San Diego Things to do in May
San Diego’s weather welcomes visitors and locals alike to enjoy outdoor events with a plethora of festivals showcasing everything from bacon and blues to kites and surfing. We’ve rounded up the best May events and performances to enjoy in San Diego.
EVENTS
Junior League of San Diego Food & Wine Festival
May 2. The Junior League of San Diego welcomes guests to take part in the Kentucky Derby-themed Food & Wine Festival at La Jolla Cove. Attendees will enjoy food from top San Diego restaurants, wine, beer, cocktails, live music and the chance to cheer on their favorite horse during a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby. Over 60 of San Diego’s best restaurants and beverage companies offer unlimited tastings from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $85-140/pp. Ellen Scripps Browning Park, La Jolla, jlsdfoodandwine.com
Fiesta Cinco de Mayo Old Town
May 2, 3. Presented by Dos Equis, the 32nd annual Fiesta Cinco de Mayo brings visitors to the heart of historic Old Town for a two day free and family-friendly festival. The event will include four stages of live entertainment, over 40 bands, a low rider display, more than 50 food and retail booths, a cantina garden and restaurant specials. Enjoy mariachi, specialty margaritas, cervezas, horchata and Mexican food at Casa Guadalajara. The festival takes place from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Old Town, cincodemayooldtown.com
Gator by the Bay Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival
May 7-10. This family-friendly music and food festival features blues, Cajun and zydeco bands, free dance lessons, cooking demos and cultural and music workshops. Spanish Landing Park at Harbor Island, 619.234.8612. gatorbythebay.com
Ocean Beach Kite Festival
May 9. The Ocean Beach Kite Festival equals fun for the entire family with kite building stations and competitions, kite flying, carnival games, street fair artisans, food trucks, live music and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunset Cliffs Blvd. at Nimitz, Ocean Beach, oceanbeachkiwanis.org
Bacon & Barrels
May 9. Bacon & Barrels, a bacon and beer lover’s paradise, returns to San Diego at the Embarcadero Marina Park South as San Diego’s top chefs showcase their bacon-inspired creations. The event features over 100 food and libation booths with all-inclusive tastings. Attendees can also participate in 2 person cornhole tournaments, enjoy live culinary demonstrations, and live music performances. 1-5 p.m. 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego Marina, baconandbarrels.com
Ramona Rodeo
May 14-17. The three-day event features something for every cowboy (and cowgirl) with barrel racing, tie-down roping, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping and bareback riding. Children who are five to seven years old get to participate in the mutton bustin’ with sheep, there will be a cowgirl fashion show, rodeo queens and a parade down Maine Street on Saturday morning. Fred Grand Arena, Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Ln., Ramona, 760.788.0811. ramonarodeo.com
North Park Festival of the Arts
May 16. This 19th annual celebration of the arts will feature more than 40 artists showcasing their work, hand-crafted jewelry, a kids’ art block, live music and a craft beer block. University Ave. between 30th and 32nd streets, North Park. northparkfestivalofarts.com
Brew Rendezvous
May 17. Brew Rendezvous combines food, farm and craft beer for a unique celebration showcasing the unique role of craft brewers, local growers and restaurateurs in San Diego’s community and health. The event focuses on promoting a healthy, sustainable and regional food system. SILO in Makers Quarter, 753 15th St., East Village. sdchip.org
San Diego Surf Film Festival
May 20-23. San Diego’s surfing culture comes to the forefront in the celebration of surf cinema through over 20 international films, Q&As, filmmaker panels, a surf art gallery, surf legends and live music. Hosted at several venues throughout the county, the weekend festivities welcome surf enthusiasts and filmmakers alike. sandiegosurffilmfestival.com
San Diego Rock’n’Roll Marathon
May 31. Rock out at the annual San Diego Rock’n’Roll Marathon and half-marathon with live music lining the streets, cheer squads and a huge post-marathon concert to end the race with a bang. The race begins at Sixth Ave. and Quince in Balboa Park and finishes at Petco Park. runrocknroll.competitor.com
THEATER
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
May 5-10. The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical puts a contemporary spin on the classic fairy tale, featuring all the favorite moments—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists. Broadway/San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
Arms and the Man
May 9-June 14. Raina Petkoff is about to marry the heroic soldier Sergius. But the battlefield sweeps into her boudoir when an enemy soldier takes refuge under her bed. Set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War, George Bernard Shaw’s romantic comedy mixes wit, charm and silliness in a tale of love and war. Shiley Stage at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Rich Girl
May 23- June 21. Claudine’s mother has it all: wealth, success and fame. Claudine is awkward, shy and forever living in her mother’s shadow. When a dashing artist sweeps Claudine off her feet, her mother is convinced that all he’s after is her money. The modern retelling of the Henry James novel Washington Square is a moving and funny new play about mothers and daughters, love and money, and whether they can ever coexist. Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.231.5623. theoldglobe.org
