Our list of top things to do this weekend includes a historic reenactment, a Cinco de Mayo celebration and more
Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4.
Ilan-Lael Foundation Spring Tours: The Ilan-Lael Foundation will open the doors of its mountaintop campus in Santa Ysabel in May for spring tour season. The 10-acre property was hand-built by the visionary artist and sculptor James Hubbell, who passed away last year. All money raised through the tours goes into preserving the otherworldly buildings and onsite artisan studios, residencies and events. The 90-minute, docent-led tours will be offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, May 2 through June 14. 930 Orchard Lane, Santa Ysabel. $65-$90. 760-765-3427, ilanlaelfoundation.org/visit/open-house-tours
Free outdoor concert: La Jolla Music Society’s free outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert series presents vocalist Leonard Patton. Leonard was recently nominated in the category of “Best Jazz Artist” in the San Diego Music Awards. 4:30 p.m. Friday. The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. theconrad.org.
Art Walk and fest: Oceanside Museum of Art is teaming up with Oceanside Art Walk to start Street Level x Art Walk. The three-event series kicks off with free museum admission, live entertainment, and creative vendors along the Art Walk tour in downtown Oceanside. The inaugural event spotlights the neurodivergent community with a live performance by Jungle Poppins – a band featuring members who are on the autism spectrum. There will also be an event, The Art of Autism: A Different Lens—OMA’s exhibition celebrating neurodivergent artists. A docent-led tour of the exhibition will be at 6 p.m. May 2, and the event will also feature local artists selling handmade goods on the terrace and in the museum store. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way Drink tickets will be sold for ages 21 and older. https://oma-online.org/
“Bad Hombres and Good Wives”: Palomar College presents San Diego playwright Herbert Siguenza’s “narco-novela” comedy about love, and betrayal set in 1992 Sinaloa, Mexico. Opens Friday and runs through May 11. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Howard Brubeck Theatre, Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos. $12.62-$18.86. 760-214-9109, palomarperforms.com
Stargazing at Mission Trails: On the first Friday of each month, the San Diego Astronomy Association hosts a star party at Mission Trails Regional Park. Weather permitting, guests can view the night sky through telescopes. Kumeyaay Lake Campground, 2 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. Free. sdaa.org/sdaa-events/#SMT
“Bright Star”: Lamplighters Theatre presents this Broadway musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell about an unexpected relationship between a woman editor and WWII soldier. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 2 p.m. Sundays. Through May 18. 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa. $27-$30. 619-303-5092, lamplighterslamesa.com
Latin music festival: SeaWorld’s Viva La Música is returning with several musical acts, food, beverages and more. The multi-weekend event spotlights Latin culture. Some of the bands and musical acts scheduled to perform are La Sonora Dinamita, Banda Maguey, La Original Banda El Limón, Mariachi Divas by Cindy Shea and Grupo Folklorico Herencia Mexicana. Other entertainment options include Team Yonkes RC Lowriders with remote-controlled vehicles, muralist Josué Baltezar showcasing his work and papel picado banner creations via arts and crafts time. Plus, new this year is the SoCal Taco Fest on Saturday and Sunday. It will include taco tasting from restaurants, themed beverages and lucha libre wrestling matches. Entrance to SeaWorld’s Viva La Música is included with park admission and is free for SeaWorld pass members. Friday through May 18. SeaWorld, 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego. 619-222-4732, seaworld.com/san-diego/events/viva-la-musica
“Grease”: Moonlight Stage Productions opens its 2025 season with this classicl 1950s rock ‘n’ roll musical about love between a good girl and a bad boy. 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Through May 17. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. $41-$62. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
“Regency Girls”: The Old Globe presents this world premiere musical from the writers of “Veep,” “Scrubs” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” about four young women in Regency-Era England on a road trip for reproductive freedom. 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through May 11. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego.$45 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Peril in the Alps”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Steven Dietz’s new play based on Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through May 18. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $57-$69. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
Food, Wine & Brew: The San Diego Zoo is hosting its annual Food, Wine & Brew fundraiser event, where this year, guests have access to its Urban Jungle and Reptile House. During the event, ticketed guests will get to taste over 130 Southern California restaurants, breweries and wineries. Also, the Zoo’s conservation stage will be open and visitors will get to meet wildlife ambassadors and hear conservation stories from wildlife care specialists and horticulturists. The event is for those 21 years and older. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday. San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego. $179-$299. 619-718-3000, zoofoodandwine.com
Kentucky Derby Garden Party: Sally’s Waterfront Dining is celebrating the Kentucky Derby with a garden party. The Juleps & Jockeys event is highlighted by $3 Woodford Reserve mint juleps, best-dress contests, themed food and beverages for sale, giveaways and three large TVs showing the Kentucky Derby horse racing. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Sally’s Waterfront Dining, 1 Market Place, San Diego. Free. 619-358-6740, sallyssandiego.com
