Community events in San Diego County: From Carlsbad Village Street Faire to Fiesta Old Town
BONITA
Art for All exhibit
The Arc of San Diego hosts the Art for All Art Exhibit and Reception, featuring original works created by adults with disabilities, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Road. Admission is free; reservations are required by April 26 at 619-795-4135 or gsarmiento@arc-sd.com.
CARLSBAD
Carlsbad Village Street Faire
The family-friendly Carlsbad Village Street Faire is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at 2695 State St. There will be hundreds of arts and crafts booths, antiques, an international food court, children's rides and an entertainment stage along with a beer garden. A free shuttle goes from The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Visit carlsbad.org/carlsbad-village-street-faire.
Lagoona Kahuna Cleanups
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation holds its Lagoona Kahuna Cleanup Challenge for businesses and nonprofits from 9 a.m. to noon or 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 at California Watersports, 4215 Harrison St. Participants win points for collecting trash, weeds and invasive species and compete for the title of Big or Little Kahuna. Also, a lagoon cleanup for families, including a scavenger hunt, games and pizza, is from 10 a.m. to noon May 2. The cleanup takes place via kayak, paddleboard or on the shoreline. Proceeds will go to the lagoon’s environmental education program. Visit aguahedionda.org.
The Flower Fields open until Mother’s Day
The Flower Fields is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through May 10 at 5704 Paseo Del Norte. Millions of giant tecolote ranunculuses are expected to bloom this season across 55 acres. Attractions range from a Butterfly Encounter, Artist's Garden and Sweet Pea Maze to tractor wagon rides, concerts and wine-tasting events. Admission tickets must be purchased in advance online and are $27, $25 for seniors and military personnel and $17 for children ages 3-10. Season passes are $65, $60 for seniors 60 and older and $40 for children 3-10. Visit theflowerfields.com.
CARMEL VALLEY
Talk on dementia directives
A free presentation on Advance Care Planning and Dementia Directives is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. April 29 at Pacific Highlands Ranch Library, 12911 Pacific Place. The event is hosted by the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, which works to improve patient autonomy and individual choice at the end of life. Visit compassionandchoices.org
DEL MAR
Concert benefits clinic in Tijuana
Spring Jam, a benefit concert supporting the International Health Collective at UC San Diego, is from 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 2 at Del Mar Social, 3444 Tripp Court. The event features performances by six student groups. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a blood analyzer for IHC's Tijuana clinic, which will allow blood work to be done for free for patients who cannot afford it. Suggested donation is $10, including lunch. Doors open at 12:45 p.m. Visit internationalhealthcollective.org/spring-jam.
EL CAJON
Holocaust exhibit at library opens
“Americans and the Holocaust” will be on display through May 21 at the Grossmont College Library, along with a series of related special events ranging from lectures and author talks to survivor testimony and film screenings. The traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans' responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The exhibit “tells the stories of Americans who acted in response to Nazism, challenging the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews during the Holocaust.” Visit gcccd.edu.
DinoLand at museum
DinoLand is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at the Heritage of the Americas Museum, 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive W. The family-friendly event offers hands-on activities with dinosaur eggs, bones and fossilized dinosaur evidence along with face painting and gem panning. There will be snacks on the Jurassic patio. For admission, visit heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com.
FALLBROOK
Climate Action Team hosts speaker
The Fallbrook Climate Action Team is hosting an online Zoom meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 28. The guest speaker is Jack Bebee, general manager of the Fallbrook Public Utility District, who will discuss “The Future of Water.” Register at fallbrookclimateactionteam.org.
JULIAN
Wildflower Show
The Julian Woman's Club will put on its annual Wildflower Show from 1 to 4 p.m. May 1-3 at Town Hall, 2129 Main St. The show features wildflowers from seven regions in and around Julian. The clubhouse will be adorned with artwork by local students, and there will be hand-crafted items for sale, including a quilt to be raffled off. Admission is free. Proceeds go to the club’s scholarship fund and community projects. Visit julianwomansclub.org.
LA JOLLA
Community art event
Growing Together, a free, family and youth-focused community event series, continues from noon to 2 p.m. May 3, in collaboration with Murals of La Jolla, at the La Jolla Historical Society, 780 Prospect St. Attendees can explore the outdoor gallery through a self-guided mini-murals tour featuring three to four murals. The event includes a scavenger hunt, music at some of the stops and interactive "passport stamps" for kids. There will be a workshop, community mural, live music and hands-on activities at the La Jolla Historical Society along with lawn games. Tacos will be sold. Admission is free. Visit lajollahistory.org.
Free Music 101 series
The La Jolla Music Society continues its free Music 101 Lecture Series at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., featuring Michael Gerdes, director of orchestras at San Diego State University and a longtime guest lecturer for the company. This month’s lecture is from 2 to 3 p.m. April 28 on Purple Rain: Color as the Joy of Listening. RSVPs are encouraged. Visit theconrad.org.
LEMON GROVE
Historical Society holds rummage sale
The Lemon Grove Historical Society holds a Rummage Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 in Treganza Heritage Park, 3205 Olive St., between the H. Lee House and the Parsonage Museum.
OCEANSIDE
Quilt and Nature Art Sale
The Buena Vista Audubon Society will host a Quilt and Nature Art Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at the BVAS Nature Center, 2022 S. Coast Highway. The sale features quilts by local conservationist Diane Nygaard and artwork in many mediums by a dozen other artists. Studio Ace will provide a free all-ages Make 'n Take workshop. Admission is free. Quilt sales help fund the conservation efforts of Preserve Calavera and Buena Vista Audubon. Visit bvaudubon.org.
‘A Place to Rest’ art exhibit opens
Oceanside Museum of Art will present “Kate Tova: A Place to Rest (My Tired Mind),” an exhibit that draws on “imagery of the seasonal bloom to explore one of the most pervasive conditions of modern life: collective exhaustion and burnout.” The exhibition opens May 2 and runs through Sept. 27. An Exhibition Celebration is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 2. Visit oma-online.org.
Hubbell brothers exhibit reception
An exhibition reception for “Brothers in Arts: James Hubbell and Bert Hubbell” is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 2 at 704 Pier View Way. The exhibit hosted by Oceanside Museum of Art and the Ilan Lael Foundation runs through through Sept. 6 at OMA and is curated by James Hubbell's son Brennan Hubbell, bringing together James Hubbell's watercolors, stained glass, sculpture and poetry alongside Bert Hubbell's ceramic figures, letters, journals, photographs and sketches that show their lifelong bond. Visit oma-online.org.
Retired teachers gather
The local California Retired Teachers Association meets from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28 at the Broken Yolk Cafe, 2434 Vista Way. The speaker is Marisa Graves, who will discuss “The Secret Lives of Honey Bees.” Reserve a spot at calrtadiv45lunchreservation@gmail.com.
Exhibit focuses on print making
An Exhibition Celebration for “Matrix Multiplied: Hybrid Approaches to Printmaking,” about the evolution of printmaking, is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 2 at Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way. The exhibit curated by Danielle Deery runs through Aug. 2. Visit oma-online.org.
POINT LOMA
Parkinson's Support Group meets
The Point Loma Parkinson's Support Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon April 28 at Point Loma Cafe, 4865 N. Harbor Drive. There will be a no-host brunch, an open discussion and a presentation on BeechBand, a new wearable device to manage Parkinson's symptoms. Reservations are required at doloresviolacohenour@gmail.com.
POWAY
‘Music Through the Decades’ concert
Vocalist-guitarist Mike Chamberlin will perform a program of “Music Through the Decades” at the Rancho Bernardo Woman’s Club luncheon at noon May 7 at the Maderas Golf Club, 17750 Old Coach Road. Social hour begins at 11 a.m. with lunch served at noon. Cost is $42, payable via check or cash at check-in. Guests are welcome. Reservations are required by 5 p.m. May 1; call (858) 521-8790.
Musical features youths
Incarnation Lutheran Church hosts a musical program, “We Like Sheep,” featuring children and youths during the church’s combined 10 a.m. worship service May 3 at 16889 Espola Road. A reception will be held afterward in the youth room. Visit godamong.us.
RANCHO BERNARDO
Spring Garden Tour
The Bernardo Gardeners Club runs its Spring Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 2 featuring six gardens in Rancho Bernardo and Poway. Crafts, jewelry, fine art and garden items will be sold at each garden. Tickets cost $30. Visit bernardogardeners.org.
Free guitar concert
A free concert featuring guitarist Fred Benedetti is at 6 p.m. April 28 in the Rancho Bernardo Library’s second-floor community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. The program includes Spanish classical guitar pieces, Latin American music, original music and the music of The Beatles on traditional classical/flamenco guitars, a baritone guitar, a ukulele and a 19th-century guitar. Donations are appreciated. Visit friendsoftherblibrary.org or email rbconcerts@friendsoftherblibrary.org.
Parkinson's Support Group discusses caregiver help
The Inland North County Parkinson's Support Group for people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners meets from 10 a.m. to noon May 4 in the parish hall of San Rafael Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive. The featured speaker is Jessica Romero from Southern Caregiver Resource Center, who will talk about "Free Services for Caregivers." Discussion sessions will follow the presentation. Call 760-749-8234.
SAN DIEGO
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
A Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. May 1, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. May 2 and 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. May 5 in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. The celebration kicks off at American Junkie, 628 Fifth Ave., featuring music, art and Mexican food from tacos and salsa to tequila. Visit gaslampevent.com/amo-team/2023-san-diego-cinco-de-mayo.
Treasure Bazaar
The nonprofit, largely volunteer-run Assistance League of Greater San Diego will hold its annual Treasure Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3 at 108 University Ave. in Hillcrest. The bazaar features collectables, preowned signed art, sterling and gold jewelry, vintage and designer clothing and furs, table linens, and artifacts from all over the world, along with vintage toys, objets d’art and wall hangings at thrift store prices. Proceeds support the nonprofit’s efforts to help local underserved children and families.
