Weekend events in San Diego: May 1-3 – Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
This weekend in San Diego promises a range of events to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, offering something for everyone to enjoy. From downtown to the bayfront, Pacific Beach to Old Town, there are festivities aplenty to mark the occasion.
The Gaslamp Quarter Association may not have a separate event, but “Cinco de Mayo SD” will take place on Friday and Saturday, with a return on Tuesday for the actual holiday. Attendees can enjoy discounts at 20 bars in the area with their admission.
Seaport Village, situated just south of downtown, will host live music and themed decor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday to embrace the spirit of the day. For those looking for some physical activity, the Chula Vista Bayfront will hold 5inco de Miles, a race for runners and active dog owners, starting at 7 a.m.
In Pacific Beach, Pueblo bar will set the stage for a bar crawl on Saturday, organized by PubCrawls.com at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Old Town will come alive with its Fiesta Cinco de Mayo block party and live music, as well as the kick-off of the Summer Art & Food Fest at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Not to be left out, Escondido’s Grape Day Park will host the local Cinco de Mayo Festival all weekend long. Alongside these celebrations, other exciting events are happening around the county.
Foodieland at the Del Mar Fairgrounds boasts over 250 food vendors offering cuisines from across the globe, running through Sunday night. For music lovers, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra will perform “Star Wars: A New Hope” in concert at the Rady Shell in Jacobs Park, featuring John Williams’ iconic score.
The Belgian Waffle Race, a unique gravel bicycle racing event at the Fairgrounds, will see over 1,000 riders take part in races and an expo with food and drink offerings. North Park will host a Salsa Fest, where local eateries will compete for the title of Best Salsa, perfect for salsa lovers.
For those interested in giving back to the community, the Pacific Beach Graffiti Cleanup will kick off its 16th annual event, rain or shine, at Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church. Volunteers will receive training and materials to help clean up graffiti hotspots identified using mapping technology.
Music enthusiasts can head to Liberty Station for the San Diego Yacht Rock Festival, featuring Peter Beckett of Player, known for the hit “Baby Come Back.” Food and wine will be available, making it a delightful event for fans of the genre. SeaWorld will also host the SoCal Taco Fest, highlighting a karaoke stage, a Chihuahua beauty pageant, and live lucha libre wrestling.
To cap it off, the San Diego Zoo’s “Food, Wine & Brew” event will showcase over 50 eateries and breweries in an all-inclusive tasting party benefiting the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Whether you’re seeking live music, delicious food, cultural celebrations, or community service, this weekend in San Diego offers an array of diverse events to enjoy.