arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Music, Art, Culture and Sun: Ingredients for Spring in San Diego

San Diego’s beautiful beaches and nearly perfect weather call to visitors year-round. In spring, budding flowers along with a diverse array of art, music and cultural fests unique to this coastal metropolis tempt visitors from all walks of life. The following are the top 10 spring events in San Diego, where big city style meets major beach vibes.

  • Cool Music, Chill Vibes: More than 15,000 fans will gather at downtown San Diego’s new Waterfront Park for the return of the CRSSD festival, March 5-6. Attendees can groove to big name electronic acts while enjoying craft beer, gourmet food and an unparalleled daytime atmosphere. Previous CRSSD festivals have featured acts like Jamie xx, Bonobo, Maya Jane Coles and more.
  • Concerts with a View: Beginning in March and running through October, Humphreys Concerts by the Bay presents a spectrum of musical and special performances, including rock, jazz, comedy, blues and folk. Attendees can relax and enjoy a performance in a 1,400-seat bayside, outdoor theater under the setting sun and swaying palm trees of picturesque Shelter Island. 
  • Latino Life on Screen: Celebrating films and videos about the Latino experience, the 23rd Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival presents more than 160 movie screenings, March 10-20, at the AMC Fashion Valley 18 and the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park. The festival includes parties, workshops, art exhibitions and the opportunity to mingle with international movie and television stars.
  • Style by the Sea: Held April 8-10 at the verdant Scripps Park near sparkling La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance draws droves of vintage car enthusiasts to the luxury seaside village. The sophisticated event includes a cocktail party on Friday night, a motor tour and VIP party on Saturday and the signature Concours d’Elegance car show from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sunday.
  • Taste Local Flavor: When it comes to local cuisine, San Diegans can’t get enough of the avocado. The city of Fallbrook in San Diego’s North County celebrates its designation as “the avocado capital of the world” during the Annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival on April 17. Highlights include arts and crafts, games, an “Art of the Avocado” competition and creative foods featuring the delicious, green fruit. 
  • Art Served Street-side: Local art takes over the streets of downtown San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy neighborhood during the Mission Federal ArtWalk, April 30–May 1. The largest art event in San Diego, this free festival showcases fine art in many media alongside live musical performances, food and beverage booths and activities for kids and families. 
  • Honoring Chicano Culture: In the early 1970s, San Diego’s Latino community established Chicano Park, the world’s largest collection of Chicano murals, beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge overpass. On April 23, the local community celebrates Chicano Park Day, a free event featuring the art and culture of San Diego’s Latino residents. Visitors can join the celebration with traditional music, dance, a lowrider car show, vendor booths, kids’ arts workshops and more.
  • Jam with the Locals: During April 23-24, one of San Diego’s most popular neighborhood music fests, the Annual San Diego Adams Avenue Unplugged, features vintage blues, folk, Appalachian, country, bluegrass and Celtic music performed by roots artists on seven outdoor stages set along Adams Park in University Heights. The free event also includes beer gardens, ethnic cuisine and hundreds of vendor and craft booths. 
  • Art in Bloom: Visitors can head to the nation’s largest urban cultural park, Balboa Park, for vibrant springtime views. In addition to many blooming gardens, the park is home to the San Diego Museum of Art, host of the annual Art Alive, an enchanting floral exhibition. Transforming the museum into a colorful display of art and flowers, more than 100 floral designers take inspiration from the museum’s renowned art collection and create floral renditions of famous paintings and sculptures. During April 29–May 1, visitors can enjoy the ephemeral artworks and participate in a variety of special springtime activities and celebrations. 
  • High Speeds on Two Wheels: With so much great weather and so many scenic locales, San Diego is a cyclist’s dream. Fans of the sport can catch the Amgen Tour of California, a Tour de France-style cycling road race, on May 15 in San Diego. The multi-day tour kicks off in San Diego, where the world’s top professional cycling teams will depart for a race covering hundreds of miles along the state’s coastline and highways.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Museums

SD Model Railroad Museum: Show your Badge & Save

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Valid: Aug 23, 2023 - ongoing

Show your badge and receive $2 off admission and 10% off in the gift shop at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Offer must be redeemed in person. Spanning over 27,000 square feet of trains,...

Accommodation

Dana Brew Hop Package

The Dana on Mission Bay
Valid: Nov 13, 2023 - ongoing

Our Dana Brew Hop package rewards you for touring the local beer scene. Wrap up your day at Firefly Eatery & Bar and enjoy some amazing sips at sunset!   Dana Brew Hop Package...

Activities

Show Your Badge & Save at Pali Wine Co.

Pali Wine Co
Valid: Jul 28, 2023 - ongoing

Pali Wine Co. is bringing the Central Coast to you! Visit our family-run winery tasting room where we highlight the diversity and nunaced qualities of the California Central Coast wine-growing...

Events to check out

Event

San Diego Crew Classic

Apr 5 - Apr 7, 2024

Regarded as the first major regatta of the year, the San Diego Crew Classic brings together thousands of athletes from more than 100 universities, clubs and high school programs across the United...

Event

Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks

Apr 7, 2024

A San Diego sportfishing tradition, The Port Of San Diego’s Day At The Docks is the West Coast’s largest public celebration of sportfishing. Signaling the official start of Southern...

Event

Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego
May 9 - May 12, 2024

The spirit, sounds and flavors of southwest Louisiana come alive at the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco,...

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish