Events Calendar
Over 30 curated events from Santa Barbara to San Diego — the essential guide to Southern California in May.
Showing 33 events
BeachLife Festival
Duran Duran, James Taylor, The Offspring, Sheryl Crow. VIP Surf Club lounge, Speakeasy stage.
Lewis Capaldi at Hollywood Bowl
Opening night of the Hollywood Bowl season.
Shane Gillis (Netflix Is a Joke)
Part of the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival.
Joshua Tree Music Festival
Global and eclectic music, camping-friendly. Ruby Ibarra, Turkish psychedelic band Olum.
Lightning in a Bottle
Multi-day music and arts festival with immersive experiences.
Juvenile at House of Blues
Louisiana legend with The 400 Degreez Band performing Boiling Point.
54 Hours with James Beard Chefs
Masterclasses, tastings, and elegant meals with award-winning chefs.
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew
21+ evening of small plates, craft brews, live music, and wildlife encounters.
Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off
Chili booths, car show, craft beer, live music.
Taste of Cardiff
20+ restaurants, beer/wine/spirits, live bands.
Solvang Wine Festival
Boutique wine tasting in Santa Barbara wine country.
Cheese & Libation Expo
Three days of unlimited gourmet pairings and boutique shopping.
Santa Barbara Grand Wine Tasting
VIP entry at 1pm; 70+ wineries represented.
California Strawberry Festival
40 vendors, build-your-own shortcake bar, Berry Baby Fashion Parade.
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Rides, parade, America's 250th anniversary celebration.
Vista Strawberry Festival
Free community festival with vendors and family activities.
Catalina Wine Mixer
11th annual. Wine tastings, live music, Step Brothers screening.
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Curated dining specials at the desert's most exclusive restaurants.
ArtSpectrum 2026
Inaugural LGBTQ contemporary art exhibition at Village Arts Outreach.
First Thursdays Art Walk
Free monthly gallery walk, 6–9pm. Dozens of galleries open late.
An Evening with David Sedaris
Humorist and essayist sharing old favorites and works in progress.
Palm Springs Art Museum: Lake Verea Exhibition
DarkRooms and Other Games — Mexico City-based artists. Opens May 9.
San Diego International Fringe Festival
Innovative performances across multiple venues.
Kim's Convenience
Korean-Canadian family comedy making its local premiere.
Secret Garden Tour
Private luxury estate gardens, live music, outdoor artistry. La Jolla Historical Society fundraiser.
Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea
Opens May 22. Repurposed ocean debris sculptures depicting marine life.
Temecula Rod Run
500+ classic cars including Model A's, T-Birds, and roadsters. Friday Night Cruise + Saturday Show & Shine.
Laguna Hills 6th Annual Car Show
Annual community car show.
Kowabunga Van Car Show
8am–4pm. Classic and custom vans.
Cars & Coffee Orange County
Weekly weekend gatherings of exotic and classic automobiles.
Surfscape
Free surf expo. Demo surfboards and wetsuits, browse surf fashion.
Maifest
Bavarian-themed spring festival with live music and beer steins.
LA Fleet Week
Free. Ship tours, aircraft flyovers, Galley Wars culinary competition. Memorial Day Weekend.
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