North County Events from Oct. 7-13
North County San Diego is a diverse and dynamic community, offering an array of cultural, recreational, and educational events for all ages and interests.
If you, or someone you know, would like to promote an event, shoot us an email at ncpipeline760@gmail.com (subject line: The Grapevine) at least two weeks in advance. Please include time, date, address, link and keep it short and sweet!
Here are the latest events for the week of Oct. 7-13:
CARLSBAD
Oct. 7
Pumpkin time! Check out the pumpkin patch at the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields until Nov. 3. The patch is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. There is also tractor rides, rabbits and goats, local vendors and a corn maze with a haunted corn maze every Friday and Saturday through October is open from 7-10 p.m.
Candy time! Party like a monster at Legoland this Halloween season as the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party returns bringing family-friendly fun with tons of candy, not-so-scary live shows, and silly monster LEGO characters! Brick-or-Treat Monster Party is included with general admission tickets for event dates.
Oct. 12
Concert! Check out the city of Carlsbad’s Concerts in the Courtyard featuring Latidos Flamencos. The free show is from 5-6 p.m. at the Kulchin Courtyard at the Dove Library. Latidos Flamencos transports local audiences to the heart of Spain with an exhilarating blend of music and dance featuring a dynamic fusion of rhythms, soulful vocals, and intense, fiery performances.
Opening night! Four (very) well-intentioned theatre people walk into an elementary school. The work at hand: a Thanksgiving pageant that won’t ruffle any feathers. What could possibly go wrong? In MacArthur Genius Larissa FastHorse’s skewering and satirical comedy, well, just about everything. Rambunctious, thorny and not altogether politically correct, “The Thanksgiving Play” at New Village Arts serves up the hypocrisies of woke America on a big, family-style platter.
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Walk the plank! Join the city of Carlsbad for its annual Pumpkin Plunge from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Alga Norte Aquatic Center, 6565 Alicante Rd. The center turns into a spooky fun pool activities, games with prizes and floating obstacles. The Splash Pad will also be open for the little ones. Tickets are $10 and kids 3 and under are free. Register here.
Big drive! Join Carlsbad-based The Mitchell Thorp Foundation for its inaugural Par For A Purpose golf tournament on Oct. 21 at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club. Whether you're a seasoned pro or trying golf for the first time, all are invited to join the fun in this scramble format. After the tournament, there will be a banquet and awards ceremony where attendees and their guests will enjoy dinner, live entertainment and live and silent auctions. Register here.
Spooky! The Forum Carlsbad is hosting families and ghouls of all ages to celebrate the Halloween Spooktacular from 2-6 p.m. on Oct. 26. This festive event, has an afternoon of fun with trick-or-treating, creepy characters, live music, carnival games, and more. Visitors are invited to don their best Halloween costumes and visit participating retailers and restaurants for trick-or-treating.
DEL MAR
Oct. 7
More pumpkins! Get ready for Halloween and checkout the Pumpkin Station at the east parking lot on the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The station will be onsite from Sept. 29-Oct. 27. The station opens at 9 a.m. each day and closes at 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on weekends.
Oct. 11
Harvest time! Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Harvest Festival at the fairgrounds on Oct. 11-13. The festival is a one-of-a-kind hand curated artisanal shopping experience with a kid zone, food and much more!
Oct. 13
Celebrate! Check out the 39th annual River Valley Fest by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy’s largest fundraiser of the year from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Hilton San Diego Del Mar, 15575 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar. This year’s theme, “A Flourishing Legacy,” honors nearly four decades of dedication to nurturing lands that sustain wildlife and people alike. The program includes a performance by the Rolf Olsen Jazz Quartet, a silent auction and small-plate buffet of gourmet bites to savor throughout the night.
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Gems! Be sure to check out the world-reowned Gem Faire from Oct. 18-20 at the fairgrounds. The marketplace showcases fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, fossils and much more. Take advantage of buying direct from the importers and wholesalers. General admission is $7 and kids 11 or younger are free.
ENCINITAS
Oct. 9
Free concert! Enjoy the music of Eric Dickerson, a Baroque lute player, will perform a program entitled “Music for the Antiquity of the Soul.” The show is from noon-1 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr.
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Bike safe! Join the city of Encinitas and San Diego Bicycle Coalition for a bike and e-bike safety and skill classes from 9 a.m.-noon on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr. Participants will learn the rules of the road, essential riding skills, best practices and more. The three-hour session features a lecture, skills drills and a guided road ride. The class is for ages 10 and older and registration is open.
Festival! Check out the 12th annual Sukkot Harvest Festival from noon-4 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Coastal Roots Farm, 441 Saxony Rd. This family-friendly event offers a full day of engaging activities, hands-on workshops, live music, and delicious feasting as we come together to honor the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
ESCONDIDO
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Festival! Check out the Escondido Downtown Business Association’s annual Grand Avenue Festival from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 20 in downtown Escondido. This year’s festival will include live music from WildCat Guitars, a beer and wine garden and Art in the Garden at Heritage Park. Shop from hundreds of vendors including unique hand-crafted gifts, imports, and delicious international cuisine.
Art hunt! Join the Museums and Art Growing Escondido Culture for its free Art Scavenger Hunt. Stop by the Escondido Art Association, 121 W Grand Ave., from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 26 to pick up a map. Use your phone to scan a QR code for clues. It's open to the public, all ages are welcome, and there will be dozens of prizes for completing the hunt. The hunt takes about an hour, but we invite you to explore, shop and dine along the way.
Day of the Dead! Join the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, from 4-9 p.m. on Nov. 1 for its 28th annual Día de los Muertos. The celebration will include live music, performances by Ballet Folklorico and Aztec Dance, food trucks, a vendor market, a Catrina contest, family-friendly crafts, a lowrider car show, a Frida Kahlo museum exhibition, face painting and so much more. The Center will offer free altars to the community for honoring our beloved departed.
OCEANSIDE
Oct. 10
Seniors! Check out the Oceanside Senior Expo from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the William Wagner Aquatic Center, 3306 Senior Center Dr. This popular event will feature health-related businesses, non-profits and senior organizations. In addition, exhibitors have an opportunity to offer variety of free health-related screenings and demonstrations for the public. The event is free to the public. Tabletop exhibit space is available for businesses interested in promoting their products or services. Register here.
Oct. 11
Festival! Check out the Fall Fest from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Joe Balderrama Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St. This family-friendly event will have food, games, arts and crafts and a movie in the park.
Oct. 12
Open house! Join the Oceanside Fire Department for its open house from 9 a.m.-noon at the Fire Department Training Center, 110 Jones Rd. The family-friendly event includes meeting the fire chief, seeing fire trucks up close, a pancake fundraiser from 9-10 a.m. and much more.
Hoedown! The Ivey Ranch Park Association hosts its 14th Annual Ivey Ranch Park Western Hoedown. Come join the fun from 3-7 p.m., for an unforgettable afternoon featuring a silent auction, horse-riding demonstrations, hayrides, country tunes, and savory bites, Kid’s Corral, ROTC flag demonstration and more.
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Movie night! Check out a family-friendly evening of Halloween fun at movie night from 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Heritage Park, 220 Peyri Rd. Kids can trick-or-treat around the park before screening “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” at about 6:30 p.m.
Candy! Join the city of Oceanside for its annual Halloween Spooktacular: Trunk or Treat from 2-5 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Mance Buchanon Park, 425 College Blvd. Register to be a trunk host here.
Day of the Dead! Check out the 23rd annual Día de los Muertos from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 27 in downtown Oceanside. There will be altars, a car show, chalk cemetery, vendors, entertainment and much more.
SAN MARCOS
Oct. 13
Harvest time! Join the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce for its annual Harvest Fest from from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at North City. This all-day event will transform the neighborhood streets into a lively festival filled with delicious bites, locally-crafted beer and wine, entertainment, and over 250 craft vendors.
Final frontier! Join the city of San Marcos for its Star Walk from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Mahnita Boyden-Wofford Amphitheater at Double Peak Park, 900 Double Peak Dr. Guests will learn the basic beginner astronomy, understand celestial events, identify common constellations, learn to use a start map and much more.
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Pumpkin breakfast! Join the city of San Marcos for its annual Breakfast with the Littlest Pumpkin from 7:30-11 a.m. on Oct. 19 at the San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Dr. Families will enjoy pancakes, play games and win prizes. Get tickets here.
SOLANA BEACH
Oct. 7
Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Comedy Sharks (Oct. 8), Henry Kapono (Oct. 9), Mumiy Troll (Oct. 10), Atomic Groove (Oct. 11), Fooz Fighters and Pearl Jammed (Oct. 11) The Mother Hips (Oct. 12) and Wilderado (Oct. 13).
