SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego is in bloom, making it the perfect time to get out and take in the area's natural beauty.
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival returns to the Japanese Friendship Garden, bringing beautiful cherry blossoms to town with a multi-day festival. Julian will celebrate another flower as well, during their annual Daffodil Show.
Head out to Santee Lakes and enjoy a night of games and entertainment, highlighted by a lake covered in lanterns during 1000 Lights Water Lantern Festival. And the beauty of voice hits Balboa Park, and a day full of choirs perform at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during the San Diego Sings! Festival.
RELATED: Things to do for free in San Diego County
It's a bit of a reverse for some, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Del Mar Fairgrounds will host an annual Ugly Dog contest, where you guessed it, we find the area's ugliest dog. The event will also hold contests for cutest dog and other categories as well.
Here's a look at this weekend's happenings:
THURSDAY
Dry Bar Comedy
Where: American Comedy Company; Cost: $25
Bringing "comedy for everyone" to San Diego, Dry Bar Comedy heads to American Comedy Co. for a night of laughs free from vulgarities. The tour's online presence has generated more than 1 billion views and comics have been featured on late night stages including The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, and more.
26th annual San Diego Latino Film Festival
Where: AMC Fashion Valley; Cost: $10 - $300
(Thursday - Sunday) The 26th annual San Diego Film Festival celebrates Latino culture, history, and arts over 11 days featuring more than 160 films from the U.S., Latin America, and Spain. The festival will host Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, a food,beer, and wine festival, and more experiences centered around Latino cinema.
FRIDAY
14th annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Where: Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego; Cost: $12
(Runs Friday - Sunday) You don't have to head far from the county to enjoy springtime flowers. The Japanese Friendship Garden's Cherry Blossom Festival returns, opening up to the public for a festival featuring crafts, performances, a beer & sake garden, street food and blossoming cherry trees!
7th annual Bankers Hill Arts & Crafts Beer Festival
Where: The Abbey; Cost: $25 - $35
Enjoy tastes of delicious craft beer, bites from local eateries, and live music while artists showcase works covering paintings and fine art to photography and collaging to more, benefiting the Bankers Hill Business Group.
SATURDAY
Wanderlust 108
Where: Embarcadero Marina; Cost: $26 - $150
Celebrate an active lifestyle with a day filled with outdoor yoga, meditation, and lawn activities at Wanderlust 108. Lace up your shoes for a 5K run or walk and enjoy guided yoga from trainers at the Embarcadero!
1000 Lights Water Lantern Festival
Where: Santee Lakes; Cost: $13 - $35
Santee Lakes will be be covered in light as guests set decorated lanterns across the water during 1000 Lights Water Lantern Festival. Enjoy the sunset with games and entertainment, and food before the festival lights up the night.
San Diego Sings! Festival
Where: Balboa Park, Spreckels Organ Pavilion; Cost: Free
Enjoy a day filled with music from by a variety of choirs in Balboa Park. More than two dozen performances by choirs and organists will filled the day at Spreckels Organ Pavilion with music in this day-long free concert.
Open House San Diego - San Diego's most iconic buildings
Where: Various locations around the city of San Diego; Cost: Free
On Saturday and Sunday, learn more about some of the more iconic buildings in areas such as downtown San Diego, Barrio Logan, Balboa Park and La Jolla. Join the tour to find out the history of these structures and other hidden gems. Tourgoers can also take part in a photo contest for prizes.
SUNDAY
Annual Butterfly Jungle
Where: San Diego Zoo Safari Park; Cost: $46 - $56
(Runs Saturday - Sunday) Walk through a greenhouse of butterflies of all colors and sizes at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Guests can feed butterflies and be guided through an array of the zoo's Butterfly Jungle inhabitants.
15th annual Julian Daffodil Show
Where: Julian Town Hall; Cost: Free
(Runs Saturday - Sunday) Get ready for even more flowers this spring. Julian celebrates the spring season amid blooming excitement for local flowers with their Daffodil Show. Head up to the scenic mountain town for some seasonal beauty and stop in to smell the flowers at the show!
24th Annual Ugly Dog contest
Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds; Cost: $5 - $500
It's really a contest for a good cause. Del Mar's Ugly Dog contest will raise money for the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Animeals program for seniors. But the contest isn't just for the "ugliest" dog! Contests for cutest puppy, best trick, best costume, "looks most like its owner," and more will be held.
