ISSUE 6 · MAY 12, 2026 · 3 MIN READ 📖

Week of May 12th – May 18th

19 events — Paso Wine Fest, SpaceX launch, SLO Comedy Underground, Fremont concerts, farmers markets, and more.

Paso Wine Fest is here. Three days of 120+ wineries pouring under the oaks at the Event Center — it's the biggest wine weekend on the Central Coast and it kicks off Thursday. Over at the Fremont, SHIP WREK brings electronic energy Tuesday and Jerry's Middle Finger channels the Grateful Dead on Friday. Not your scene? There's a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Friday morning (visible from Lompoc), Brick Barn's comedy night in Buellton, and the Jewish Heritage Festival in Mitchell Park on Sunday.

The farmers markets are running strong as always — SLO Thursday night, Morro Bay Saturday, Cambria Friday. Downtown Fridays in Santa Maria brings 25 food trucks and 70 vendors every week. Good week to be on the coast.

🎤 TUESDAY May 13th

Monster Energy Up & Up Festival — SHIP WREK — San Luis Obispo

Electronic music event featuring SHIP WREK at the Fremont. Part of the Monster Energy Up & Up Festival tour — high energy, big beats.

When: Tue, May 12 · 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Where: Fremont Theater Cost: Check tickets Link: fremontslo.com/shows

Trivia Tuesday at The Collective — Santa Maria

King Trivia takes over Santa Maria's favorite food hall. Grab a drink, form a team, and test your knowledge.

When: Tue, May 12 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: The Collective SM Cost: Free Link: collectivesm.com

SLO Comedy Underground Open Mic — San Luis Obispo

Free stand-up comedy at Libertine Brewing's Little Room. Taco Tuesday specials starting at 6 PM ($1.50 tacos, $6 margaritas). SLO County's longest-running open mic.

When: Tue, May 12 · 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Where: Libertine Brewing Co. Cost: Free Link: libertinebrewing.com/comedy

🍷 WEDNESDAY May 14th

Wine Down Wednesday — Adrian Galysh — Buellton

50% off wines by the glass plus live music from guitarist Adrian Galysh at one of Buellton's premier wine estates.

When: Wed, May 13 · 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Where: Brick Barn Wine Estate Cost: Free Link: brickbarnwineestate.com/visit/events

Sips & Sounds at Stilson Cellars — Paso Robles

Midweek wine and live music in the tasting room. Small-batch wines, good vibes, no cover.

When: Wed, May 13 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: Stilson Cellars Cost: Free Link: stilsoncellars.com/events

Atascadero Farmers Market — Atascadero

Wednesday afternoon market at Sunken Gardens. Local produce, baked goods, and community vibes.

When: Wed, May 13 · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Where: Sunken Gardens Cost: Free Link: visitatascadero.com

🍻 THURSDAY May 15th

SLO Thursday Night Farmers Market — San Luis Obispo

Five blocks of Higuera Street shut down for the best weekly street party on the Central Coast. 100+ vendors, live music, and the kind of people-watching that makes you forget it's a school night.

When: Thu, May 14 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Where: Higuera Street Cost: Free Link: downtownslo.com/farmers-market

Paso Wine Fest 2026 — Grand Tasting — Paso Robles

120+ Paso Robles wineries, craft distillers, and elevated experiences under the oaks. The marquee event of the three-day festival. VIP entry at noon.

When: Thu, May 14 · 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM Where: Paso Robles Event Center Cost: $165 GA / $250 VIP Link: pasowine.com/consumer_events/wine-fest

Morro Bay Farmers Market — Morro Bay

Small-town farmers market with big coastal charm. Fresh produce, baked goods, and Morro Rock in the background.

When: Thu, May 14 · 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM Where: Spencer's Fresh Market Cost: Free

🎉 FRIDAY May 16th

Paso Wine Fest Weekend (Day 2) — Paso Robles

The wine fest continues with winemaker seminars, tastings, and live entertainment. A full weekend immersion in Paso Robles wine country.

