North County Events from Sept. 9-15
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. 9-15:
CARLSBAD
Sept. 11
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.
Patriots Day! Join the Army and Navy Academy and President Major General Peggy Combs for the academy’s annual Patriots Day Remembrance. The event starts at 8:15 a.m. at Davis Hall, 2605 Carlsbad Blvd. The school will honor those we lost and give thanks to the brave first responders, veterans, and service members who proudly serve our country. RSVP here.
Sept. 14
Bolder! Caring for ill or aging relatives has become a family affair. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Chamber’s Aging Services Committee is hosting the third annual Older & Bolder EXPO from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Register here.
Art walk! Check out the Fall Art & Wine Walk from 3-6 p.m. at The Forum Carlsbad. This event promises an afternoon filled with vibrant art displays and exquisite wine tasting, taking place within the shopping center. The Fall Art & Wine Walk is a complimentary event that showcases a diverse range of artistic talents, including paintings, ceramics, photography, and more.
Sept. 15
Movie night! Join the city of Carlsbad for a family movie night at Stagecoach Community Center and Park featuring “Night at the Museum.” The event starts at 5 p.m. with bounce houses, obstacle races, crafts, games and food. The movie starts at dusk.
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More 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. 14
Recycle! Join the city of Del Mar and EDCO for the Del Mar Recycles event from 9 a.m.-noon at the lower parking lot of Shores Park. Residents can dispose of electronic waste, fluorescent bulbs, batteries. There will also be free mulch available (self serve). Household hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals will not be accepted.
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Kids clothes! Check out San Diego’s largest children’s and maternity consignment slae at the So Just Between Friends community marketplace at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from Sept. 20-22. Find brand name items such as clothes, toys, shoes, books and more, from 50%-90% off retail price.
ENCINITAS
Sept. 11
Free concert! Listen to a concert featuring some of the musicians from the Tramonto Music Festival: Maddalena Giacopuzzi and Jacopo Giacopuzzi at the piano and Ludovica Rana at the cello. The show is from noon-1 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr.
Sept. 12
Music festival! Check out the Tramonto Music Festival by the city of Encinitas’ Cultural Arts Division from Sept. 12-14. The music ranges from classical music to contemporary as these concerts bring the community together across different venues. Get tickets here.
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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 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. 13
Drive for show! 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.
Sept. 14
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.
Sept. 15
Fiesta! Check out the Fiestas Patrias Festival at Grape Day Park from noon-9 p.m. The event honors Mexican heritage through a day of festivities with a diverse lineup of entertainment including traditional dancing, mariachis, ballet folklorico, and performances by renowned bands.
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Concert! Check out the award-winning Coastal Communities Concert Band in its premier performance at the Kit Carson Park Amphitheater, 333 Bear Valley Parkway, on Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. The program will consist of toe-tapping hit songs of yesteryear, including Broadway and movie favorites and a couple patriotic numbers. Admission is $10 per adult age 18 and over with free admission for those 17 and under.
OCEANSIDE
Sept. 13
Freaky musical! Check out the Star Theatre’s production of the classic “Freaky Friday.” The show runs from Sept. 13-22. The musical is based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films.
Sept. 14
Bike safety! Join the Oceanside Police Department for a bicycle education course from 9-11 a.m. at the OPD headquarters, 3855 Mission Ave. Attendees will learn about the rules of the road, current traffic laws, e-bike safety and helmet safety. Also, bring your bicycle to get it registered.
Sept. 15
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.
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Golden opening! Frontwave Arena, North County's new multi-purpose venue and home to the San Diego Sockers and San Diego Clippers, opens with the “Gold Over America Tour” featuring Simone Biles, marking the start of a diverse lineup of events and top-tier entertainment.
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
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Help a life! Join the San Diego Blood Bank on Sept. 17 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.
Concert! Join the city of San Marcos for its Summer Concert Series finale featuring Savor. The show runs from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Wood House at Woodland Park, 1148 Rock Springs Road. Tickets are $8 pre-sale, $10 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. Click here for tickets.
SOLANA BEACH
Sept. 12
Anniversary! Join the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fletcher Cove. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. at the Fletcher Cove Community Center. Fletcher Cove is man-made, created when Colonel Ed Fletcher used hydraulic pressure to carve out a path through the bluffs. This allowed better access to the beach, a key step in opening the area for future development.
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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
Sept. 11
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.
Sept. 13
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.
Sept. 14
Tournament time! Join the Vista Pickleball Club for a round-robin tournament. The event starts at 7:30 a.m. and features four divisions (novice, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0) and includes lunch and gift bag. Email questions to vistapickleballclub@gmail.com.
Sept. 15
Festival! Celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture at Vista's inaugural Fiestas Patrias, featuring vendors, live performances, and cultural activities that honor the rich traditions of the Hispanic community. The event runs from noon-4 p.m. at 1234 N. Santa Fe Ave.
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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.