What: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents “Dragons”
When: Thursday, August 23 at 7 p.m; Friday, August 24 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m; Saturday, August 25 at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m; and Sunday, August 26 at 1:30 and 5 p.m.
Where: Valley View Casino Center
Description: This new show will be just as exciting as always with performances by Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, clowns, Asian elephants, fierce tigers and the motorcycle Globe of Steel, among others. If you arrive 90 minutes before each performance, you can tour the Animal Open House. An hour before the show, families can head to the interactive All Access Pre-Show on the arena floor to learn circus tricks and meet performers. Tickets range from $17 to $85 (some $10 opening night seats available)
What: Xcerpts: Victorian San Diego 
When: Thursday, August 23 from 4-5 p.m.
Where: San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, Downtown Jacobs Building
Description: Join us as we discuss the chapter “The Victorian Era: 1890-1910” in the book San Diego: California’s Cornerstone by Iris Wilson Engstrand and explore the exhibition Margaret Noble: 44th and Landis. Xcerpts is a reading and discussion group that takes place in thoughtLAB—a space for creativity, curiosity, and dialogue. This program is free for Members, and free for non-members with Museum admission.
What: Miss California USA Casting Call
When: Friday, August 24 at 9 p.m.
Where: The W Hotel
Description: Think you have what it takes to be Miss California USA? Women at least 18 years of age are encouraged to attend the party at W Hotel, which will be hosted by Miss California USA 2012, Natalie Pack. Aspiring beauty queens will have the opportunity to interview with pageant representatives for consideration in the 2013 event. The evening will include a runway fashion show and a DJ spinning beats throughout the night.
What: Beer-Con
When: Friday, August 24 at noon and Saturday, August 25 at 9 a.m.
Where: Friday, Rough Draft Brewing Company and Saturday, 57 Degrees
Description: The Beer-Con will be spread over two beer filled days this year! Friday at noon, meet at Rough Draft Brewing Company and then head over at 9 a.m. on Saturdayto 57 Degrees, a retail wine shop. Highlights of the event include brewery tours, talks by brewers and craft beer insiders and plenty of beer. Tickets are $119 for one day, $149 for the entire event.
What: Jimmy Cliff
When: Friday, August 24 at 7 p.m.
Where: Del Mar Racetrack
Description: This Friday’s concert is the one and only Jimmy Cliff. His talent took Jamaica’s reggae and ska music to all corners of the world at an early age. With an impressive career spanning nearly 50 years now, Cliff continues to produce new, energetic music that conveys a strong message of power and conscience. Don’t miss this free concert (with race admission, only $20 without).
What: Haute as Ever
When: Saturday, August 25
Where: Del Mar Racetrack
Description: This Saturday, Del Mar hosts a Great Gatsby-inspired event at the track’s Seaside Cabana. Hosted by Urban Style Wedding Network, PR Couture, Uber and ShopModerne.com, guests can look forward to Roaring ‘20s themed entertainment, from posh table displays, to photo booth fun, vintage hairstyling, swag bags and DJs. The event is free with your racetrack admission. RSVP online for swag perks.
What: Mira Mesa Festival of Beers
When: Saturday, August 25 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. (VIP entrance at 1 p.m.)
Where: Walker Community Park
Description: It’s also home to a brand new beer festival. The Mira Mesa Festival of Beers welcomes 18 brewers, food trucks and local bands, including Lady Dottie and the Diamonds and Geezer. All your favorites beers will be represented, like Stone, Ballast Point and the neighborhood’s own Callahan’s. A general-admission ticket is good for 10 4-ounce tasters while a VIP ticket buys 12 samples, an extra hour of tasting and in-and-out privileges. $20 general admission, $30 VIP, $16 designated driver ticket
What: Slightly Stoopid, 311, Soja
When: Saturday, August 25
Where: Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
Description: Three quality bands, in one quality concert. We need not say more. Prices vary.
What: Pedal, Pick & Grin
When: Sunday, August 26 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: Suzie’s Farm
Description: There will be 15 varieties of tomatoes and 20 varieties of peppers that were grown at the organic South Bay farm and if you want to get some good picking, show up early because the fields get cleaned out by the afternoon. The veggies are weighed and sold at $2 a pound. There will be a picnic area next to the food where you can hang around and taste what you just picked. You can also bring food from home or purchase something from the MIHO Gastrotruck that will be on the farm. The area will also feature live bluegrass music by The Big Decisions. The highlight is the all-ages bicycle parade around the farm that begins at 3:30 p.m. Children are invited to bring their decorated bicycles to this free event.
What: Willis Allen Memorial Cup Finals
When: Sunday, August 26 from 12:30-7 p.m.
Where: San Diego Polo Club
Description: Head over to the Polo Club for a great match this Sunday. Highlights of the event include intermission exhibition, the Feature Match, Champagne Divot Stomp, and music. General admission tickets are $12 while VIPs cost $27.
What: Ride the bridge – Bike the bay
When: Sunday, August 26
Where: Bike Ride Around the San Diego Bay
Description: Join us for the 5th Annual Community Bike Ride Around the San Diego Bay on August 26, 2012 – The Tradition Rolls On!
Bike The Bay supports local bicycling and raises funds for the The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, www.sdcbc.org, – working to make bicycling better for all in San Diego. This event is for riders of all levels of riding ability, and features individuals, families, corporate teams and the serious and not so serious bike rider who experience a scenic bayside ride and also enjoy their only opportunity of the year to ride over the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. The 25-mile route passes through the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City and finishes at Embarcadero Mariana Park South with a festive celebration with food, entertainment and a New Belgium beer garden. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, August 26, 2012 and we hope you, your family and friends can join us!
