Hello May! We welcome you with open arms. Sunshine, social events and Spring time activities abound! From tacos on Cinco de Mayo to Street Fairs to Speciality tasting events, this month is sure to put a smile on your face. So round up your family and friends and make it a great one!
West Coast Weekender May 2-6
With a strong focus on local art and industry, West Coast Weekender pays homage to the American westside’s rich underground music culture. World class talent will participate in daytime panel discussions, and play parties that will run from afternoon to early morning.
Viejas Casino & Resort, Alpine www.westcoastweekender.net
Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo May 3-5
Bustling mercado, non-stop music and live entertainment, lucha libre wrestling, and a huge display of lowriders and other incredible autos!
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
619-291-4903 / www.cincodemayooldtown.com
Julian Woman’s Club Wildflower Show May 3-5
The Wildflower Show is meant to educate club members, local residents, out-of-town visitors and children about the botanical wealth of Julian and its vicinity. The flowers are arranged on tables representing the different geographical areas and plant zones in which they are picked.
10am-4pm / Julian Town Hall www.julianwomansclub.org
Southern California Beach Soccer Championships May 3-5
The largest Beach Soccer Festival on the West Coast, this annual beach soccer festival is a competitive tournament for regional and worldwide teams that is also a fun family event.
Harbor Beach, Oceanside www.beachsoccerusa.org
Rhythm & Brews Music & Craft Beer Festival May 4
Complete with jams from local musicians and tastes of more than 50 of the most renowned breweries from San Diego County and other vibrant craft beer regions around the country.
12-4pm / Historic Vista Village
https://rhythmandbrews.sdbeer.com
Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego May 4
We will be featuring cultural, traditional, and contemporary acts. Family-friendly, fun, and FREE event.
10am-5pm / Mira Mesa Community Park
www.asianculturalfestivalsd.com
Cinco de Mayo Trail Run May 4
5K and 10K and The Kathy Crafts Young Memorial Kids Race. Professionally chip timed. More than $1,600 in cash awards. Male and female age division awards.
6:30-10:30am / Lake Poway Trail www.cincodemayotrailrun.org
Carlsbad Spring Village Faire May 5
More than 850 vendors will selling clothes, accessories, plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The international food court will feature more than 50 booths serving everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine. Children’s area.
8am-5pm / Grand Avenue www.kennedyfaires.com/carlsbad
Cinco de Mayo in Balboa Park May 4
The day’s collaborative, community-driven programming includes Mexican-themed music and dance performances, colorful horseback riders, strolling mariachis, hands-on activity booths for kids, arts and crafts vendors, gourmet food trucks, and more.
11am-6pm / House of Hospitality www.balboaparkconservancy.org
Carry the Load May 8
Join Carry The Load in honoring our military, veterans and first responders by walking with the West Coat relay team through Miramar National Cemetery as they continue on their 4,600-mile trek to Dallas, Texas. Participants are encouraged to bring a memento that symbolizes the load they are carrying.
6:45-9:30am / San Diego Fire-Rescue Station 35, La Jolla
972-757-1828 / www.carrytheload.org
San Diego Surf Film Festival May 8-11
15 of the finest international surf films. Opening night featuring live art, music and local beer. Grant Ellis slideshow presentations. Surfing expression sessions. Salty surf housings. VIP nautilus pass holder happy hours. Meet the filmmakers and artists lunch.
Misfit Gallery, La Jolla www.sdsurffilmfestival.com
Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival May 9-12
Features 4 days of live music – more than 100 performances on 7 stages, dancing, delicious Southern food – including beignets, gumbo, jambalaya & 10,000 lbs of crawfish.
Spanish Landing Park, Point Loma www.gatorbythebay.com
SDCCU Festival of Arts May 11
This unique and vibrant neighborhood festival brings out over 40,000 people from all over San Diego County to celebrate and enjoy live music, art, crafts, delicious food and some of San Diego’s top Craft Beers.
11am-10pm / North Park Main Street
619-294-2501 / www.northparkmainstreet.com
Chocolate Festival May 11
Enjoy dozens of delectable chocolate tastings, demonstrations, a chocolate fountain, and more. Lots of children’s activities and a variety of Mother’s Day gifts.
10am-4pm / San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas
760-436-3036 / www.sdbgarden.org
FilmOut San Diego LGBT Shortfest May 15
This “mini-festival” will be a pre-Summer/Pride screening featuring only LGBTQ short films!
