North County Events from July 14-20
Discover what’s happening in North County!
North County is buzzing with exciting events, and we’ve got your guide to the best happenings across the region. Whether you're looking for live music, family-friendly festivals, or the latest food and drink gatherings, our curated event roundup highlights the must-attend experiences in your backyard.
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 July 14-20:
CARLSBAD
July 17
Flick! Join the Carlsbad Village Association for the return of Flicks at the Fountain at the corner of Grand Avenue and State Street. This season continues with the screening of “Little Giants” at 8 p.m., followed “Enchanted” on July 24, “Ratatouille” on July 31 and “Captain America: Brave New World” on Aug. 7.
July 18
Concerts! Join the city of Carlsbad for its annual summer TGIF Concerts in the Park series. The series returns to Stagecoach Community Park with The Cold Fact (soulful R&B). Three shows will be at Calavera Hills Community Park from July 25-Aug. 8 and ends with two shows at Alga Norte Community Park on Aug. 15 and 22. Gates open for all shows at 4 p.m. with concerts running from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 19
Plunge! Join the city of Carlsbad for its Aloha Plunge from 5-8 p.m. on July 19 at Alga Norte Aquatic Center. Enjoy island-themed pool games and activities, giant inflatables, the splash pad and more. End the night with a special Polynesian dance performance where the audience can learn the hula. Tickets are $15 per person. Kids ages 3 and under are free but still need to be registered.
Etc.
Vino! Join the Rotary Club of Carlsbad for its Carlsbad Wine & Food Festival from 4-9 p.m. on July 26 at Viasat, 2446 Town Garden Rd. Enjoy tastings from local wineries, as well as selections from Temecula, Paso Robles, and Northern California. Savor craft cocktails, flavorful beers, exquisite bites from celebrated local restaurants and a party. Proceeds benefit the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. Get tickets.
Fix it! Join the City of Carlsbad for a hands-on Fixit clinic from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane. Bring your broken or non-working items such as electronics, appliances, computers, toys, bicycles, clothing and more for assessment, disassembly and possible repair. City staff and volunteers will provide workspace, specialty tools and guidance to help you take items apart and troubleshoot.
S’mores! Join the city of Carlsbad for its community camping event, Snores & S’mores from Aug. 9-10 at Aviara Community Park, 6435 Ambrosia Lane. There will be family relays, games, crafts, face painting a fun zone, a barbecue dinner, breakfast, a hike and a screening of the movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” Registration is first-come, first-serve and closes on Aug. 8. The event starts at 5 p.m. on Aug. 9.
DEL MAR
July 18
Opening Day! Check out Opening Day of the 2025 horse racing season at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which includes the Oceanside Stakes. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and first post is at 2 p.m. Opening Day features a hat contest, parties, celebrity grill and more. The season runs through Sept. 7.
ENCINITAS
July 18
Festival! Check out the Tramonto Music Festival from July 18-20 at the Encinitas Library. The festival features Liquid Harmonies, Echoes of the South and Eternal Classics. Concerts start at 7 p.m. on July 18-19 and 2 p.m. on July 20. Get tickets and passes.
July 20
Mulch! Join the city of Encinitas for a mulch giveaway from 9 a.m.-noon on July 20 at Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Dr. Encinitas residents must load and haul, so bring a shovel and containers. This drive-up event will be held in the southernmost parking lot near the MacKinnon Ave. entrance.
Etc.
Beach concert! The Moonlight Beach Concerts returns on July 27 from 1-5 p.m. at Moonlight Beach. Featured are The Long View and headliner Kimmi Bitter.
Dump it! Encinitas residents can safely dispose of their batteries, bulbs, electronics and sharps at the city’s free universal waste collection event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Encinitas City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Ave. Bring proof of Encinitas residency (driver's license or utility bill) for this drive-up event.
Art! Check out August Art Night from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall, the Encinitas Community Center, Encinitas Library and Pacific View Arts Center, with free shuttle services connecting additional partner locations at nearby businesses and galleries. There will be art exhibitions, live musical performances, immersive workshops and more.
ESCONDIDO
July 18
Cruise! Cruisin’ Grand returns every Friday from 4-9 p.m. through September in downtown Escondido. The free event features classic cars pre-1974 as these vintage beauties cruise Grand Avenue.
July 19
Yoga! Join the Escondido Creek Conservancy’s Connect to Nature: Yoga Guided Hike on July 19 at Mountain Meadow Preserve, 27317 Mountain Meadows Rd. This event takes place at Mountain Meadow Preserve in Escondido from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on the second Friday and third Saturday of each month in 2025. Sign up here.
Etc.
Wonka! Check out the production of “Willy Wonka” by Patio Playhouse on July 24-25 at Kit Carson Amphitheater, 100 Amphitheater Dr. The show starts at 8 p.m. both nights and runs until Aug. 2.
