April 26-27
Walk the walk
Now in its 24th year, ArtWalk claims to be the largest open-air art gallery around, with an estimated 100,000-plus art lovers in attendance and featuring work by more than 400 regional artists. Admission is free, so you can save your coin for canvases, though the event will include media beyond just painting: You'll also find sculpture, glasswork and photography, plus live music, dance and interactive activities for kids. This year, the Mexican Consulate has put together a showcase of established and emerging talents from south of the border.

through MAY 11
Flower Fields North County ushers in the start of spring with 50 acres of brilliantly colored ranunculus flowers, rose gardens and children’s activities, just off Interstate 5 in Carlsbad.

ONGOING
San Diego Padres Major League Baseball’s 2008 season opens at home for the Padres, who take on the Houston Astros (March 31-April 3) and division-rival L.A. Dodgers (April 4-6). Devoted Cardinals fans turn Petco Park red when St. Louis comes to town May 19-21.

THROUGH MAY 11
San Diego Opera Among productions being staged this season at the Civic Theatre are the Verdi classic Aida (April 12, 15, 18, 20 and 23) and Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers (May 3, 6, 9 and 11), with costumes by noted British designer Zandra Rhodes.

April 11-12
California Wine Festival Food, Wine and great music is what San Diegians are in store for when the California Wine Festival comes to America's Finest City for this two day event. The event is Red, White and Blues, full of unlimited wine sampling, free 16 oz. souvenir wine glass, gourmet food samples, live blues music all day, colorful event program, silent and live auctions for trips and more unique items benefiting Make A Wish Foundation. www.californiawinefestival.com

APRIL 20
Thread Fashion & Lifestyle Show One of the West Coast's most popular trunk shows, Thread began in a San Diego backyard and has grown to include hundreds of independent fashion designers and artists showcasing their wares.

APRIL 23-27
Stan Humphries Celebrity Golf Classic This 10th annual charity golf event at Morgan Run Resort in Rancho Santa Fe finds John Elway, Marcus Allen and others joining forces to benefit Rady Children's Hospital.

through april 27
Mainly Mozart Celebrating Amadeus' oeuvre for two decades, this classical music series features concerts in La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe and Carlsbad, including The Altenberg Trio, straight from Vienna (April 4-6).

MAY 5
Cinco de Mayo It's said that Cinco de Mayo is a bigger deal in San Diego than in Mexico. Locally, the big day is marked by two celebrations, a 21-and-over block party in the Gaslamp and a free, two-day event in Old Town with historical re-enactments and folkloric entertainment.

ONGOING
San Diego Symphony Director Jahja Ling presides over the Jacobs' Masterworks series, featuring a new arrangement of Peer Gynt,augmented by soprano Nicole Cabell and San Diego Master Chorale (April 25-27).