SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Mother's Day weekend in San Diego is packed with plenty of opportunities to celebrate mom.
Gator by the Bay will run throughout the weekend, bringing the thrill of New Orleans to San Diego with tons of food, crawfish (about 10,000 pounds of it), music and more.
Grossmont will also get in the foodie fun with Taste of Grossmont, offering bites from more than 20 restaurants in Grossmont Center.
MORE: Don't see anything you like? Check out our event calendar for even more local events
Sunday is packed with Mother's Day brunch opportunities if you're thinking of treating mom to something extra special. Or, celebrate a day early at the San Diego Botanic Garden's Chocolate Festival.
Here's a look at some fun events happening this weekend:
THURSDAY
Gator by the Bay
Where: Spanish Landing Park; Cost: Free
(Thursday - Sunday) Let the good times roll at Spanish Landing Park as Gator by the Bay brings New Orleans-style tunes, food, and tons of crawfish to town for four days. Plenty of music, from Cajun to swing to salsa, will cover seven stages. And prepare your taste buds: delicious Creole and Cajun food, cooking demos, and 10,000 pounds of crawfish await.
8th annual San Diego Surf Film Festival
Where: Various locations; Cost: Free - $125
(Thursday to Saturday) More than a dozen films highlighting surf filmmaking and San Diego's surf community will be screened at the annual San Diego Surf Film Festival. The festival will also feature special events, Q&A sessions with directors and actors, food events, and more.
FRIDAY
4U: The Music of Prince with Symphony
Where: Copley Symphony Hall; Cost: $26 - $72
Experience the music of Prince with a full symphony orchestra at San Diego's Copley Symphony Hall, alongside a live band and vocalists. 4U highlights the music icon's extensive music catalog and hits, as well as lesser known classics.
Cinema Under the Stars: Pretty Woman
Where: Cinema Under the Stars; Cost: $17 - $20
(Friday - Sunday) Looking for a date night or treating mom to a night out at the movies this weekend. Cinema Under the Stars is screening Pretty Woman this weekend at the Mission Hills outdoor screen.
SATURDAY
Chocolate Festival
Where: San Diego Botanic Garden; Cost: Free - $18
Enjoy a day at the San Diego Botanical Garden's floral oasis sampling chocolate from the ground beans of the Theobroma cacao. The festival also features demonstrations and tips on making delicious chocolate treats and unique garden gifts perfect for Mother's Day.
Tony Gwynn Legacy Birthday Party
Where: AleSmith Brewing; Cost: Free to attend
AleSmith Brewing Company will hold a legacy birthday party to celebrate Gwynn's birthday and the fifth anniversary of their San Diego Pale Ale .394 brew. As part of the birthday celebration, AleSmith will release a hazy IPA version of .394, and host a live broadcast of 97.3 The Fan's Tony and Chris Show, hosted by Tony Gwynn Jr. and Chris Ello. The party will also see the premiere of a new song by Alicia Gwynn, Tony's wife.
Taste of Grossmont
Where: Grossmont Town Center; Cost: Free
Enjoy tastes from more than 20 of Grossmont Center's restaurants during the Taste of Grossmont event in La Mesa. Diners can walk around trying out samples of local cuisines while spending the afternoon shopping or simply strolling through the center.
Avenue Amps and Ales
Where: Third Avenue, Chula Vista; Cost: $35
Chula Vista's original craft beer and music festival returns during Avenue Amps and Ales, featuring brews from local favorites such as Bar Sin Nombre, Chula Vista Brewery, Groundswell Brewing Co., Third Avenue Alehouse, and Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing to new tastes. Local bands will keep the good times rolling along Third Avenue, alongside delicious eats from local chefs.
SUNDAY
Mother's Day cruises
Where: Hornblower Dinner Cruises; Cost: Free - $79
Head out to San Diego Bay to celebrate mom on Sunday, with a two-hour brunch cruise, featuring drinks, a full brunch buffet, dessert, music provided by a jazz trio, and a fresh flower for mom. Plus, countless views of San Diego from the bay.
Mother's Day brunch
Where: George's at the Cove; Cost: $50 - $60
Treat mom to brunch with a view in La Jolla at George's at the Cove, with a special 3-course brunch menu and more options at the locations Level2 and Ocean Terrace bars.
Oceanside Museum of Art Free First Sunday
Where: Oceanside Museum of Art; Cost: Free
It's the first Sunday of the month, which means free admission at the Oceanside Museum of Art. Head up north and check out exhibitions by the National Watercolor Society, artist Matthew Barnes, and a range of surrealism by San Diego artists.
Sea the Change exhibit
Where: The Living Coast Discovery Center; Cost: Free - $16
Learn about issues impacting local wildlife with interactive exhibits, art displays, and animal ambassadors at the Sea the Change exhibit at Living Coast Discovery Center.