OCEANSIDE
July 14
Pickleball! Join the city of Oceanside for a free night of pickleball from 6-9 p.m. at the Junior Seau Beach Community Center, 300 N. Strand. The gym has 4 courts available to be used first come first served. Players are welcome to bring their own balls and paddles or borrow some from the center if needed.
July 16
Mobiles! Join the city of Oceanside for Parks & Recreation month, as grandparents and grandkids team up to create beautiful nature mobiles from 3-3:45 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 4500 Mesa Dr. These mobiles are made by collecting fallen leaves, twigs, and flowers which are then pressed into air dry clay to capture unique shapes and textures. All materials are provided. A minimum of one adult is required to be present with the participant.
July 19
Art! Join the city of Oceanside for Art in the Park from 1-2 p.m. at Joe Balderrama Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St. City staff will lead an art project at outdoor tables and all ages are welcome for the free event.
Etc.
Roller skating! Joint the city of Oceanside from 6-8 p.m. for a volunteer-led roller skating program at the MLK Park hockey rink. There will be music, giveaways and more. The event is free but registration is required.
Concert! Join the Friends of El Corazon for its free Concert in the Park from 2-7 p.m. on July 27 at the SoCal Soccer Complex, 3300 El Corazon Dr. The featured band is Gone Blonde. There will be activities for children including free face painting from 2-4:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 4 p.m. The event will also have non-profit sponsor booths and parking is free.
Movies! Join the Oceanside Public Library and Professor Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, a professor of Cinema Studies at Palomar Community College, for a new movie series: Criminal Capers. Chaffin-Quiray will present each screening by exploring the artistic and sociological character of the films and lead a discussion afterward. Light refreshments will be provided. The series will take place on Mondays at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center Library Community Room, at 330 N. Coast Highway in Oceanside. The films are as follows: “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974) on Aug. 4 and “Hell or High Water” (2016) on Sept. 8.
SAN MARCOS
July 18
Movie! Check out “Finding Nemo” at North City, 250 North City Dr. on July 18. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with games, family activities, and movie character meet-and-greets, followed by the movie screening at 6:30 p.m.
Etc.
Movie night! Join the city of San Marcos for its Movies in the Park featuring “The Wild Robot” on July 25 at Sunset Park. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with free popcorn and prizes. The movie starts at sunset.
Camping! Join the city of San Marcos for a family campout on July 26-27 at Williams Barn at Walnut Grove Park. The event includes games, crafts, hot dog dinner, smores, campfire songs, flashlight hike and outdoor movie.
Hike! Join the city of San Marcos for a twlight trek from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Double Peak Park. The journey begins with a brief astronomy presentation, highlighting celestial wonders that may be visible in the night sky. There will be a moderately difficult four-mile hike along the Cerro de Las Posas ridgeline trails. Bring a flashlight or headlamp.
CPR! Get certified in CPE and AED with hands-on training at a community CPR class from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Regional Training Facility, 184 Santar Place. Cost is $75 and class size is limited. Call (7600 744-1050 ext. 3400 to register.
SOLANA BEACH
July 14
Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Brad Williams, Amir K, Matt Fulchiron and Ryan Sickler (comedy show, today), M. Ward (July 15), The Garth Guy and Man! I feel like Shania (July 16), Start Making Sense (July 17), Atomic Groove and BETAMAXX (July 18), Jimmy’s Buffet (July 19) and George Thorogood & The Destroyers (July 20-23).
July 17
Concert! Join the city of Solana Beach for its Concerts at the Cove at 6 p.m. on July 3 at Fletcher Cove Park. The show features Billy Nation. No alcohol, tobacco, pets or personal BBQ’s allowed during concerts.
Etc.
Movie! Join the city of Solana Beach for its 19th annual Beach Blanket Movie Night at 6 p.m. at Fletcher Cove Park. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. The evening begins with live music by Imagery Machine, followed by the feature presentation “Rio.”
VISTA
July 16
Showtime! Check out Moonlight Amphitheater’s production of “Anastasia the Musical” from July 16-26. The show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Etc.
Concerts! Check out the Moonlight Concert Series at Moonlight Amphitheater from July through October. Performing will be Mick Adams & The Stones (July 31), Uptown: A celebration of Motown and Soul (Aug. 1), Anything for Salinas Band: Tribute to Selena (Oct. 2), 24K Magic: Tribute to Bruno Mars (Oct. 3) and Pop 2000 Tour (Oct. 4). Get tickets here.
Camp! Superatio Summer Camp is a high-energy, heart-centered program where kids ages 8-14 grow through pickleball, teamwork, and fun! Each day blends movement, mentorship, and mindset-building. Camps run the weeks of Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 at the Vista Tennis & Pickleball Club.
Fore! Join the Boys & Girls Club of Vista for its second annual Golf Tournament at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 12 at The Links at Lakehouse (formerly known as Saint Marks), 1750 San Pablo Dr., San Marcos. For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, ticket purchase and donations, contact Gladys Talavera, event coordinator at Gladys@bgcvista.com or visit our webpage at www.bgcvista.org.
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. ***This market will move to Fridays starting July 25.
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.