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Pop Culture

Stay in the know when it comes to pop culture trends and news.

Latest News

Masahiro Motoki as Murashige Araki in Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “The Samurai and the Prisoner.” (2026)
Janus Films
Arts & Culture
Cinema Junkie recommends a samurai mystery and a cheese documentary
Beth Accomando
A man plays "King Kong" pinball at Stern Pinball’s Pop-Up Arcade during Comic-Con in San Diego on July 24, 2026.
Riley Arthur
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
Where to play pinball in San Diego: 12 spots across the county
Riley Arthur
Brandon Hensgens is a San Diego improviser who will be offering
Brandon Hensgens
Arts & Culture
New ImprovCon brings together improvisational theater of all kinds
Beth Accomando
Aladrian Goods, left, and Erwin Hines, right, inside The Listening Room space in Barrio Logan on Aug. 4, 2026.
Audy McAfee
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
Future Is Color's Listening Room explores liberation through music
Audy McAfee
Milo Corvino, known as the Mystic M, inside San Diego Made Factory on Aug. 5, 2026.
Audy McAfee
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
San Diego tarot reader finds community through the cards
Audy McAfee
The logo for CatVideoFest 2026 is shown on the screen at the Digital Gym Cinema in downtown San Diego on Aug. 6, 2026.
Carlos Castillo
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
Fabulous felines hit the big screen in San Diego
John Carroll
A baby Goliath beetle is one of the specimens in the collections at the San Diego Natural History Museum on July 9, 2026.
Beth Accomando
/
KPBS
Science & Technology
Discover the invertebrate zoology specimens — 'all the little weirdos' — of The Nat
Beth Accomando
Julia Masli performs her one woman show, "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha" through Sunday at La Jolla Playhouse. (2026)
La Jolla Playhouse
Arts & Culture
'Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha' closes on Sunday
Beth Accomando
The Killer Tomatoes return to cinemas this Friday with an all-new film, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence." (2026)
Anchor Bay Entertainment
Arts & Culture
The Killer Tomatoes are back in cinemas!
Beth Accomando
Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) meets the parent.
Ollie Upton
/
HBO
Arts & Culture
'House of the Dragon,' Season 3, Episode 7: Red in tooth and claw (and wing and tail)
Glen Weldon
Delia Mejia as The Princess in Riot Production's "The Fairy Tale Monologues." (2026)
Melissa Punch
/
Riot Productions
Arts & Culture
A horror comedy and feminist musical bring new twists to San Diego theater this weekend
Beth Accomando
Peter Parker (Tom Holland).
Jay Maidment
/
CTMG
Arts & Culture
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' grounds Spidey — and much of the fun
Glen Weldon

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Blue hues and futuristic details define one attendee's cyberpunk-inspired cosplay during Comic-Con on July 24, 2026.
Matthew Bowler
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
Comic-Con 2026 cosplay brings fantasy, fandom and fun to life
KPBS Staff
In this undated film still, Keanu Reeves is John Wick in "John Wick: Chapter 4."
Lionsgate
/
Murray Close
Arts & Culture
John Wick is back for a fourth action-packed chapter
Beth Accomando
Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's "Andor," exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Des Willie/Lucasfilm Ltd.
KPBS Midday Edition
'Andor' hits its stride with episode three
Beth Accomando
Henry (Keshav Moodliar) is crowned King in "Henry 6" at the Old Globe Theatre's Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. (July 9, 2024)
Old Globe
Local
Behind the scenes of the Old Globe's 'Henry 6'
Beth Accomando
In 2011 there was a display on the exhibit floor where Godzilla and his friends were having a kaiju battle royale at the Convention Center. July 23, 2011
Beth Accomando
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
12 videos to get you excited about Comic-Con
Beth Accomando
One of the creatures found in the dystopian world of Phil Tippett's "Mad God."
Arts & Culture
Digital Gym Cinema hosts bold visionary films
Beth Accomando
Idris Elba stars as The Djinn and Tilda Swinton as Alithea Binnie in director George Miller’s film "Three Thousand Years of Longing."
Elise Lockwood
/
MGM
Local
This weekend filmgoers can escape reality or confront it
Beth Accomando
British-Palestinian reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah spent 43 days in the emergency rooms of Gaza’s Al Shifa and Al Ahli hospitals. He is the subject of the documentary "A State of Passion." (2024)
Forward Film Production
Arts & Culture
San Diego Arab Film Festival highlights Oscar-winning documentary and stories from Gaza, West Bank
Beth Accomando
Travis Rhett Wilson appears as Edgar Allan Poe and performs Poe's "The Raven" at this year's PoeFest from Write Out Loud.
Ron Logan
Local
PoeFest returns for another immersive experience at Villa Montezuma Museum
Beth Accomando
From left: Book covers of "A Sorceress Comes to Call," "Headshot," "Big Jim the White Boy," "We Are Definitely Human," and "Plantas."
Courtesy of Tor Books, Viking, Ten Speed Graphic, Tundra Books and Voracious
Arts & Culture
5 must-read books of 2024: A mix of fiction, fantasy and flavor
KPBS Staff
The documentary "Canary" explores how global warming is endangering the history contained in glaciers. (2023)
Oscilloscope
Local
Blue Water Film Festival focuses on climate change
Beth Accomando
One of the boomboxes in Boomboxxchuck's collection in this image taken February 8, 2022.
Local
Blast from the past: The boombox lives on in San Diego
Maya Trabulsi
Upcoming Events
Brunch at ARLO

