Beetlejuice, Blossoms, and Bazaars: What's On in San Diego Today

Spring Blooms and Cultural Celebrations

Today, Sunday, March 1, 2026, marks the official beginning of one of the region's most beloved traditions: the opening of the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Visitors can head north to witness nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus beginning their annual bloom. The fields are open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, providing a stunning backdrop for spring photography and family strolls.

Downtown, the cultural festivities continue with the final day of the 43rd Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Fair. Located at the corner of 3rd Avenue and J Street, this free event celebrates the Year of the Horse. Attendees can enjoy traditional lion dances, kung fu demonstrations, and a variety of authentic food vendors and artisanal crafts from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Theater and Live Stage Performances

The stage is set for a major Broadway residency as "Beetlejuice The Musical" takes over the San Diego Civic Theatre. There are two opportunities to catch the ghost-with-the-most today, with performances scheduled at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. For those looking for a laugh, the Balboa Theatre hosts the "Bored Teachers: Is It Friday Yet?!" comedy tour at 3:00 PM, featuring the world's funniest educator-comedians.

Over in Coronado, the Coronado Playhouse concludes its run of the classic comedy "Barefoot in the Park." This afternoon matinee offers a final chance to see Neil Simon's timeless story of newlyweds in a tiny New York apartment. Additionally, the Old Globe in Balboa Park is currently showcasing a fresh production of "Hedda Gabler" starring Katie Holmes, adding a high-profile dramatic option to the Sunday schedule.

Markets and Artistic Exhibitions

Sundays in San Diego are synonymous with open-air shopping. The Hillcrest Farmers Market, now located on University Avenue between Herbert Street and Park Boulevard, remains the city’s largest, running until 2:00 PM with over 175 vendors. Other local options include the La Jolla Open Aire Market (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) and the Gaslamp Artisan Market on 5th Avenue, which specializes in handmade jewelry and local art from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Art enthusiasts should prioritize a visit to the San Diego Museum of Art today, as it is the final day for the "Alfredo Castañeda: Beyond Surrealism" retrospective. This exhibition features thirty-five masterworks spanning five decades. Visitors can also explore the "SDMA 100 Years" centennial exhibition, celebrating a century of fine art in Balboa Park since the museum first opened its doors on this date in 1926.

Evening Music and Cinema

To wrap up the weekend, the music scene is buzzing with diverse talent. Summer Salt brings their "Reside North America Tour" to The Observatory North Park at 7:00 PM, while indie soul-pop artist Yellow Days performs at the Music Box downtown at 8:00 PM. For a unique cinematic experience, the Rooftop Cinema Club at the Porto Vista Hotel is screening "10 Things I Hate About You" at 7:30 PM, followed by a late-night showing of "Interstellar" at 9:00 PM under the stars.