May is the unofficial beginning of summer in California, with Memorial Day Weekend celebrations, wine tastings, music festivals, strawberry fairs, and quirky local traditions filling the calendar. From the North Coast to the desert, it is one of the best months to plan a California getaway.
1. Concerts in the Park – Sacramento: May 1
This open-air concert series returns to downtown Sacramento with live music, food trucks, art, and a wine garden. Enjoy Friday evenings through late June at the Downtown Plaza Park..
2. Temecula Rod Run – Temecula: May 1–2
Old Town Temecula fills with more than 500 classic cars during this popular weekend event. The Friday night cruise and Saturday show-and-shine bring vintage style, street vendors, and plenty of retro nostalgia.
3. BeachLife Festival – Redondo Beach: May 1–3
BeachLife Festival blends live music, ocean views, and a relaxed Southern California vibe. Guests can enjoy headliners, food experiences, and lounge spaces while spending the weekend by the beach.
4. Rio Strada Golden State Race Series – Rancho Cordova: May 1–3
Elite cyclists race on a closed course in Rancho Cordova during thismulti-day competition. Spectators can bring chairs or picnic lunches and enjoy the action in a casual, outdoor setting.
5. San Diego Fiesta Cinco de Mayo – San Diego: May 1–5
San Diego celebrates Cinco de Mayo across the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town with mariachis, lowrider cars, and cultural performances. The festival creates a lively mix of food, music, and community pride.
6. Viva la Musica – San Diego: May 1–17
SeaWorld San Diego hosts this seasonal celebration with Latin music, cuisine, and live performances throughout the park. It adds a festive energy to the attraction while giving visitors another reason to visit in spring.
7. Boonville Beer Festival – Boonville: May 2
This Mendocino County favorite brings together 60-plus breweries for a full day of tastings. It is a relaxed event with local character, craft beer, and a longtime community following.
8. San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew – San Diego: May 2
The San Diego Zoo turns into an adults-only evening outing with food tastings, drinks, and live music. Guests can explore the zoo after hours while enjoying a quieter and more intimate experience.
9. Rhododendron Show – Fort Bragg: May 2–3
Spring blooms take over the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens during this colorful flower show. Visitors can walk through thousands of rhododendrons and enjoy one of the coast’s most scenic seasonal displays.
10. San Luis Obispo Sip ’n’ Saunter – San Luis Obispo: May 3
Downtown San Luis Obispo becomes a walkable tasting route with wine and food samples at more than 100 locations. The event offers a relaxed way to explore the city’s restaurants, shops, and local flavor.
11. Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off – Ventura County: May 3
This Conejo Valley event brings together chili booths, live music, a car show, and craft beer. Families can also enjoy a free play zone.
12. Dixon May Fair and Parade – Dixon: May 7–10
Dixon’s annual fair includes rides, exhibits, and a classic small-town atmosphere. The parade on May 9 is one of California’s oldest and draws crowds for its floats, bands, and community spirit.
13. Taste of Cardiff – Cardiff-by-the-Sea: May 7
Taste of Cardiff invites visitors to sample food and drinks from local restaurants and North County makers – with live music and a beach-town setting.
14. Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival – Half Moon Bay: May 9
Main Street in Half Moon Bay fills with wine tastings and live jazz during this coastal festival. The setting adds a laid-back charm that makes it ideal for a spring afternoon on the coast.
15. Paso Robles Olive and Lavender Festival – Paso Robles: May 9
Paso Robles highlights its agricultural side with olive oils, lavender products, and local specialties. Come for the demos, an olive dish-cooking contest, regional products and artisan goods.
16. Mother Lode Roundup Parade & Rodeo – Sonora: May 9–10
Sonora celebrates Gold Rush and Old West history with a parade and rodeo weekend. The event reflects the town’s deep roots while keeping the atmosphere festive and family-friendly.
17. Redding Rodeo – Redding: May 13–16
Redding’s long-running rodeo brings professional competition, chuck wagon races, and mutton bustin’ to town. It’s a classic Western event with fair food and plenty of action for rodeo fans.
18. Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee – Angels Camp: May 14–17
This old-school fair celebrates Gold Country heritage with rides, livestock exhibits, and the famous frog-jumping competition. Its Mark Twain connection makes it one of California’s quirkiest and most memorable traditions.
19. Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience – Sonoma County: May 14–17
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience brings together chefs, growers, winemakers, and guests for tastings and dinners. Set in Sonoma County wine country, it offers a polished and scenic weekend escape.
20. Joshua Tree Music Festival – Joshua Tree: May 14–17
This camping-friendly festival mixes music, art, and a relaxed desert setting near Joshua Tree National Park. Happening for 23 years, this event will have 100+ things to do that aren’t just music.
21. Paso Wine Fest – Paso Robles: May 15–17
The Paso Wine Fest features tastings, seminars, live music, and winemaker dinners across Paso Robles. Experience the region’s wine culture in one weekend.
22. California Mermaid Convention – Rancho Cordova and Sacramento: May 15–17
This whimsical weekend celebrates mermaid cosplay with themed events, costumes, and performances. Visitors can enjoy a promenade, underwater photography, and an all-ages Bubble Ball in a playful community setting.
23. Salute to American Graffiti – Petaluma: May 16
Petaluma honors the classic film American Graffiti with vintage cars and retro street energy. The event captures small-town Americana and gives visitors a nostalgic way to spend the day.
