In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
New Year weekend events across North County, from live music, night markets, and art nights to beach workouts, puppy socials, and family-friendly community gatherings.
Easy ways to kick off 2026 locally, including New Year’s brunches, first-Friday celebrations, and simple ways to recycle your Christmas tree around Carlsbad.
Arts, culture, and community highlights like Free First Sunday at OMA, hands-on workshops, and cozy creative nights in Oceanside and beyond.
Local updates to keep you in the loop, including neighborhood news and changes affecting Carlsbad shoppers.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 1/1:
🥂 New Year’s Brunch at Seasons Restaurant | Seasons Restaurant, 7210 Blue Heron Pl, Carlsbad | 11am–4pm | Start the year with an extended New Year’s Day brunch and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Easy, festive, and perfect if you want something celebratory without leaving North County. details
🌊 First Day Polar Bear Plunge | South Cardiff State Beach, next to Lifeguard Tower 11 | 10am–12pm | Kick off 2026 with a classic New Year’s ocean plunge. Brave the cold water (about 58–60°F), then warm up by the firepits with hot drinks. Free to participate, parking fees apply. All ages welcome; plunge recommended for ages 5+ with strong swimming confidence. details
🎶 The PettyBreakers + Hello Mr. Soul | Belly Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach | 7:30pm | A double tribute night honoring Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Neil Young. Expect singalong classics and a packed dance floor at one of North County’s favorite live music venues. Tickets starting at $25 with loft seating available. details
Friday 1/2:
🎨 Sip, Paint and Gaze | The Seabird Resort, 101 Mission Ave, Oceanside | 5:30–7pm | A guided paint night on the rooftop at The Shelter Club, including supplies, an 11x14 canvas, and two glasses of wine. A cozy way to ease into the weekend. details
🎶 First Friday Reggae Night with Jah Ollin | Witch Creek Winery, 2906 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad | 6–10pm | Start the year with laid-back reggae vibes, local wine, and a relaxed coastal crowd. This monthly favorite brings easy energy and good music to Carlsbad Village. details
🎶 First Friday at Tremont Collective | Tremont Collective, 602 S Tremont St, Oceanside | 5–11pm | A community night out with live music, art, food, drinks, giveaways, and plenty to wander through with friends. A fun Oceanside staple for the first Friday crowd. details
🍴 San Diego Sustainable Night Market | AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego | 5–9pm | Come hungry. This monthly night market is packed with food vendors (tacos, sushi, BBQ, donuts and more), plus local shopping, music, and games. Family-friendly and dogs welcome. details
Saturday 1/3:
🐶 Puppy Socials Near Me: Puppy Playgroup | Dogs On The Run, 3176 Lionshead Ave Suite 101, Carlsbad | 10:30–11:30am | A supervised social hour for puppies (8–16 weeks) focused on safe play, confidence-building, and early manners. Certified trainers lead the session while humans get tips and meet other local puppy parents. Free for pups and owners. details
🧘♀️ Free Beach Mat Pilates + Intentions | Carlsbad State Beach, near Tower 37 | 8–9:15am | A grounding New Year mat Pilates class led by BODYBAR La Costa, followed by guided journaling to set intentions for 2026. Bring a mat, journal, and warm layers. Free and welcoming for all levels. details
🦉 Creekside Critters: Native Birds Up Close | Del Mar Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar | 11am–12pm | Meet a great horned owl, screech owl, and American kestrel while learning about native bird behavior and conservation. A special, family-friendly educational event. Registration required and spots are limited. details
🚗 Porsches + Coffee | Fourtillfour Cafe, 1114 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas | 7–9:30am | A relaxed morning meetup for Porsche owners and car lovers alike. Sip great coffee, admire rare and classic cars, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Free to attend and open to all. details
⚽ San Diego Sockers vs. Empire Strykers | Frontwave Arena, 3475 Hero Dr, Oceanside | 7pm | Catch fast-paced indoor soccer as the Sockers face off against the Empire Strykers in Oceanside. A high-energy night out for sports fans. details
Sunday 1/4:
🎨 First Free Sunday at Oceanside Museum of Art | Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside | 12–2pm | OMA’s Free First Sunday includes hands-on art-making with local artists and community partners, plus a chance to explore current exhibits for inspiration. Great for all ages and all creativity levels. details
🍊🥑Farmers Markets:🍓🧺
Wednesday: Carlsbad: 2:30pm-7pm | State Steet | details
Thursday: Oceanside: 9am-1pm | Pier View Way | details
Friday: San Marcos: 4pm-8pm | N City Drive | details
Saturday:
Sunday:
🌤️🌊 Carlsbad Weather and Wave Forecast
Weather ☀️
Thursday 1/1
67 🌡️ 58 | 🌦️
Friday 1/2
68 🌡️ 57 | 🌤️
Saturday 1/3
66 🌡️ 59 | 🌦️
Sunday 1/4
66 🌡️ 60 | 🌦️
🌲 Recycle Your Christmas Tree the Easy Way in Carlsbad
When you’re ready to say goodbye to your holiday tree (no rush 😉), Carlsbad is making it simple and eco-friendly. Now through January 14th, residents can take advantage of free Christmas tree recycling with both curbside pickup and multiple drop-off options around town.
For curbside service, just place your tree next to your green organics cart on your regular collection day. If you prefer to drop a tree off yourself, see below:
📍 Drop-off locations:
Calavera Hills Community Park: 2997 Glasgow Drive
Fire Station 1: 1275 Carlsbad Village Drive
Recycling Buyback Center at the Palomar Transfer Station: 5960 El Camino Real
Poinsettia Community Park: 6600 Hidden Valley Road
Stagecoach Community Park: 3420 Camino de los Coches
It’s an easy way to keep trees out of landfills and give them a second life as mulch or compost. One small post-holiday task that makes a big local impact.
🛒 Gelson’s La Costa Store to Transition to Ralphs
Gelson’s Markets has announced it will sell its La Costa location in Carlsbad to Ralphs, with ownership expected to transfer on March 9th. Gelson’s will continue operating the store through the end of February, giving customers time to shop and say goodbye.
The company shared that the La Costa store has faced ongoing financial challenges and remained unprofitable despite efforts to turn things around. Importantly, Gelson’s said a key priority in the sale was finding a buyer willing to retain as many current employees as possible, rather than closing the store outright.
Gelson’s will continue serving North County at its Del Mar and Pacific Beach locations and plans to open a new store in Toluca Lake in early 2026. Many locals have already shared how much they value the La Costa staff and sense of community, making this a bittersweet change for longtime shoppers.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop