North County Events from Feb. 3-9

The latest North County Pipeline events newsletter is packed with exciting happenings and community updates. From local festivals and farmers' markets to art exhibits and live music performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

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 Feb. 3-9:

CARLSBAD

Feb. 6

Showtime! Check out “The Half-Life of Marie Curie” at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center. Previews runs until Feb. 24. The show follows Curie, who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1911 and overcoming a scandal. Get tickets.

Feb. 8

Hunt! Take part in the 5th annual Hearts of Carlsbad Village by Barrio Glassworks scavenger hunt. This one-day-only event invites you to explore downtown Carlsbad and search for one of 300 handblown glass hearts, beautifully crafted by Barrio Glassworks and hidden throughout the Village. If you’re lucky enough to find a heart, it’s yours to keep! There will also be a Heart of the Village blood drive at the studio, 3060 Roosevelt St., from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Etc.

Homestead! In celebration of Black History Month, join the city of Carlsbad from 10-11 a.m. on Feb. 15 at the Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane, to learn about Nathan Harrison, a former slave and the county’s first Black homesteader. Jamie Bastide of San Diego State University will give a presentation about his life and Palomar Mountain homestead.

Pickleball! Join the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad for its second annual pickleball tournament at 10 a.m. on March 25 at the Tennis & Pickleball Club of Vista. The event brings together pickleball enthusiasts, local businesses, and community supporters for a fun and competitive day, all while 100% of proceeds directly benefit local children by providing essential mentorship, education, and enrichment opportunities.

Flowers! The opening of the Flower Fields is set for March 1. There will be a sweet pea maze, tractor rides, an illusion garden, butterfly encounter, sculpture garden and the featured attraction of giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers spanning dozens of acres.

DEL MAR

Etc.

Boats! Check out the Hall Family Super Show from Feb. 13-16 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. There will be stunning boats, innovative outdoor gear, activities and interactive events, to name a few.

Dogs! Check out the Silver Bay Dog Show from Feb. 21-23 at the fairgrounds. There will be obedience and rally trials, tricks and much more. Admission is free.

Junk! Check out The Great Junk Hunt from Feb. 28-March 1 at the fairgrounds. Discover farmhouse, handmade, industrial, up-cycled and re-purposed goods from over 130 vendors. There will also be drinks, live music and much more.

ENCINITAS

Feb. 5

Free concert! Enjoy the music of the Aaron Lind Organ Trio, who will play jazz. The show is from noon-1 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr.

Feb. 8

Expo! Join the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for its 2025 Community Resource Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr., to celebrate and showcase the best of what our local businesses have to offer.

ESCONDIDO

Feb. 8

Shrubs! Join the Escondido Creek Conservancy for its monthly Shrub Club from 9 a.m.-noon at the Mountain Meadow Preserve, 27317 Mountain Meadow Rd. Volunteers will help with planting native species and weeding restoration areas. Register before Feb. 6.

Etc.

Race! Get your running shoes ready for the annual Ranch 50K and Half Marathon on Feb. 15. The race starts at 7 a.m. at Daley Ranch, 3024 La Honda Dr. with the start and finish line at the Dixon Lake picnic area. The 50K competitors will run a 15.6-mile loop twice, which half marathoners will participate in one 13.1-mile loop.

Chocolate! Join the Escondido Downtown Business Association with your sweetheart or just your “sweet tooth” to enjoy “For The Love of Chocolate” Escondido Chocolate Festival from noon-5 p.m. on Feb. 15. Stroll in and out of nearly 20 designated restaurants, shops and spa tasting locations while sampling chocolate paired with local fine wines & craft beers. Plus, Escondido Arts & Culture, Esco Alley Art and Chocolate Truffle Making Classes are offered as a separate purchase. This ticketed event is capped at 350 attendees and sells out every year. Get tickets here.

OCEANSIDE

Etc.

Showtime! Join the Star Theatre in Oceanside for its presentation of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. The show runs Feb. 14-16 and Feb. 21-23. The play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love and navigate life. Tickets here.

Valentines! Join the city of Oceanside for a Valentine’s Day screening of the animated film, “WALL_E,” at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater. The event begins at 5 p.m. and there will be crafts, music and food vendors. The film starts at 5:30 p.m.

New Year! Join the celebration of the Lunar New Year at Arrowood Golf Course, 5201 Village Dr., from noon-4 p.m. on Feb. 15. Experience a day filled with cultural delights, featuring Asian-inspired craft vendors, delicious food trucks, and family-friendly activities to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

SAN MARCOS

Feb. 8

CPR! Join the city of San Marcos for a community CPR class from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Regional Training Facility, 184 Santar Place. Attendees will earn certifications in CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) with hands-on training. The cost is $75. To register, call (760) 744-1050 ext. 3400.

SOLANA BEACH

Feb. 3

Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of A musical celebration of Rickie Lee Jones (today), Pepe Romero and Leo Kottke (Feb. 4), moe (Feb. 5-6), Super Nacho and Eric Hutchinson (Feb. 7) and Prince Again (Feb. 8).

Etc.

Game day! Join the city of Solana Beach and the Solana Beach Community Connections for their monthly Bilingual Game Day from noon-2 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. Games including Loteria, Scrabble, Dominoes, Uno, American Mahjongg, and Corn Hole. Register at info@solanabeachcc.org or at (858) 284-6619.

VISTA

Etc.

Garden! Check out the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens’ Kids in the Garden class from 10 a.m.-noon on Feb. 15. Kids will learn about nature photography. The class is free for members or $5 for non-members. Email farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com to register.

Eco-day! The city of Vista is hosting its second annual kids Eco-Explorer Day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 22 at the Buena Vista Creek Trail. Kids will learn about the environment through activities and games.

Gala! Join the Boys & Girls Club of Vista for its 15th Annual Diamond Gala: Gilligan's Gala for a night of inspiration for our youth from 5:30-10 p.m. on March 1 at The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. The event will include a live & silent auction, live band & dancing, performance from our Club kids, and much more. Tickets here.

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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