Summer may technically be a month away, but San Diegans can tap into the summertime spirit as soon as this weekend. Outdoor explorations include the return of Summertime Spectacular at SeaWorld San Diego, along with another monthly edition of Fit Yoga at The Rady Shell. Those looking for full-day fun can try the Vista Strawberry Festival or the Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival, both of which offer free admission and a full slate of activities. Or, plan a day at the ballpark to cheer on the Padres and hopefully see Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his first home run of the season (manifesting this one).
As evidenced by the To Catch a Fish exhibition at Mingei International Museum, fishing is a significant element of culture, cuisine and everyday life on a global scale. For Thursday’s ARTIFACT at Night dinner, the 36th edition of the monthly series, seafood is all over the four-course menu, including roasted blue barramundi and squid stuffed with spicy Calabrian sausage. Reservations are $95 per person and come with optional beverage pairings. Seatings available are from 5-8:30 p.m.; menu modifications will not be accommodated.
Spend the day shopping, watching live entertainment, and tasting locally-made brews during the free Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival. This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., check out over three hundred vendors, complimentary workshops, live music, dance and street performances, a kids zone and the event’s inaugural classic car show at Trolley Square. As for the suds, 21+ attendees can purchase discounted pours and bring their dogs along too. Pre-sale drink tokens (five 16 oz. pours for $30) are available to purchase online.
Town Center Parkway & Riverview Parkway, Santee
Vista Strawberry Festival
May 24
Every May, Downtown Vista unearths the seeds of its bygone berry heritage. This Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the free annual Vista Strawberry Festival will offer much more than just a chance to eat fresh fruit and decadent strawberry desserts—though both are certainly encouraged. The festival will feature over 450 vendors, live music, a youth film festival, a 5K race and kids runs (one mile and ¼ mile), and several contests, including prizes for those with the best strawberry couture and the biggest appetites for strawberry pies and sundaes.
Main Street, Vista
Courtesy of The Paper Kites
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
The Inaudible Ocean at Conrad Prebys Concert Hall
May 20
Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the Earth, and their watery depths preserve much more than just marine creatures and aquatic mysteries. To composer Lei Liang and oceanographer Joshua Jones, the most fascinating thing concealed is the range of sounds, many of which are imperceptible to humans. Through The Inaudible Ocean, premiering this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at UC San Diego’s Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, audiences will be treated to the oft-hidden magic of underwater frequencies via a chamber music trio. General admission is $20 for this concert.
9410 Russell Lane, La Jolla
Russell Dickerson at Gallagher Square
May 21
Like all genres, country music is far from monolithic, and Russell Dickerson is a prime example of its versatility. Dickerson’s musical persona is that of a kind and reminiscent soul, musing on good times and crafting hard-to-forget hooks, like on his newest single “Boots” with Fetty Wap. Plus, when he hits the road, Dickerson embraces his lifelong love for wrestling, meaning fans will get to see him in full WWE garb during his RussellMania show this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Gallagher Square. Country pop crooner and prolific songwriter-for-hire Niko Moon will open the show. Tickets start at $54 for this concert.
For nearly two decades, it looked as if American Football would be a one-album wonder, since the emo rock pioneers never reconvened for a follow-up. But since reuniting in 2014, the band has produced three new self-titled albums, and though they nearly broke up again in the making of their most recent offering, LP4, their music is still as sharp and emotionally devastating as ever. This Sunday at 8 p.m., they’ll play at The Observatory North Park with opener Mei Semones, a tonally opposite artist whose music explores J-pop, jazz and blissful indie rock. Tickets start at $35 for this concert; $1 from every ticket sold will go towards the artist nonprofit PLUS1.
2891 University Avenue, North Park
The Paper Kites at House of Blues San Diego
May 25
Close out the holiday weekend on a gentle note with the soft sounds of The Paper Kites, and special guest Donovan Woods, this Monday at 7 p.m. at House of Blues San Diego. If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, released in January, is the Australian folk rockers’ seventh studio album and possibly their most intimate yet. The pleasant mix of introspective lyrics, acoustic production and lead singer Sam Bentley’s steady voice make the record—and standout tracks such as “Shake Off the Rain”—feel spellbinding. Tickets start at $33 for this concert.
Jimmy Dorantes: The Hands That Feed Us at The Photographer’s Eye
Through June 6
The exhibition currently on display at The Photographer’s Eye beckons viewers to do everything but look away. The Hands That Feed Us, which features over two dozen images from longtime Time photographer and Calexico native Jimmy Dorantes, chronicles the overworked and underpaid farmworkers whose long hours nourish the masses. Within the collection are colorful depictions of fields spanning from Carlsbad to Brawley and beyond, as well as black-and-white portraits of weather-beaten faces readying themselves for another dawn. This exhibition can be viewed for free on Fridays and Saturdays from 11-5 a.m. and by appointment.
