North County Events from Dec. 9-15

Christmas is on the horizon, so make sure you’re not on Santa’s naughty list! This week there are more Christmas events, tree lightings and other events as we prepare for Santa’s big arrival.

North County Pipeline is now on Instagram, so you can follow me there. And as always, if you, or someone you know, would like to promote an event, send an email to 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 Dec. 9-15:

CARLSBAD

Dec. 11

Curtain’s up! Check out New Village Arts’ holiday production of “Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Muscial Radio Play.” The show runs through Dec. 24. Get tickets here.

Dec. 14

Caroling! Join the Carlsbad Village Association for its Christmas Under the Stars from 6:30-8 p.m. at Magee Park, 250 Beech Ave. There will be carols, a real telling of the Christmas story and free hot chocolate and cookies.

Dec. 15

Christmas Jazz! St. Michael’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church’s annual Jazz Family Christmas is back. This free, family-friendly outdoor event features the Jazz Evensong Quintet, the Renaissance String Orchestra, lots of warm drinks, Christmas carols and holiday cheer.

DEL MAR

Dec. 9

Christmas trees! Get your Christmas tree at Purdy Tree Farms’ at the Del Mar Fairgrounds until Dec. 21. From tabletop trees to towering 16 foot tall trees and everything in between, find the perfect tree. Also fresh wreaths and garland are available. The site is open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends.

Dec. 13

Holiday celebration! Check out Coastal Christmas at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from 4-9 p.m. on Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-23 and 26. There will be a holiday light trail, glice skating, photos with Santa, a wine walk, a holiday market, fun zone and much more!

ENCINITAS

Dec. 11

Free concert! Enjoy the music of Jeanette Alexander, an Award-winning composer/pianist who will perform the Christmas classics. The show is from noon-1 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr.

Dec. 14

Showtime! Experience the magic of The Nutcracker, a timeless winter classic, brought to life by the talented dancers of Encinitas Ballet. Join us for an enchanting journey filled with vibrant costumes, captivating choreography, and the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. Perfect for audiences of all ages. There are two performances — 2 and 6 p.m. — at the San Dieguito Academy of Performing Arts Center, 800 Santa Fe Dr. Get tickets here.

ESCONDIDO

Dec. 12

Concert time! North County Players presents “Hope Springs, Eternal” at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Dec. 12-15 and 19-22. This Christmas, travel back to 1940’s America, the Swing Era. Presented by the award-winning North County Players, “Hope Springs, Eternal” uses the music, sets, and costumes of the time, along with humor, drama, and twists you won’t see coming, to tell a story not only of deceit and corruption, but also of redemption and the meaning of Christmas itself. Showtime is at 7 p.m. each day. Tickets on sale.

Dec. 14

Mrs. Claus! Check out the Patio Playhouse Community Theatre’s “Hullaba-1/2,” a lively holiday spectacle where Christmas spirit takes center stage! With Noel Claus off visiting Trixie in New York, Mrs. Claus is left in charge — and her mischievous, energetic elves, the Sleigh Bells and Baby Bells, seize the chance to put on a dazzling Rockette-style show. The show starts at 7 p.m. at 116 S. Kalmia St. Buy tickets.

Etc.

Animals! Join the San Diego Children’s Museum on Dec. 20 from 10-11:30 a.m. and meet a tarantula, chinchilla, gecko, and kookaburra with Critter Encounters. The event will include a live presentation, meet & greet, storytime, special crafts and more! The event is free with Museum admission. Opportunities to pet the animals are limited and timed tickets will be provided upon check-in. For more.

Campers! Join the San Diego Children’s Museum for its Little Explorers Winter Camp as kids can let their inner musician run free and make some music! Explore the science of sound and fun ways to make music through fun STREAM activities and crafts. The camp runs from Dec. 30-Jan. 3 for ages 4-7. Last day of registration is Dec. 16.

OCEANSIDE

Dec. 9

Window displays! Join Mainstreet Oceanside for its annual festive holiday window displays throughout downtown while you shop. Businesses decorate their storefronts to the theme of ’Tis the Season. The holiday window displays will remain in place through the end of December. See the website and Oceanside Holiday Challenge digital passport for a list of participating locations.

Dec. 12

Gifts! Throughout December, the Sunset Market will showcase the Holiday Gift Markets every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Oceanside. There will be hot food, prepackaged desserts and all of your gift needs.

Dec. 14

Harbor lights! Come watch the boats at Oceanside Harbor dazzle at the annual Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights. The parade runs from 7-9 p.m. at the harbor.

SAN MARCOS

Dec. 15

In the stars! Join the city of San Marcos for another star walk starting at 4:30 p.m. at Double Peak Park. Learn basic astronomy concepts at a beginner’s level. Locate and understand featured celestial/astronomical events. Locate and identify common constellations and asterisms.

SOLANA BEACH

Dec. 9

Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Dawes (today), Marcus King (Dec. 10), Iris DeMent (Dec. 11), Sixpence None the Richer (Dec. 12), Atomic Groove (Dec. 13), Cash’d Out (Dec. 13), The Bronx (Dec. 14) and Mariachi El Bronx (Dec. 15).

Dec. 11

Kids crafts! Join the city of Solana Beach for its festive Kids Holiday Craft Day & Wreath Weaving Event at 4:30 p.m. at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave.

Dec. 13

Santa! Join Santa Claus and the city of Solana Beach for Santa’s Sleigh Ride (parade) at 2:30 p.m. Santa will be riding along with Fire, Sheriff and Marine Safety personnel. The Sleigh Ride will be starting and ending at the Solana Beach Fire Station, located at 500 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Check out Santa’s route here.

Dec. 14

Tree lighting! Join the city of Solana Beach and the La Colonia Community Foundation for its holiday tree lighting from 5-7 p.m. at the La Colonia Community Center. There will be sweets, treats, Mexican hot cocoa and Santa!

VISTA

Dec. 9

Holiday lights! Join the Moonlight Amphitheatre for its Jingle Terrace Live until Dec. 21. The free nightly event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each night and features holiday light shows, photos with Santa, crafts, games and more. The Jingle Band will perform on Dec. 13-15 and 19-21.

Toy drive! Join the Vista Skatepark Coalition’s 14th annual holiday Toy Drive. The drive supports kids residing at Operation HOPE. Please bring an unwrapped toy, game, book, or snack: mini cereals, hot cereals, fruit cups. Also needed are diapers/pull ups 2T-5T and developmental games for newborns to toddlers. Drop-off locations are: Prohibition Brewing, Tavo’s Motorcycles, Rickey’s Auto Repair, Ringers, Ed’s Bicycle Shop and Marilyn Vodka/Merli Concrete.

Dec. 14

Brrrr! Slide into the holidays at the Wave Waterpark’s Penguin Plunge. The Icy Cold Slide Tower will be open from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. for free! Those brave enough to take the slide down to the icy Penguin Plunge will receive one free 2025 Wave admission ticket and a Plunge Certificate. To take the plunge, you must be at least 42" and meet all slide riding requirements. Reserve a ticket.

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.

Follow North County Pipeline on Instagram, Facebook, X and Reddit. Send story ideas and tips to ncpipeline760@gmail.com.