24. Surf Shop Day – Various Locations: May 16
Surf Shop Day celebrates the local surf shops that help shape California’s surf culture. It is a simple way to support small businesses while exploring the state’s coastal lifestyle.
25. May 16–17: Siskiyou Scenic Bicycle Tour – Yreka
This two-day ride offers scenic routes through Siskiyou County, with options for both pavement and gravel. Since it’s not a race, e-bikes are welcome, and the pace stays relaxed.
26. Art, Wine, & Music Festival – Pleasant Hill: May 16–17
Pleasant Hill’s downtown turns into a family-friendly festival with art, live music, wine tasting, and a beer garden. It is an easygoing East Bay event that mixes shopping, food, and entertainment.
27. California Honey Festival – Woodland: May 16–17
Woodland celebrates honey, bees, and agriculture with vendors, demonstrations, and tastings. Visitors can sample different local honeys while learning about the importance of pollinators in California farming.
28. California Strawberry Festival – Ventura: May 16–17
Ventura’s strawberry festival serves up strawberry shortcake, fried strawberries, and strawberry beer – with live music and family activities on a fairground.
29. Surfscape – Huntington Beach: May 16–17
Surfscape showcases surfboards, wetsuits, fashion, and gear in Surf City USA. The free expo gives visitors a chance to browse surf culture, food, and demos in a fun beach setting.
30. Maifest – Big Bear Lake: May 16, 23–24, 30
Big Bear Lake’s Maifest brings Bavarian-inspired fun to the mountains with live music and beer steins. The event spreads across select May weekends, including Memorial Day weekend, for a cheerful spring tradition.
31. Bay to Breakers – San Francisco: May 17
This famous 12K race runs from the Bay to Ocean Beach with costumes, music, and a playful crowd. It feels more like a citywide celebration than a traditional run.
32. In a Landscape Concerts – Various California Locations: Begins May 18
This touring series features pianist Hunter Noack performing in parks and green spaces across California. Audience members wear wireless headphones and experience music while wandering through nature.
33. Mule Days – Bishop: May 19–24
Bishop’s Mule Days celebrates the animal’s long role in California history with shows, races, and equestrian events. Visitors can tour the barns, browse vendors, and enjoy classic fair food.
34. Strawberry Music Festival – Grass Valley: May 21–24
This music-focused festival brings fans together for car camping and all-are-welcome camp jams.
35. BottleRock Napa Valley – Napa: May 22–24
BottleRock combines wine, local cuisine, and rock ’n’ roll with a major festival atmosphere. Between sets, visitors can enjoy wine-tasting cabanas, art installations, and an on-site spa.
36. California Roots Music & Arts Festival – Monterey: May 22–24
This reggae festival in Monterey blends music with eco-friendly practices like composting, reusable cups, and recycling. The event has a community-minded feel and brings strong headliners to the coast.
37. LA Fleet Week – Los Angeles: May 22–25
LA Fleet Week is a free Memorial Day Weekend event at and near the Port of Los Angeles. Visitors can tour active-duty ships, watch flyovers, and enjoy live music and culinary competitions.
38. Strawberry Festival – Garden Grove: May 22–25
Garden Grove celebrates strawberries with rides, a parade, vendors, and berry-themed contests. The event also honors America’s 250th anniversary, giving it a festive and distinctly local feel.
39. McCloud Mushroom, Music, and Wine Festival – McCloud: May 23–24
McCloud’s mushroom festival focuses on foraging, expert booths, food vendors, and wine. Set in the Shasta Cascade, it offers a fun and unusual way to experience peak mushroom season.
40. Kinetic Grand Championship – Eureka: May 23–25
This extraordinary race features handmade, human-powered vehicles crossing land, water, sand, and mud. It is part art project and part engineering challenge, making it one of California’s most unique events.
41. Willits Car & Bike Show – Willits: May 24
Willits showcases classic cars, motorcycles, and lowriders during its Memorial Day weekend car show. A big pancake breakfast adds to the small-town fun and makes it an easy day trip.
42. Vista Strawberry Festival – Vista: May 24
Vista’s berry festival brings vendors, rides, and family activities to North County San Diego.
43. Forest Moon Festival – Humboldt: May 28–31
The Forest Moon Festival celebrates the Star Wars filming locations of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Cosplay, scavenger hunts, and panel discussions give the redwood coast a playful sci-fi twist.
44. 11th Annual Catalina Wine Mixer – Catalina: May 29–30
Inspired by Step Brothers, this real-life wine mixer brings tastings, food, live music, and a movie screening to Catalina Island. It is one of the month’s most recognizable and playful weekend getaways.
45. Firestone Walker Beerfest – Paso Robles: May 29–31
Firestone Walker Beerfest includes a brewery block party, an all-day beer festival, and an open-air brunch. The lineup features breweries from across the U.S., making it a big draw for beer lovers.
46. Pismo Beach Classic Car Show – Pismo Beach: May 29–31
Pismo Beach fills with hundreds of classic cars, live music, local food, and a beer garden during this coastal weekend. The parade of cars through town adds to the relaxed beach-town atmosphere.
47. Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week – Greater Palm Springs: May 29–June 7
Restaurants across Greater Palm Springs offer special menus and limited-time deals during this seasonal dining event. It’s a great excuse to explore everything from hotel restaurants to local favorites in the desert.
