Experience San Diego with your loved ones in time for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations! San Diego County residents can take advantage of some of our tours and attractions for FREE when accompanied by a full fare adult paid guest with Hometown Pass!
The 30th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco De Mayo is the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the border. This three-day fiesta has an incredible variety of festivities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be surrounded by the history and culture of Mexico! Two event stages will entertain with sizzling flamenco beats, Norteno flairs and traditional Mariachi music. Explore the museums, specialty shops, and the lively streets of the bustling Mercado where you can purchase an array of merchandise: handmade leather pieces, beautiful jewelry and many more treasures. Ride the stagecoach and venture over to Lowrider Lane where you will be amazed by the glistening rims and gravity-defying hydraulics of these custom art masterpieces. Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 11am–10pm & Sunday 11am-5pm.
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Annual Dragon Boat Race Festival
Tecolote Shores North Park in Mission Bay Park
The San Diego Dragon Boat Festival showcases the traditional art and sport of dragon boat racing. Competitors test their endurance as they row the fast, dragon-shaped vessels in teams. Come enjoy the races, fine food, and entertainment.
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Take Steps San Diego Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Crown Point Park in Mission Bay Park
Take Steps is an event that raises money for Crohn’s and ulcerative Colitis cures. The day is fun-filled with food, a band, a kid’s zone, a beer garden, and a walk!
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
San Diego Humane Society / SPCA 22nd Walk for Animals
NTC Park at Liberty Station
You and your pawsitively patriotic pets will have a great time as we walk to celebrate our love for animals while raising the vital funds needed to ensure that every homeless animal can find a loving home. The morning festivities include a delicious pancake breakfast, a scenic two-mile walk with an optional half-mile walk, fun-filled doggie activities and contests, and an array of vendor booths.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Annual Asian Cultural Festival
Mira Mesa Community Park
This event is the county’s largest festival during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The festival provides a great and fun way to learn new things about all the different traditions among some of the various Asian ethnicities represented within our community. Family and pet-friendly park with stroller and wheelchair-accessible areas. Live cooking demonstrations to spice up your cookbook, plus free sample tastings. Watch two stages of cultural entertainment and group dances to join. Explore the Cultural Row of Asian Nations to learn cool facts and make crafts.
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Miracle Babies 5K
NTC Park at Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Rd.
Proceeds from this Miracle Babies event support families in need who have a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit. Following the race there will be a red rose ceremony and a champagne toast celebrating our mothers. In addition, the day will be full of activities for kids, health & wellness expo, local food, and more!
5:40 AM - 10:30 AM
Spring Sprint Triathlon
Mission Bay, South Shores Park
The Spring Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon is the second multi-sport sprint event of the season in San Diego. With a calm bay swim and a flat bike and run course, the Spring Sprint is the perfect race to kick off your season. Whether you are an experienced triathlete or duathlete preparing for the season, or a first timer looking for a fun race in which to participate, the Spring Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon benefiting the Moores UCSD Cancer Center on Mission Bay is for you!
6:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Girls on the Run 5K
NTC Park, Liberty Station
The Girls on the Run 5k is a non-competitive celebration 5k. All participants must register for the event.
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10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Gator by the Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival
North Harbor Drive, Spanish Landing Park6192348612
Gator by the Bay is a 3-day festival featuring Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Country musicians and Louisiana cuisine and culture. The festival will be held over Mother’s Day weekend at Spanish Landing Park on North Harbor Drive. This family-oriented event includes performances by nationally recognized Cajun, Zydeco and Blues performers, local performing musicians, dancing, dance instruction, cooking demonstrations, ethnic food and arts vendors, community exhibits, cultural workshops, children’s arts and crafts and colorful daily “Mardi Gras” style parades through the festival grounds.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
San Diego Brain Tumor Walk
Sidewalks surrounding Waterfront Park
The San Diego Brain Tumor Walk offers individuals and teams a chance to honor and remember loved ones, connect with others interested in the brain tumor cause, and to help educate the local community on the diverse needs of the brain tumor community.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Junior League of San Diego Food & Wine Festival
La Jolla Cove
Over 50 of San Diego’s best restaurants and beverage purveyors will be offering exquisite bites and flavorful wines, brews, and spirits. An entertaining Kentucky Derby theme sets the mood for a wonderful afternoon. Women will be donning the fanciest of hats to celebrate the Runway for the Roses.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Annual Liver Life Walk
Liberty Station NTC Park
Join us as we change the face of liver disease. Your participation will bring awareness to liver disease and provide financial support for our educational programs and patient services offered to the millions of Americans battling one of the 100 known liver diseases.
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
19th Annual North Park Festival of the Arts
University Ave. & 30th St.
Celebration of Music and Art. 619-294-2501.
Crystal Pier Outrigger Canoe Race
Crown Point – Mission Bay
7:00am – 6:00pm. The Crystal Pier Outrigger Canoe Race is a Southern California Outrigger Racing Association Race, hosted by Hanohano Canoe Club in San Diego, CA. The race draws 2,500+ participants annually who battle in a 6-mile short course, novice and kid’s race as well as a 10-mile men, women and coed races in six-person outrigger canoes.
