In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
A full slate (and plate) of Thanksgiving feasts, oceanfront brunches, and wellness events across Carlsbad, plus to-go meals for anyone keeping the holiday simple at home.
Black Friday shopping ramps up at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, while Oceanside’s tree lighting brings festive energy and family fun to the coast.
Small Business Saturday fills Carlsbad Village and Encinitas with live music, local makers, and holiday markets perfect for early gift hunting.
Lightscape returns to the Botanic Garden with glowing trails, and the weekend rounds out with Santa visits, yoga on the lawn, and cozy Christmas pop-ups.
Plus: Carlsbad’s pie shop gears up for its biggest week of the year, the city joins a major airport lawsuit, and homeowners get a friendly property tax reminder.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 11/27:
🦃 Thanksgiving Dinner at Omni La Costa Resort | Carlsbad | Thu, Nov 27
A classic Carlsbad holiday tradition with a festive buffet, carving stations, and seasonal desserts inside a cozy resort setting. Great for families and out-of-town guests looking for an easy, elegant holiday meal. details🦃 Stone Brewing Thanksgiving To-Go Feast | 1999 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido | Nov 25–27 | Stone Brewing is offering a full Thanksgiving meal to-go, ideal for anyone wanting a stress-free holiday spread. The $210 feast serves 8–10 and includes smoked turkey, gravy, whipped potatoes, stuffing, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, and Parker House rolls. details
🍽️ Thanksgiving at The Grill at Torrey Pines | La Jolla | Thu, Nov 27, 5–10 pm
The Grill is serving a cozy Thanksgiving dinner featuring chimney-roasted turkey with all the fixings, plus traditional pumpkin pie. Guests can enjoy the $75 holiday plate or build a custom meal from the regular menu, pairing dishes with beer, wine, or cocktails for a relaxed, memorable evening. details⛸️ Glice Skating at Fairmont Grand Del Mar | Del Mar | Thu, Nov 27–Sun, Dec 1 | The Grand’s eco-friendly Glice rink opens Thanksgiving weekend with holiday drinks, s’mores by the fire, and cabana options for a cozy night out. Skating is $45 for adults and $25 for kids, including skate rentals. Thanksgiving Day hours run 3–8 pm with festive treats available. details
🏃♂️ O’side Turkey Trot | Oceanside | Thu, Nov 27, 6:45–10 am start times | A Thanksgiving tradition with 5K waves, kids races, coastal views, and festive costumes. Runners enjoy shirts, medals, free photos, and live entertainment along the route. Proceeds support the San Diego Food Bank and dozens of North County nonprofits, making it a fun way to start the holiday while giving back. details
Friday 11/28:
🛍️ Black Friday at Carlsbad Premium Outlets | Carlsbad | Fri, Nov 28
Carlsbad’s busiest shopping day returns with early opening hours, deep discounts, and packed foot traffic. Expect full parking lots and plenty of holiday energy. details🎅 Meet Santa at Grand Social | Del Mar | Fri–Sun, Nov 28–30 | Santa visits Grand Social throughout opening weekend to chat with kids and hear holiday wishes. Families can stop by during evening hours, with story times woven into the schedule. A warm, cheerful stop for little ones exploring the resort’s holiday scene. details
🦁 Thanksgiving Turkey Bash | Lions Tigers & Bears, Alpine | Fri–Sat, Nov 28–29, 10 am | Up for a day trip to Alpine? Watch rescued big cats and bears enjoy their Thanksgiving feast during this special 10 am educational visit. The experience is lively, rain or shine, with limited capacity and advance tickets required. details
⚽ San Diego Sockers Home Opener | Frontwave Arena, Oceanside | Fri, Nov 28, 7:30 pm | The Sockers kick off their season against the Empire Strykers, and the first 1,500 fans receive a limited-edition T-shirt. A lively night for families and local sports fans ready to cheer on Oceanside’s home team. details
🎶 Live Jazz at Nido D’amore | Carlsbad Village | Fri, Nov 28 | Ease into the weekend with smooth live jazz by The Soto Six at Nido D’amore. The cozy State Street setting makes it a relaxed Friday night stop for anyone craving good music and a warm neighborhood vibe. details
Saturday 11/29:
