San Diego May 2024

San Diego May 2024 Events

San Diego May 2024 Events

Step into Spring in San Diego

Average temperature low and high: 60° - 69°
May in San Diego brings warm(er) spring temperatures and sunny skies, the ideal weather for outdoor activities like hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve, hitting the beach at La Jolla Cove, or strolling through the colorful blooms at Carlsbad Ranch. There are also plenty of fun festivals and events this month--from music lovers to foodies, there's something for everyone. And don't forget about the long Memorial Day weekend: take a tour, explore the waterfront, or kick back with a brew and enjoy the spectacular views. With its stretches of wonderful beaches and endless beautiful weather, San Diego in May will not disappoint.

May Event Calendar

Cinco De Mayo Friday Pub Crawl Party

Cinco De Mayo Friday Pub Crawl Party

If there's one city that knows how to party until the sun comes up, it's San Diego, and on Cinco de Mayo, it makes use of its famous Gaslamp Quarter by throwing one big Pub Crawl Party. From 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM, you'll get to enjoy specials like $5 tequila shots, $4 cervezas, and 2-for-1 margarita drinks (no need to worry about cover charges either). So if you're ready to show your moves on the dance floor, down a whole lot of shots, and listen to awesome music, be sure to attend this lively Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl Party on May 5th. 

Gator By The Bay Festival

Gator By The Bay Festival

Pretend you're relaxing by the bayou at San Diego's Gator By The Bay Festival. The four-day event features blues and zydeco music from artists such as Tommy Castro and Painkillers, talks about Cajun culture, and some of the most delicious Southern dishes you can find in California, including crawfish imported directly from the Louisiana Cooking Pavilion. Tickets start at $50.

Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival

Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival

Head down to the San Diego waterfront for a weekend of incredible music and even better vibes at this year's Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival. The amazing three-day event incorporates all of the downtown waterfront into the concert experience: activities like boat parties, sunset cruises, and trolley rides, plus a ton of restaurants, bars, and breweries, are right on the festival's doorstep. This year's performers include Weezer, Beck, Kaytranada, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Roots, and many more. Tickets are available now. 

 

Justin Timberlake Forget Tomorrow Tour

Pop superstar Justin Timberlake returns to the stage for the first time since his successful 2019 The Man of the Woods Tour. A follow-up to the former *NSYNC star's new album Everything I Thought It Was, the Forget Tomorrow Tour makes a stop at San Diego's Pechanga Arena for a May concert event. Don't miss this chance to see the "Cry Me a River" singer rock the stage this spring. Get tickets now. 

San Diego International Fringe Festival

San Diego International Fringe Festival

All theatre and performance lovers should check out the 12th annual San Diego International Fringe Festival. As the largest performing arts event in San Diego, it will feature over 500 live productions from local, national, and international artists. The festival is unique because participating artists have the freedom to showcase their works without censorship. Shows are between 45 and 60 minutes, so consider seeing multiple performances in a day. Most show tickets are $10, but some performances are free to see. A full schedule of shows and additional ticket information for this year's festival will be available online in the upcoming weeks. 

La Jolla Half Marathon

La Jolla Half Marathon

The La Jolla Half Marathon is known for its scenic point-to-point route. The start is at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, then a coastal stretch until the climb to the peak of Torrey Pines State Park. The rest of the course rolls across the mesa, a downhill section through La Jolla Shores, and ends at La Jolla Cove. Those looking for a shorter race, the La Jolla Shores 5K offers a mostly downhill course with stunning views of the last 3.1 miles of the half marathon. After the race, there is a post-race celebration with food, music and prizes.

Fiesta del Sol

Fiesta del Sol

Celebrate the 43rd Annual Beachside Music Festival at Fiesta del Sol on May 18th and 19th. Experience Latin American culture through music, dance, art, food, and drinks. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes from 21 different food vendors or hang out in the wine or beer garden. This year’s line-up is coming soon. In addition, attendees will have the chance to participate in beach games and purchase handcrafted jewelry. Families can explore the Kid Zone, featuring rides, face painting, and arts and crafts. Admission is free, or VIP passes are available to purchase.

Fallbrook Annual Vintage Car Show

Fallbrook Annual Vintage Car Show

Fallbrook Vintage Car Show combines great food, fun music, and a wide range of cars on display to bring people together to bond over similar interests. Whether you want to see a classic Corvette or other vintage car, or if you don't know anything about cars and just want to learn, this event is sure to provide a day's worth of entertainment.

San Diego Events in May

Concerts

Theater & Headliners

Sports

Nightclubs

Things to do in San Diego

Things to Do in San Diego in May

See Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

See Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Experience a different beach vibe by visiting the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Here, you can get a look at what San Diego looked like before it became a hustling and bustling city. The oceanfront reserve features 1,750 acres of unspoiled land with various types of flora that have been there forever, including the Torrey Pine, America's rarest pine tree. There are 8 hiking trails at the reserve to help you take it all in.

Enjoy a cruise

Enjoy a cruise
San Diego offers a lot of cruise options. With the nice weather, many tourists and locals love to hop on yachts and harbor boats for a few hours and take in the San Diego scenery. A lot of different cruise options are available. San Diego Bay Cruises has private yachts available for charter where special events like weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties can be held. Prices will vary. Cruise San Diego will show you the Mission Bay side of San Diego on their harbor boats, overlooking the gorgeous sunset. Prices start at $39. Many other places that offer cruise services, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy a day out in the waters!