Happy Mother’s Day!
Summer concerts have started! Gator by the Bay, the Carlsbad Street Fair, Temecula Rod Run, Renaissance Fair, Fallbrook Car Show, Fiesta del Sol, Wonderfront Music Festival, the Vista Strawberry Festival, World of Orchids, Cinco de Mayo and various Street Festivals are all happening this month. The Flower Fields in Carlsbad are open through Mother’s Day. The Kentucky Derby is on May 3. Tickets are on sale now for the San Diego Fair. As always, more details below.
Here is a list of free summer concert series for “save the dates”:
https://www.sandiego.org/campaigns/summer-in-san-diego/summer-music.aspx
https://www.san-diego-beaches-and-adventures.com/anza-borrego-state-park.html
Bill Magee:
May 29, The Farmers and Blindfold Monks, Live at the Centre, Escondido 6-pm $15, VIP $100
June 6, Kimmi Bitter and Alice Wallace, Bornemann Theatre, San Marcos 8pm $25+
June 13, Mike Zito w/Jimmy Carpenter Band, Center for the Arts, Escondido 7:30pm
June 15, Tommy Castro w/Sue Palmer & Liz Ajuzie, Center for the Arts, Escondido 3pm
Ron Ebel:
May 9, Vista Elks, 5pm
Gone Blonde:
May 16, Encinitas Elks Lodge 7pm
May 30, Surf Club, Oceanside 6pm
Custard Pie:
May 17, Five Suits Brewing, Vista 6pm
May 23, Oceanside Moose Lodge 8pm
May 24, Aquarius Bar & Grille, San Diego 6pm
June 7, Larry’s Beach Club, Oceanside 8:30pm
June 14, Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill, Encinitas 8:30pm
June 20, Ringers, Bonsall 8pm
July 17, Vintana’s, Escondido 6pm
Cool Rush Band:
May 3, Galley at the Marina, Chula Vista 6pm
May 4, Coyote Bar & Grill, Carlsbad 5pm
May 16, Ringers, Bonsall 8pm
May 17, Fast Times, San Diego 7pm
May 25, Vista Strawberry Festival Beer Gardens 3:30pm
June 13, Ocean Hills – Doo Wop Club
Lifetime Rocker:
May 8, Rancho Santa Margarita Fundraiser 6pm
May 9, Lorimar Winery, Temecula 6pm
June 20, Canyon Lake Country Club 6pm
June 28, Lorimar Winery, Temecula 6pm
Anthony Cullins:
Daring Greatly:
May 15, Wayfarer, Costa Mesa 7pm
May 17, Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2:30pm
May 18, Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 4pm
June 20, Belly Up, Solana Beach 8:30pm
https://www.daring-greatly.com/
Danny Gali:
Tony Suraci:
Thursdays in May, Village Roots, Fallbrook 5-8pm except May 8
May 10, 16, 18, 31, Swing Inn, Old Town Temecula 5pm
June 7, 14, 22, Swing Inn, Old Town Temecula 5pm
www.tonysuracimusic.com and www.thehighwaymanshow.com
Pretending Chrissie:
May 1, Old Town Blues Club, Temecula 7:30pm
May 2, The Landings, Carlsbad 6pm
June 27, The Landings, Carlsbad 6pm
July 17, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego 6:30pm
http://pretendingchrissie.com/
Raynaldo Martine:
Bonsall:
Harlow’s Lounge has live music scheduled semi-regularly, check their website for the current updates. Open Thursday-Saturdays 4-10pm
Fallbrook:
May 25, 58th Annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Club Show, downtown 10am-3pm
July 4, Celebration and Drone Light Show, food trucks, live music, beer garden, kids activities, Ingold Sports Park 5-10pm (seeking sponsors)
July 9-Aug. 17, Fallbrook Wine Trail
https://www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/
Warrior Avenues:
The donation drive for basic hygiene items for our military personnel is ongoing. More details are on the website. Other resources are available in support of active military, spouses and veterans. Items can be dropped off at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce or email courtney@warrioravenues.org to coordinate a drop off or pick up of donations.
