-Led Tours+1 more51:00 pm to 1:45 pm American Sign Language Enhanced Tour10:30 am Family Art Adventures: Early ChildhoodOpen Invite | Women's Museum of California
611:00 am to 12:00 pm Art in ConversationIntroduction to Silver Metal Art Clay Jewelry7Christine Lee: By Hand8Free Resident Day | Comic-Con MuseumInspirations of Color and Ink91011:00 am to 12:00 pm Virtual Talk - Highlights from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Wine & Lecture: The Silver Strand History PanelFree Resident Day | San Diego Museum of ArtOpen Invite | San Diego Museum of Art+2 more1110:00 am In Conversation: The Remarkable Legacy of Henri de Toulouse-LautrecEmbodied Nourishment at Dear Tomorrow - Fri, 9/11126:00 pm to 8:30 pm Open Studios at Space 4 ArtGabe LeonardTIERRA Y CIELOVoyage
139:00 am to 12:00 pm Book & Paper Arts | Botanical Drawing for EveryoneOpen Invite | Museum of Contemporary Art San DiegoFree Resident Day | San Diego Chinese Historical MuseumOpen Invite | San Diego Chinese Historical Museum14Community ARTS Fall 2026 Registration15Free Resident Day | Japanese Friendship GardenFree Resident Day | Mingei International MuseumLive Model DrawingResident Free Day | San Diego Museum of Art16176:00 pm to 10:00 pm Culture & Cocktails: 1926QUIET INTERRUPTION186:00 pm to 10:00 pm Preview Party: “Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art”1911:00 am to 7:00 pm Free Public Opening: “Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art”September 19 @ 10:00 am - September 20 @ 6:00 pm C-Note SaleIndigenous Artisan MarketJoe Garcia: Journey+1 more
Opening / ReceptionClosingArt WalkTalkMarketExhibition
Also On View

Still Up All Week

major shows running through the window

Through Aug 26
Materials Lab: Fabrics + Textiles
The New Children’s Museum
200 W Island Ave
Wed–Mon 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Through Aug 29
Summer Selections
Joseph Bellows Gallery · San Diego
7661 Girard Ave
Tue/Wed/Fri 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Through Aug 29
Joni Sternbach Surfboard
Joseph Bellows Gallery · San Diego
7661 Girard Ave
Tue/Wed/Fri 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Through Aug 29
The Find, Magnified
Fallbrook Art Center · Fallbrook
103 S Main Ave
Tue–Sat 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Through Aug 29
Strength in Service: Women of the Armed Forces Exhibition
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center · Bonita
4355 Bonita Rd
Wed–Sat 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Through Aug 29
August Docent Led Tours
Ilan Lael Foundation · Santa Ysabel
930 Orchard Lane
Tours Thu–Sat at 10:00 am · reservation required
Through Aug 30
Romero Exhibition
Tasende Gallery · San Diego
820 Prospect St
Tue–Fri 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sat 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Through Aug 31
Heejung Kwon
Mission Valley · San Diego
2123 Fenton Pkwy
Tue 11:30 am to 8:00 pm; Wed–Sat 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Through Aug 31
Music As Muse VI
Adelman Fine Art Gallery · San Diego
1980 Kettner Blvd #40
Wed–Sat 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm; Sun 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Calendar

