Weekend Preview: Best Events 5/17-20

Eat your way through Cardiff-by-the-Sea, celebrate three years of Side Bar with Dom Perignon, be first to experience the new Kitty Diamond, battle the world’s biggest inflatable slide at the ROC Race, cruise for culture at the North Park Festival of the Arts, and rage with Tiesto at Intervention and Moguai at FLUXX.

Discover this week’s best San Diego events.

Taste of Cardiff – Thursday, May 17

The sleepy beach town of Cardiff-by-the-Sea is making moves in the foodie world. Now in its third year, the Taste of Cardiff event will feature nearly 20 community restaurants in one night. Eat your way through Cardiff’s culinary staples, from the ultra-chill VG Donuts, Sambazon Café and Seaside Market, to the King of Coastal Mexican, Las Olas. Also check out Zenbu, Rimel’s, The Beach House, The Chart House, Wine Steals and more. The event will also feature live music stations and the audience-choice Golden Fork Award, from 5 to 8pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of. Get details here

Side Bar 3 Year Anniversary Weekend – May 18-20

Old school San Diego partiers remember that Side Bar was the O.G. nightclub when it first opened doors nearly eight years ago. In May of 2009, the RMD Group pioneered the complete renovation of Side Bar into a modern ultra lounge and nightclub. This weekend we celebrate the three year anniversary of the sultry, edgy Side Bar we know and love for their rowdy industry Wednesday night bashes and Five/Ten Sunday evening soirees. The anniversary weekend kicks off with a DJ set by Manufactured Superstars on Friday, followed by the Leather & Lace event hosted by Dom Perignon on Saturday. Head back on Sunday for a special Five/Ten with beats by Sex Panther. Get details here

Kitty Diamond Opening Weekend – May 18 & 19

Kitty Diamond is the new face of the former Flame venue on Park Blvd. in Hillcrest. San Diego design trio Bells & Whistles rocked a renovation, and the new bar is expected to open the weekend of May 18 & 19. The woman behind Kitty Diamond is Erica Jessup, who has managed Beauty Bar, U-31 and Voyeur, and is well known in the nightlife industry. The new-again space boasts two rooms for different music, including staging for DJs and live bands. First on the opening weekend lineup is Feel The Noise Friday, with DJs Gabe Vega, Adam Salter, Mike Delgado, Jeff Graves and French Kiss. On Saturday, May Star introduces her new party series Diamond Dust, which will feature two rooms of indie, electro and nu-disco music, plus a fashion show with Leo Lynn Designs, Bonsoir Bella and Coco Monet. Get details here

Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge 5k at Del Mar Fairgrounds – May 19 & 20

VAVi Sport & Social Club’s ultimate adventure race takes over the Del Mar Fairgrounds this weekend. The Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge Race dares you to try your luck against wet n’ wild obstacles along a 5k course, including Mt. Rocmore, Tarzan Swing, Tight Rope Traverse, Tire Mile, Gorilla Bars, Belly Flop Drop and the Fury of Foam. Can you handle the world’s largest inflatable slide? Grab a team and sign up for the ROC Race, going off Saturday and Sunday where the turf meets the surf in Del Mar. More race perks include DJs G*Roy and Mikey Beats and a big after party with your first beer free. Get details here

Intervention ft. Tiesto at Hard Rock Hotel – Sunday, May 20

The Hard Rock Hotel is taking the Intervention pool party to a whole new level this weekend. Tiesto is one of the biggest names in progressive electronic dance music, with awards spanning continents and genres throughout the decades. Most notable, Tiesto has been named the number one and number three DJ in the world by The DJ List and DJ Mag, respectively. From a new residency at XS at the Wynn Las Vegas, the Dutch DJ and producer is bringing his addictive trance sounds to San Diego. Trust us, you don’t want to miss the biggest Intervention pool party of the year. Get details here

Note: General admission tickets to Tiesto are sold out.

North Park Festival of the Arts – Sunday, May 20

Spend your Sunday in North Park as the 16th annual Festival of the Arts fills the urban streets with visual and performing arts across multiple stages from 10am to 6pm. Cruise through the artist booths and check out paintings, sculptures and artisan crafts. A variety of international acts will perform on five stages, from Afro-Persian, to Flamenco, fire eaters, Japanese drummers and local dance troupes. And best of all, the festival is completely free, with plenty of entertainment for adults and kiddies. A $35 upgrade gets you into the 21+ Craft Beer Block, with craft beer tastings from Ballast Point, Green Flash, Stone, The Lost Abbey and more. Get details here

More Top San Diego Parties & Events:

Miss OysterFest Pageant Round 1 at Bootlegger – Monday, May 14

Diva Von Teese “Strip Strip Hooray” at House of Blues – May 14 & 15

Adam Yauch Commemorative Pairing Dinner at Burlap – Wednesday, May 16

Lloyd Live at GuestHouse @ Stingaree – Wednesday, May 16

Eat.Drink.Read Benefit for Literacy at NTC Promenade – Wednesday, May 16

Drew Brees Celebrity Championship at La Costa Resort & Spa – May 17-20

Surfrider Art Gala at Powerhouse Del Mar - Thursday, May 17

PB AleHouse Anniversary Luau & Pig Roast – Thursday, May 17

Tom Green Live at The American Comedy Co. – May 17-19

American Craft Beer Week at UNION Kitchen & Tap – May 16-20

Grad Night Celebration ft. Guinevere Live at Hard Rock Hotel – Friday, May 18

19th Annual Sweet Onion & BBQ Festival at Iowa Meat Farms – Saturday, May 19

Encinitas 5k/1k – Saturday, May 19

LED Presents Bingo Players at Wavehouse – Sunday, May 20

Revive Sunday ft. Who & Paulo Da Rosa at GuestHouse @ Stingaree – Sunday, May 20

EDM ft. Moguai at FLUXX – Sunday, May 20

Festa Siciliana in Little Italy – Sunday, May 20

New Children’s Museum Musical Trash Bash – Sunday, May 20

The Navy’s 26th Bay Bridge Run/Walk – Sunday, May 20

Discover more local entertainment ideas on our San Diego events calendar

Pictured: Paul Oakenfold at Intervention - view all photos