Fallbrook Community Drum Circle:
May 25, at Jackie Heyneman Park on S. Mission under the gazebo, bring your own chairs, 2-5pm, held on the 4th Sunday of each month. For more information email Daniel at eminentsun@icloud.com
Fallbrook Farmers and Artisan Market:
Saturdays 9am-1:30pm, on Main between Hawthorne and Fig, more info 760-728-5845 or info@fallbrookfarmersmarket.org
This is an informative website about Fallbrook you may want to check out: www.everythingfallbrook.org
Fallbrook Art Center:
Apr. 15-May 17, Signature Watercolor Exhibit
June 10-July 12, 9th Annual Sculpture Exhibition
Fallbrook Mission Theater:
Movies:
May 9, Mildred Pierce, Joan Crawford (1945)
May 16, Top Gun, Tom Cruise (1986)
May 23, Stalag 17, William Holden (1953)
May 30, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
June 6, Singin’ In the Rain, Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds (1952)
Movies 7pm, doors 6pm $10
Check their website for late updates
Live Events:
May 2, James Garner’s Johnny Cash tribute 7:30pm $45/$60 Sold Out
May 10, Gin N’ Tonix presents A Tribute to Mom
May 17, Britain’s Finest – Beatles Experience tribute 7pm $30
May 31, Fallbrook’s Got Talent 6pm
https://fallbrookmissiontheater.com/
Fallbrook VFW Post 1924:
Lots of special events and meals, brunch, Bike Night last Friday of the month, and more, open to the public.
Monserate Winery:
May 10, Mother’s Day Buffet, 2-hour time slots, 10am, 1pm $85
May 26, Memorial Day Party 11am $25
June 5, Salsa Dancing in the Vines 5:30pm $25
June 14, Father’s Day Car Show 11am-5pm $10
Vista:
Moonlight Theater 2025 Season:
Apr. 30-May 17, Grease
June 4-21, Waitress
July 9-26, Anastasia
Aug. 13-30, Fiddler on the Roof
Sep. 10-27, Prince of Egypt
Tickets for the Moonlight Concert Series are now on sale. Prices range from $25-$75 with free parking. The concert series starts in March and runs through October.
May 22, Tusk: Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute
May 23, The Sixties Show
May 24, Michael W. Smith Beyond the Far Horizon Tour
July 31, Mick Adams & The Stones
Aug. 1, Uptown: A Celebration of Motown and Soul
Aug. 2, An Acoustic Evening with Leann Rimes
Oct. 2, Anything for Salinas Band: Tribute to Selena
Oct. 3, 24k Magic: The #1 Tribute to Bruno Mars
Oct. 4, Pop 2000 Tour
Strawberry Festival, free:
May 25, downtown Vista, live music, food, film festival, contests, kid’s activities,
May 23-24, Carnival Zone 5pm and 2pm
https://vistastrawberryfest.com/schedule/
Scottish Highland Games cancelled for 2025
Escondido:
Cinco de Mayo Festival: May 4, Grape Day Park 11am-5pm, free
Escondido Street Festival: May 18, Downtown Escondido 10am-6pm
Renaissance Faire:
May 3-4, Felicita County Park, Escondido
https://www.oldetymeproductions.com/
Center for the Arts:
Saturdays in May/June: Beginner Swing Classes with Mercedes Moore 2pm
May 3-4, Carmen by City Ballet of San Diego, various times
May 9-10, The Sleeping Beauty by State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine 7pm
June 13, Mike Zito Band w/ Jimmy Carpenter Band
Hidden City Sounds Series 7pm:
May 9, Mercedes Moore Band, free pre-show swing dance class
June 13, Lyrical Groove
June 15, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers w/ Sue Palmer & Liz Ajuzie
Musica en la Plaza 7pm Lyric Court:
May 30, Grupo Bella
June 27, Qiensave
Intimate Classics Series 3pm
May 18, ATLYS String Quartet
June 22, The Grand Finale
The Grand – Ritz Theater:
May 3, He Lei Hiwahiwa – The Cherished Lei, San Diego Hula Academy
May 8, Comedy Night with Tom Kilmer
May 29, Circus on Ice, 4pm and 6:30pm
Both indoor seating and an outdoor rooftop venue
https://www.thegrandescondido.org/projects-8
Welk Theatre:
Wednesdays 7pm:
May 7-June 25, Fabba Show—Abba tribute
July 2-30, Next to Real Neil—Neil Diamond tribute
Aug. 6-27, Pettybreakers—Tom Petty tribute
Sep. 3-24, The Long Run—Eagles tribute
Oct. 1-29, The Heart of Rock & Roll—Huey Lewis & The News tribute
Nov. 5-26, Britain’s Finest: Relive Beatlemania!