Mr. Worldwide Brunch at ARLO

Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 8 AM to 1 PM
ARLO
Menu items pricing varies
'Clash for the Stache'

'Clash for the Stache': An Interactive Clash of Clans Pop-Up

Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11 AM
Ongoing until September 7, 2026
The Headquarters at Seaport
Tickets Start at $6
Electrik Seoul: K-Pop x EDM

Electrik Seoul: K-Pop x EDM

Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 10 PM
Nova SD
$14.95
Duck Dive New Girl Trivia

Duck Dive New Girl Trivia

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 8 PM
The Duck Dive
$7.18
'License to Thrill'

'License to Thrill'

Friday, September 4, 2026 from 7 PM to 9 PM
The Bornemann Theatre on TERI Campus of life
$30 + fees
Mahjong 101 - Beginners American Mahjong Class

Mahjong 101 - Beginners American Mahjong Class

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 2 PM
Ongoing until September 24, 2026
AR Workshop Coronado
$75
Mahjong Open Play - American Mahjong Social

Mahjong Open Play - American Mahjong Social

Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 10 AM
Ongoing until September 25, 2026
AR Workshop Coronado
$15
Mahjong Guided Play

Mahjong Guided Play - American Mahjong Class

Friday, September 11, 2026 at 3 PM
Ongoing until September 29, 2026
AR Workshop Coronado
$45
Scream Diego - San Diego's Halloween and Horror Convention

Scream Diego - San Diego's Halloween and Horror Convention

Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10 AM to 6 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton - Mission Valley
$20-$25. Kids 8 and under are FREE!
Free for everyone
Disney Cabaret Night

Disney Cabaret Night

Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 4 PM
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
Free

Discover More Stories

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Books
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Film
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Museum a Month
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Music
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Theater
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Visual Arts
FOMO
Check out can't-miss local events
The Soto Six Plays the Music of Jeff Lorber

The Soto Six Plays the Music of Jeff Lorber

Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 8 PM
Dizzy's Jazz
$15-20
Super Girl Surf Festival Concert

Super Girl Surf Festival Concert

Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 12 PM
Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre
0-$268.29
Free for everyone
A toast to the Spreckels Organ

Spreckels 38th Annual Summer Organ Festival Presents Piano & Organ Concert

Monday, August 24, 2026 from 7:30 PM to 9 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free
Women In Music Night

Women in Music SD

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7 PM
Ongoing until December 24, 2026
The Music Company
Free for everyone

Golden Island Presents: Charlie Arbelaez SD Quartet - Dim Sum & Jazz CCLXVII

Friday, August 28, 2026 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine
Free
Free for everyone
North City’s Dancing in the Street Series - Salsa Night

North City’s Dancing in the Street Series Returns with Salsa Night

Friday, August 28, 2026 from 6 PM to 8 PM
North City
Free
'the wulfeater'

'the wulfeater' - interactive musical theater experience

Friday, August 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Ongoing until September 18, 2026
Tenth Avenue Arts Center
$36 to $62
Muse

Muse: The Wow! Signal Tour

Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 7 PM
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
From $67
Pacific Soul Jazz Festival

Pacific Soul Jazz Festival

Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 12 PM
Ongoing until September 6, 2026
UC San Diego's Epstein Family Amphitheater
$40 - $275
Brandi Carlile: The Human Tour

Brandi Carlile: The Human Tour

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 6 PM
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
$92-$614
Surfer's Point LIVE Pop-Up Concert Series at Del Mar Fairgrounds

Surfer's Point LIVE Pop-Up Concert Series

Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 6 PM
Ongoing until October 2, 2026
Del Mar Fairgrounds
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