As we move further into spring, Mother’s Day looms large on the horizon, though there’s also a good variety of festivals around the county leading up to the occasion on Sunday.
Friday, May 8
Gator By The Bay: The annual celebration of zydeco, blues music and crawfish actually had its kickoff party on Thursday evening. But the party on Spanish Landing (3900 N. Harbor Dr.) revs back up tonight. Organizers promise more than 100 live performances throughout the weekend along with “10,000 pounds of crawfish” for attendees to enjoy.
“American Solitaire” at G.I. Film Festival San Diego: Held in conjunction with Military Appreciation Month, this festival showcasing service members’ experiences on film will conclude with a showing of Aaron Davidman’s 2025 movie, which follows a veteran as he tries to readjust to civilian life while confronting gun culture at home. The screening begins at 5 p.m. at the the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park.
San Diego Mother’s Day Pop-Up Vendor Market: Waterfront Park (1600 Pacific Highway) will be the gathering point for a whole host of vendors focusing on treats and gifts for the occasion, along with a special photo area. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. thru Sunday and there’s no cost to attend.
Saturday, May 9
Encinitas Arts Alive banner launch: Presented by the collective Art Can’t Hurt You, this event will offer an early look at the 85 banners — each by a different artist — that will line Coast Highway 101 this year. Attendance is free, and the event will be held at the Encinitas Community Center (1140 Oakcrest Park Dr.) from 3-5 p.m.
“Hot Rods & Cool Treats” in Carlsbad: Pine Apple Park (3333 Harding St.) will once again host this combination car show and carnival, with classic cars going up for awards in 11 categories. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there’s no cost to attend.
Mariachi Champaña Nevin’s “Tributo a Tres Grandes”: The renowned “classical mariachi” troupe will make a mid-year stop in El Cajon’s Magnolia (210 E Main St.) for a special performance honoring three Mexican musical icons: Rocío Dúrcal, Juan Gabriel, and Vicente Fernández. The show starts at 8 p.m.
University Heights “Party On Park”: Park Boulevard will be closed from Madison to Adams Ave. from 2-7 p.m. for this event, which organizers say will feature food and beverage samples from the neighborhood’s established eateries, on top of a live musical performance by Appian Way and more than 40 vendors on hand. Tickets the day of the party will cost $30.
Sunday, May 10
Just about every restaurant you know will have (or at least should have) Mother’s Day specials. So in this section we’ll look at other types of events marking the occasion.
- Thursday is the last day to RSVP for a special gondola ride package along the Coronado Cays offered by The Gondola Company. The 50-minute cruise will include special beverage options and a free bouquet.
- Meanwhile on San Diego Bay, both City Cruises and Flagship Cruises will also offer special Mother’s Day packages.
- Local artist Miranda Rose will host a special “paint and sip” art class at Sycamore Den in Normal Heights (3391 Adams Ave.) from 3-5 p.m. Painting supplies will be provided, and the $45 fee also covers one glass of wine or a non-alcoholic drink of your choice, and attendees get to keep the art they create. Tickets are available on Rose’s website.
- For those looking for a more ornate setting, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (1 Park Blvd.) is offering a “Queen Mum for a Day” experience, which the hotel said would include “a red carpet welcome, regal trumpeters, and a throne fit for Mom—designed to make her feel like true royalty” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- On a more active front, officials in Poway have announced that a special “Wakeup Hike” will be available, with docent Celeste Larson leading participants on a 5.5 mile trail through the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve (16275 Espola Rd.) and around Lake Poway, starting at 7 a.m.
