North County Events from Sept. 2-8
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 Sept. 2-8:
CARLSBAD
Sept. 2
Happy Labor Day!
Sept. 4
Back in time! Check out New Village Arts as it kicks off its 23rd season with the nostalgia and fun of “8-TRACK: The Sounds of the ‘70s.” Put on your leisure suits, halter tops, and platform shoes and get ready to boogie down through 10 years of groundbreaking music. The show is a fast-paced musical romp through one of the most impassioned decades of the 20th Century. The show runs through Sept. 15.
Sept. 5
Mayoral! Check out the North County Mayor’s Forum on housing and homelessness at Pacific Ridge School, 6269 El Fuerte St. The panel features mayors Keith Blackburn (Carlsbad), Tony Kranz (Encinitas), Esther Sanchez (Oceanside) and Rebecca Jones (San Marcos). The event is from 6-8 p.m. and is moderated by the Voice of San Diego. RSVP here.
Etc.
Walk with art! Join Artwalk San Diego for its fourth annual Artwalk Carlsbad. The free event is Sept. 21-22 on Armada Drive above the Flower Fields. The event runs from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 22. The artwalk showcases more than 200 visual and performing artists, food vendors and more.
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.
DEL MAR
Sept. 2
Racing! The 2024 Del Mar horse racing season at the Del Mar Fairgrounds continues today with the Generous Portion Stakes. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and first post is 1:30 p.m. Get tickets here.
Sept. 5
More racing! The 2024 Del Mar horse racing season resumes this week Sept. 5-8 with the FanDuel Racing Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 7. The season runs until Sept. 8. Get tickets here.
ENCINITAS
Sept. 4
Concert! Join the city of Encinitas for its free concert series featuring ZoGun, a group featuring Zo Shah and Gunnar Biggs. The duo will treat the audience to the smooth sounds of jazz. The show is from noon-1 p.m. at the Encinitas Public Library, 540 Cornish Dr.
Etc.
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 Sept. 21 and Sept. 28 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 opens today.
Oktoberfest! Check out the 28th Annual Encinitas Oktoberfest from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sept. 29 on Mountain Vista Drive. This free and festive community event has a longstanding tradition of celebrating the German roots of our Encinitas area along with showcasing local artisan products, an authentic German beer garden with stage entertainment to include Bavarian music and dance troupes, German refreshments as well as an international food court, carnival ride attractions and a recently added local craft beer garden.
ESCONDIDO
Sept. 6
Ride the road! Join the city of Escondido as “Cruisn’ on Grand” returns to downtown. Check out American-made pre-1974 classic, custom, vintage, muscle, and hot rod cars cruising Grand Avenue. Street closures will take place on the side streets Maple St., Broadway, Kalmia, and North Juniper) from Second Ave. to Valley Parkway. The event runs every Friday throughout the summer. The event runs from 4-9 p.m.
Etc.
Down range! Join the Escondido Chamber of Commerce for its fourth annual Chamber Cup Challenge at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 13. The chamber will combine forces with the Escondido Downtown Business Association to support local youth through the Escondido Police Athletic League and Rising Stars program. Register here.
Move it! The 14th annual Grape Day 5K is a family friendly run/walk/stroll though downtown Escondido and Old Escondido Historic neighborhoods. The 5K starts and ends at Grape Day Park. The event starts at 8 a.m. on Sept. 14.
Festival! The city’s oldest festival returns from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 with the Grape Day Festival. There will be free grapes, a grape stomp, arts and crafts, food, music, kids activities and much more.
OCEANSIDE
Sept. 2
Ocean swim! The 95th annual Oceanside Labor Day Pier Swim is an annual one-mile swim that begins and ends on the beach, traversing around the Oceanside Pier. The Pier Swim opens with swimmers diving into the surf, circles one mile around the pier and ultimately ends with swimmers riding waves onto the beach and dashing towards a finish line on the sand. The swim runs from 7-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 5
Surf’s up! The Stoke for Life Foundation presents the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championship. The event brings awareness to the rehabilitative benefits of adaptive water sports and the importance of beach access for people with disabilities. The weekend will feature multiple surfing competitions and events for people of all ages and abilities. The competition will take place north of the pier and inside the Amphitheater. Parking Lot 29 will be closed for the duration of the event.
