As the summer shifts into gear, the first weekend of June will see not just more events around town, but also some preludes to a bigger occasion.
While San Diego’s LGBTQ Pride celebration around Hillcrest and Balboa Park unfolds every July, June itself is actually widely recognized as Pride Month. But this weekend will see two events around town to mark the occasion, as the countdown begins to the local festival.
Friday, June 5
“Clue: The Play”: The criminally underrated movie based on the classic board game has given way to a stage show presented by the Theater for Young Professionals in La Mesa, starting Friday and running through June 28, with two casts at TYP’s home venue at 7960 University Ave.
Digital Gym Cinema’s “Bleak Week”: Ever heard a breezy comedy movie described as the “feel-good hit of the summer”? This event … will probably not have that type of film.
“In honor of the world’s current descent into madness and self-destruction, I felt it was fitting to embrace the despairing theme of combat in our selection of films for Bleak Week,” artistic director Glenn Heath Jr. explains on the theater’s website. “A curatorial opportunity to explore the many crises of humanity from various perspectives and genres.”
At the same time, he says, the films selected for this festival — spanning from the US to Japan, Hungary, Germany, Denmark and Poland — “all share a sense of resilience and a resistance to the loss of hope.” The event runs through June 11, with all screenings at the cinema (1100 Market St.).
First Friday Art Walk Oceanside: The annual free event series returns for its 13th season at the Oceanside Civic Center Library Plaza (330 North Coast Hwy.) starting at 5 p.m. and running on the first Friday of each month through September, and a special holiday-themed event in December.
LPS Con: Toy collectors will converge on the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Mission Bay (1441 Quivira Road) over the weekend for this event, named after the Littlest Pet Shop toy line. Tickets start at $59 for a one-day pass to $169.99 to get in all three days.
Music Video Watch Party: Carlsbad’s Amplified Studios is opening up its space (2796 Loker West Ave.) for this free all-ages event showcasing local artists and videographers starting at 7 p.m.
Queer Mvmnt Fest: Presented by the arts group Disco Riot, this spotlight for artists from LGBTQ communities actually started on Wednesday. Its weekend slate includes a featured artist showcase at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Malashock Dance Black Box Theater in Liberty Station (2650 Truxtun Road Suite 200).
Saturday, June 6
Cancer Survivors Day 2026: Sharp HealthCare will hold “a celebration for those who have experienced cancer” in this free event providing support groups, art and pet therapy for the day, and special information for kids whose parents have been diagnosed with the disease at this event at the Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center (8695 Spectrum Center Blvd.). Registration for the day’s sessions starts at 9:30 a.m. and parking is free.
EXPO Design Market: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (600 Coast Blvd. in La Jolla) will host this free two-day event, which opens at 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, spotlighting “the best in publishing, design, music and community” across San Diego. Admission to MCASD’s gallery will also be at half-price this weekend.
North Park Music Fest: More than 30 acts will be spread out over seven venues and a VIP lounge around the neighborhood beginning at noon, with headliners Frankie & The Witch Fingers set to close the show out around 8:45 p.m. General admission tickets will run $35 on the day of the event, with VIP slots costing $75. Mark Nero has more on the festival.
North Park Mini Book Fair: This month’s North Park Community Fair falls on the same day as the music fest, and Verbatim Books is presenting this free literary swap meet on North Park Way from 29th to Ray Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pride By The Beach: Presented by the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, this free event is designed to be “a program that will shelter you in any storm,” with model Zyan hosting activities on the main stage, including a set by headliner DJ Jocelin. The event, with activities lined up along Pier Point Way, starts at noon at 300 North Coast Highway in Oceanside.
Sunday, June 7
Sabor del Barrio: After a one-year hiatus, businesses around Barrio Logan will once again come together for this food festival starting at 11 a.m., with more than 35 eateries offering up tastings around the neighborhood. Your $40 ticket will also cover free admission to the Athenaeum Art Center, the Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center and the Quint Gallery.
Steps Against Melanoma: The 4th annual 5K walk benefitting the advocacy group AIM at Melanoma returns to NTC Park at Liberty Station (2455 Cushing Road) with free entertainment, giveaways and free shirts for anyone over 50 who takes part in the walk. The festivities begin at 8 a.m.
