Can you believe that it’s already May? Time goes by so fast. Here are a few of the things to do in San Diego this May. From art shows to 5k to street fairs and music festivals, there’s always something for everyone to do in San Diego.
Carlsbad Street Fair – May 1
Carlsbad will having it’s 48th Annual Street Fair on May 1st from 8-5 in downtown Carlsbad.
Featuring over 800 vendors and the beer garden is making a comeback this year.
https://carlsbad.org/
Del Mar Antiques + Art + Design Show May 1
Del Mar Antiques + Art + Design Show will feature over 100 premier
exhibitors offering a broad range of quality antiques including fine antique
furniture, silver, paintings, bronzes, porcelain, Asian antiques, antique
and estate jewelry and watches, pottery, rare books, lighting, crystal,
prints, rugs, textiles, posters, toys, dolls, vintage designer clothing and
accessories and much more.
11am-4pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
858-755-1161 / www.delmarantiques.com
Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show May 4-5
View products on display, attend seminars, and more. Featuring productive
and fun ideas, assembly, manufacturing, quality, and testing.
10am-5pm Del Mar Fairgrounds
858-755-1161 / www.mfgshow.com
Taste of Cardiff May 5
Join the community in celebrating culinary flavors and locally crafted
libations that make the downtown Cardiff district so unique. Come enjoy
food, drinks, live music at Taste of Cardiff! Restaurants in Cardiff will be
crafting decadent tastes to win your vote for the 2022 Morgan Mallory
Golden Fork Award, while local businesses host Sip Stops stationed with
local libations.
5:30-8:30pm / Downtown and Restaurant Row, Cardiff
760-436-0431 / www.cardiff101.com
Cinco de Mayo Sunset Sail May 5
This fun, new festive activity is staged aboard the San Salvador, a replica
of Explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo’s galleon, the first European to reach
America’s West Coast in 1542.
5-7pm / Maritime Museum of San Diego, Downtown
619-234-9153 / www.sdmaritime.org
Children’s Day May 5
Join JFG to celebrate Children’s Day on May 5th! All of the activities,
vendors and performances will take place inside the garden’s gates. We
invite guests to make special koinobori, play games, and eat kashiwamochi.
Performances will run throughout the day.
10am-4pm / Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego
619-232-2721 / www.niwa.org
Gator by the Bay – Zydeco, Blues, & Crawfish Festival May 5-8
The spirit, sounds, and flavor of Mardi Gras come alive at the largest and
most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the
bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco, this four-day, family-friendly
cultural celebration takes place on the picture-perfect San Diego Bay.
Spanish Landing Park, Point Loma Peninsula
619-234-8612 / www.gatorbythebay.com
Julian Woman’s Club Wildflower Show May 6-7
The Julian Wildflower Show has been continuous since 1926, except for 3
years during World War II and in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
10am-4pm / Julian Woman’s Club
760-484-0669 / www.julianwomansclub.org
Homefront Cleanup May 7
The Imperial Beach Homefront Cleanup is a partnership with the City of
Imperial Beach and EDCO at South Bay Union School District, 601 Elm
Ave, held annually on the first Saturday of May.
8am-1pm / 601 Elm Ave, Imperial Beach
619-424-4095 / www.imperialbeachca.gov
City Ballet of San Diego’s: Don Quixote May 7
A lavish production based on Miguel de Cervantes epic novel. Follow
the adventures of the errant knight, Don Quixote, and his squire, Sancho
Panza. This three-act story ballet sensation with opulent scenery and
costumes, complete with moving windmills, is family orientated and filled
with humor and magic.
8-10pm / California Center for the Arts, Escondido
858-272-8663 / www.cityballet.org
Walk for Animals May 7
All registered participants will enjoy a pancake breakfast, doggie activities,
Vendor Village, and a Walk for Animals T-shirt at the event! Together we
can create a more humane San Diego!
7-11am / NTC Park at Liberty Station www.sdhumane.org
Cinco De Mayo Festival May 8
Your favorite Mexican food, Folkloric Groups all day. Crowning of Miss
Cinco De Mayo.
11am-5pm / Grape Day Park, Escondido
760-855-8115 / www.usamulticultural.org
Historic Home Tour May 8
We invite you to support the community you love, its history, and the
Coronado Historical Association with someone special this Mother’s Day.
11am-4pm / Coronado Historical Association & Museum
619-435-7242 / www.coronadohistory.org
Music at the Maritime Featuring Hausmann Quartet May 8
The Hausmann Quartet and Maritime Museum of San Diego are excited
to partner to present the sixth season of Haydn Voyages: Music at the
Maritime, a quarterly concert series performed aboard one of the
Museum’s ten historic world-class vessels, the 1898 steam ferryboat
Berkeley that operated for 60 years on San Francisco Bay. Enjoy world-class performances from San Diego’s only floating concert hall!
