Festivals
SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL March 11-21. 17th annual festival screens more than 130 features and short films from across Latin America and the U.S. UltraStar Cinemas, 7510 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley, 619.230.1938. Map I11

RHYTHM AND VINE April 17. Foodie event features 40+ world-class wineries, spirits companies, breweries and 30 restaurants, plus live music. Westfield North County Mall, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido, 858.578.9463. Map C3

FALLBROOK AVOCADO FESTIVAL April 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Guacamole contest, cooking demos and more. Downtown Fallbrook, 760.728.5845. Map A2

ADAMS AVENUE ROOTS FESTIVAL April 24, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; April 25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Blues, folk, jazz, country and world music. Adams Ave. between 34th and 35th sts., Normal Heights, 619.282.7329. Map I12

ENCINITAS STREET FAIR April 24-25. Around 450 vendors sell arts & crafts, antiques, clothing and more. Call for hours. Highway 101 between D and J sts., 760.945.9288. Map V22

GATOR BY THE BAY ZYDECO AND BLUES FESTIVAL May 7-9. Showcasing 25 bands on five stages and 8,000 pounds of crawfish, plus cooking demos and dancing. Spanish Landing Park at Harbor Island, 619.234.8612. Map P13

SAN DIEGO AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL DAYS May 8-9, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 24th annual event features Native American singers, dancers, food, arts & crafts. Free. Park Blvd. and Presidents Way, Balboa Park, 619.281.5964. Map P17

NORTH PARK FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS May 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 14th annual neighborhood celebration of arts and culture. University Ave. between 30th and 32nd sts., 619.294.2501. Map J12

SICILIAN FESTIVAL May 23, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 17th annual cultural festival highlights music and dancing with vendor booths and entertainment from Sicily. India St., Little Italy, 619.469.2206. Map Q15

KIFM JAZZ FESTIVAL May 29. Smooth jazz block party. 21+. Call for hours. Fourth and Island aves., Gaslamp, 877.981.1981. Map R16

Special Events
THE FLOWER FIELDS March 1–May 9. 50 acres of ranunculus flowers, rose gardens and tractor rides. $5-10. Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Interstate 5 at Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, 760.431.0352. Map U22

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL March 14, from 11 a.m. 30th annual event includes parade, music, food, beer garden and kids’ area. Sixth Ave. and Laurel St., Bankers Hill, 858.268.9111. Map O16

ULTIMATE BOARDER COMPETITION March 16-21. Weeklong contest crowns athlete who conquers surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. Surf competition at Seaside Reef, Cardiff, March 16-19; skate contest, concert and trade show March 20-21 at Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 805.968.7873. Map X22

SHAMROCK 2010 March 17, 4 p.m.–midnight. Block party with Irish music, food, drinks and dancing. 21+. Fifth Ave. at Market St., Gaslamp, 619.233.5008. Map Q16

GOODGUYS 10th DEL MAR NATIONALS April 9-11. This three-day automotive happening features 2,000 street rods, customs, classics and muscle cars through 1972, plus entertainment and model car-making activities. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., 925.838.9876. Map X22

THREAD April 11. Hundreds of independent fashion and jewelry designers and artists showcase their wares. Horton Plaza, Fourth Ave. at Broadway, see
threadshow.com Map Q16

OCEANSIDE DAYS OF ART April 17-18. 18th annual event celebrates visual/performing arts with hands-on activities and food. Civic Center Plaza and Pier Way at N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, 760.433.3632. Map S22

TASTE OF UPTOWN April 17, noon-4 p.m. Hillcrest-area restaurants participate in a foodie festival; $30-35 ticket buys taster portions at more than 40 eateries. 619.233.5008. Map Q17

SAN DIEGO EARTHFAIR April 18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. World’s largest annual environmental fair with educational exhibits, kids’ entertainment, earth-friendly food and music. Balboa Park, 858.272.7370. Map O17

ARTWALK 2010 April 24-25, noon–6 p.m. Hundreds of visual and performing artists showcased in city’s largest arts event. Little Italy, 619.615.1090. Map P15

ART ALIVE April 30-May 2. Innovative arts event finds floral designers interpreting pieces from the San Diego Museum of Art’s collection using plants. SDMA, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. Map O17

FIESTA OLD TOWN May 1, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; May 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Cinco de Mayo festival features music, food, historical re-enactments and folkloric entertainment. Old Town, 619.291.4903. Map M13

CARLSBAD VILLAGE FAIRE May 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The state’s largest one-day street fair has exhibitors, food and entertainment. Grand Ave. between Carlsbad Blvd. & Jefferson St., Carlsbad, 760.945.9288. Map T22

chelsea handler May 8. Late-night talk show hostess and comedienne brings her schtick to the Civic Theatre. Third Ave. and B St., downtown, 619.570.1100. Map Q16

27th Annual Indian Fair and Market May 14-15, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy Native American art, food and entertainment. San Diego Museum of Man, Balboa Park, 619.239.2001. Map O17

CELEBRITY CHEFS COOK GALA May 15. Tapenade’s Jean-Michel Diot and more cook for charity. Sheraton Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island, 858.822.1328. Map K10

SMUCKERS STARS ON ICE May 22. Top skaters Sasha Cohen, Evan Lysacek and Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto skate at the San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway, 619.224.4171. Map N13