Participate in the Japanese custom of “hanami,” by going to the Cherry Blossom Festival. The 13th annual event will feature cherry trees, Japanese street food, beer and tea tastings, a children’s corner, cultural performances and vendors.
More than 12,000 people attended the festival last year and organizers expect the number to be even higher this year.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and free for kids under 6.
International Mariachi Festival
This day-long festival is a chance for you to celebrate San Diego’s Mexican heritage through Mariachi music and colorful traditional ballet folkloric dancing.
Sponsored by the National City Chamber of Commerce and The Unified Port of San Diego, the sixth annual International Mariachi Festival & Competition features Mariachi groups from all over the United States and Mexico. It’s a grand celebration of the arts and culture.
The festival goes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Pepper Park in National City. Admission is free.
San Diego Homebrew Festival & Competition
San Diego is known for its craft beer breweries, but those brewers have to get started somewhere. This weekend, more than 35 homebrewers and some local breweries will compete to see who has the best beer at the San Diego Homebrew Festival & Competition.
Attendees will get a chance to taste and vote for their favorite. There is also a street-side chat with beer professionals.
The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday behind The Observatory North Park. Tickets are $35 and $10 for designated drivers. All proceeds to go benefit Jefferson Elementary School in North Park.
Best Coast Beer Fest
It wouldn’t be a San Diego weekend without a beer festival or two. Organizers say this beer festival is the most amazing “in the history of mankind.” There might have been a bit of exaggeration there.
But the Best Coast Beer Fest will definitely have beers from nearly 100 craft breweries on the West Coast. There’s also music from local bands and food from gourmet food trucks.
The festival goes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. Tickets are $40 general admission and $80 VIP. Proceeds go to benefit Cuck Fancer, a support organization for young adult cancer patients.
The Great Inflatable Race San Diego
Here’s a chance for you to get fit, run and feel like a kid again.
The Great Inflatable Race is a fun run with inflatable obstacles spread throughout the running course. You’ll jump, dive and bounce on custom-designed inflatables throughout the course.
The event goes from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at SDCCU Stadium. Tickets start at $29.99. Proceeds go to benefit Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization that provide support to military families.