2:30-4:30pm / Maritime Museum of San Diego, Downtown
619-234-9153 / www.sdmaritime.org
Foodieland Night Market May 13-15
FoodieLand Night Market is a foodie inspired multi-cultural food and
entertainment event featuring more than 150 vendors with a variety of
amazing foods, games, and entertainment for the whole family.
Fri 3-10pm; Sat, Sun 1-10pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
858-755-1161 / www.foodielandnm.com
Movie in the Park – Encanto May 14
Be sure to bring your blankets and low-backed chairs. Bring a picnic and
drinks, but please no glass containers.
7-9pm / Glen Park, Cardiff www.encinitasca.gov
Come From Away May 17-22
This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the
remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town
in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran
high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and
gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
7-9pm / Broadway San Diego, San Diego
619-564-3000 / www.broadwaysd.com
20th Grip It & Rip It! Golf Tournament May 19
Enjoy golf and lunch at the tournament as we celebrate its 20th year.
11:30am-5pm / Singing Hills Golf Resort, El Cajon
619-440-6161 / www.eastcountychamber.org
A.R. Valentien Mother’s Day Brunch May 8
Plan an unforgettable brunch for the special women in your life. With a dramatic backdrop of the Torrey Pines Golf Course, spoil mom with an exquisite three-course dining experience at A.R. Valentien.
10:30am – 3pm / The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla
858-777-6635 / www.lodgetorreypines.com
SANDAG Bike to Work Day! May 19
Register for SANDAG Bike to Work Day! Join thousands of commuters
throughout the San Diego region as we GO by BIKE on the morning of
Thursday, May 19. When you register for Bike to Work Day, you can roll by
one of our many pit stop locations throughout the San Diego from 6 – 9
a.m. to pick up a FREE t-shirt, snacks, and encouragement.
www.icommutesd.com
Concert in the Park May 20
The San Diego County Library Imperial Beach and the City of Imperial
Beach are teaming up to bring you a series of concerts in our beloved
Veterans Park. Bring a chair and grab some dinner to enjoy a free night of
entertainment!
5:30-7:30pm / Veterans Park, Imperial Beach
619-213-1627 / www.imperialbeachca.gov
Spring-in to Camping! May 20
Sleep under the spring stars! Set up your tent and explore the park at your
own pace. Hike the numerous trails; drop a line to catch a fish; cruise the
lake on a motorboat; or simply relax by your campsite and enjoy all the
natural beauty that Lake Poway offers.
1pm-10am / Lake Poway
858-668-4772 / www.poway.org
San Diego International ShortsFest May 20-22
Celebrating the art of cinematic storytelling with films less than 30 minutes
in length.
See website for schedule. www.sdfilmfest.com
North Park Music Fest May 21-22
This two day San Diego Music Festival will highlight San Diego’s best in
local music, unique food vendors, live art, craft beer, and spirits.
11am-7pm / North Park Mini-Park, San Diego
619-294-2501 / www.northparkmainstreet.com
Community Band Festival May 22
Come visit Old Poway Park where Old Poway Park Action Committee
members, the Pomerado Community Band and the Poway Arts and Crafts
Guild, will host the annual California Band Festival and Arts and Crafts
Market. Listen to bands from near and far that will offer a wide variety
musical genres from blue grass ensembles to full concert bands.
10am-7pm / Old Poway Park, Poway
858-668-4576 / www.poway.org
Pure Project Label Art Contest May 22
Pure Project is excited to organize and host our first-ever label art contest!
The contest will culminate in an exhibit held at the Pure Project Balboa
Park Biergarten.
12-5pm / Pure Project Balboa Park, San Diego
619-323-2000 / www.purebrewing.org
Carlsbad 5000 May 22
The annual event weekend kicks off with the Carlsbad 5000 Health &
Fitness expo and packet pickup in the heart of Carlsbad Village. The
World’s Fastest 5k welcomes runners of all ages and paces to a fast
oceanfront course with unforgettable views and an energetic atmosphere.
400 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
www.carlsbad5000.com
Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival May 28
This is a free, public event featuring a craft beer garden, vendor booths,
food and entertainment.
10am-6pm / Riverview Parkway and Town Center
619-449-1515 / www.santeechamber.com
Solana Beach Memorial Day Ceremony May 30
The Veteran’s Memorial Wall, which honors the service of all Solana Beach
Veterans of Foreign Wars, is available for viewing. Docents from the
Civic and Historical Society are on hand to conduct tours of the historical
museum.
11am / La Colonia Park
858-720-2400 / www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us