Dec. 3,10, 17, Anthony the Magic!
https://tickets.thewelksandiego.com/
https://visitescondido.com/full-calendar/
Escondido Wine and Craft Beer map: https://visitescondido.com/wineries/
Cruisin Grand:
May 2 through Sep 26 (should be), lots of great cars and people! Check their website for updates, no details posted.
Ramona:
The Barn, weekend bands start 8:30 or 9pm, varies
Thursdays: DJ Keahi 6:30pm, line dancing
First Saturdays: Fiesta Night 9pm
Friday and Saturday live music varies
Ramona Mainstage on Main Street, formerly the Ramona Theatre, has been refurbished and updated. The original grand opening was in 1947. Now a performing arts facility, there is live music scheduled regularly. Doors open 7pm.
San Marcos:
Bornemann Theatre:
May 2, Harmony Grove: A tribute to The Eagles & Friends
May 10, Soul Seekers & Friends
May 17, Amor Prohibido, Selena tribute band
May 30, Don’t Tell Comedy, multiple dates
May 31, Fairview Canyon, tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
June 6, Kimmi Bitter & Alice Wallace
June 7, Strange Days, tribute to Doors
June 14, Blue Suede Crew & Come Together, tribute to Elvis
https://www.campusoflife.org/live-shows/the-bornemann
Summer Concert Series:
June 14, Kings of Queen
July 12, Lefty, Martin & His Right Hand Band (country)
Aug. 9, Adelaide Pilar (Latin)
Sep. 6, Twisted Gypsy, Fleetwood Mac
Wood House at Woodland Park 7:30-9pm, gates at 6pm $8 pre-sale, $10/door, $25 season pass
Fireworks July 4, Bradley Park
My Yard Live:
Live music Fridays-Sundays, Karaoke Thursdays, Trivia Night Wednesdays, Dueling Pianos first Friday of each month. Reservations required.
Poway:
May 17-18, Community Band Festival, Old Poway Park, 10am-6pm
Summer Concert Series Lake Poway and Old Poway Park:
June 7, Sam Hinton Folk Festival, Old Poway Park, 10am-5pm
June 22, Pickleback Shine, Lake Poway
June 29, Gregory Page, Old Poway Park
July 6, Blue Breeze Band, Lake Poway
July 13, Prairie Sky, Old Poway Park
July 20, Britain’s Finest, Lake Poway
July 27, Pomerado Community Band, Old Poway Park
Aug. 3, Pop Vinyl, Lake Poway
Lake Poway parking $10 for non-residents, no parking fee listed for Old Poway Park, concerts 5:30-7pm, food trucks onsite.
July 4th Old-Fashioned Celebration at Old Poway Park 10am-4pm, free, shuttles available
Carlsbad:
The Flower Fields
March 1-May 11 Mother’s Day, with flowers(!), sunset wine tasting, live music, yoga, meditations, family events, tea in the garden, workshops, more, some events are sold out
Live bands 1-5pm:
May 3, Michele Lundeen
May 4, Bill Magee
May 10, Mariachi Serenata
https://www.theflowerfields.com/activities/
Carlsbad Village Faire:
May 4, on Carlsbad Village Drive west of the 5, over 850 vendors 8am-5pm
https://kennedyfaires.com/carlsbad
Art in the Village:
June 22, 9am-5pm
https://www.carlsbad-village.com/events#may-2025
The Landings at Palomar Airport, 6-9pm unless otherwise noted:
Sundays 11am-2pm
Tuesdays-Thursdays Happy Hour 3-6pm
Wed-Sun live music (most)
May 2, Pretending Chrissie
May 3, Projekt X
May 9, Summit Drive
May 10, Drivin’ the Bus
May 16, Rick Trotter Band
May 17, Totally 80’s
May 23, Sticky Sweets
May 24, Santana Soul
May 30, Dr Dr Live
May 31, The Ride
June 6, West of 5
June 7, Totally 80’s
Friday and Saturday evenings: reservations are required for parties over 8, $30/person minimum.