Sunset sail: San Diegans can celebrate the Cinco de Mayo weekend with live music, drinks and food aboard the San Salvador. For two days, the ship will set sail around the San Diego Bay and take guests for a two-hour sunset ride that includes Spanish guitarists, custom cocktails and Mexican-inspired appetizers. The San Salvador is a replica of explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s 16th-century Spanish galleon, the first European ship to reach what is now known as San Diego in 1542, according to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. This is a 21-years and older event. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. $150. 619-234-9153, sdmaritime.org
Golden Makers Market: San Diego Made Factory is hosting the Golden Guide’s Golden Makers Market. This two-day event spotlights artists, creatives and small business owners from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Pop-up vendors will be selling handmade jewelry, skin care products, home decor items, books, clothing, food, beverages, bags and accessories. The event is free to attend with an RSVP. There will also be ticketed workshops and activities, with a cost between $30 and $100, ranging from yoga, jewelry creation, Japanese tea tastings and perfume making. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St., San Diego. goldenguide.org
City Ballet of San Diego presents ‘Carmen’ and Divertimento No. 15: City Ballet closes its 32nd season with two one-act ballets accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra. Georges Bizet’s opera score accompanies a dance piece inspired by the work. Also featured, George Balanchine’s ballet for Mozart’s Divertimento No. 15. 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $46.80-$142.80. 800- 988-4253, artcenter.org
Cinco de Mayo celebration in Old Town: The Old Town San Diego Cinco de Mayo celebration is featuring folklorico dancing, cultural performances, Street Mercado with artisan vendors, handmade goods and treats along with a children’s carnival starting at noon on Harney Street with games and tattoo station. Admission is free; game tickets can be purchased on-site. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Visit oldtownsandiego.org.
Mutter Bronfman Ferrández Trio: La Jolla Music Society presents violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández and pianist Yefim Bronfman. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $49-$104.50. 858-459-3728, theconrad.org
Spring Fest at museum: The Heritage of the Americas Museum will put on a Spring Fest with children’s activities, including face painting, cartoon theater and an alpaca visit as part of the Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival. Regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Exhibits include fossilized dinosaur eggs, Charles Lindbergh’s headdress presented by the Sioux Nation after he finished his pioneering transatlantic flight, and art by local Cowboy Hall of Fame artist Olaf Wieghorst. Admission is $6; $4 for adults older than 55, and free for students with ID and youths age 17 and younger. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West Visit heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com.
Bach Collegium San Diego’s “Knockout Sounds with Reginald Mobley”: The countertenor and early music ensemble present two concerts mixing baroque compositions with songs made famous by Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. 7 p.m. Saturday. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla; and at 4 p.m. Sunday. All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd., Point Loma. $17.85 and up. 619-341-1726, bachcollegiumsd.org
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival: At the annual Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, highlights includes the Coyote Music Festival, butterfly releases, vendors, food trucks, plant sales, animals and family-friendly activities. The Cuyamaca College Nursery, a student-operated nursery, has hosted the Spring Garden Festival for over 30 years. Student interns take the lead in planting and managing a diverse selection of plants, which are sold to the public at budget-friendly prices. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Cuyamaca College’s The Water Conservation Garden and The Heritage of the Americas Museum, 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West. Admission is free. Visit thegarden.org/spring-garden-butterfly-festival-2025.
Napoleonic re-enactment at farm: The California Napoleonic Re-enactments group is re-creating a part of the history of Emperor Napoleon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3-4 at the Julian Farm and Orchard, 4381 Julian Highway. Volunteer historians and re-enactors will share living history of a small portion of Napoleon’s French Grande Army and the empire’s enemies, Britain, Austria, Prussia and their allies, on campaign in Spain. Living history interpreters will interact with the public, describing the events of the time and the life of soldiers on campaign during the early 1800s. Battles are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event is led by Jeffrey Hedgecock, owner of Ramona-based Historic Enterprises Inc. Admission is $10. Visit julianfarmandorchard.com.
San Diego Symphony presents “Dvorak’s Radiant Eighth Symphony”: Conductor Ruth Reinhardt leads the orchestra and saxophonist Steven Banks in a program of works by Dvorak, Smetana and Yoshimatsu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $39-$120. sandiegosymphony.org
Chess tournament with grandmaster: The annual San Diego-Baku Youth Chess Tournament will include a series of exhibition matches between an international chess grandmaster and three selected American youth players in the library’s Winn Room along with a chess clinic. A special guest will be Grandmaster Vasif Durarbayli. Free and open to players age 8 to 18. A catered lunch from Panera Bread will be provided to registered players. The tournament is limited to 40 competitors from San Diego County. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave. Register at https://coronado.librarycalendar.com/event/open-youth-chess-tournament-34435
Le Salon de Musiques: This La Jolla classical music organization presents cellist Sarah Kim and violinist Ray Ushikubo performing works by Beethoven, Brahms and Ferdinand Hiller. 4 p.m. Sunday. The La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave., La Jolla. $69-$120. 310-498-0257, lesalondemusiques.com
“Mariachi y Folklorico”: Bodhi Tree Concerts presents a celebratory concert of Mexican folk and dance music: 7 p.m. Sunday. St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $20-$50. bodhitreeconcerts.org