Spring is here and communities are putting on street fairs and festivals in the coming weeks celebrating everything from avocados to strawberries. Most have free admission.
CARLSBAD
Spring Festival EGGstravaganza: The fest is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4 at Poinsettia Community Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road. Egg scrambles for children to collect candy-filled eggs will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event also features face painting, photos with Easter Bunny, soak the bunny and a fun zone with bounce houses and other inflatable attractions. Free entry; unlimited inflatables wristbands and activity cards cost $8 at city community centers and at the event. Visit carlsbadca.gov.
Carlsbad Village Street Faire: The free, family-friendly street fair is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at 2695 State St. There will be hundreds of arts and crafts booths, antiques, international food court and beer garden along with live performances, and children’s rides. A free shuttle goes from the Shoppes at Carlsbad. Visit https://www.carlsbadvillagefaire.com/
The Flower Fields: Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through May 10 at 5704 Paseo Del Norte. Millions of giant tecolote ranunculuses are expected to bloom this season across 55 acres. Attractions range from a Butterfly Encounter, Artist’s Garden and Sweet Pea Maze to tractor wagon rides, concerts and wine-tasting events. Admission tickets must be purchased in advance online and are $27, $25 for seniors and military personnel and $17 for children age 3-10. Season passes are $65, $60 for seniors 60 and older, $40 for children 3-10. Visit theflowerfields.com.
Hot Rods & Cool Treats: The annual carnival and classic car show is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 at the Pine Avenue Community Park, 3333 Harding St. The old fashioned style carnival includes games for all ages ranging from Ring Toss to Frog Hopper. There will be live music, crafts, face painting and fun zone along with food and drinks for purchase. Attendees can build their own sundae at the ice cream bar. Carnival tickets are at the event. Car entries due by May 7. Admission is free. Visit https://www.carlsbadca.gov/
Spring Art & Wine Walk: The Forum Carlsbad will put on the annual spring event from 2 to 5 p.m. April 11 with live music, curated tastings, paintings, photography, mixed media and handcrafted works. A Wine Garden near YETI will offer free wine tastings presented by Jimbo’s. Proceeds benefit The Flower Fields Foundation. Free admission. Visit https://theforumcarlsbad.com/
ENCINITAS
Encinitas Spring Street Fair: This free, family-friendly event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25-26 along South Coast Highway 101, is organized by the Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association, featuring more than 450 vendors selling arts, crafts, and international food, plus several entertainment stages and a dog-friendly beer garden. Activities include children’s rides and family-friendly games and live performances. Visit https://www.encinitas101.com/spring-street-fair
ESCONDIDO
Escondido Spring Street Festival: The event features several hundred vendors, Art in the Garden, live music, a beer and wine garden and international food from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 along the historic Grand Avenue, between Escondido Blvd and Ivy. Free admission. Visit https://www.downtownescondido.com/
FALLBROOK
Avocado Festival: The 39th annual event is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19 on Main Avenue in Downtown Fallbrook. The avocado-themed event includes craft vendors, food, wine and beer garden, entertainment, farmers market, artisan walk and contests, including the famed Guacamole Contest. For kids there will be the Avo 500 race, Fun Zone and Best Dressed Avocado Contest. Admission is free. Visit https://www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/avocado-festival/
JULIAN
Wildflower Show: The Julian Woman’s Club will put on its annual Wildflower Show from 1 to 4 p.m. May 1-3 at Town Hall, 2129 Main St. The show features wildflowers from seven regions in and around Julian. The Clubhouse will be adorned with artwork by local students, and there will be hand-crafted items for sale, including a quilt made to be raffled off. Free admission. Proceeds go to the club’s scholarship fund and community projects. Visit JulianWomansClub.org.
LA MESA
Spring Harp Fest: The outdoor music festival featuring harmonica (“mouth harp”) music is from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 4 at Harry Griffen Regional Park, 9550 Milden St. headlined by Brody Buster and including six Southern California bands. Highlights include competition for emerging harmonica artists and “Best Unknown Player,” dance floor, food trucks, booths and raffles. International Blues Challenge winner takes the stage at 5:45 p.m. Admission is free; $20 suggested donation. Proceeds go to festival costs and free music lessons and harmonicas for local students. Visit www.springharpfest.org.
