Fall Into Fun: Local Events in Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar & Escondido You Won’t Want to Miss

North County Real Estate with Natalya
Sep 26
4 min read

Pumpkin patch at Carlsbad Strawberry Company with bright orange pumpkins and a wagon, a favorite fall tradition in North County San Diego.

Looking for easy, local fun between now and New Year’s? I’ve pulled together the best festivals, markets, pumpkin patches, lights, outdoor adventures, and community traditions across Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Escondido—all with links to the official pages so you can plan fast. Save this, share it, and I’ll keep it updated as new dates drop.

Big Fall & Holiday Events (Date‑specific)

Taste of Carlsbad Village (Oct 16): Stroll, sip, and sample from 45+ restaurants and 20+ sip stops in the Village. Details & tickets (often sells out).
Carlsbad Village Faire (Nov 2): One of SoCal’s largest one‑day street fairs with 800+ vendors—perfect for early holiday shopping. Event page.
Halloween in the Village (Carlsbad) (Oct 31): Trick‑or‑treating, costume contests, and spooky fun downtown. Event page.
Encinitas Fall Festival (Holiday Street Fair) (Nov 23): 450+ booths, live music, kids’ zone, and food along Coast Hwy 101. Event info.
Encinitas Safe Trick‑or‑Treat (Oct 31): Family‑friendly trick‑or‑treating with local businesses on Hwy 101. Details.
Encinitas Holiday Parade (Dec 6): A beloved Coast Hwy tradition—get your blankets and cocoa ready. City event page.
Día de los Muertos (Encinitas Library) (Nov 1): Arts & culture event hosted by the City. City event page.
Del Mar Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft Show (Oct weekend): Huge handcrafted market at the Fairgrounds. Official page.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club — Bing Crosby Season (Oct 30–Nov 30): Fall horse racing returns to Del Mar. Season calendar.
Del Mar Village Tree Lighting + Winter Taste & Sip (December): Cozy, walkable holiday night in the Village. DMVA events.
San Diego Botanic Garden Fall Festival (Encinitas) (Oct 11): Live music, performances, seed planting, and more. Program page.
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden (mid‑Nov–early Jan): A magical one‑mile holiday lights trail. Official page.
Grand Avenue Festival (Escondido) (Oct 19): 300+ vendors, music, and food in historic downtown. Chamber page.
Escondido Tamale Festival (Nov 1): Tamales, entertainment, beer & wine garden at Grape Day Park. Official page.
Día de los Muertos Festival (California Center for the Arts, Escondido) (Nov 1): Free, family‑friendly celebration with art and music. Event page.
Autumn Festival (San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido) (Oct weekends): Fall fun, food, and entertainment. Event page.
Wild Holidays (Safari Park, Escondido) (select dates late Nov–Jan): Evening lights & entertainment. Event page.

Pumpkins, Lights & Seasonal Favorites

Carlsbad Strawberry Company Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Oct–early Nov): Photo ops, maze, and fall treats. Pumpkin Patch.
Pumpkin Station — Del Mar Fairgrounds (late Sept–Oct): Free entry & parking; rides available. Del Mar location.
Lightscape at SDBG (worth listing twice because it’s that good): Dates/tickets via the garden’s Lightscape portal. Lightscape.

Weekly & Monthly Markets (Perfect for “Let’s just go!” days)

State Street Farmers’ Market (Carlsbad Village) — Wednesdays from 2:30 pm. Official market page.
Del Mar Farmers Market — Saturdays 12–4 pm at the Civic Center. Official site.
Leucadia Certified Farmers Market (Encinitas) — Sundays 10 am–2 pm at Paul Ecke Elementary (CDFA‑listed). CDFA market list.
Cardiff Farmers Market (MiraCosta San Elijo Campus) — Saturdays. Regional listing.
Escondido Certified Farmers’ Market — Tuesdays 2:30 pm until sunset downtown. Escondido Arts Partnership.
Seaside Bazaar (Encinitas) — Open‑air weekend market with eclectic finds. Official site.

Outdoorsy, Beachy & Active (year‑round wins)

San Elijo Lagoon: Wildlife & Family Fall Festival — free guided fun, nature crafts, and more (Oct). Events.
San Elijo Lagoon Wildlife Tours — free guided walks with Nature Collective. Reserve.
Batiquitos Lagoon Trail (Carlsbad) — coastal birding & easy family strolls. City trail info.
Coastal Rail Trail ride (Encinitas–Carlsbad) — flat, scenic biking along the coast. SANDAG map (PDF).
Bike the Coast (Nov): Choose 7–100‑mile routes that cruise through our North County beach towns. Distances & routes.
Lake Hodges Suspension Bridge (Escondido) — hike/bike with views for days. San Dieguito River Park trails.
Surf Swami’s (Encinitas) — iconic right‑hand point; great for watching pros even if you’re not paddling out. State Parks info.
Moonlight State Beach (Encinitas) — family‑friendly beach day or golden‑hour picnic. City beach page.
Carlsbad State Beach — classic sunset strolls. State Parks info.
Del Mar City Beach & Seagrove Park — easy picnic + beach combo with parking nearby. City beach info.

Bonus: Fun Community Traditions

Encinitas Turkey Trot (5K/10K) (Nov 27): Start Thanksgiving under the iconic “ENCINITAS” sign. Official site.
Carlsbad Cars & Coffee (most weekends): Chill, low‑key classic & exotic car meet. Community info.

Quick planning tips

Tickets: A few of these (Taste of Carlsbad Village, Lightscape) sell out—book early.
Parking: Del Mar Pumpkin Station + Lightscape list parking details on their sites.
Kid‑friendly: Safari Park’s Autumn Festival & Wild Holidays are packed with family activities.