Sept. 7
Play ball! Join the city of Oceanside for a screening of the iconic film, “The Sandlot,” on Sept. 7 at Luiseño Park, 1069 Teal Way. The event starts at 6 p.m. with family-friendly crafts and games. The movie will start around 7 p.m.
Etc.
Noche Mexicana! Celebrate Mexican Independence Day as more than 50 vendors will be participating to highlight the culture of Mexico by showcasing their products, artwork, and services to the Oceanside community. The event will feature live mariachi music, Aztec dancers, DJs, art installations, food vendors, and a lowrider car show. The event runs from 1-7 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Civic Center Plaza at the corner of Pier View Way and Coast Highway.
Surf pro! Check out the Super Girl Surf Pro on Sept. 20-22, one of the largest all-female surf competitions in the world. Designed to celebrate and empower women in areas where they are traditionally underrepresented, the Super Girl Pro Series features surfing, action sports and esports. The event spans the whole weekend featuring the surf competition in the day and large free concerts in the evenings. Parking lots 28, 29 and 30 will be closed.
SAN MARCOS
Sept. 6
Movie night! Join the city of San Marcos for its movies-in-the-park featuring the animated film “Puss and Boots — The Last Wish.” The free event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Richmar Park, 110 Richmar Ave. The movie starts at dusk.
Sept. 7
Hiking! Join the city of San Marcos for a hike through the Rose Ranch and Richland areas. It’s an easy-to-moderate 5.3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain. Sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and the hike is from 8-11 a.m. starting at Hallandia Park, 12 Mission Hills Court near the dog park.
Etc.
Help a life! Join the San Diego Blood Bank for a blood drive from 8-10:30 a.m. at Cerro de las Posas Park, 1387 W. Borden Rd. All participants who donate will receive a free pass to the pool. Be a hero to someone and help save up to three lives with your donation. Bring a friend as all blood types are greatly needed. Schedule your donation time slot by clicking here.
SOLANA BEACH
Sept. 2
Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Thievery Corporation (Sept. 2), Aaron Frazer (Sept. 3), Black Uhuru (Sept. 5), Atomic Groove and Betamaxx (Sept. 6), Lacy’s Fur Coat (Sept. 7) and The Paladins (Sept. 8).
Etc.
Bike safety! Join the city of Solana Beach and San Diego Bicycle Coalition for a city cycling workshop from 9 a.m.-noon on Sept. 29 at City Hall, 635 S. Highway 101. The class will teach road rules, where to ride, general bike safety, emergency maneuvers, legal rights, responsibilities on the road and practicing everything through skills drills. Those skills will then be put into action through a guided road ride with the bike coalition. Save your spot here.
VISTA
Etc.
Musical! Check out the Moonlight Stage Productions presentation of “Tootsie” from Sept. 11-28 at the Moonlight Amphitheater. The show is a musical comedy based on the 1982 American film of the same name where the lead character, Michael, has a bright idea and decides to make one last-ditch effort at achieving theatrical success. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. and get tickets here.
Fore! Tee up with the Boys & Girls Club of Vista for its first annual golf tournament from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 13 at The Links at Lakehouse in San Marcos. The cost is $150 per player or $550 for a foursome, sponsorships are available and the tournament will also feature several competitions: closest to the pin, putting, longest drive, chipping with a raffle, silent auction and much more. Space is limited, but players can register here.
Vikings! Check out the 22nd annual Viking Festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., from Sept. 21-22. Re-enactors in Viking Villages provide historic context, battles, and a glimpse at Viking life. Live music from Local favorites Highland Way, Blindfold Monks, Silk Button Butchers and Damekor. Also, try your hand at archery, spears and axes and enjoy the tastes of food, beer and mead. Get tickets.
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.