From adorable strawberry and avocado fests to classic car shows and cultural events, spring festivals in Southern California offer something for everyone to enjoy this season. So, mark your calendars and check out the following spring events.
April 19 to April 21: La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
La Jolla
Experience automotive elegance at its finest at the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, featuring world-class cars and experiences over three days at La Jolla Cove. This event, celebrating the engines of the roaring 20’s and 30’s, spotlights more than 170 cars along the Pacific Ocean. In addition to browsing these timeless automobiles, car enthusiasts can enjoy access to Pit Stop bars and Champagne and Honey Garden bars, live music performances and much more.
Cost: General admission starts at $95 and will increase on April 3 to $105.
Tickets: lajollaconcours.com.
April 20: 54th Chicano Park Day
Honor the rich cultural heritage of the Chicano community at 54th Chicano Park Day, taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-friendly spring festival in Southern California will offer an assortment of cultural fun, including traditional music and dance performances (including an Aztec Indigenous dance), lowrider exhibitions, children’s art workshops, craft vendors, mural displays and more.
Cost: Free.
For more information: chicano-park.com.
April 21: Fallbrook Avocado Festival
Fallbrook
Celebrate California’s favorite fruit at the Fallbrook Avocado Festival, back for its 37th year. This beloved event in Downtown Fallbrook pays homage to the creamy green superfood from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live entertainment, artisanal crafts, family-friendly activities, craft and food vendors, an avocado-holding contest, an avocado costume contest, a beer and wine garden and an artisan walk. For little avocado fans, there will be a little Miss and Mr. Avocado costume contest, a race, a kid’s fun zone and much more.
Cost: Free, subject to purchases.
For more information: fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.
April 27 and April 28: Encinitas Spring Street Fair
Encinitas
Since 1983, the Encinitas Spring Street Fair has brought a celebration of spring to the neighborhood with an assortment of fun for all ages. This spring festival in Southern California features a variety of activities, including carnival games, rides, four stages for live music performances, international fare, a craft beer garden and more. The highlight of the event will be a street market, with vendors showcasing handmade crafts, antiques and ethnic imports. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along South Coast Highway 101.
Cost: Free, subject to purchases.
For more information: www.encinitas101.com/spring-street-fair.
May 9 to May 12: Gator By The Bay
San Diego
Experience the rich culture of Louisiana at Gator By The Bay, a zydeco, blues and crawfish festival taking place at Spanish Landing Park in San Diego. This exciting event will bring the spirit of New Orleans to Southern California with over 100 live music performances, dance shows (plus free dance lessons), Creole and Cajun-style food (including 10,000 pounds of live crawfish from Louisiana!), cooking demos and more fun with activities for everyone in the family.
Cost: Adult tickets at $50 depending on the date; admission is free for children, ages 17 and under, when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
Tickets: gatorbythebay.com.
May 10 to May 12: Wonderfront Festival
San Diego
A celebration of music and art, Wonderfront Festival is a three-day spring festival in Southern California where the stunning waterfront parks and charming Seaport Village transform into dynamic stages of creativity. An assortment of live performances will take place daily, with headliners including Kaytranada, T-Pain and JID on Friday, May 10; Weezer, Dominic Fike, Carly Rae Jepsen and Milkychance on Saturday, May 11; and Beck, Mt. Joy, The Roots and Natasha Bedingfield on Sunday, May 12, in addition to other music acts. The event will feature a variety of activities, including after-parties on sunset cruises, games, trolley rides, food and beverages, interactive art displays, a dance lounge and more.
Cost: $135 per person.
Tickets: wonderfrontfestival.com.
May 18: 77th Ocean Beach Kite Festival
San Diego
Nothing says spring quite like flying a kite, and what better way than at the 77th Ocean Beach Kite Festival? Taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robb Athletic Field, this exciting event for the kiddos (and kids at heart) will feature hundreds of kites as they take off to celebrate the first days of spring. In addition to kite flying, the spring festival in Southern California will also feature food booths, professional kite fliers, community vendors and more family-friendly fun.
Cost: Free.
For more information: oceanbeachkiwanis.org.
May 26: Vista Strawberry Festival
Vista
For a berry exciting time, check out the Vista Strawberry Festival, a local favorite with fun taking place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Downtown Vista Village. This event has something sweet in store for everyone, from contests, kid’s play zones, live entertainment and art to a 5K run, strawberry film festival and, of course, all the strawberries your heart and stomach can take.
Cost: Free, subject to purchases.
Tickets: vistastrawberryfest.com.