North County Events from Oct. 21-27
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. 21-27:
CARLSBAD
Oct. 21
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.
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. 23
Showtime! 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. The play runs through Nov. 3.
Oct. 26
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.
Trick-or-treat! Save the date for a skele-ton of fun events hosted by the Carlsbad Village Association from 2-6 p.m. on Oct. 26 in Carlsbad Village. There will be safe trick-or-treating, a kids costume contest, carnival games, a bounce house and more.
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Boo Bash! Join the city of Carlsbad for its Haunted Halloween Bash from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Pine Avenue Community Park. The event is for ages 6 and up so get ready to trick-or-treat. There will be a haunted house, Halloween crafts and activities, cookie decorating stations, bounce houses and carnival games. Admission is $5 at the door or online.
Bike safety! Join the Carlsbad Police Department for two bike and e-bike safety classes on Nov. 2. The first class runs from 9-10 a.m., while the second is from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr. The classes will discuss safety tips, rules of the road and city-specific e-bike laws. Space is limited and registration is open.
Day of the Dead! Honor loved ones at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park for the city’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 2-3. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated by honoring deceased friends and family. The holiday is observed by building private altars, or ofrendas, using marigolds, personal items and favorite foods of the departed. The free event runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. both days.
DEL MAR
Oct. 21
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.
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Racing returns! Check out the Del Mar Fairgrounds as the Bing Crosby season explodes from the gates from Oct. 31-Dec. 1. Also, one of the most prestigous races of the season, The Breeder’s Cup, runs on Nov. 1-2. Get tickets here.
Fight against breast cancer! Check out The Susan G. Komen 3‑Day kicks-off at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Nov. 15 with an inspirational opening ceremony where the adrenaline and anticipation of thousands of walkers fills the air. They will begin their 60-mile journey though San Diego’s neighborhoods, walking along the Pacific Coast Highway through Del Mar, Torrey Pines and Mission Bay.
ENCINITAS
Oct. 23
Free concert! Enjoy the music of Memphis Soul Revue, which is comprised of 11 professional musicians who share a love for the Memphis Soul sound. The music features melodic unison horn lines, organ, guitar, bass, driving percussion, and sultry vocals with harmonious back-ups. The show is from noon-1 p.m. at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr.
Oct. 24
Celebrate! Join the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for its 60th anniversary from 5-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, 1550 S. El Camino Real. The event will be emceed by Jeff Zevely of CBS 8 and features an awards ceremony, food, drinks, a photo booth and live entertainment. Register here.
Oct. 26
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. 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.
Oct. 27
Day of the Dead! Join the Encinitas Friends of the Arts to celebrate Día de los Muertos, a cultural heritage and Mexican tradition. This free event is from noon-4 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Mira Costa College San Elijo Campus featuring art workshops, live performances by Mariachi and ballet folklorico dancers, a community ofrenda and much more.
ESCONDIDO
Oct. 26
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.
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Trick-or-treat! Join the Escondido Downtown Business Association for its annual “Trick-or-Treat on Grand” from noon-5 p.m. on Oct. 31. There will be free candy, spooky decorations, face painting and kids activities.
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.
Race day! Check out the Kit Carson 5K Turkey Trot, marathon and half-marathon relays and half marathon on Nov. 19. Check-in is from 6:45-7:45 a.m. for the 5K and until 8:30 a.m. for the relays and half marathon. The races start at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway and traverse a 2.62-mile loop. Register here.
OCEANSIDE
Oct. 22
Wine tasting! Join us for Oceanside's inaugural Mexican Wine Festival, O’wineside! An exclusive wine and culinary event hosted by Chef Roberto Alcocer, from Michelin-starred Valle, in partnership with La Competencia Distributing from 1-4 p.m. at the Pacific Lawn at Mission Pacific Beach Resort. Enjoy a grand tasting featuring winemakers from over 25 premium Mexican wineries, taste 80+ wines, and enjoy gourmet bites by Chef Alcocer featuring Sterling Caviar, 5Jotas Jamón Ibérico, Harbor Pelican Fish Market Baja Oysters, and more. Must be 21 or older.
Oct. 26
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.
Dark arts! The Oceanside Museum of Art is hosting their Art After Dark (21 and older) event from 6-10 p.m. The event transforms the museum into a creative hub full of awe-inspiring wearable art costumes, live music, inspired spooky good libations, and the largest costume contest in the area. This event will include a partial street closure of Pier View Way between Ditmar and Nevada Street. Get tickets here.
Oct. 27
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.
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Pedal the beach! Bike the Coast is an annual family-friendly event with more 2,000 bike enthusiasts and is from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Nov. 2. There are several courses, such as 100-mile, 50-mile, 35-mile, 15-mile, and 7-mile, all starting and finishing at the Pier Amphitheater. There will be live entertainment, food vendors, and a beer garden at the finish line.
SAN MARCOS
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Hike! Join the city of San Marcos from 9 a.m.-noon on Nov. 2 and experience the wonder and beauty of this historic region of San Marcos as we hike 6.5 miles of trails around Walnut Grove Park and The Purple Heart Memorial. Hikers will also take in views along Twin Oaks Valley, La Cienega, Mulberry, and Cox Roads. Meet at the south parking lot of Walnut Grove Park, 1950 Sycamore Dr.
Save a life! Join the San Marcos Fire Department as it hosts a community CPR class from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Regional Training Facility, 184 Santar Place. This class will offer CPR and AED training for adult, child and infant. You will get hands on training taught by your San Marcos Fire Department. Upon completion of this class you will receive a two-year certification.
SOLANA BEACH
Oct. 21
Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Nada Surf (today), Lupe Fiasco (Oct. 24), Billy Nation and Fleetwood Max (Oct. 26) and Stryper (Oct. 27).
Oct. 26
Save lives! Check out the AMR “First on the Scene” class from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Rancho Santa Fe Fire Station 2, 16930 Four Gee Rd. Students will learn how to activate the 9-1-1 system, hands-only CPR and AED, administering naloxone and epinephrine, responding to life-threatening bleeding and more. Register here.
Open house! Join the Solana Beach Fire Department for its annual family-friendly open house from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 26 at 500 Lomas Santa Fe. There will be live music, food, fire apparatus demonstrations, auto extrication demos, face painting, and more. You can even get a guided tour through the fire station by one of the firefighters.
Oct. 27
Carnival! Check out the 67th annual Halloween Carnival by Solana Vista and Skyline from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Solana Vista Elementary School, 780 Santa Victoria. This spooktacular event features games, performances, pony rides, and more, with proceeds supporting each school's Discovery Labs, including STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), Technology, and supplemental Physical Education.
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Bike safe! Check out the city of Solana Beach and San Diego County Bicycle Coalition’s All About E-Bikes Workshop from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The free workshop will teach participatns how to throttle, securing bikes, rules of the road and much more. Sign up here.
VISTA
Oct. 25
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.
Oct. 26
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.
Open houses! Join the Vista Fire Department as it hosts its final open house this month. Residents can visit Fire Station #6, 651 E Vista Way from 1-3 p.m.
Tractor show! Check out the family-friendly Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum for the Fall Antique Engine and Tractor Show, now with a Wild West twist. Step back in time with the Old Town Temecula Gunfighters as they bring the Wild West to life with thrilling reenactments. Test your cowboy skills and learn to lasso like a pro, or take a trip to the Jailhouse Speakeasy for a taste of old-time fun. The show continues on Oct. 26-27. Get tickets.
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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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