In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
Trivia nights at Duck Foot Leucadia and Oceanside's Art Walk season opener pull you into the neighborhood vibe, alongside Fox Point Farms' golden-hour music sessions.
Friday heats up with Atomic Groove's May Day dance party at Belly Up and FoodieLand's 200+ vendor launch at Del Mar Fairgrounds for three straight days of food frenzy.
Weekend brings Cinco de Mayo bands in Escondido, free Stevie Wonder tribute music in Oceanside, and Carlsbad Village's massive Street Faire shutting down downtown Sunday for 800+ booths.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 4/30:
🧠 Free Trivia Night at Duck Foot Brewing Leucadia | 978 N Coast Hwy 101 #2051, Encinitas | Every Thursday, 7–9pm
Hosted by comedian Alex Petit, this weekly trivia night offers $30 bar cash for first place, $20 for second, and $10 for third. Get ready for a fun, low‑stakes way to test your knowledge over a pint in Leucadia. details
Friday 5/1:
🌅 Friday Sunset Sessions at Fox Point Farms | 1200 Fox Point Farms Ln, Encinitas | Every Friday, 5–8pm
A weekly golden‑hour gathering on the Lawn with live local music, farm food from Huerta Tacos, Fox Point Pizza, and Haven Farm + Table, plus $10 margaritas and $5 Barn Burner Red Ales. Bring chairs or blankets, play cornhole and giant Jenga, and catch tractor‑train tours at 5, 5:30, and 6pm. details🎉 Atomic Groove Fri‑YAY May Day SOS Dance Party | Belly Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach | Fri, May 1, 5:30–8pm (doors 5pm)
Atomic Groove hosts a happy hour dance party with vocalist Mark Jones, AG Conga Girl Monette Marino, and the AG Fly Girlz dance class. A 21+ escape into feel‑good dance jams. details🎨 Oceanside Art Walk Kickoff | Civic Center Library Plaza & Artist Alley, Oceanside | Fri, May 1, 5–8pm (concert 8–9pm)
The 2026 Oceanside Art Walk season starts with art, creators, makers, music, and family fun around the fountain and Artist Alley. Followed by the After Dark Concert Series from 8–9pm. details🥡 FoodieLand Food Festival | Del Mar Fairgrounds | Fri–Sun, May 1–3
200+ food vendors, global flavors, artisan shops, games, and live music spread across three days. One of the nation’s largest food festival hits North County! details
Saturday 5/2:
🎉 Cinco de Mayo Music Festival | Grape Day Park, Escondido | Sat, May 2, 5–10pm
Live bands, food vendors, and a beer & margarita garden kick off a two‑day Cinco de Mayo celebration. Sunday adds family‑friendly performances, dancing, crafts, and more from 11am–5pm. details🎶 Free Live Music in the Park | Joe Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St, Oceanside | Sat, May 2, 3:30–6:30pm
David Spitzfaden Trio opens for Kogee Soul Reprise’s Stevie Wonder tribute. Bring a blanket and dance on the grass (no tickets needed). details🎧 Block Party 007 DJ Pop‑Up | Glazed Coffee & Creamery, 4449 Ocean Blvd, San Diego | Sat, May 2, 4–7:30pm
A free open‑air house music DJ pop‑up on the boardwalk at Glazed PB. RSVP required, dancing encouraged and fully recorded for the Block Party vibes. details🛒 Valley Center Community Yard Sale | Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Rd, Valley Center | Sat, May 2, 7:30am–12:30pm
A massive annual yard sale with everything from furniture and art to tools and home décor. Free admission and parking, seller spaces sold out. details🧵 Fiber Arts Fiesta 2026 | Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N Santa Fe Ave, Vista | Sat, May 2, 10am–4pm
A celebration of textile crafts with hands‑on workshops, artisan displays, demos in weaving, spinning, quilting, and embroidery, plus a vendor marketplace fun for the whole family. details
Sunday 5/3:
🛍️ Carlsbad Village Street Faire | Downtown Carlsbad Village | Sun, May 3, 8am–5pm
The Carlsbad Chamber’s biannual street faire returns with 800+ booths, international food court, kids’ rides, live entertainment, and a pancake breakfast. Free shuttles from Shoppes at Carlsbad and Poinsettia Coaster Station. details🎨 49th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Fair | Bernardo Winery | Sat–Sun, May 9–10, 10am–5pm
Over 125 artisan vendors with handmade jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, home goods, and garden items across the winery grounds. Free admission, wine bars, Italian fare, and coffee shop open. details⚔️ Escondido Renaissance Faire | Escondido, CA | Sun, May 3 10am-6pm
The Escondido Renaissance Faire features live combat demos from Esperance of Adria, arts & sciences displays, quests, and encampment exploration. A full‑day dive into medieval recreation with steel fights and hands‑on history. details
🍊🥑Farmers Markets:🍓🧺
Wednesday: Carlsbad: 2:30pm-7pm | State Street | 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 4/30
68 🌡️ 54 | ☀️
Friday 5/1
71 🌡️ 58 | ☀️
Saturday 5/2
70 🌡️ 58 | ☀️
Sunday 5/3
65 🌡️ 58 | 🌥️
🛍️ Carlsbad Village Street Faire Returns Sunday
If you've been waiting for the Village to shut down for one of its biggest days of the year, mark your calendar for the Carlsbad Chamber's Street Faire this Sunday, May 3 (8am–5pm). Grand Avenue transforms into a pedestrian paradise with 800+ vendor booths, international food court, kids' rides, live entertainment, and the classic Kiwanis pancake breakfast.
Street closures hit Grand from Carlsbad Blvd to Jefferson Street plus parts of State Street, so plan for shuttles from Shoppes at Carlsbad and Poinsettia Coaster Station. It's the biannual tradition that draws over 100,000 people to the Village!
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop