A local's calendar, North San Diego County
September in North County
The month the summer crowds thin out, the water is still warm, and the calendar fills with the kind of events that feel like the neighborhood rather than a tourist stop. Sorted by city, so you can find what is close to home.
Carlsbad
7 eventsPlus it is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Show an existing card or sign up at any location for a commemorative bookmark or pencil. All library locations close Monday the 7th for Labor Day.
Leo Carrillo Ranch Film Festival
Friday, 6 to 10 pm
Rare films from the Golden Age of Hollywood, screened outdoors at the ranch. Tours run until sunset and the show starts when it gets dark. Bring blankets, low chairs, warm layers and a flashlight.
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane · carlsbadca.gov
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Saturday, 1 to 4 pm
Live performances and cultural crafts at the Library Learning Center, including baile folklorico and art-making booths for Ojo de Dios, flag ornaments and loteria.
Library Learning Center, 3368 Eureka Place · library.carlsbadca.gov
Teen Book Club
Thursday, 5:45 to 6:45 pm
Grades 7 to 12, discussing "Wings in the Wild" by Margarita Engle out in the Sculpture Garden. Snacks provided.
Georgina Cole Library, 2955 Elmwood Lane · library.carlsbadca.gov
Grow Your Garden: Vermicomposting Made Easy
Saturday, 10 am to 12 pm
Master Composter Bonnie Metzger on turning food and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. Bin types, what finished compost should look like, and how to use worm castings and compost tea. Genuinely useful if you are trying to fix a tired yard.
Carlsbad City Library, Ann Kulchin Courtyard, 1775 Dove Lane · library.carlsbadca.gov
ArtWalk Carlsbad
Saturday and Sunday, Sep 19 to 20 · 11 am to 6 pm Sat, 10 am to 5 pm Sun
More than 150 artists set up on Armada Drive above the Flower Fields. Painting, sculpture, glass, jewelry and photography, plus KidsWalk, live music and food trucks. Easy parking and one of the better views in the city.
Armada Drive · artwalksandiego.org/carlsbad
Genealogy Open House
Saturday, 10:30 am to 12 pm
An informal quarterly gathering with the North San Diego County Genealogical Society. Newcomers welcome. A separate session on finding Mexican ancestors runs September 1 and repeats September 15, registration required.
Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive · library.carlsbadca.gov
St. Michael's Jazz Fest
Saturday
Jazz artists and local musicians playing a block from the ocean. Bring a lawn chair and plan to stay a while.
St. Michael's by-the-Sea · stmichaelsjazzfest.org
Oceanside
5 eventsThe pier does a lot of work this month.
Oceanside Pier Swim
Monday, 8:30 am
A one-mile swim around the longest wooden pier on the West Coast, open to swimmers of all ages. Even if you are not getting in the water, it is a good morning to be on the sand.
Oceanside Pier · oceansidepierswim.com
U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships
Thursday through Sunday, Sep 10 to 13
Elite adaptive surfers from around the world competing on the north side of the pier. Free to watch, and one of the best things on the North County calendar all year.
Oceanside Pier, north side · usopenadaptivesurfingchampionships.com
Oceanside Museum of Art: Exhibition Celebration
Saturday, with Coffee and Conversation on Sunday, Sep 20
An opening weekend worth building a morning around, then coffee and a talk the next day.
704 Pier View Way · oma-online.org/calendar
Ivies and Vines
Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm
Music, dancing and community, raising funds for San Diego youth scholarships and community programs.
El Camino Country Club · search "Ivies and Vines" on Eventbrite
Oceanside Sea Lions Golf Tournament
Saturday, 8:30 am
Net proceeds go to Rady Children's Hospital for childhood cancer. $110 per player or $420 for a foursome, lunch included.
Emerald Isle Golf Course · oceansidesealionsclub.com
Encinitas and Cardiff
4 eventsA strong month on the 101, ending with the thirtieth Oktoberfest.
Cardiff Greek Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sep 12 to 13 · 10 am to 10 pm Sat, 11 am to 9 pm Sun
Greek food, pastries, award-winning folk dancing, church tours, cooking demos, wine tasting and a kids' zone. One of the longest-running festivals on the coast.
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. · cardiffgreekfestival.com
Sessions Surf Festival
Saturday through Saturday, Sep 12 to 19
A full week of surf contests, live music, a film festival and an art exhibit at multiple Encinitas locations. Check the site for the daily schedule.
Various locations · sessionssurffestival.com
Encinitas Historic Bus Tour
Saturday, 10 am
A guided ride through the city's history, leaving from the Pacific View Arts Center. Worth doing even if you have lived here twenty years.
Pacific View Arts Center
Encinitas Oktoberfest and Artisan Faire
Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
The 30th annual, hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce. More than 130 artisans, German food and drink, family activities, and it is pet friendly.
Mountain Vista Drive, off El Camino Real · encinitasoktoberfest.com
Vista
5 eventsQuietly the most interesting September in the county this year.
Vista Rod Run
Sunday, 9 am to 2 pm
Hundreds of classic cars, vintage trucks and off-road builds take over downtown, with music, auto vendors, and the shops and restaurants open. Free to walk through.
Downtown Vista · vistachamber.org
Kids in the Garden
Saturday, 10 am to 12 pm
Hands-on classes at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens with edible plants, conservation lessons and garden tours. Pre-registration required.
1270 Vale Terrace Dr. · altavistabotanicalgardens.org
Vista Fiestas Patrias
Sunday, 12 to 4 pm
Music, dance, food and history celebrating Vista's Hispanic heritage.
Linda Rhoades Recreation Center · vistachamber.org
Vista Viking Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sep 19 to 20 · 8 am to 10 pm Sat, 10 am to 6 pm Sun
Southern California's biggest Viking and Nordic celebration, and 2026 is the Year of Loki. Nordic food, local meads, live music, stonelifting, axe and archery ranges, plus beard and battle cry competitions. Bring the kids.
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum · vistavikingfestival.com
Fallbrook Chamber Golf Tournament
Monday, 9 am to 4 pm
Played at a private course that rarely opens up. A portion of proceeds benefits the Center for Senior Wellbeing.
The Havens Country Club · fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
San Marcos
4 eventsTwo fundraisers, a movie night, and a run up the highest point in North County.
Free Movies in the Park
Friday, pre-show 6:30 pm, movie at sunset
Free popcorn and prizes. Bring blankets and low chairs.
Boys & Girls Club of Vista Golf Tournament
Friday, 8:30 am
Golf, prizes and giveaways supporting local youth.
The Links at Lakehouse · bgcvista.org
Dunk a Deputy
Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm
A Special Olympics Southern California fundraiser with a community resource fair, food trucks and raffle prizes.
Hollandia Park soccer field · sanmarcoschamber.com
Double Peak Challenge
Saturday, 6:15 am
A timed 10K, an untimed 5K run and walk, and a kids' trail trot from North County's highest point. Proceeds benefit Friends of San Marcos and the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos.
San Elijo Recreation Center · doublepeakchallenge.com
Escondido and Inland
5 eventsWorth the drive east, especially the first weekend.
54th Annual Barona Powwow
Friday through Sunday, Sep 4 to 6 · various times
Free and open to the public, across the whole weekend.
Barona Sports Complex, Lakeside · facebook.com/BaronaPowwow
Julian Grape Stomp Festa
Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm
The 29th year of shoes off, pants rolled up, grapes underfoot. Admission includes a wine glass, a tasting and entertainment.
Menghini Winery, Julian · visitjulian.com
Indigenous Artisan Market
Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm
Handmade artwork, jewelry, textiles, pottery and carvings sold directly by Indigenous artisans from across the region.
San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Rd. · sandiegoarchaeology.org
Poway Rodeo
Friday and Saturday, Sep 25 to 26
More than fifty years running. This year's theme is "The Legacy Continues."
Poway Valley Riders Association, 14336 Tierra Bonita Rd. · powayrodeo.com
Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Sep 25 to 27 and Oct 2 to 4 · Fri 4 to 10 pm, Sat 12 to 10 pm, Sun 12 to 9 pm
Hosted by the German American Societies and about as close to Munich as you will get without a passport.
1017 S. Mollison Ave. · germanclubsandiego.com
Worth the Drive
13 eventsEverything below is outside North County but big enough to plan a day around.
Del Mar Racing Season Closes
Through Monday, Sep 7
The last week of the meet, and the last excuse to wear the hat.
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. · dmtc.com
Taste of Gaslamp
Saturday, 1 to 4 pm
A self-guided tasting tour across 20-plus restaurants and 16 blocks downtown.
Gaslamp Quarter · gaslamp.org/tasteofgaslamp
San Diego Triathlon Classic
Saturday, 6 am
Swim, bike, run, celebrate.
Liberty Station · sandiegotriathlonclassic.com
Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon
Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm
Roughly 70 dogs surfing, a canine costume contest, vendors and music, benefiting Helen Woodward Animal Center. Spectators welcome on the sand.
Dog Beach, Del Mar · animalcenter.org
La Jolla Cove Swim
Sunday, 9 am
A hundred-year-old open-water tradition with 250-meter, one-mile and three-mile courses.
La Jolla Cove · kiwanisclublajolla.org
San Diego Restaurant Week
Sunday through Sunday, Sep 13 to 20
100-plus restaurants from Oceanside to Chula Vista with multi-course menus starting around $30. Plenty of the participants are in North County.
Countywide · sandiegorestaurantweek.com
San Diego Bayfair Powerboat Racing
Friday through Sunday, Sep 18 to 20
Hydroplanes moving fast enough on the water to nearly leave it.
