If St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekend, must you wear green the entire time to avoid a big pinch? Or are pinches passé? But we digress. This San Diego weekend, embrace your inner Irish on the streets, at the beach and more.
But first, the 31st annual San Diego Latino Film Festival continues Friday with screenings at AMC Mission Valley 20 and events in the plaza outside the theater. Showcases featured this weekend include Special Presentations, Frontera Filmmakers and Hecho en USA. Catch a flick or two through March 24. Individual screenings cost $12.
Circus Vargas‘ “Jubilé! An Epic World Celebration!” opens in Mission Valley Friday, continuing through April 8. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson keeps the show moving, from contortionists to aerialists to not just the Globe of Death, but the Wheel of Death too (gasp!). General admission starts at $35.
Liberty Public Market at Liberty Station is a bright and fresh 8 years old. Celebrate with the vendors all weekend as various bands perform, including the Verge, Navy Band Southwest and Mystique Element of Soul. Enjoy special events like Market After Dark, Vinyl at the Market and Pups over Lunch too. See the market’s Instagram for more.
TinyFest California 2024 opens for two days at 10 a.m. Saturday, with dozens of tiny houses featured, as owners, builders and designers share their expertise at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. But it’s for more than pro builders – DIYers, and even those with shipping container homes, and van and bus conversions, will be there too. A two-day pass costs $20.
Making it a green weekend? Here’s where to go:
- March along the parade route and finish with a fest at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival. The festival starts at 9 a.m. at Balboa Park – with live entertainment, food and craft booths and more – but for the main event, the 10:30 a.m. parade, head to Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street and line the streets to the north. Watching the parade is free, but festival entry costs $10.
- The 28th annual ShamROCK St. Paddy’s Day festival begins at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Gaslamp, with a lineup of Irish and Celtic Rock bands, tributes and Irish dancers on three stages. Fan out from to F Street and Fifth Avenue for the party. Admission starts at $54.
- The Beach House in Mission Beach hosts its “Have A Great Spring” Music Festival, with a distinctly St. Patrick’s Day feel. Three DJ sets precede the main acts, Hollaphonic and the Botanist. Tickets cost $69.
- The House of Ireland at Balboa Park throws open its doors at 11 a.m. Sunday, offering up hospitality, Irish Stew and baked goods. Be there at 2 p.m. for live music, traditional Irish dancing and more.