Spend the kickoff of summer season in San Diego enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend with 70 miles of beaches, outdoor adventures, family fun and these top things to do.
> KBPS’ Roundup of Memorial Day Commemorations
Getaway for Memorial Day
Memorial Day is the quintessential signal for the start of summer. Make your travel plans now and spend the long weekend in the home of sun, sand and surf.
> Find out more about Memorial Day in San Diego
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
Catch the San Diego Padres take on the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park! Game Day Promotions include Taco Tuesday and College Night.
Where: Petco Park – 100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
When: May 19-21, 2015
> Find out more about San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
San Diego Surf Film Festival
The 2015 SDSFF will highlight over 20 international films, include dozens of filmmakers and producers in attendance, Q&As, filmmaker panel and workshops, an amazing surf art gallery, surf legends and shaping demos, beach clean-ups and expression sessions, incredible live music, serendipitous live art, rad people and raging after-parties. We welcome surf enthusiasts and filmmakers from around the world to come celebrate the art of surf cinema in our beautiful hometown.
When: May 20-23, 2015
Cost: $5-$100
> Find out more about the San Diego Surf Film Festival
San Diego Jazz Festival
Building on the long history of having smooth jazz in the San Diego area, the San Diego Jazz Festival is a “must attend” event for R&B and smooth jazz starved fans in “America’s Finest City”. The festival takes place Memorial Day weekend – a perfect time to enjoy great weather and award-winning music. Alums of the festival include Maxwell, Charlie Wilson, Kem, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Ledisi, Warren Hill, Eric Darius and many more!
Where: La Costa Resort & Spa – 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad, CA 92009
When: May 22-24, 2015
Cost: Starting at $65
> Find out more about the San Diego Jazz Festival
105th Annual Festa do Espirito Santo
Celebrate Portuguese Heritage by joining in the city’s oldest ethnic festival that commemorates Portugal’s Queen St. Isabel feeding the poor during a centuries-ago famine. This family friendly festival will feature plenty of live music, a bazaar, food and a parade on Sunday.
Where: United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall – 818 Avenida De Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106
When: May 22-24, 2015
> Find out more about the 105th Annual Festa do Espirito Santo
Valley Center Western Days and Stampede Rodeo
Each May, the Valley Center community celebrates its western heritage with a week-long series of events including the Western Days Parade, the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo, an evening musical performance, the election of Valley Center’s “Honorary Mayor,” a carnival and so much more.
Where: 28246 Lilac Road, Valley Center, CA 92082
When: May 22-24, 2015
Cost: Parade – Free. Rodeo – $15-$40
> Find out more about Valley Center Western Days and Stampede Rodeo
Rock in the Park – Steve Poltz
To suggest that Steve Poltz isn’t normal is about as safe a statement as one could make. You would basically require the powers of the Hubble space telescope to locate Steve Poltz in any region of normalcy. For music fans on both sides of the equator, this is a very good thing. Poltz’ sound is entirely unique – from his inhuman fingerstyle techniques to the inimitable melodies that roll from his guitar like cool waterfalls, you know a Poltz song as soon as you hear it. His show is frenzied, aggressive, hilarious and heartbreakingly sincere. His live performances have become bona fide events.
Where: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
When: May 22, 2015
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 PM
Cost: $24-$32
> Find out more about Rock in the Park – Steve Poltz
Summer Nights at SeaWorld
SeaWorld’s got a summer full of good times ready to roll as the park transforms after dark with extended hours, seasonal nighttime-only shows and fireworks. Enjoy SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration during the day – including pathway entertainment, more animal encounters than ever before and the SeaWorld Surprise Squad delighting park guests with prizes every day – then, feel the amazing energy of the all-new Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up The Night; share a laugh at Sea Lions Tonite sea lion and otter show; and then let your spirit soar during the Celebrate the Wonder fireworks finale.
Where: SeaWorld San Diego – 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
When: Select Dates between May 23 – September 7, 2015
Cost: Included with admission
> Find out more about Summer Nights at SeaWorld
House of Pacific Relations’ Ethnic Food Fair
Head to Balboa Park for annual celebration of food from around the world! Sample the culinary treats of 33 different cultures and witness performances in native costumes. Event features musical and dance performances on the HPR stage.
Where: House of Pacific Relations International Cottages – 2191 W Pan American Rd, San Diego, CA 92101
When: May 23-24, 2015
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Free. Nominal fee for food
> Find out more about the House of Pacific Relations’ Ethnic Food Fair
Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival
Join us for a day of fun this year at the Santee Street Fair including 300 food vendors and booths, live entertainment on 2 stages, carnival rides and a craft beer festival.
Where: Town Center Pkwy & Riverview Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071
When: May 23, 2015
Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: Free. Craft Beer Garden Starting at $20
> Find out more about Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival
Summer Kick Off Craft Beer Fest
Start the Memorial Day Weekend off right at the Summer Kick Off Craft Beer Fest at Liberty Station. Join us for an amazing day of beer sampling from San Diego’s top Craft Beer Breweries. Awesome Entertainment from 3 bands. Food from Food Trucks and Restaurants will also be there for you to sample and purchase.
Where: NTC Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station – 2826 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA 92106
When: May 23, 2015
Time: 1:00 to 5:00 PM
Cost: $50-$90
> Find out more about the Summer Kick Off Craft Beer Fest
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. Vista was once the “Strawberry Capital of the World” and still boasts many strawberry fields. Come enjoy our celebration of the ‘berry as we bring over 300 vendors, athletic competition, pie eating, costumes, beauty, carnival rides, music, food, and much more together in Historic Downtown Vista. New in 2015, our 10K course is the official 10k for the USATF San Diego-Imperial Road Championship Series!
Where: 127 Main St, Vista, CA 92084
When: May 24, 2015
Time: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: Free. Run – $20-$47
> Find out more about the Vista Strawberry Festival
Spreckels’ 12-Hour Organ Concert Marathon
San Diego Civic Organist Carol Williams is preparing for a monumental feat: Playing the Spreckels Organ, for 12 consecutive hours and 15 minutes (a world record!), to raise funds for local wounded warriors. Donations generated from Williams’ marathon organ performance will benefit Operation Rebound, a Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) sports and fitness program for American military personnel, veterans and emergency first responders recovering from physical injuries.
Where: Spreckels Organ Pavilion – 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
When: May 24, 2015
Time: 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Cost: Donations to Wounded Warriors Appreciated
> Find out more about Spreckels’ 12-Hour Organ Concert Marathon
Coronado Promenade Summer Concert Series
Sunday concerts in the park are signature elements of the Coronado experience where friendships and family memories are made. This summer’s series promises to be as entertaining, fun and awesome as any in our 45-year history.
Where: 601 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118
When: May 24 – September 6, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Coronado Promenade Summer Concert Series
More Top Things to Do
- John Leguizamo – May 19-21, 2015
- Fashion Week San Diego Viva La V Series – May 21, 2015
- North Park After Dark – May 21, 2015
- San Diego Musical Theatre’s Singin’ In the Rain – May 22 – June 7, 2015
- Citybeat TikiBeat Summer Pool Party – May 22, 2015
- Rich Girl at The Old Globe – May 23 – June 21, 2015
- 2nd Annual Avocado Half Marathon & 5K – May 23, 2015
- American Freedom Festival- Wynonna in Concert – May 23, 2015
- Folds of Honor 5K – May 24, 2015
- Cultural Dance Series – Udita Dance Arts – May 24, 2015