Taco Fest and music
SoCal Taco Fest is back in Mission Bay teaming up with SeaWorld San Diego's Viva La Música from May 2-3. Viva La Música runs Fridays through Saturdays, May 1 through May 17, with live performances from top Latin artists. Visit seaworld.com/san-diego/events/viva-la-musica/viva-la-musica-concerts.
Igniting Hope festival
Local nonprofit Just in Time for Foster Youth will host the Igniting Hope, Building CommUNITY Family & Friends Festival from noon to 3 p.m. May 2 at Liberty Station Central Promenade, 2641 Truxtun Road. The free community event features 40 organizations offering resources ranging from housing, education, job training, mental health support and financial literacy to health services that support local youths. There will be live entertainment and food trucks. Visit jitfosteryouth.org/hope-festival.
Fiesta Old Town
Fiesta Old Town is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 2 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 3 in Old Town. The free, family-friendly celebration of San Diego's historic vaquero culture includes lucha libre matches, live music and folklorico dancing, hands-on pioneer games and activities for kids, along with an artisan mercado featuring handcrafted goods from local makers.
Walk for Animals
The San Diego Humane Society holds its 32nd annual Walk for Animals-San Diego starting with registration, a pancake breakfast and entertainment at 7 a.m., followed by the welcome and blessing of animals along with a group warmup. The walk begins at 9 a.m. and canine activities and the Vendor Village are until 11 a.m. Visit sdhumane.org.
‘Rockin’ for a Cause’ gala
The nonprofit Home of Guiding Hands, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host the "Legends Among Us: Rockin' for a Cause" Gala at 5:30 p.m. May 2 at the Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave. The event includes hors d'oeuvres, a three-course dinner with wine service along with live music, dancing and casino-style entertainment. Tickets start at $350 at hghgala.org.
Walden Family Services marks 50th anniversary
Walden Family Services will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a “Wizard of Oz”-inspired gala themed “There's No Place Like Home” from 6 to 9 p.m. April 30 at the historic Thursday Club, 224 Santa Barbara St., featuring dinner, theatrical performances and emerald decor. Proceeds go toward safe housing and supportive services for transitional-age youths. Tickets are $250. Visit waldenfamily.org/spring-event.
‘Party for a Purpose’ gala
The Junior League of San Diego will put on its "Party for a Purpose: Jewels of the Cosmos" from 6 to 10 p.m. May 2 at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. The gala will transform the museum into a galaxy-themed evening of dining and dancing with a silent auction to support efforts to fight food insecurity across San Diego County. Visit sandiego.jl.org/events/register-party-for-a-purpose-jewels-of-the-cosmos.
Theater puts on festival
Trinity Theatre Co. hosts its fourth annual New Works Festival, celebrating the works of nine emerging playwrights from across the county, from April 30 to May 3 at the Mission Valley Mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio N., Suite 129. Visit trinityttc.org.
SANTEE
Trio gives guitar concert
The Fred Benedetti Trio will perform at 7 p.m. May 2 at Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 8778 Cottonwood Ave. Benedetti has performed guitar at international venues with Luciano Pavarotti and Dave Brubeck and joins his two vocalist daughters. Together, the Benedettis cover musical genres from the late 1960s to the present. Suggested donation is $20.
VISTA
‘Garden Magic’ Flower Show
The Vista Garden Club will put on its 90th Flower Show themed "Garden Magic" with a plant sale and a garden art boutique from May 2-3 at the Jim Porter Recreation Center in Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. The plant and garden art sale is from noon to 5 p.m. May 2, with the flower show open from 2 to 5 p.m. The sale and show will both be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. Highlights include plant exhibits, floral designs, botanical arts, educational exhibits and miniature fairy gardens. Admission is free. For information on submitting a flower show entry, email vistagardenclub@gmail.com. Visit californiagardenclubs.com/vistagardenclub.
Cinco De Mayo celebration
A Cinco de Mayo celebration is from noon to 5 p.m. May 2 at the Vista Historical Museum, 2317 Foothill Drive. Highlights include mariachi singers, dancers, food, vendors, community booths, a piñata corner, speakers and the crowning of Mr. & Miss Cinco de Mayo 2026. Jesse Lomeli will autograph copies of his book, “Jesus Comes To America.” Admission is free.
Vista Fiber Arts Fiesta
The Vista Fiber Arts Fiesta opens at 10 a.m. May 3-4 at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave. The event features several dozen vendors with handmade crafts and supplies, such as artisan wool, demonstrations on wool spinning and rug weaving and workshops on crocheting to broom making. Highlights include demonstrations by blacksmiths and glassblowers, live music in the afternoon and food and drink. Visit agsem.org/fiber-arts-fiesta.
Moonlight opens 45th season
Moonlight Stage Productions opens its 45th Anniversary Season with the San Diego regional premiere production of “The Cher Show,” with performances at 8 p.m. April 29 through May 16 at 1250 Vale Terrace Drive. Gates open for picnicking and dining at 6:30 p.m. Visit moonlightstage.com.
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 7:51 PM.