Happy Tuesday from the land of 67º and absolutely no sense of time. Hanukkah is officially underway, and somehow we’re halfway through December.

Meanwhile, if the mid-month limbo's got you dragging, how about this: we’re giving away free tickets to Duran Duran. The actual Duran Duran. As in “Save a Prayer,” “The Reflex,” and “Ordinary World” Duran Duran. They’re hitting Viejas Arena on 1/4, and we’re giving one lucky human the chance to start 2026 the right way!*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• The Queen of December is heading back to hibernation, but you still have time. The DoSD MORE Holiday Sale ends tomorrow. For $50, grab a year of free monthly tickets to concerts, comedy, and culture. Make next year about real plans, not group chat cancellations.*

• SadGirl makes music for convertibles and crying in parking lots. Catch them with Chicano Mosh at Lou Lou’s on 2/27. Don’t whine about FOMO later.

• Your backyard BBQ playlist just went stadium: Iration + Tribal Seeds, 6/25 at Petco. Grab your crew, your joints, and your beat-up Rainbows. SD summer hits different.

• Thrill Kill Kult, the cultiest industrial band this side of Nine Inch Nails, hits the Music Box on 4/17. If you know, you go.

• Plus other just announced shows from Sultan + Shepard, Circles Around The Sun, Longbeach Dub Allstars, Pink Hearts, and more!

THE BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES IN SAN DIEGO: A LOCAL’S GUIDE

BookTok isn’t the only place with taste. SD’s local bookstore scene is legit, and we’ve got the proof. Here are the best indie bookshops in the city — no algorithm required.

IN THE FUTURE

LOCALS ONLY

• The end of the year’s got us deep in our nostalgic feels… Reply to this email and tell us the craziest event, show, or party you hit in 2025. A few lucky partiers will win something sweet.

• PSA: The Children’s Pool in La Jolla closes today–5/15 so harbor seals can pup in peace. Respect the barricades, cheer on the moms, and watch from a distance.

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