Coyote Bar and Grill:
Live Music:
Saturdays 1-4:30pm and 6-10pm
Sundays 1-4:30pm and 5-9pm
Tuesdays-Friday 6-10pm
Mondays, Karaoke 6-10pm
Apr. 30, Half Shot 6pm
May 4, Cool Rush 5pm
May 5, Jimmy and Enrique 6pm
May 13, Jimmy and Enrique 6pm
May 14, Half Shot 6pm
May 21, Half Shot 6pm
May 27, Jimmy and Enrique 6pm
The 2025 TGIF Concerts in the Parks season kicks off June 20. Details to follow.
https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/cultural-arts/performing-arts/tgif-concerts-in-the-parks
Oceanside:
May 2, Movie at the Pier – Star Wars! 6:30pm
June 28, Independence Day Parade, downtown Oceanside 10am
https://visitoceanside.org/events/
San Luis Rey Pow Wow:
June 14-15, Annual Intertribal Pow Wow, San Luis Rey Mission Grounds
https://www.slrmissionindians.org/
Coomber Craft Wines, tasting room, food, live music most nights
Sundays, Open Mic with Raynaldo Martine 6pm
Mondays, Jimmy & Enrique 6pm
May 2, Raynaldo Martine 6pm
https://www.coomberwines.com/calendar
Oceanside Sunset Market every Thursday 5-9pm
This link also has information on the various artisan and gift markets in Oceanside.
Del Mar:
Del Mar Fairgrounds:
May 2-4, Foodieland, Fairgrounds
June 11-July 6, San Diego County Fair, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, tickets and parking available for purchase online now https://www.sdfair.com/
https://www.delmarfairgrounds.com/events
The Sound:
Encinitas:
Botanic Garden:
May 4-June 1, World of Orchids, online reservations strongly encouraged
https://sdbg.org/exhibitions-public-programs/
Solterra Winery:
Live music Fridays and Saturdays 6-9pm, Sundays 4-7pm
Concerts by the Sea at Moonlight Beach:
Save the dates: July 13 and 27, Aug. 10 and 24
http://www.seecalifornia.com/entertainment/concerts/encinitas-concerts-by-the-sea.html
Encinitas Wine and Food Festival
June 7, Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, 4-7pm
https://www.encinitaswinefestival.com/
Solana Beach:
44th Annual Fiesta del Sol, free:
May 31-June 1, Fletcher Cove, 7 bands Saturday and 6 more bands on Sunday! Plus Arts & Crafts, kid’s activities, food court, beer/wine garden,9am-10pm and 9am-8pm, free
Concerts at the Cove:
Fletcher Cove Park, Solana Beach, Thursdays June 19-Aug. 7, 6pm-7:45pm
https://www.cityofsolanabeach.org/en/events/concerts-cove-10
Belly Up:
Fridays, Atomic Groove: Get Your Groove Back Happy Hour 5:30pm, $12
Full schedule
San Diego:
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/things-to-do
The Shell:
May 10-11, James Taylor & His All-Star Band kick off the 2025 season
May 17, Fit Athletic Yoga 9:30am
May 29, Hauser
June 21-22, 7th Annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival
June 27, San Diego Symphony Orchestra
July 4, America in Song with San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Lots more events!
Socal Taco Fest:
May 3-4, moved to SeaWorld
Gator by the Bay:
May 8-11, Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival, Spanish Landing Park, San Diego, 7 stages of live music and literally tons of food! Tickets on sale now. Sugaray Rayford will be performing Saturday, May 10.
Wonderfront Music Festival:
May 16-18, single day and weekend passes available, Daring Greatly performing
https://wonderfrontfestival.com/
San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon:
May 31-June 1, a marathon, a half-marathon, and a 5K, in San Diego including Balboa Park and Mission Bay Park
https://www.runrocknroll.com/san-diego
Snapdragon Stadium (at SDSU) opened for sports, monster jams, concerts
https://snapdragonstadium.com/
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre:
Diverse series of concerts/events
https://as.sdsu.edu/calcoast/events
The Magnolia:
The Magnolia, formerly the East County Performing Arts Center, has been fully renovated and is now open and hosting a variety of events year-round, including concerts, movie nights, beer festivals, etc. 210 E. Main, El Cajon
https://www.magnoliasandiego.com/venue-info
Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay:
Concerts started April 6, full lineup
https://www.humphreysconcerts.com/
Humphrey’s Backstage Live:
www.humphreysbackstagelive.com/events
Tio Leo’s: live music Tuesday-Saturday at the Napa Street, San Diego, location. All three restaurants are open. www.tioleos.com
Aquarius Bar & Grill, Mission Bay:
Live music every day but the website only shows a few days at a time. Check there for current info.
