North County Events from June 30-July 6
Happy Fourth of July!
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 June 30-July 6:
CARLSBAD
July 4
Fireworks! Check out Fourth of July Red, White and Boom fireworks show at Legoland at 9 p.m.
July 6
Art faire! Check out the one-day-only COALSIMA arts event from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on July 6 at the plaza at Carlsbad Fair, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. There will be be a vibrant celebration of creativity and craftsmanship, drawing together artists and art enthusiasts from all walks of life. This year’s event boasts an eclectic mix of artistic media, from intricate jewelry and stunning sculptures to mesmerizing glass artworks.
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Concerts! Join the city of Carlsbad for its annual summer TGIF Concerts in the Park series. The series returns to Stagecoach Community Park on July 11 with The Reflexx (80s pop and new wave) and July 18 showcasing 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.
Classic rides! Join the city of Carlsbad at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park for the San Diego Packard Club’s gleaming classic Packards set in Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo’s rustic ranch. This event is free and open to the public from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on July 12. Members of the San Diego Packard Club will be on-hand to answer questions
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.
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.
DEL MAR
June 30
County fair! The San Diego County Fair runs until July 6 at the fairgrounds. This year’s theme is Summer Pet-tacular and will see the grounds transform into a pet-lovers paradise. There will be several pet-friendly events including agility, contests, puppy yogs, pooch fun run, a parade and more. Register your pet.
Concerts! Check out the San Diego County Fair Summer Concert Series from June 30-July 6. The lineup includes Third Eye Blind (July 2), Jeff Dunham (July 3), Ziggy Marley (July 5), Los Tucanes De Tijuana (July 6).
July 4
Fireworks! Check out Fourth of July fireworks show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds at 9 p.m. Admission to the San Diego County Fair includes the show.
ENCINITAS
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Beach concert! The Moonlight Beach Concerts returns on July 13 from 1-5 p.m. at Moonlight Beach. Featured are The School of Rock and the headliner is Lolo Paniolo.
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.
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.
Beach concert! The Moonlight Beach Concerts returns on July 20 from 1-5 p.m. at Moonlight Beach. Featured are The Long View and headliner Kimmi Bitter.
ESCONDIDO
June 30
Camp! Join the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum for its annual Summer Camp for kids 4-8. The camp runs until Aug. 15 with the Little and Big Explorers camps. The Little Explorers (4-5 years old) is from 9 a.m.-noon each weekday and the Big Explorers (6-8) is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Register here.
July 4
Fireworks! Join the city of Escondido for its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at 9.m. at Grape Day Park.
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Yoga! Join the Escondido Creek Conservancy’s Connect to Nature: Yoga Guided Hike on July 11 at Mountain Meadow Preserve. 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.
OCEANSIDE
July 3
Fireworks! Join the Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department on for its annual 3rd of July Firework Celebration from 4-10 p.m. at the SoCal Soccer Complex, 3300 El Corazon Dr. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. along with food trucks and family-friendly activities. Gates open at 4 p.m.
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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: “Mission Impossible” (1996) on July 7, “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974) on Aug. 4 and “Hell or High Water” (2016) on Sept. 8.
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.
SAN MARCOS
July 4
Fireworks! Join the city of San Marcos for its annual Red, White and Boom! Fourth of July celebration at Bradley Park. The event starts at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Etc.
Hike! Join the city of San Marcos for a city hike and nature tour from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on July 12 at Jack’s Pond Park, 986 La Moree Rd. Start with a tour of the Jacks Pond Nature Center, followed by a 1.25-mile walk through the riparian habitat, focusing on the importance of water conservation and the species that rely on it.
Concert! Join the city of San Marcos for its Summer Concert Series from 7-9 p.m. at Woodland Park featuring Left Martin & His Right Hand Band. Gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets can be found here.
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.
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.
SOLANA BEACH
June 30
Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Full Strength (July 2), Atomic Groove and 80’s Heat (July 3), The English Beat (July 4-5) and Angler, Tina Fake, Soul Sellers, Marujah, Wookalars (July 6).
July 3
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 Watson. No alcohol, tobacco, pets or personal BBQ’s allowed during concerts.
VISTA
July 2
Drive! Join the San Diego Blood Bank for a blood drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 2 at the Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Dr. Space is limited and to register, click here.
July 4
Fireworks! Join the city of Vista for its annual Independence Day celebration at Brengle Terrace Park on July 4. Moonlight Amphitheater opens at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission to the theater is $5 and features The Cassie B Project at 7:35 p.m.
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Showtime! Check out Moonlight Amphitheater’s production of “Anastasia the Musical” from July 9-26. 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.
Movie night! Join the city of Vista for its Movie in the Park at 8 p.m. on July 12 at Brengle Terrace Park. The city will screen “Despicable Me 4.”
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.
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.
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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