San Diego Weekend Guide: May 3-5 – Fiestas & the Force

This San Diego weekend offers a convergence of not just international, but galactic forces. What shall it be for you – a party for May the Fourth or a fiesta for Cinco de Mayo? There was that famous cantina scene in Star Wars. Might Cinco de Mayo be celebrated in a galaxy far, far away?

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from indulging in both bits of fun (side note for the uninitiated, May the Fourth stands in for the film’s signature phrase, “may the force be with you”). Mix and match with these weekend events:

• Ocean Beach – Nice – a taco place with an ani timed to Cinco de Mayo. City Tacos hosts its 10th anniversary celebration beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. The family-friendly day includes face painting, a mariachi band at noon and stilt-walkers at 1 p.m. In addition, look for this $10 special – two tacos and a Mexican bottled beer.
• Old Town –  It’s a two-day fiesta at Casa Guadalajara Saturday and Sunday with live music and dancing both days starting at noon. Enjoy Mexican street corn, aguas frescas, and face painting. The other Bazaar del Mundo restaurants, Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad and Casa de Pico in La Mesa, will mark Cinco de Mayo too. 
• Del Mar Highlands –Sky Deck hosts “Far Away Galaxy Day” on Saturday with a Star Wars film fest, among other activities. From noon ’til late, catch five recent films in the saga, dating back to 2015, at Brewers Deck.
• North Park – The Original 40 Brewing Company hosts the Skywalker Soiree at 3 p.m. Saturday with a costume contest, movie-themed beers and raffles. Prizes include May the Fourth t-shirts, glassware and $25 gift cards.
• Chula Vista – NOVO Brazil Brewing Company makes it a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo at its Lane Avenue spot at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The free party includes music by DJ Santamaria and eats from Aldo al Forno Pizza, La Maja Paella, PotioN7 Creamery and Tijuana’s Tortas Washmobile by Pedro Fuentes. Kids can enjoy a bouncy castle and more.

San Diego FC, the city’s MLS expansion club, continues to build up excitement for its 2025 debut with the Chrome Ball Tour, stopping at Memorial Park in Chula Vista at noon Saturday. Take part in soccer tournaments for all ages, girls and boys and men and women. Watch a first-responders tourney too and enjoy Lucha Libre, fashion show and live music.

April has come and gone and so have those desert music mega-fests. Like your live acts local? Here’s a couple smaller fests close to home:

• Quartyard in the East Village hosts Shipwrecks Music Festival, a pirate-themed block party, at 3 p.m. Saturday, with artists Shipwrek, the Sponges and Chapter & Verse. Tickets for two start at $150.
• Beach House in Mission Beach hosts the Submerged fest featuring Goldfish, Autograf, Saxsquatch, Morriskode and more at 5 p.m. Saturday. General admission starts at $45.
• The Chicano Music Festival returns at noon Sunday in Logan Heights with live art demonstrations at Corner De Corazón, a kids’ play area, a lowrider car show and live music from Norman Carter, formerly of the Delfonics, Sly Slick and Wicked and local reggae band SM Familia. General admission is $75.

And don’t miss a North County milestone. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday with more than 800 vendors, a beer garden by Burgeon Beer Company, live music and activities for kids. Start bright and early at 8 a.m.