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
SeaWorld: Fireworks most weekends. www.seaworld.com
Balboa Park www.balboapark.org free organ concerts every Sunday 2-3pm
Birch Aquarium https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
USS Midway Museum www.midway.org
The Old Globe Theatre www.theoldglobe.org
Liberty Station:
https://libertystation.com/events/calendar
Petco Park sports and concerts:
https://www.petcoparkinsider.com/petco-park-events
https://www.petcoparkinsider.com/category/concerts-at-petco-park/
San Diego Brewers Guild has a link for the current status of local breweries that is constantly being updated here, including live music www.sdbeer.com
Santee Summer Concert Series, Thursdays 6:30pm, 550 Park Center Drive:
June 12 – Aug. 14
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/2025-santee-summer-concerts/45820
El Cajon Music on Main Summer Concert Series:
Thursdays 6-8pm at Prescott Promenade
https://www.downtownelcajon.com/music-on-main
El Cajon Dinner and a Concert
May 1-29, Fridays at Prescott Promenade
https://www.sandiego.org/campaigns/summer-in-san-diego/summer-music.aspx
Pechanga Arena sports, concerts, monster trucks:
https://pechangaarenasd.com/events/category/concerts/
San Diego Food Bank:
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank feeds about 400,000 military and civilian people per month, year-round. Please help them feed the hungry in our local communities. They are doing an enormous job!
http://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/
Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, open and with a fully booked schedule, reservations.
Murrieta:
Live! @The Plateau Summer Art and Concert Series:
June 28-Aug. 9, advance purchase only
Specialty food trucks, wine and beer sold onsite.
These are fundraising events supporting youth nature education programs. Season and VIP tickets available.
Temecula:
May 2-3, Temecula Rod Run
Summer Concert Series, Thursdays, Civic Center Quad, 7-8:30pm free
June 12 – Aug. 14
http://www.temeculaevents.org/
Thornton Winery:
The Champagne Jazz Concert Series starts May 3 through Oct. 11. Their Friday night concert series began April 25 and runs through Oct. 31.
Balloon & Wine Festival:
June 20-22, www.tvbwf.com
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
Season tickets available for purchase, regular ongoing events
https://tickets.temeculatheater.org/
Vail Headquarters:
Different events scheduled throughout the year
Old Town Blues Club, live music Thursday-Sunday
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
https://tickets.temeculatheater.org/
More Temecula activities and information:
Wineries:
This website has a comprehensive and detailed list of the status of the wineries and what they are currently offering.
Pala Casino, all times 8pm unless noted otherwise:
Indoor concerts:
May 17, Jumping Jack Flash – Rolling Stones tribute
June 13, 24k Magic! — Bruno Mars tribute
June 28, Masked Singer Champion Duet
Outdoor concerts:
May 3, Anything for Salinas – tribute to Selena
May 16, Morris Day & The Time and Sheila E.
May 30, Jefferson Starship
June 22, Intocable: Antologia Tour 2025
June 27, Billy Joel 7 Elton John: Adam Shapiro and Kenny Metcalf
July 4, Revisiting Creedence
July 18, Los Lonely Boys
Aug. 21, Bachman Turner Overdrive
Harrah’s Rincon Casino:
May 2, Brett Young
May 3, Iliza: The Get Ready Tour, comedy
May 11, Tom Jones
May 23, Seether –The Surface Seems So Far tour
May 30, Jeff Foxworthy, comedy
June 6, Charley Crockett
June 13, Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen
July 4, Clint Black: Back on the Blacktop Tour
July 18, David Foster and Chris Botti featuring Katharine McPhee
July 25, The Docksiders
Pechanga Resort & Casino:
May 2, Dick Fox’s Golden Boys, tribute to Bobby Rydell
May 3, 5th Annual Sushi & Sake Festival
May 4, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton 2025 Tour
May 11, Amanda Miguel
May 13, Chris Isaak
May 18, George Benson
May 22, Thievery Corporation
May 23, Rainie Yang
May 31, Baek Ji Young
June 5, Australian Bee Gees Show – tribute
June 6, All-Star Vegas starring Piff the Magic Dragon
June 7, Boney James: Slow Burn Tour
Bates Nut Farm:
May 7, Swing into Spring 4:30-7:30pm
https://batesnutfarm.biz/pages/events
Mahalo,
Annette
Share Smiles, Show Kindness, Spread the Love
BY ANNETTE HIGBY / BackStage360
For in-depth coverage of many of the local musicians and concerts (and more):
Click here for BackStage360: http://www.backstage360.com/
Disclaimer: times and events may change after publication.
Go to www.eventbrite.com for an enormous number of links to an amazing variety of resources, including music, dancing, classes, art and other various events, both online and in person.