326 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
RENT at Diversionary Theatre
May 21 – June 28
A legacy revival of Jonathan Larson’s masterwork RENT will cap off Diversionary Theatre’s 40th season (titled “Love as Revolution”). This production will feature several pre-show events, with previews running alongside a free exhibit at Lambda Archives highlighting local AIDS activism and offering free on-site HIV testing (this Saturday and Sunday). RENT performances will also feature an optional interactive portion where audience members can roam outside of the theater. Tickets range from $62-$75, with best availability for performances beginning June 4; all previews and opening night have sold out.
San Diego Ballet: Impressionism – I Love Paris at San Diego Museum of Art
May 22-24
The San Diego Ballet will bid adieu to its 2025-26 residency at the San Diego Museum of Art with Impressionism – I Love Paris, a loving homage to the French capital and its creative history. The performance inside the James S. Copley Auditorium will also feature the premiere of Debussy Dances paired with the stylings of Claude Debussy, with inspiration from the vibrancy of Impressionism and the museum’s Cafés and Cabarets exhibition. Tickets range from $45-$55, with performances this Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m; attendees can use their ticket for free admission to the museum the day of their ballet performance.
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World at PowPac
May 22 – June 21
Confidence and skill are two of the most important assets needed to be a successful performer in the public eye. New York City socialite and determined vocalist Florence Foster Jenkins had the former in spades. As for the latter, have a listen for yourself. PowPac’s upcoming production of Glorious!, written by Peter Quilter, willrecount Jenkins’ charming story of outsized self-belief and unlikely musical superstardom. Tickets are $30 for adults and $28 for seniors, students, and military, with performances this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
13250 Poway Road, Poway
Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Padres Homestand at Petco Park
Through May 27
As they begin their nine-game homestand at Petco Park, the Padres can prove themselves as World Series contenders against a slate of competitive teams. First up is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who trail the Padres by ½ a game as of May 18, followed by the first-place Athletics and the resurgent Philadelphia Phillies. The Padres will play the Dodgers this Tuesday (6:40 p.m.) and Wednesday (6:40 p.m.) before facing the Athletics this Friday (6:40 p.m.), Saturday (6:40 p.m.) and Sunday (1:10 p.m.) and the Phillies next Monday-Wednesday. Tickets start at $44 for the Dodgers series, $35 against the Athletics and $23 versus the Phillies.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Streets of Fire at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
May 20
For its May film selection, FilmOut San Diego will host a screening of the 1984 rock opera Streets of Fire this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas. Envisioned as the start of a post-apocalyptic musical trilogy before its release, plans for future films were scrapped due to poor box office returns. However, in the years since it’s become a cult classic, filled with intriguing early-career roles for actors like Amy Madigan, Diane Lane and Willem Dafoe, who plays the film’s biker punk antagonist. Tickets are $15 for this screening.
7510 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley
Summer Spectacular at SeaWorld San Diego
May 22 – September 7
SeaWorld San Diego is extending its hours and opening new and returning seasonal attractions as part of its 2026 Summer Spectacular lineup, beginning this Friday. The festivities include live entertainment like the Ocean of Dreams drone show, pirate performances, nighttime animal experiences (beginning June 12) and the new Shark Encounter, featuring 11 unique shark species. Plus, the park’s summer concert series, happening nine straight Saturdays at Bayside Amphitheater, will kick off June 6 with the Ying Yang Twins and include performances from E-40, Ashanti and Warren G and more. Single-day tickets start at $60 for SeaWorld San Diego.
500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay
W. Kamau Bell at Mic Drop Comedy
May 22-24
Though many comedians have embraced controversy as a crutch in order to avoid deeper analysis, W. Kamau Bell’s career shows the value of depth and feeling when it comes to tackling taboo subjects. His style of socially conscious commentary is shaped both by individual experience and vast attempts to understand the greater populace, best demonstrated on the CNN series The United Shades of America. Now back to doing standup, with five shows this weekend at Mic Drop Comedy, Bell is trying to rally people together by asking Who’s With Me?. Tickets are $37, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7 & 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
8878 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Kearny Mesa
Fit Yoga at The Rady Shell
May 23
There’s never a bad time for self-care, especially when it means taking one of the most sought-after free workout classes in all of San Diego. This Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Fit Athletic’s monthly vinyasa flow yoga class returns to The Rady Shell for 60 minutes of scenic stretching and grounded movement led by instructor Viktoria Talbot. This class is open to all experience levels, and participants are advised to come prepared with mats and sun protection. RSVPs are required, so secure your spot ASAP before it fills up.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