Day by Day

ten days, every listing

26
Wednesday
America at 250: Women and American DemocracySan Diego History Center6:00 pm to 7:30 pmArt Gallery Exhibit: Disparate VectorsMiraCosta College Art GalleryCraft CaféFront Porch Gallery11:30 am to 1:30 pmHerbal Formulations: Detoxification and Hormones - Wed, 8/26Dear Tomorrow6:00 pmNonprofit Arts Leadership SummitMuseum of Contemporary Art, San Diego9:00 am to 4:00 pmPatchworks Presents Summer Crushed Glass SunCatchersMike Hess Brewing, North Park01:00Walking TourAthenaeum Music & Arts Library5:30 pm
27
Thursday
Reception
Community Salute
Coronado Historical Association · Coronado
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Chair YogaFront Porch Gallery11:00 am to 12:00 pmVirtual Talk - The History of Manuscript IlluminationTimken Museum of Art11:00 am to 12:00 pmWoodworking: Make Your Own Bird House - Thu, 8/27Dear Tomorrow5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
28
Friday
ART FROM COLLECTIONSSanta Ysabel Art Gallery
29
Saturday
Opening
New Member Welcome Event
Oceanside Museum Of Art · Oceanside
10:30 am
Opening
Opening Reception - The Giving Tree
Art Produce Gallery · San Diego
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Reception
Reception for Spotlight Artists
The Studio Door · San Diego
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Ess Whiteley: listening materialsCatherine and Robert Palmer GallerySave The Waves Film FestivalDear TomorrowThe Giving TreeArt Produce Gallery
30
Sunday
Reception
Exhibition Celebration: OMA Artist Alliance at Sparks Gallery
Sparks Gallery · San Diego
5:00 pm
Fiber Arts | Basket Weaving: Weave a Basket TraySan Diego Craft CollectiveWeave a Basket TraySan Diego Craft Collective12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
02
Wednesday
Reception
DISPARATE VECTORS Reception
MiraCosta College Art Gallery · San Diego
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
03
Thursday
Opening
La Semilla Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
La Semilla · San Diego
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Reception
Next Exhibit Reception
CITY GALLERY · San Diego
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
04
Friday
Art Walk
First Friday Arts District
Liberty Station · San Diego
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Art Walk
First Friday Oceanside Art Walk
Artist Alley, Civic Center Library Plaza, Oceanside Museum of Art · Oceanside
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Open Invite | Oceanside Museum of ArtOceanside Museum of ArtSeptember Docent-Led ToursIlan-LaelYokai Community Art Exhibit — Japanese Friendship GardenJapanese Friendship Garden and Museum
05
Saturday
Family Art Adventures: Early ChildhoodThe San Diego Museum of Art10:30 amAmerican Sign Language Enhanced TourTimken Museum of Art1:00 pm to 1:45 pmOpen Invite | Women's Museum of CaliforniaWomen's Museum of California
06
Sunday
Art in ConversationTimken Museum of Art11:00 am to 12:00 pmIntroduction to Silver Metal Art Clay JewelryVillage Arts Center
07
Monday
Christine Lee: By Hand7722 Girard
08
Tuesday
Free Resident Day | Comic-Con MuseumComic-Con MuseumInspirations of Color and InkVillage Arts Outreach Gallery
10
Thursday
Centering Art: Acquisitions, 2016-2026Humanities Center Gallery, Sts. Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, Room 200Free Resident Day | San Diego Museum of ArtSan Diego Museum of ArtOpen Invite | San Diego Museum of ArtSan Diego Museum of ArtStorytime Family TourThe San Diego Museum of ArtVirtual Talk - Highlights from the Thyssen-Bornemisza MuseumTimken Museum of Art11:00 am to 12:00 pmWine & Lecture: The Silver Strand History PanelCoronado Historical Association5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
11
Friday
Embodied Nourishment at Dear Tomorrow - Fri, 9/11Dear TomorrowIn Conversation: The Remarkable Legacy of Henri de Toulouse-LautrecThe San Diego Museum of Art10:00 am
12
Saturday
Reception
Open Studios at Space 4 Art
Space 4 Art Inc. · San Diego
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Gabe LeonardDistinction GalleryTIERRA Y CIELOBEST PRACTICEVoyageONE: 1955 Julian Ave
13
Sunday
Opening
Book & Paper Arts | Botanical Drawing for Everyone
San Diego Craft Collective · San Diego
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Free Resident Day | San Diego Chinese Historical MuseumSan Diego Chinese Historical MuseumOpen Invite | Museum of Contemporary Art San DiegoMuseum of Contemporary Art San DiegoOpen Invite | San Diego Chinese Historical MuseumSan Diego Chinese Historical Museum
14
Monday
Community ARTS Fall 2026 RegistrationARTS Center
15
Tuesday
Free Resident Day | Japanese Friendship GardenJapanese Friendship Garden & MuseumFree Resident Day | Mingei International MuseumMingei International MuseumLive Model DrawingThe San Diego Museum of ArtResident Free Day | San Diego Museum of ArtSan Diego Museum of Art
17
Thursday
Reception
Culture & Cocktails: 1926
San Diego Museum of Art · San Diego
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
QUIET INTERRUPTIONWoodward Contemporary
18
Friday
Opening
Preview Party: “Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art”
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (La Jolla) · San Diego
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
19
Saturday
Opening
Free Public Opening: “Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art”
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (La Jolla) · San Diego
Free
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
C-Note SaleOff Track GallerySeptember 19 @ 10:00 am - September 20 @ 6:00 pmIndigenous Artisan MarketSan Diego Archaeological CenterJoe Garcia: JourneySanta Ysabel Art GalleryVisiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary ArtMuseum of Contemporary Art San Diego
22
Tuesday
Petals and ShadowsVillage Arts Outreach Gallery
Good to Know

Tips & Notes

before you go

This Week

  • Art walks this window: First Friday Arts District (Sep 4); First Friday Oceanside Art Walk (Sep 4).
  • Just opened / opening: AUGUST | Artist Alliance Quarterly Critique (Aug 25); Community Salute (Aug 27); New Member Welcome Event (Aug 29).
  • Busiest day: Saturday, Aug 1 — 11 things on.

Before You Go

  • Often free: the Timken is always free, and commercial galleries (Quint, Sparks, Madison, R.B. Stevenson, Tasende, Joseph Bellows) are free to visit. Several museums have monthly free days — confirm on each venue’s site.
  • Balboa Park: parking is free but lots fill on weekends and during big events — arrive early or use the tram.
  • Closed days: many museums close Monday and/or Tuesday — check hours before heading out.
  • Art walks: most run monthly on a set night — Barrio Art Crawl and Ray at Night on the 2nd Saturday, La Jolla and Oceanside on the First Friday. Confirm the lineup on the organizer’s page.
  • Always verify: small galleries and DIY spaces keep limited or by-appointment hours — call or check socials before traveling.
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