North County Events from March 10-16
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.
From Oceanside to Escondido, there's something for everyone — including food and drink festivals, art shows, farmers markets, and local concerts. Explore community favorites like the Carlsbad Flower Fields in full bloom, or check out the latest pop-up events bringing local flavors and entertainment to your neighborhood.
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Here are the latest events for the week of March 10-16:
CARLSBAD
March 11
Meet up! Join the Carlsbad Village Association for its bi-monthly Village Voices from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center, 2787 State St. Connect with fellow business owners, managers, staff, and residents in a welcoming environment. Stay informed about upcoming community events, city affairs, and business opportunities while collaborating to help Carlsbad Village thrive.
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Showtime! Step back to the 1960s as New Village Arts performs “La Havana Madrid,” a show depicting a real nightclub in Chicago where newly arrived Latino immigrants gathered to dine, dance and find community. The show runs from March 21-April 27 with previews from March 21-28 and Opening Night on March 29.
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.
Art and wine walk! Spring at The Forum Carlsbad brings a celebration of creativity and culture as the Spring Art & Wine Walk returns from 3-6 p.m. on April 5. This highly anticipated annual event invites guests to explore an inspiring showcase of art while enjoying wine tastings, live music, and a lively community atmosphere.
DEL MAR
March 15
Collectors! Check out San Diego Rocket Con from March 15-16 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and is a comics, toys, games, anime and collectibles show created by the owners of TC’s Rockets in San Diego. On display is the congregation of hobbies such as trading cards, statues, comics, games, cosplay, and creating opportunities for fans to meet celebrities from games, movies and more.
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Market! Check out the Just Between Friends community marketplace from March 21-23 at the fairgrounds where families can sell all the things their kids are no longer using and shop thousands of name brand items at 50-90% off retail. Find gently-loved and new clothes, toys, shoes, books, videos, baby gear and more!
Recycle! Join the city of Del Mar and EDCO for a recycling event from 9 a.m.-noon on March 22 at the lower parking lot of Shores Park south of 9th Street. There will be a certified shredding truck and residents can drop off electronic waste, fluorescent light bulbs, hazardous waste and more.
Off road! Check out the Off Road Nights Dirt Lifestyle Expo from March 28-29 at the fairgrounds. The expo is the biggest off-road show in San Diego, featuring industry-leading off-road vendors, exhibits and displays showing off the latest parts and accessories, the ORN show & shine, food and beverage, live raffle and more.
ENCINITAS
March 12
Free concert! Enjoy the music of Liquid Brick, a jazz trio. James Behrens (saxophone, piano), Ben Bostwick (bass) and Joe Hager (drums) play swing standards, ballads, and sambas, mixed with rock and soul. The show is from noon-1 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr.
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State of the city! Join the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for its 2025 Encinitas State of the City. This premier event is at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr., from 5:30-8 p.m. on March 20. Register here.
Wildfire! Join the city of Encinitas for a wildfire prevention workshop from 9-11 a.m. on March 22 at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Dr. The workshop will go over defensible space, home hardening and more.
Trees! Join the city of Encinitas for Arbor Day 2024 from 9 a.m.-noon on April 5 at Cardiff Sports Park, 1661 Lake Dr. Help the city plant 50 trees and host an expo with eco-friendly crafts, hand-selected educational booths, and live music. To plant a tree, register here.
ESCONDIDO
March 11
Interviews! Join Project Next for its Interview Skills Day on March 11-12 in Escondido and San Marcos high schools, respectively. Students at five high schools will engage with professionals to sharpen their job interview skills. To be an interviewer, click here.
March 13
Wellness! Check out the Escondido Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Mind, Body and Business Wellness Fair from 5-7 p.m. on March 13 at the North Inland Live Well Center, 649 W. Mission Ave. This event will provide opportunities for local health and wellness organizations and businesses to promote their products, services, give information and demonstrations.
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AI! Join the Escondido Chamber of Commerce at its young professionals mixer from 5-7 p.m. on March 19 at Elmisa Cafe, 880 W. Valley Pkwy. Attendees will learn how to attract clients, boost visibility and harness the power of artificial intelligence in business operations. Register.
Walk! Join the San Diego Humane Society for its Walk for Animals from 7-11 a.m. on March 22 at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy. This event features a scenic walk, vendor village, food, and entertainment — all while raising funds for the San Diego Humane Society’s lifesaving programs.
OCEANSIDE
March 15
Cleanup! Join I Love A Clean San Diego and Green Oceanside from 9-11 a.m. on March 15 for a litter cleanup. We will divert litter from our street, storm drains and watersheds to keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean. Staff will have check-in ready for you on-site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat) and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need! Register here.
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Meet the city! Join the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce for its annual Meet the City Reception from 5-7 p.m. on March 27 at the William A. Wagner Aquatic Center, 3306 Senior Center Dr. The event includes appetizers and a no-host bar.
Under the sea! Check out the Oceanside Theater Company’s presentation of “Once on This Island” from March 28 to April 13, bringing the captivating Caribbean retelling of “The Little Mermaid” to the Brooks Theater stage, 217 N Coast Hwy. The show is based on the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love;” or, “The Peasant Girl,” this celebrated musical follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a boy from the wealthier side of the island.
SAN MARCOS
March 16
Star gazing! Join the city of San Marcos for its monthly Star Walk from 7-9 p.m. on March 16 at Double Peak Park, 900 Double Peak Dr. Learn basic astronomy concepts at a beginner’s level plus moon phases, “Orion and the gang,” constellations, the March Equinox and check out planets.
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Wine! Check out the Mountain Sunset Wine Experience on March 29 and savor a four-course masterpiece with a perfectly paired J. Brix Wines as the sun sets over San Marcos. This exclusive dining experience at TERI Campus of Life leads into the high-energy Piano Smash Show. Limited seating.
Sale! Join the city of San Marcos for its Senior Activity Center Parking Lot Sale from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 5 at 111 Richmar Ave. Seller registration fee is $20 with a maximum of two spaces per person.
Hike! Join the city of San Marcos for its monthly city hike from 9 a.m.-noon at Sunset Trail. A series of winding ascents and descents will go from the bottom of the Sunset Trail to the top of the Lake San Marcos Trail and back. Hard-to-spot views of the south end of Lake San Marcos included! This hike is 3.1-miles with approximately 430’ of elevation gain. Meet at San Elijo Park, 1105 Elfin Forest Rd.
SOLANA BEACH
March 10
Attention music lovers. Check out the famous BellyUp. This week’s lineup consists of Man! I feel like Shania (March 11), Sons of Cream (March 12), Walter Trout (March 13), Atomic Groove and Save Ferria (March 14) and Young Dubliners (March 16).
March 13
Game day! Join the city of Solana Beach and the Solana Beach Community Connections on March 13 for their monthly Bilingual Game Day from noon-2 p.m. 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
March 12
Drive! Join the San Diego Blood Bank for a blood drive at the Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Dr., from 9:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. on March 12. Space is limited so register here.
March 15
Pickleball! Join the Vista Pickleball Club for its Lucky Dog animal rescue event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 15 at 685 Taylor St. Proceeds will benefit Frosted Faces Foundation and Coastal K9 Rescue. There will be food, live music and raffles. Register through the Main Court app or contact Sher Kieth at sherry_L_keith@hotmail.com.
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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.
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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