7pm & 9pm / Hillcrest Landmark Theatres
www.filmoutsandiego.com
Ramona Rodeo May 17-19
A Top Notch PRCA rodeo with some of the greatest cowboys around, boasting a professional attitude with the best hometown hospitality you will find at a rodeo.
See website for schedule. / Fred Grand Arena
760-788-0811 / www.ramonarodeo.net
San Diego Century May 18
Take on one of 3 beautiful courses for a challenging and rewarding cycling experience on San Diego’s most scenic routes. Experience the beautiful hills and coastline along 33, 67 or 105 mile routes.
6am-5:30pm / MiraCosta College, Cardiff-by-the-Sea
909-399-3553 / www.spectrumsportsevents.com
Ocean Beach Kite Festival May 18
Kite building and decorating, prizes, professional kite fliers and amazing kite demonstrations and games, crafters, community organizations, gourmet food, carnival activities and live music!
10am-4pm / Robb Athletic Field www.oceanbeachkiwanis.org
Taste of Julian May 18
This year, many of the town’s restaurants, wineries and breweries will be participating in this self-guided culinary tour of the historic mountain town’s unique restaurants.
1-5pm / Town Hall www.atasteofjulian.com
Van Go! STEAM Festival May 18
This event features a silly soap box race; fine arts exhibition, live music as well as visual & performing arts entertainment and a beer & wine garden.
10am-2pm / Little Italy www.littleitalysd.com
SDCVA Wine & Food Festival May 18
Spend the day discovering the array of varietals produced county wide. This is the only wine event exclusively featuring San Diego County wines.
1-4pm / Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, Escondido
858-487-1866 / www.sandiegowineries.org
SoCal TACO FEST May 18
Over 25 of your favorite restaurants, plus Lucha Libre wrestling, Chihuahua races & beauty pageant, and the Milagro Cantina Margarita Tent. Ages 21+ only.
11am-10pm / San Diego County Waterfront Park
www.91x.com
Fiesta del Sol May 18-19
The Belly Up is lining up a great list of musicians to perform. A large, fun, and exciting Children’s Area. Food Trucks along with other great specialty food vendors will be back as well as our Arts & Crafts area, Sponsor area, Solana Beach Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, and much more!
9am-9pm / Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach
www.fiestadelsol.net
OMBAC Over the Line Beerfest May 18-19
Kick off summer with the Over the Line tournament, a baseball tournament complete with San Diego’s finest craft breweries and food trucks. Beerfest on Saturday and OTL Tourney on Sunday.
11am-6pm / Mariner’s Point, San Diego
www.ombac.org/beerfestotl
Navy’s Bay Bridge Run/Walk May 19
A one of a kind spectacular panoramic view as participants make their way to Coronado’s beautiful Tidelands Park from downtown San Diego over the Coronado Bay Bridge.
8am-12pm / Hilton San Diego Bayfront
858-848-5786 / www.navybaybridgerun.com
Escondido Grand Avenue Festival May 19
With over 500 vendors, and has been happening since 1989, bringing unique crafts and imports, fine international cuisine and family entertainment.
9am-5pm / Grand Avenue www.kennedyfaires.com
Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival May 24-25
Mutton Bustin’ event, Junior Barrel Racing, and a Calf Scramble during intermission that is open to children in attendance free of charge. Rodeo proceeds are donated to local youth organizations, as well as organizations that promote the morale of our local military.
Star Valley Park www.vcstampede.com
Legacy Week May 24-27
The lineup of activities range from a Wreath Memorial ceremony, benefit concert, family activities, blood drive, interactive exhibits and more. Each element of Midway’s Legacy Week commemoration is designed to honor and remember our heroes and celebrate our military heritage. USS Midway Museum 619-544-9600 / www.midway.org
Valley Center Western Days May 25
Each May, the Valley Center community celebrates its western heritage with a series of events including the Western Days Festival, Parade, Library kick-off party, Chili Cook-off, the election of Valley Center’s “Honorary Mayor.”
760-440-8293 / www.westerndays.org
Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival May 25
Featuring live music and entertainment, more than 300 food and craft vendor booths, carnival rides and more!
10am-6pm / Riverview Parkway & Town Center Parkway
619-449-1515 / www.santeestreetfair.com
Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea May 25-27
General admission tickets for the three-day event include entrance to all vessels, exhibits, live music, education zone and artist exhibition with market.
Maritime Museum of San Diego www.sdmaritime.org
San Diego County Fair May 31-July 4
Skip down the yellow brick road and enter into an “Oz-some” world inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
Del Mar Fairgrounds 858-755-1161 / www.sdfair.com
