Beach season is just around the corner, but before we bust our swimsuits and surfboards, be sure to kick off the season with some festivals! We have festivals for all interests and all ages! May is filled with festivals for live music, children’s activities, rides, and of course, delicious food! Even festivals for car enthusiasts, Wild West fanatics, and shoppers – there is truly a festival for everyone!
1. Carlsbad Village Street Faire
Fill your Sunday with a little something for everyone! On 5/3, from 8am-5pm, the streets of Carlsbad Village will be flooded with the Carlsbad Village Faire hosting over 900 vendors, an international food court and children’s area with a super slide, bounce house and more! Find quality items from quality vendors. If you get shopped out, enjoy some live music and a beverage in the beer and wine garden.
Enjoy a mint julep and watch and wager on the biggest horse race of the year! This Sunday on 5/3, watch the Kentucky Derby at the Surfside Race Place located in Del Mar Fairgrounds. General admission $5, $2.50 for Diamond Club Members.
Celebrate and learn the rich diversity of the Asian and Asian Pacific American experience at the Asian Cultural Festival on 5/9 from 10am-6pm! Not only is this festival free, but pet friendly! The festival will be filled with martial arts, ethnic dances, cultural exhibitions, entertainment and of course, food! This year’s festival will take place at a NEW location – Mira Mesa Community Park. Don’t miss it!
Treat your mom to an elegant and relaxing afternoon to some delicious tea. The Grand Tea Room in Escondido, located in historical downtown, has the cutest ambiance and is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day!
5. Wild West Fest – Leo Carillo
Bust out those cowboy boots and hat! (Or at least get ready to see some cowboys in Carlsbad!). The Wild West Fest at Leo Carillo Ranch is on 5/18 from 11am-2pm featuring live western music, western photo backdrops, a mechanical bull ride, a Rodeo Roper activity, pony rides and more! Want to spice things up? For just $3, participate in a salsa tasting. Food, beverage and merchandise available for additional costs.
Spend your Sunday with some fun for the whole family! The Escondido Street Faire on 5/17 from 9:30am-5:30pm is California’s second largest single-day street faire! The faire is filled with over 700 booths, live entertainment, and arts and crafts! Grab a bite from the international food booths, or bring home some fresh veggies to cook with from the farmers market.
7. Encinitas Classic Car Night
Cruise on down to Encinitas for the unrivaled combination of historic cars on the historic Hwy 101 experience! Encinitas Class Car Nights showcases a variety of hot rods, Woodies and other classic and vintage cars – plus some live music! Stop by for a roaring good time tonight from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
8. Deep Pit BBQ
Nothing screams summer like a tasty BBQ! Visit the San Dieguito Heritage Museum on 5/23 for the 27th Annual Deep Pit BBQ. Deep pit cooking makes the tastiest BBQ! In addition to the tasty food, there will be a costume photo opportunity, kids activities, silent auction, bake sale and some classic vehicles on display including a 1917 Model T Ford! Buy tickets in advance. (Adults $20 Teens $15 Children $7)
We are so “berry” excited! The annual Vista Strawberry Festival is this Sunday on 5/24! Did you know Vista was once the “Strawberry Capital of the World” and still boasts many strawberry fields? This is no ordinary festival – and even includes a variety of contests including putting, cooking, homebrew, costume and more! Cheer on the contestants, shop, listen to some live music and taste some strawberries!
Does mama’s little artist love to get messy and make crafts? Bring that mess outside and out of your kitchen. Bring your kids and their friends to the Poway Community Park on 5/25 from 10am-12pm for a free Art in the Park event to make some crafts and have some family-fun! Make slime, play Apples to Apples, and listen to some live music.
11. Fiesta del Sol
May isn’t over yet, and neither are the festivals! Check out the 36th annual Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach on 5/30-31 -6/1 from 9am-9pm. This two-day free music and art festival is jam packed with an amazing line-up of live bands, a wide variety of art, food vendors and even rides for the kids! Perfect way to kick off summer! And did we say food trucks and wine garden? We sure did.