Oct. 8
Bike safety! Join the city of Solana Beach for a comprehensive e-bike class from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. Designed for cyclists of all experience levels, this course provides essential knowledge and skills to maximize your e-bike experience, whether you're new to electric bikes or looking to enhance your understanding.
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Celebrate! Come join the City of Solana Beach and the La Colonia Community Foundation in celebrating Día de los Muertos while honoring the ancestral legacy of La Colonia de Eden Gardens. Solana Beach’s annual Día de los Muertos — “Day of the Dead” — will be held on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave.
VISTA
Oct. 12
Festival! Join the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens for its 16th Fall Fun Festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The event includes the Scarecrow Contest, kids’ crafts and activities, the AVBG GrowGetters Plant Sale, the Garden Shop, music by Vic and the Monthe Vista Ukelele Club, amazing art and craft vendors, and the Amigos de Vista Lions BBQ lunch.
Open houses! Join the Vista Fire Department as it hosts five open houses this month. Residents can visit Fire Station #4, 2121 Thibodo Rd., on Oct. 12; Fire Station #5, 2009 S Melrose Dr., on Oct. 19; and Fire Station #6, 651 E Vista Way, on Oct. 26. The stations will be open from 1-3 p.m. each day.
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Trick or treat! Check out the North County Square’s Halloween Bash from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 19 at North County Square, 1711 University Dr. There will be free treat bags and candy for kids, candy stations, free photo ops and more.
Spooky! Discover Vista presents the 3rd annual Vista Fright Night from 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 25. Grab the kids and head Downtown for some scares and sweet treats in a safe environment. Come dressed as your best ghost, goblin, or super-hero and trick-or-treat at the many booths set up along Main Street. There will also be costume contests and admission is $4 for kids under 10 and $6 for all others or $6 and $8 on day of entry.
Dead of the Dead! Check out Vista’s Día de los Muertos celebration from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Racnho Guajome Adobe, 2210 N. Santa Fe Ave. There will be food, altars, live entertainment and arts and crafts. Admission is $2 for ages 4-12, $5 for 13 and older and kids 3 and under are free.
Farmer’s Markets
The Grand Farmers Market runs from 2:30-7 p.m. every Tuesday on Juniper Street between Grand Avenue and Valley Parkway at Heritage Park. The market has a great selection of produce and meats with a variety of vendors.
The open-air San Marcos Farmer’s Market is year-round and is held every Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. at 251 N. City Dr. off Twin Oaks Valley Road and across from Cal-State San Marcos.
The State Street Farmer’s Market in Carlsbad is every Wednesday from 2:30-6 p.m. on State Street between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue. This lively market features amazing produce, organic eats, locally prepared food, live entertainment and an all-around good vibe.
*Note: The State Street Farmer’s Market spring/summer hours are 2:30-7 p.m. from March 10 through Nov. 3.
The Oceanside Farmer’s Market is held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Sunset Market every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. at the corner of Pier View Way and Coast Highway. The popular market provides a delicious display of local produce, meats, flowers and nursery items!
The Vista Farmer’s Market is the county’s longest running market and is every Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon, rain or shine at the San Diego County Courthouse, 345 S. Melrose Dr.
The Cardiff Farmer’s Market at Mira Costa College, 3333 Manchester Ave., runs every Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and features numerous international food vendors, food and plant vendors plus much more!
The Del Mar Farmer's Market is the second oldest in the region and is every Saturday from noon–4 p.m. on the lower outdoor parking lot at the Del Mar Civic Center, 1050 Camino Del Mar. This certified, non-profit market brings to the community a variety of fresh local produce, seafood, fresh coffee, locally prepared international specialty foods to enjoy on-site or to take home, artisan creations, and live music.
The Leucadia Farmer’s Market is every Sunday (except Easter) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Paul Ecke Central School, 185 Union St. in Encinitas. The market has a great collection of more than 30 certified growers, 10 certified organic and more than 70 total vendors.
The Bonsall Farmer’s Market and Open Air Faire runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday at Bonsall Elementary School, 31555 Old River Rd. The market highlights fresh garden-to-table locally grown fruits, veggies, hormone-free meat, local artisan cheese and much more.
The Solana Beach Farmer’s Market runs every Sunday from noon-4 p.m. (except on Easter, July 4, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day) The market features organic farmers with nature's finest produce to skilled artisans crafting one-of-a-kind creations, our vendor lineup is a celebration of local talent and creativity.
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