OCEANSIDE
Berries and Blooms: Weekend spring festivals are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 10:30 am. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through May 10 as part of the Berries and Blooms season at Mellano Farm Stand, 5714 N River Rd. There will be u-pick strawberries and lavendar and ranunculus fields along with bounce houses, tractor rides, food trucks and live music. Free admission; parking is $5 on festival days. Visit https://mellanofarmstand.com/.
Spring Egg Hunt: The city of Oceanside’s free annual Spring Egg Hunt for kids up to age 11 is from 9 a.m. to noon April 4 at Mance Buchanon Park, 425 College Blvd. with different egg hunt times for different ages and abilities. Highlights include candy, prizes, bounce house, bunny photos, crafts and a magic show. Bring your own egg basket. There are also egg hunts starting at 10 a.m. April 4 at Joe Balderrama Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St. and John Landes Park, 2855 Cedar Road. Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us.
POWAY
Poway Spring Festival: This free community event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31 on Midland Road, between Poway Road and Hilleary Place, featuring live music, classic car show, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, local vendors and a kid-friendly zone. Visit https://www.poway.com/poway-spring-festival/
SAN DIEGO
Chicano Park Day: The 56th annual commemoration of the founding of Chicano Park is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25 at Chicano Park, 1949 Logan Ave., in Barrio Logan. The free spring festival features live music, Aztec dance performances, local vendors and lowrider car show. Visit https://chicanoparkmuseum.org/chicano-park-day/
Adams Avenue Unplugged: The musical walkabout event starting 11 a.m. April 25 features 90 musical performances inside restaurants, bars, and coffee houses along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue from University Heights on the West through Normal Heights, and into parts of Kensington. Free general admission, except Alejandro Escovedo’s ticketed performance at the Main Stage at Normal Heights United Church, which also hosts a Community Beer Garden with VIP food and drink ticket for $25. Visit https://www.adamsavenuebusiness.com/event-info/adams-avenue-unplugged/
Wonderfront Festival: The music and arts fest runs from noon to 10 p.m. May 16-18 at various venues including Embarcadero Marina Park North, Seaport Village and Ruocco Park. The event features a diverse lineup of live music and art along with food, craft beverages and art installations. There are some free community events. For information about day passes, visit https://wonderfrontfestival.com/
SANTA YSABEL
Spring Lilac Festival: The annual Lilac Festival at Fort Cross is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through April 12 (except noon to 4 p.m. Easter Sunday April 5) at the Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, 4425 CA-78. The $10 general admission during the Lilac Festival on weekends includes petting zoo, lilac maze, hoe down & jug band shows, lawn games, and lilac viewing. Easter Skunk Egg Hunts are at 10 a.m April 4 and noon April 5. There are also Festival and Adventure packages that includes more activities on the weekends. Visit https://www.fortcross.com/lilac-festival
VISTA
Earth Day Festival: The annual event at the 14-acre Alta Vista Botanical Gardens is from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. April 18 in Brengle Terrace Park, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive, at the top of the hill. Highlights include children’s Earth Day activities, plant sale, live music, art and dance performance along with food and vendors. Free admission. Visit https://altavistabotanicalgardens.org/
Spring Festival Plant Show & Sale: The Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society holds the annual festival from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1450 E. Vista Way. Admission is free. Park in the back and enter from the rear. Visit www.palomarcactus.org.
Strawberry Festival: The strawberry-themed street fair is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24 on Main Street and surrounding streets in downtown Vista with live music and entertainment on various stages, contests, a beer garden, and a carnival zone for all ages along with several hundred vendors, hosted by the Vista Chamber of Commerce. Competitions are planned ranging from a strawberry costume contest to pie eating and beer stein-holding. There will also be a Strawberry Film Festival and Strawberry Run 5K. Admission is free, activities such as the carnival and run have fees. Visit https://vistastrawberryfest.com/
Annual Flower show: The Vista Garden Club will put on its 90th Flower Show May 2-3 at the Jim Porter Recreation Center, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. The plant and garden art sale is from noon to 5 p.m. May 2, with flower show open from 2 to 5 p.m. The sale and show will both be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. Admission is free. For information on submitting a Flower Show entry, email Vistagardenclub@gmail.com. Visit https://www.californiagardenclubs.com/vistagardenclub/
For a guide to dozens of San Diego County Easter egg hunts, visit https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/13/san-diego-county-is-hopping-with-easter-egg-hunts-many-are-free/
To add a spring festival, email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.