Mission Bay · sandiegobayfair.org
Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, 9 am to 12 pm
Sites all over the county, several of them right here in North County. An easy two hours that makes a visible difference, and a good one to bring kids to.
Various locations · cleansd.org
Adams Avenue Street Fair
Saturday and Sunday, Sep 19 to 20
Live music, carnival rides, beer gardens and 300 exhibitors in Normal Heights.
Adams Avenue · adamsavenuebusiness.com
America's Air Show at MCAS Miramar
Friday through Sunday, Sep 25 to 27
The largest military air show in the country, celebrating 250 years of American aviation. Parking fills early, so plan to arrive well ahead of the flight demonstrations.
MCAS Miramar · miramarairshow.com
CRSSD Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sep 26 to 27
Two days, three stages and 36-plus electronic artists at Waterfront Park.
Waterfront Park · crssdfest.com
Pacific Islander Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sep 26 to 27, from 7:30 am
Traditional music, dance performances, cultural workshops and island food at Ski Beach.
Ski Beach, Mission Bay · pifasandiego.com/festival
Del Mar Wine and Food Festival
Wednesday through Sunday, Sep 30 to Oct 4
A week of tastings capped by a two-day Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park.
Surf Sports Park, Del Mar · delmar.wine
North County Farmers Markets
Handy to have in one place. Times shift seasonally, so check before you drive. The afternoon and evening markets are the ones to watch once the clocks change in November: several shorten their hours or pause for the winter simply because they run out of daylight.
Monday
- Escondido3 to 7 pm8860 Lawrence Welk Dr.
Tuesday
- Escondido2:30 to 7 pm, Jun to Sep200 N. Juniper St.
- San Marcos3 to 7 pm250 North City Dr.
Wednesday
- Carlsbad2:30 to 7 pm, Mar to Oct2900 State St.
Thursday
- Oceanside9 am to 1 pmPier View Way & Hwy 101
Saturday
- Cardiff10 am to 2 pm3333 Manchester Ave.
- Vista8 am to 12 pmMelrose Dr. S. of Hwy 78
- Fallbrook9 am to 1:30 pm100 S. Main Ave.
Sunday
- Leucadia10 am to 2 pm185 Union St.
- Escondido9 am to 1 pmWoodward & N. Escondido Blvd.
- Rancho Santa Fe9:30 am to 2 pm16079 San Dieguito Rd.
- Solana Beach12 to 4 pm444 S. Cedros Ave.
Full county list at sdfarmbureau.org.
Already on the Calendar
Worth putting in your phone now.
- OctoberTaste of Carlsbad Village, a self-guided walking tour of State Street kitchens
- Oct 31 to Nov 1Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch
- Sunday Nov 1Carlsbad Village Street Faire, 8 am to 4 pm. The largest one-day street faire in the country, roughly 900 booths and well over 100,000 people
Questions People Ask
The short answers.
What is happening in Carlsbad this September?
Carlsbad's biggest September events are the Leo Carrillo Ranch Film Festival on September 4, ArtWalk Carlsbad on Armada Drive September 19 and 20, and St. Michael's Jazz Fest on September 26. The Carlsbad farmers market runs Wednesdays on State Street from 2:30 to 7 pm through October.
What free events are happening in North County in September 2026?
Several. The Barona Powwow September 4 to 6, the Vista Rod Run on September 6, the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships in Oceanside September 10 to 13, San Marcos Free Movies in the Park on September 4, and Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19 are all free to attend.
What is the best family event in North County this month?
The Vista Viking Festival on September 19 and 20 is hard to beat, with axe and archery ranges, live music and youth activities at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum. ArtWalk Carlsbad the same weekend includes KidsWalk, and the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in Del Mar on September 13 is a reliable favorite with kids.
Is the Miramar Air Show happening in 2026?
Yes. America's Air Show runs September 25 to 27 at MCAS Miramar and is the largest military air show in the country. Parking fills early, so plan to arrive well ahead of the flight demonstrations.
When is Encinitas Oktoberfest 2026?
Sunday, September 27, from 10 am to 6 pm on Mountain Vista Drive off El Camino Real. It is the 30th annual and includes more than 130 artisans, German food and drink, and family and pet friendly activities.
Know about something that belongs on this list?
If there is an event in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Vista or San Marcos that should be here, send it over and it goes in next month's roundup.
And if part of what you love about a neighborhood is the stuff happening in it, that is usually worth talking about before you decide where to buy. Happy to set up a private home search site filtered to the areas and price range that fit, so new listings come to you instead of the other way around.
Kyle@BuyOrSellSoCal.com
Lauren@BuyOrSellSoCal.com
Buy Or Sell SoCal Homes
Dates and times come from the event organizers and do change. Check the event site before you head out, especially for anything ticketed.
