Summertime in Southern California is just around the corner and there are tons of events this May to help you soak in the sun and have fun. Enjoy blues music at the Doheny Music Festival, hit up the Strawberry Festivals in Garden Grove, Vista, and Oxnard, and celebrate Memorial Day in style with tons of events in Orange County, LA County, San Diego County, and across the Inland Empire.
Orange County Events in May
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta in San Clemente
Every Cinco de Mayo the Spanish Village by the Sea AKA San Clemente celebrates with a city festival. The program features live entertainment, a beer garden hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, gourmet food trucks, deserts, and authentic beverages. The line-up of entertainment includes Mariachi Los Patrillos, dancers, ballet Folklorico, a petting zoo, and more!
OC Marathon
End of April/Beginning of May
ocmarathon.com
Sparkling ocean and bay views and varied coastal terrain create a destination like no other for some 25,000 entrants of all fitness levels. Event weekend includes the OC Marathon, Half Marathon, and Wahoo’s 5K, plus the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, Kids Run the OC and the now-legendary Ultimate Finish-line Festival with live music and dancing.
Tustin Lobsterfest
Over a decades-long tradition, the Tustin Lobsterfest is held every May in Peppertree Park. Featuring live music, Lobsterfest serves up unlimited, whole lobster — as many as you can handle with pools of melted golden butter on the side. 100% the net Proceeds from Tustin Lobsterfest go to support Tustin/Santa Ana Rotary Club Foundation projects and charities.
Doheny Music Festival
Recognized as one of the best blues festivals in North America, the Doheny Blues Festival has welcomed a mix of music legends and rock headliners. In addition to great music, enjoy the festival’s eclectic food court and intimate Backporch stage with craft beer tastings and a wine lounge.
Balboa Island Artwalk
Balboa’s summer season kicks off with the Island Artwalk with over a mile of local art and live music. Admission is free to enjoy 85 artists exhibiting everything from paintings to photography and blown glass. The Balboa Island Artwalk is the perfect opportunity to support local artists and pick up some great new summer pieces for your home while you soak up some sun.
Garden Grove Starwberry Festival
Memorial Day Weekend
Fri: 1-10PM, Sat & Sun: 10AM-10PM, Mon: 10AM-9PM
strawberryfestival.org
Memorial Day Weekend equals the annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. Don’t miss out on all the classic fair fun like arts and crafts, carnival rides, game booths vendors, and food, food, food. Stage shows feature celebrity and local performers, and on the opening night don’t miss the Strawberry Cake Cutting Ceremony with free strawberry shortcake served for everyone who attends. Don’t forget the parade will be held Saturday at 10AM!
LA County Events in May
Street Food Cinema
Now – October
Doors 5:30PM, Band 6:30 PM, Movie 8:30 PM
streetfoodcinema.com
Come early and catch top local bands and see if you’re lucky enough to get chosen for our nightly audience game. And, of course, we all know some of the tastiest eats comes from a food truck so we’re curating the best of the best to fill your belly, mind and soul as the sun sets and the movie begins. These Saturday night movie events include a live music, movie and food trucks
Waterfront Cook-Off
The Queen Mary's signature event held every May is full of BBQ, chili, brews, and more! The food festival will bring an afternoon of food tastings, beers, and family fun, serving as the California State Championship competition for BBQ, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, and California State Championship for Chili, sanctioned by the International Chili Society. This event means business.
LitFest Pasadena
LitFest Pasadena, the city and Southland’s free literary arts festival, celebrates its annual event with a weekend of events, authors’ panels and readings. On the sidewalks and in the storefronts, corridors and unique venues of the highly walkable Playhouse District, enjoy LA’s most diverse and exciting authors, and eclectic discussion panels.
California Strawberry Fest
Enjoy 50 food booths, contests, rides and attractions, over 200 arts & crafts vendors, concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, and family fun! The California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard is the perfect summer kickoff with proceeds benefiting the community in a BIG way. There are tons of fun events all weekend long from the Strawberry pie eating competition and Berry best hat contest to live bands all weekend long.
Museums of the Arroyo Day
Six museums in LA and Pasadena will open their doors, free of charge, from 12-5PM. Each year, thousands of Angelinos have experienced the diverse mix of art, architecture and history of the Arroyo Seco area found in the six unique history-based museums that preserve and perpetuate early Los Angeles life. Discover what continues to make the Arroyo Seco a bustling, vibrant arts-driven community that crosses neighborhoods and social boundaries.
Events in the Inland Empire this May
Annual Spring Joshua Tree Music Festival
The Joshua Tree Music Festival is all about experiencing music and the great outdoors. In this intimate setting the distinction between artist and audience is blurred, and something beautiful is created For more on bands, ticket and camping info and what goes on like yoga demonstrations, Positive Vibrations station and Kidsville
Riverside Vintage Home Tour
Each year, Old Riverside Foundation features fine examples of the many styles of architecture prevalent in Riverside at the height of its prosperity. Different homes are open each year to give visitors a glimpse into the lives of Riversiders from different eras.
San Bernardino County Fair
Whether you come for the competition or just the experience, there’s plenty going on at the San Bernardino County Fair this May. There will be competitive exhibits from adult Lego creations, miniatures and models, to agriculture, home arts and more. Check out the website for dates and times, ticket info, entertainment and performers, and all the details on competitions.
Memorial Day Weekend Grill & Chill BBQ Festival
Taking place every Memorial Day Weekend, the Big Bear Lake Grill & Chill includes a sanctioned KC BBQ State Championship Competition! Over 30 cooks compete for a $10,000 prize purse and the title of People Choice. Attendees can enjoy sample portions of competition BBQ, relax in the Chill Garden with a beer or cocktail, browse vendor goods in the Artisan Marketplace, and listen to live music. Plus there's a Kids Zone!
Events in San Diego in May
Cinco De Mayo in Old Town
HIstoric Old Town San Diego is the perfect place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo so grab your familia and spice up your weekend with the free annual Fiesta Old Town Mercadeo. Fiesta Old Town will bring back the FUEGO as it transforms the historic Old Town San Diego into a Cinco de Mayo retail and cuisine experience with food specials and liver performances all weekend long.
Rooftop Cinema Club
The Rooftop Cinema Club screens films all year long on the fourth-floor terrace of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego in downtown. Enjoy city views, classic movies, personal headphones, deck chairs, as well as awesome food and drinks. Check out the website for the latest line up of movies.
Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival
More than 30,000 people gather at the Annual Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival to enjoy live music, entertainment, and carnival rides. Enterance is free for over 300 vendor booths offer crafts, food, and beverages at Town Center Pkwy & Riverview. Breweries from all around San Diego County participate in this massive fair.
Vista Strawberry Festival
The Vista Strawberry Festival is the only festival in San Diego County that celebrates all the joys and pleasure of the Strawberry. Once the "Strawberry Capital of the World", Vista still boasts many strawberry fields making it the perfect place to host the annual summer festival. Don't miss the Annual Shades of Red Art Show and contest, Strawberry Costume Contests and more!
Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival
Held every Memorial Day in the rural town of Valley Center, this North San Diego County tradition exemplifies America’s western and agricultural lifestyles. The event even showcases local youth through the Mutton Bustin’ event, Junior Barrel Racing, and a Calf Scramble during intermission that is open to children in attendance free of charge.
