Dia de los Muertos
Nov. 1-2. Tour traditional altars set up in museums and shops, participate in a candlelight procession to the cemetery (Sa night) and enjoy art-making activities at this colorful celebration honoring those who have died. Old Town State Historic Park, 619.297.9327. oldtownsandiegoguide.com
Carlsbad Village Faire
Nov. 2. Street fair features more than 900 vendors with international food, art and live entertainment. Grand Ave. between Carlsbad Blvd. and Jefferson St., Carlsbad, 760.945.9288. shopvillagefaire.com
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Nov. 6-15. The 15th annual event includes feature films, shorts and animation from Asian artists worldwide. The festival will take place across several venues throughout San Diego County. Visit website for details. pac-arts.org
San Diego Beer Week
Nov. 7-16. Celebrate the art of craft beers during this annual event, featuring more than 50 local breweries and a lineup of tastings, festivals, brewery tours, cheese pairings and beer dinners. Various locations. sdbw.org
Del Mar Racing
Nov. 7-30. The inaugural fall stand features thoroughbred racing three days a week (Nov. 7-9) and then four days a week (Nov. 13-30; dark M-W). Post time is noon (11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day). Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
David Sedaris
Nov. 13. Tweaking the familiar until it warps; David Sedaris mines poignant comedy from his peculiar childhood in North Carolina, his bizarre career path, and his move with his lover to France. Author of New York Times bestselling books, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, Sedaris’ witty observations of the ordinary-bizarre is always sure to deliver insights and laughs. His latest book Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls was released in April 2013 and debuted at no. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Artpower at UC San Diego. artpwr.com
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Nov. 17-23. SoCal’s largest wine and culinary event celebrates its 11th anniversary with a palate-pleasing array of festivities—including the Grand Tasting event, wine-tasting seminars and dinners, cooking classes and celebrity chefs galore. Embarcadero Marina Park North, downtown, 619.342.7337. sandiegowineclassic.com
Mother Goose Parade
Nov. 23. The 68th annual parade offers free family fun to start the holiday season. Route begins on Main St. and Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, 619.444.8712. mothergooseparade.org
San Diego Jazz Festival
Nov. 26-30. The 35th annual event features live performances by international artists representing a wide variety of traditional jazz, Dixieland, ragtime, swing and rockabilly styles. Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley, 619.297.5277. sandiegojazzfest.com
The Discovery of King Tut
Through April 26, 2015. Take an adventure through the re-creation of artifacts from the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. The tomb and treasures of Tutankhamun have been faithfully reconstructed to scale, giving visitors a realistic impression of the overwhelming opulence of the offerings meant to serve the king on his magical journey into the underworld. Tickets range from $11-$27. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, 619.232.3821. sdnhm.org
Freud’s Last Session
Oct. 15-Nov. 9. In this fictional tale of two historic figures, Sigmund Freud—nearing his death—receives a final visitor, the writer and former atheist C.S. Lewis. The result is a lively debate touching on love, religion, politics and life. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org