When: Fri, May 15 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Where: Paso Robles Event Center Cost: Ticketed Link: pasowine.com/consumer_events/wine-fest

SpaceX Falcon 9 — Starlink Launch — Lompoc

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch carrying Starlink satellites from Vandenberg. Best viewing from Lompoc and surrounding areas. Set your alarm — launches are spectacular at dawn.

When: Fri, May 15 · 7:00 AM Where: Vandenberg SFB (viewable from Lompoc) Cost: Free Link: explorelompoc.com/events

Downtown Fridays — Santa Maria — Santa Maria

25 food trucks, 70+ vendors, live music, and a beer & wine garden. The Central Coast's best weekly street party, every Friday March through September.

When: Fri, May 15 · 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Where: McClelland Street Cost: Free Link: dtfsantamaria.com

Avila Beach Farmers Market — Avila Beach

Friday afternoon market on the Avila Beach Promenade. Fresh produce, local food booths, live music, and family-friendly fun.

When: Fri, May 15 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: The Promenade, Avila Beach Cost: Free Link: visitavilabeach.com/avila-beach-farmers-market

Cambria Farmers Market — Cambria

Every Friday, rain or shine. Local produce, fresh flowers, and artisan goods in the heart of Cambria's West Village.

When: Fri, May 15 · 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Where: Veteran's Hall Cost: Free Link: cambriafarmersmarket.com

Cambria Farmers Market — Cambria

Every Friday, rain or shine. Local produce, fresh flowers, and artisan goods in the heart of Cambria's West Village.

When: Fri, May 15 · 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Where: Veteran's Hall Cost: Free Link: cambriafarmersmarket.com

Jerry's Middle Finger — San Luis Obispo

Grateful Dead-inspired act brings the jam band energy to the Fremont. If you miss the Dead, this is your fix.

When: Fri, May 15 · 8:00 PM Where: Fremont Theater Cost: Check tickets Link: fremontslo.com/shows

🏄 SATURDAY May 17th

SLO Comedy Underground — San Luis Obispo

Ticketed stand-up comedy show featuring touring and local comedians at Humdinger Brewing. One of the funniest nights in SLO.

When: Sat, May 16 · 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Where: Humdinger Brewing Cost: ~$45 Link: standupcomedyunderground.com

Third Saturday COLORbar & Wine — Paso Robles

Monthly creative evening combining hands-on COLORbar art activities with wine and socializing at Studios on the Park.

When: Sat, May 16 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Where: Studios on the Park Cost: See venue Link: studiosonthepark.org

Rock 12 Burger Bash — Lompoc

Smashburgers paired with Rock 12 craft cocktails at this Lompoc distillery. A great excuse to explore Lompoc on a Saturday night.

When: Sat, May 16 · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Where: Rock 12 Distillery Cost: $35-$40 Link: explorelompoc.com/events

☕ SUNDAY May 18th

Brick Barn Sangria Sunday — Buellton

$10/glass sangria (normally $18) with live music starting at 1 PM. Wine Club discounts stack on top. Perfect Sunday afternoon in Buellton.

When: Sun, May 17 · 1:00 PM Where: Brick Barn Wine Estate Cost: $10/glass Link: brickbarnwineestate.com/visit/events

Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival — San Luis Obispo

Second annual free, family-friendly cultural festival celebrating Jewish heritage with live music, food, and cultural exhibits in Mitchell Park.

When: Sun, May 17 · 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Where: Mitchell Park Cost: Free Link: centralcoastjewishheritagefestival.com

Live Music Sunday — Claiborne & Churchill — San Luis Obispo

Weekly live music on the terrace of this family-owned Edna Valley winery. Relax with wine and local artists performing outdoors.

When: Sun, May 17 · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Where: Claiborne & Churchill Winery Cost: Free Link: claibornechurchill.com/events