MCRD Boot Camp Challenge
6:30am – 12:00pm. BootCamp Challenge is the only obstacle course race that allows participants to run through the same obstacles that turn recruits into Marines. BootCamp Challenge offers civilians the unique chance to experience a taste of Marine Corps boot camp. BootCamp Challenge is a high-energy, endorphin-filled adrenaline rush with over 50 obstacles including tunnel crawls, log hurdles, 6ft vertical climbing wall, cargo net crawls, and push-up stations all manned by Marine Corps Drill Instructors who are there to encourage and motivate participants through the obstacles.
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Balboa Park Pow Wow
Park area near Park Boulevard and President’s Way
10:00am – 6:00pm. Native Americans of many tribes gather together to sing and dance to the heart beat of the drum. The Balboa Park Pow Wow includes dances, Native American arts & crafts, and food!
Bike to Work
5:00am – 6:00pm. Bike to Work Day is a nationally recognized event celebrated annually on the third Friday in May. Since May is National Bike Month, San Diegans have opportunities to GO by BIKE all month long. Bike Month 2019 supports biking as a viable, environmentally friendly, cost-saving commute choice. With thousands of miles of bikeways in the San Diego region, biking gets you where you need to go. Make biking to work your new normal.
Annual Old House Fair
30th Street (between Cedar St. & Ash St.) - Beech Street (between Fern St. & Date St.)6192336679
10:00am – 4:00pm. If you’re planning to restore an older home or spruce up a newer one, this event is for you. Local craftsmen and community businesses that specialize in the repair, remodel, and preservation of homes will be there. The event also offers historic home tours, exhibits, food, music, and activities.
Ocean Beach Kite Festival
Mito Walk & Roll 5K & Carnival
NTC Park at Liberty Station
9:00am – 12:00pm. The first annual Mito Walk and Roll 5K is a family-oriented event. This year’s event will include interactive games, face painting, bounce house, pictures with princesses, magic show, caricature drawings, food trucks, live music and much more. Participants are encouraged to walk, run or roll to show their support for our cause. The Mito Walk and Roll is an event for the whole family. It is a great chance to get some exercise, enjoy quality family time, and support UCSD’s Mitochondrial Research Fund at the same time. This event represents a great opportunity for runners, as well as family members and friends, to kick off the summer! Proceeds will benefit the UCSD Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center.
60th OMBAC Coming Out Party: Craft Beer Festival
Mariner’s Point located in Mission Bay Park
6:00am – 6:00pm. The event is an adult (age 21+) with craft beer beach bash with rock n’ roll music, food, drink, and sand-dancing. Some people will be soaking up sun rays as others amuse themselves with beachy activities.
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Fiesta Del Sol
Solana Beach
9:00am – 9:00pm. The Fiesta del Sol features a special area just for kids with rides, games and hands-on activities. Favorite destinations include the awesome rides, inflatable bounce house and slide. Don’t forget about our famous face painter. And kid-friendly food choices are always a huge hit with everyone. Kid’s rides favorites include the “Dragon” and the “Swing”! Arts & crafts plus tons of other fun activities designed especially for children and even adults who feel like children are not in short supply!
6:00am – 5:30pm. Cyclists can test their endurance by choosing one of these rides that travel along hills and coast. There’s a challenging 37-mile course, a grueling 66-mile course, and an extreme 103-mile course. All rides begin and end at Mira Costa College in Encinitas. A small expo accompanies the event.
Navy’s 32nd Bay Bridge Run
Downtown San Diego: One Park Blvd.
8:00am – 10:00am. Don’t miss out on this one! A run/walk across the Coronado Bay Bridge is a rare opportunity. The views are awesome! It begins near the Bayside Hilton in downtown San Diego and proceeds across the magnificent bay bridge and onward to Coronado Island for a festive celebration at Tidelands Park.
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Beach Soccer Jam
Fiesta Island in East Mission Bay
9:00am – 8:00pm. Welcome to the exciting world of beach soccer and volleyball. If you like sun, sand, and beach entertainment with your soccer and volleyball, then get ready for Beach Soccer Jam! It’s open to youth soccer teams, military teams, and men & women open matches. It’s all happening at Fiesta Island.
San Diego Taco Fest
1:00pm – 5:00pm. The San Diego Taco Fest is a food, music, and cultural celebration! The region’s best taco-centric restaurants offer a wide range of mouthwatering taco creations. Enjoy local and national musical performances. In between the music and tacos, catch live Lucha Libre wrestling matches!
Annual Butterfly Release
Zoro Garden area in Balboa Park
10:00am – 3:00pm. The Annual Butterfly Release is a popular family fun day. There will be free giveaways, entertainment, plus kids’ arts and crafts activities. Butterflies are shared with children a few minutes prior to the release times!
11:00am – 5:00pm. Come to Balboa Park to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch. Follow the sound of music and the aroma of scrumptious foods to the little cottages that represent different countries of the Pacific. Afterwards picnic with a feast of food and tempting bakery while being entertained by costumed performances.
Fiesta Botanica
El Prado, Balboa Park
10:00am – 3:00pm. Come celebrate spring amid the region’s most spectacular historical gardens in Balboa Park. The family-friendly festival kicks off with the Wagon Parade, then continues with lectures, demos, hands-on activities for kids, live entertainment, plant sales, food trucks, and more.
