Things to do in January
Kick off the New Year with a calendar filled with cool events around San Diego such as the Poway Winter Festival, Padres FanFest, Margarita Madness 5K and Monster Jam.
1.1: La Jolla Shores Polar Bear Plunge
Members of the La Jolla Cove Swim Club wade, wallow and welter into the New Year at this annual splash-fest followed by a chili-centric potluck featuring plenty of coffee and cider to help the wet warm up.
La Jolla Shores, La Jolla, lajollacoveswimclub.com
1.6: San Diego Vintage Flea Market
Browse through wares from more than 100 merchants at this free, rain-or-shine market brimming with clothing, furniture and vintage vendors from far and wide.
Observatory North Park, North Park, sdvintagefleamarket.com
1.9-27: San Diego Symphony January Festival: Hearing the Future
Discover gifted artists of all ages and backgrounds — and learn about music from past to present — during this sprawling celebration of instruments and their output curated by the revered composer-conductor Matthew Aucoin.
Various venues around the city, sandiegosymphony.org
1.11-12: Poway Winter Festival
Go sledding, build a snowman, roast marshmallows and skate around a rink at this weekend-long winter wonderland that serves to remind locals the season isn’t over just because the holidays are.
Poway Community Park, Poway, poway.org
1.10-12: Springboard Music Fest
Fifty hand-selected musical acts receive two days of mentorship from celebrated masters before performing for the public on five stages during the neighborhood-wide Band & Brew Crawl.
OB Playhouse & Theatre Company, Ocean Beach, springboardwest.com
1.12: Padres FanFest
Score autographs, attend Q&A sessions and enjoy an assortment of interactive experiences at this free event that supports our city’s Major League team.
Petco Park, East Village, padres.com/fanfest
1.13: 12th annual Resolution Run
Burn off some of those holiday carbs with a scenic 5K, 15K or half-marathon followed by a post-race wellness village overflowing with freebies.
Tecolote Shores, Mission Bay Park, resolutionrun.com
1.13: Bridal Bazaar
San Diego’s largest fall bridal show is back, giving would-be wives and their partners an opportunity to taste cakes, smell flowers, hear music and meet photographers all in one place.
San Diego Convention Center, downtown, bridalbazaar.com
1.17: Special Viewing of A Star Is Born with producer Q&A
The Golden Globe-nominated film is getting a special viewing at the new Galamp hotspot Theatre Box and will include a Q&A with producer Bill Gerber, plus get pre-film hosted beverages and a hosted dessert at Sugar Factory American Brasserie after the film.
Theatre Box, 701 Fifth Ave., downtown, https://bit.ly/TheatreBoxAStarIsBorn
1.19: Margarita Madness 5K
It’s less about time and more lime at this unique fun run where everyone scores a free margarita at the finish line.
East Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay Park, margaritamadness5krun.com
1.19: Third annual Women’s March San Diego
Join a grassroots group of volunteers and carry on the mission of the marches in support of women’s rights, human rights, access to healthcare and the end of social and environmental injustice.
Waterfront Park, Little Italy, womensmarchsd.org
At the Women’s March San Diego, Jennifer Moreno from San Diego said, “I’m here for our future.”
1.19-20: San Diego Travel and Adventure Show 2019
Discover more than 200 vacation destinations during two days of travel-centric seminars featuring hands-on demonstrations, a global beats stage and exclusive deals on epic experiences.
San Diego Convention Center, downtown, travelshows.com
1.19, 26: Monster Jam
Grave Digger, Max D and El Toro Loco among other famous monster trucks race around a dirt-filled Petco Park in this annual, action-packed auto event.
Petco Park, East Village, monsterjam.com
1.20: Carlsbad Full- and Half-Marathon
Choose the full marathon, half marathon or Surf Sun Run 5K, each of which offers breathtaking views, outstanding support stations and live entertainment at every mile.
Three courses along coastal Carlsbad, inmotionevents.com
1.20: 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Drill teams, dazzling floats and high school bands among other organizations celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at one of the nation’s largest events held in the civil rights leader’s name.
Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, alpha-zsl.org
1.24-27: 2019 San Diego Sunroad Marina Boat Show
Meet marine vendors, soak up knowledge in boating seminars, and scope out the latest nautical products and services at this annual event that brings together the biggest brands on the water.
Sunroad Resort Marina, Harbor Island, bigbayboatshow.com
1.24-27: Farmers Insurance Open
Top golfers from around the globe (along with throngs of ogling admirers) return to Torrey Pines as the PGA Tour makes its annual stop in San Diego.
Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla, farmersinsuranceopen.com
Farmers Insurance Open.
1.26: 24th annual Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge
One of California’s longest-running paddlesport races returns, inviting athletes of all ages and experience levels to paddle their way across Mission Bay.
Bonita Cove Park, Mission Bay, hanohano.com
1.26-27: San Diego Cat Show
Up to 450 felines of 42 breeds compete in beauty and agility categories at the West Coast’s largest cat expo, which also features speakers, exhibitors and the opportunity to view, pet and take home cats of rare and popular breeds.
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, sandiegocat.org
San Diego Cat Show.
1.27: Lung Force Walk
Do your part to defeat lung cancer and lung disease by raising awareness — and funds — for people living with these diagnoses.
NTC Park at Liberty Station, Point Loma, action.lung.org
San Diego Gulls home games
1.4 vs. San Jose Barracuda
1.16 vs. Texas Stars
1.19 vs. Bakersfield Condors
San Diego Sockers home games
1.5, 11 vs. Ontario Fury
1.13 vs. El Paso Coyotes
1.20 vs. Turlock Express
Sign up for the Pacific Insider newsletter
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Pacific San Diego.