🌟 Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden | Encinitas | Now–Jan 4 | The after-dark trail features more than 20 new illuminated displays, glowing floral canopies, and seasonal drinks like mulled cider and hot chocolate. Families and couples can enjoy a 60–90 minute walk through music-filled light installations. details
🎨 Holiday Bazaar 2025 | Encinitas Community Center | Sat, Nov 29, 10 am–4 pm
The San Dieguito Art Guild hosts its annual holiday bazaar with local artists, handmade gifts, and seasonal creations. It’s a relaxed, one-day market perfect for finding unique presents and supporting Encinitas makers. details🛍️ Small Business Saturday | Carlsbad Village | Sat, Nov 29, 11 am–4 pm | Carlsbad Village celebrates Shop Small with live music, a scavenger hunt, treats, and free tote bags while supplies last. Stop by the State and Grand booth for gift card giveaways every 30 minutes, with more than $2,000 in prizes. A great way to meet local owners and kick off holiday shopping. details
Sunday 11/30:
🎄 Cozy Christmas Party | Magical Child, Encinitas | Sun, Nov 30, 10 am–5 pm | Magical Child hosts a full day of holiday fun with crafts, treats, raffles, and a festive prize wheel. Guests can enjoy hair silks, permanent bracelets, and complimentary gift wrap while shopping. RSVP adds a Holiday10 ticket for $10 off purchases of $100 or more. details
🧘♀️ Farm to Flow: Free Vinyasa Class | La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market | Sun, Nov 30, 11 am | A free, all-levels 45-minute Vinyasa class held on the grass at La Jolla Elementary. The flow blends sun salutations, standing poses, and grounding stretches, with instructors offering plenty of modifications. Bring a mat and water, then enjoy the farmers market right after. details
🎅 Free Photos with Santa at PorchLight Coffee | Pacific Beach | Sun, Nov 30, 10 am–1 pm | PorchLight Coffee is hosting a relaxed, family-friendly morning with complimentary photos with Santa. Drop in for festive fun, warm drinks, and sweet holiday energy. All ages welcome. 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 11/27
72 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️
Friday 11/28
68 🌡️ 49 | ☀️
Saturday 11/29
65 🌡️ 49 | ☀️
Sunday 11/30
65 🌡️ 47 | 🌤️
🥧 Carlsbad Pie Shop Gears Up for a Massive Thanksgiving Rush
Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe in Carlsbad is in full Thanksgiving mode, turning out thousands of pies as locals line up for their holiday favorites. Master Pie Chef Jaime Garza says consistency is everything, tasting each pie to ensure every recipe stays true to the shop’s long-loved standards. Founder Annette Bradley shared that even through difficult years, including the pandemic, customers continued to show up for a slice of comfort.
This week is their biggest sale of the year, with pies stacked high and even a semi-trailer brought in for overflow. Co-owner Chris Bradley expects more than 3,000 pies to sell before Thanksgiving dinner. The shop will close for the holiday so staff can be with family, but they’ll offer morning pie sales until they run out.
📰 Carlsbad Joins Airport Lawsuit Over Airline Return
Carlsbad is officially joining a lawsuit aimed at blocking the county’s deal to bring American Airlines back to McClellan-Palomar Airport. The city will partner with Citizens for a Friendly Airport, the community group that originally filed the suit earlier this year. Their concern centers on noise, traffic, and the long-term impact of scheduled commercial flights returning to the small regional airport.
A judge approved Carlsbad’s request to join the case, giving the city a direct role as the legal challenge moves forward. County supervisors had approved a lease with American Airlines to resume service, which supporters say would improve regional connectivity. The case now puts the future of commercial flights at Palomar back into question, with both sides watching closely for the next hearing date.
🏠💸 Property Tax Reminder for Homeowners
Another reminder that property tax bills for homes, condos, and land are due. Your first payment was due November 1 (late if not paid by December 10), and the second is due February 1 (late after April 10).
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop