San Diego County has seen a monster truck show, a bird festival and the first-ever San Diego FC home soccer match in the year’s first three months.
Now it’s time for spring.
Here are 15 can’t-miss events happening locally from April to June, listed chronologically.
April
Flower fields: Every spring, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch opens to the public with events, music and activities. For the first time, there is a traveling exhibit. Artist Alex Heveri’s work is being showcased at the 55-acre ranch. The exhibit will include over three dozen glass and steel sculptures of sparkling butterflies, dragonflies, bamboo, bees and insects. Activities and programming throughout the season include live music, family yoga, sunset meditation, wine tasting, flower workshops, tractor rides, a sweet pea maze and a tea garden. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Now through May 11. 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad. $0-$33. 760-431-0352, theflowerfields.com
Taste of Hillcrest: This autonomous neighborhood tasting tour features more than 25 restaurants. Some of the participating eateries include Baja Betty’s, Crest Cafe, Handle’s Ice Cream, Lestat’s and NOLA on 5th. There will also be a free Pilates class an hour before the event officially kicks off. Noon to 4 p.m. April 12. 1601 University Ave., San Diego. $40. fabuloushillcrest.com/event-calendar/2024/4/13/taste-of-hillcrest-hlwj2
Chicano Park Day: For the 55th time, San Diego communities will celebrate Chicano Park Day in Barrio Logan. Chicano Park‘s founding resulted from an effort by Chicano movement activists and the Logan Heights community banding together starting on April 22, 1970, and protesting to stop a California Highway Patrol station from being constructed. Since then, the community has celebrated the historical landmark with events, musical performances, Aztec Indigenous dances, cultural and historical speeches, food, artwork and lowrider car showcases. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19. Chicano Park, 1949 Logan Ave., San Diego. Free. chicano-park.com
WOW Festival: A four-day celebration of the arts, WOW Festival stands for “Without Walls.” The event is a La Jolla Playhouse program featuring art performances outside of conventional theater walls in more open and unique spaces, such as a park on a boat or even in a bubble. Over 20 performances and experiences are scheduled to take place at various venues and spaces on the University of California, San Diego campus. April 24-27. University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Free. lajollaplayhouse.org/wowfestival
Encinitas Spring Street Fair: The Encinitas Spring Street Fair showcases musicians, artists, food vendors and businesses. There will be three stages featuring bands, singers, dance teams and DJs. A beer garden and kid-friendly activities are also part of the fair. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26-27. South Coast Highway 101. Free. encinitas101.com/events/2024-encinitas-spring-street-fair
Mission Fed ArtWalk: In Little Italy, the 41st edition of the Mission Fed ArtWalk is taking place as a celebration of fine art. The event fills India Street with more than 250 visual artists, interactive art for families, food vendors and four music stages. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with artists, who travel to this show from across the U.S. and Mexico, and can purchase their artwork. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27. Little Italy along India Street. artwalksandiego.org/missionfed
May
“House of India:” The Old Globe is showcasing the world premiere of the play “House of India.” The comedy revolves around a family restaurant where the characters must decide to keep traditional customs and dishes or ditch them for trendier meals, as the business battles financial challenges. This comedy is directed by Zi Alikhan and was written by San Diego playwright Deepak Kumar. May 10 through June 1. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
Escondido Street Festival: Close to 400 vendors will be part of the 2025 Escondido Street Festival, selling handmade gifts, food and drinks. There will be live music, a kids zone, an art area, a community stage and a beer and wine garden. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 18. Grand Avenue between Escondido Boulevard and Juniper Street. Free. downtownescondido.com
Taste of East Village: More than 30 restaurants are taking part in the second annual Taste of East Village. Attendees get a stamp card that acts as a port with a map to guide them through the restaurant parts of the event. 4 to 8 p.m. May 21 and 22. $43.75. eastvillagesandiego.com/events/taste-of-east-village
Birch Aquarium’s Living Seas: Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography will open its newest exhibit, Living Seas, after more than nine months of construction. Living Seas allows visitors to explore the Pacific Ocean via habitats with live animals such as the giant Pacific octopus. It will also feature a giant kelp forest habitat, a Scripps Pier habitat and an expanded tropical coral habitat which is over four times larger than the previous one, according to the Birch Aquarium. In addition, Living Seas features digital projections that add immersive elements to the walls between habitats. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 22. Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. aquarium.ucsd.edu/exhibits/living-seas
June
San Diego County Fair: This year’s fair theme is, “Summer Pet-tacular,” and visitors can expect a pet parade and interactive pet-themed props. Guests can also expect to hear concerts, ride amusement park rides, play carnival-type games, win prizes and see farm animals. There are also various special events during the fair such as pig races, LGBTQ+ day and a reggae festival. The 2025 Del Mar Grandstand Stage lineup features Maxwell, Third Eye Blind, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and more. June 11 through July 6. sdfair.com
Taste of Little Italy: For two nights, the public can savor their way through San Diego’s Italian district at Taste of Little Italy. This event includes 48 square blocks of participating restaurants. Different businesses participate each night. Guests will receive an event-branded port that acts as a stamp card and map to guide them through each stop of this self-guided walking food tour. Seating is available at the check-in location, Piazza della Famiglia, which will also have live music. 4 to 8 p.m. June 17-18. littleitalysd.com/events/taste-of-little-italy
Shakira: International award-winning superstar Shakira is bringing her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour to Snapdragon Stadium. The Colombian artist released her latest album in 2024, which features the singles “Te Felicito,” “Monotonía” and “Punteria.” The album won a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. 7:30 p.m. June 26. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. $154-$1,830. snapdragonstadium.com/events/detail/shakira
Ocean Beach Street Fair: The 45th annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off features music, vendors, artwork, food, drinks and more. The chili cook-off is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and for $25, visitors can sample and vote for their favorite. There will also be a chicken wings eating contest from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and a burger eating contest from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Non-eating attractions include an artist alley, a communal mural, a family fun zone, a beer garden and two stages of live music. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 28. Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach. oceanbeachsandiego.com/attractions/annual-events/ob-street-fair-chili-cook
Taste of Adams Avenue: From University Heights on through Normal Heights and Kensington is where the Taste of Adams Avenue takes place. In 2024, the 23rd Taste of Adams Avenue highlighted 40 eateries, coffee shops, wine bars and breweries. This bike-friendly event also provided free trolley rides. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 29. adamsavenuebusiness.com/event-info/taste-of-adams-avenue
