Festivals
SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL—March 6-16. 15th annual festival screens 140+ features and short films. UltraStar Cinemas, 7510 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley, 619.230.1938. Map I11

OLD TOWN TEMECULA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL—March 15, 11 a.m.-7 p.m; March 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free, indoor/outdoor fest includes Marty Warburton Band, Bluegrass Etc., more. Old Town Temecula at Rancho California Road, 951.694.6412. Map A3

HERB FESTIVAL—March 29-30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 12th annual event celebrates “Tomatomania.” Free with $10 admission. Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036. Map V22

FALLBROOK AVOCADO FESTIVAL—April 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Guacamole contest, cooking demos, more. Downtown Fallbrook. 760.728.5845. Map A2

ENCINITAS STREET FAIR—April 26-27, 9 am.-4 p.m. Around 450 vendors sell arts & crafts, antiques, clothing and more. Highway 101 between D and J sts., 760.945.9288. Map V22

ADAMS AVENUE ROOTS FESTIVAL—May 3, 10 a.m.–8 p.m; May 4, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 35th annual outdoor event offers blues, folk, jazz, country and world music. Adams Ave. between 34th and 35th sts., Normal Heights, 619.282.7329. Map I12

SAN DIEGO ZYDECO AND BLUES FESTIVAL—May 9-11; Seventh annual event showcases bands, food, cooking demonstrations and dancing. Call for hours. Spanish Landing Park at Harbor Island, 858.492.8748. Map P13

FAMILY CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL—May 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Chocolate samples, cooking demos, entertainment and more. Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036. Map V22

SAN DIEGO AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL DAYS—May 10-11, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 19th annual event features Native American singers, dancers, food, arts & crafts. Free. Park Blvd. and Presidents Way, Balboa Park, 619.281.5964. Map P17

SICILIAN FESTIVAL—May 18, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 15th annual cultural festival highlights music, dancing, vendor booths and entertainment from Sicily. India St., Little Italy, 619.233.3898. Map Q15

NORTH PARK FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS—May 18. 12th annual neighborhood celebration of art and culture. University Ave. between 30th and 32nd sts., 619.294.2501. Map J12

KIFM JAZZ FESTIVAL—May 24. Smooth jazz block party. 21+. Call for times. Fourth and Island aves., Gaslamp, 619.543.1353. Map R16

Special Events
23RD ANNUAL SPRING HOME/GARDEN SHOW—Feb. 29, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 2,. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See the latest design/landscaping trends, plus a Mexican Blue Agave garden. $6. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. Map X22

THE FLOWER FIELDS AT CARLSBAD RANCH—March 1–May 11. 50 acres of ranunculus flowers, rose gardens, tractor rides. Hours vary. Interstate 5 at Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, 760.431.0352. Map U22

DOODLEBOPS LIVE—March 2, 1 p.m. Family entertainment featuring Deedee Doodle, Bus Driver Bob and more. $18-$43. San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Midway, 619.220.TIXS. Map J9

UGLY DOG CONTEST—March 9, 11:15 a.m.-3 p.m. Genetically challenged canines compete at 13th annual event. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1161. Map X22

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL—March 15, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 28th annual event includes parade, music, food, vendors, beer garden and children's area. 10 a.m., parade starts at Sixth Ave. and Juniper St.; festival at Sixth Ave. and Laurel St., Bankers Hill, 858.268.9111. Map O16

SHAMROCK 2008—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

EASTER BONNET PARADE AND HAT CONTEST—March 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Egg hunt, hatmaking workshops, food vendors, entertainment and more at Petco Park, downtown, 619.233.5008. Map R16

OCEANSIDE DAYS OF ART—April 19-20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 16th annual event celebrates visual and performing arts with hands-on activities and food. Civic Center Plaza and Pier Way at North Coast Highway, Oceanside, 760.433.3632. Map S22

ART ALIVE —April 11-13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. More than 150 floral interpretations of paintings and sculptures from the museum's collection, plus lectures and demos. San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. Map O17

CELEBRITY CHEFS COOK GALA —April 12. Tapenade's Jean-Michel Diot, Oceanaire's Brian Malarkey and more cook for charity. Sheraton Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, 858.822.0023. Map K10

Woofstock —April 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. A festival for dogs and people with food, live music and even a doggie costume contest. $5. Corner of Park Blvd. and Presidents Way, Balboa Park, 800.572.BARK. Map O17

SAN DIEGO EARTHFAIR—April 20, 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

TASTE OF UPTOWN—April 19, noon-4 p.m. Hillcrest-area restaurants participate in a foodie festival; $30 ticket buys taster portions at more than 40 eateries 619.233.5008. Map Q17

THREAD—April 20. Hundreds of independent fashion and jewelry designers and artists showcase their wares. Venue TBD; see threadshow.com. Map O17

ARTWALK 2008 April 26-27, noon–6 p.m. Hundreds of visual and performing artists showcased in city's largest arts event. Little Italy, 619.615.1090. Map P15

CARLSBAD VILLAGE FAIRE —May 4, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The state's largest one-day street fair has exhibitors, food, entertainment. Grand Ave. between Carlsbad Blvd. & Jefferson St., Carlsbad, 760.945.9288. Map T22

CINCO IN THE GASLAMP —May 5. Celebration includes block-party with music, food and entertainment. 21+. Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. Map Q16

FIESTA OLD TOWN— Date TBD (usually first weekend in May). Free Cinco de Mayo festival features music, historical re-enactments, folkloric entertainment and food. Old Town, 619.296.3236. Map M13

25th Annual Indian Fair and Market —May 16-18, 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

ETHNIC FOOD FAIR—May 25, noon-5 p.m. House of Pacific Relations International Cottages showcases cuisine from all over the world, plus music and dance. Free admission. Balboa Park, 619.239.0512. Map O17