🌊 What's Happening in North County This Weekend

Del Mar's Summer Solstice dinner turns 20 this Thursday, with unlimited restaurant tastings, Grammy-nominated live music, and cocktails at the beach park. It sells out every year.

Carlsbad's free TGIF concert series opens its 2026 season Friday at Stagecoach Park, with country band The Pistol Blonde as the first act.

Sunday is Father's Day, and Fox Point Farms is hosting a free community BBQ at the farm. There's also a story inside about a French pastry bakery opening in Del Mar very soon.

Del Mar Village Summer Solstice | Powerhouse Park & Beach, 1658 Coast Blvd, Del Mar | 5–8pm (VIP 4pm)
The 20th edition of this annual seaside dinner party brings unlimited tastings from Village restaurants, live music by Grammy-nominated Christian Jules Taylor, and craft cocktails, wine, and beer to the park above the sand. A commemorative glass is included. Tickets are $135 and it sells out every year. details

Encinitas Cruise Nights | S Coast Hwy 101 (D to K Street), Encinitas | 5:30–7:30pm
Classic cars and hot rods line the boulevard one evening per month through summer, with club cars rolling in from across the county. Free to walk, linger at the hoods, and talk shop with the owners. This is the June edition of the summer series. details

Oceanside Sunset Market | Coast Hwy & Pier View Way, Oceanside | 5–9pm
The weekly waterfront market runs through the summer with international food vendors, craft sellers, and live music across several blocks near the pier. Outdoor, free to enter, and long enough to fill an actual evening rather than just a quick stop. details

TGIF Concerts in the Parks: The Pistol Blonde | Stagecoach Community Park, 3420 Camino De Los Coches, Carlsbad | 6–8pm (gates 4pm)
The free summer concert series opens its 2026 season with country band The Pistol Blonde. Gates open at 4 with lawn activities and dance lessons at 5:15. No food vendors this year, so pack a picnic. Bike valet available at no cost. details

Atomic Groove | Belly Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach | 8pm
Atomic Groove turns their Hello Summer show into a benefit dance party at the Up. The Bay Area funk and soul band brings a full horn section and a crowd that came specifically to move, not just stand and listen. tickets

Prince Again: Jimi Hendrix Celebration featuring Jeff Moore | Belly Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach
Jeff Moore leads a tribute that covers both Prince and Hendrix in the same show. The guitar vocabularies couldn't be more different, which is what makes the program unusual. Two legends, one stage, one evening. details

The Addams Family | The Grand, 301 E Grand Ave, Escondido | 7pm (Fri & Sat)
The classic musical runs two nights this weekend. Follows Gomez and Morticia trying to hold the family together when Wednesday brings home a completely normal boyfriend from Ohio. Full production staging, running about two and a half hours both nights. details

Friday Films: Heathers | Covet Art Gallery, 1922 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside | 7:30pm
Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in the 1988 cult dark comedy, screening at the gallery as part of their ongoing film series. Tickets are $15. Show up early and you've got their contemporary artwork collection to wander through before the film starts. details

Barbeques Galore Summer BBQ Vendor Demo & Sales Event | Barbeques Galore, 1076 N El Camino Real, Encinitas | 11am–3pm
Vendor grill demos, free BBQ samples, giveaways, and a $250 gift card raffle drawn at 1pm. Father's Day is Sunday, and several BBQ brands will be on-site showing off new equipment. Free admission; RSVP to enter the raffle at the door. RSVP

4th Annual San Diego Lao Food Festival Night Market | Maple Street Plaza, 200 W Grand Ave, Escondido | 1–9pm
Lao street food, live music, cooking competitions, and cultural performances spread across an open plaza from early afternoon into the evening. The festival celebrates World Refugee Day with free admission for all. details

San Diego Sword Fighting (Amtgard) | Buddy Todd Park, Oceanside | 1pm
Full-contact foam sword fighting on the main hill, north side of the parking lot. Medieval combat meets speed tag, with spears, bows, and foam magic thrown in. Gear is provided, no experience needed, and free for anyone 14 and up. Regulars describe it as a real-life video game with a social club attached. details

Cape Reggae - 2nd Annual Summer Kick-Off Pool Party | Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach (Hilton Resort), 1 Ponto Rd, Carlsbad | 4–9pm
Pool deck at the beach resort, two live acts (Sierra Marin then headliner Ginger Roots), a DJ opener, and craft beverage tastings from local vendors. All of it included in the ticket, along with pool and jacuzzi access. details

Chick-fil-A Carlsbad West 2-Year Anniversary | CarlsbadWest | 2–5pm
Bounce house, face painting, and a toy drive out front to mark two years in business at the Carlsbad West location. Kids under 12 get complimentary chicken nuggets, and bringing an unwrapped toy donation earns you a gift from the staff. details

Red Room Comedy at Red Tracton's | Red Tracton's Steakhouse, 550 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach | 7–8:30pm
Producer Alex Petit books San Diego and LA comedians for a rotating stand-up lineup in the restaurant's private Red Room. Different acts each week, close seating, about 90 minutes of material. Tickets start at $12.50 and this one fills up. details

Father's Day BBQ at Fox Point Farms | Fox Point Farms, 1200 Fox Point Farms Ln, Encinitas | 12–4pm
Free community BBQ at the farm on Father's Day, which this year also falls on the Summer Solstice. Food, drinks, and a full afternoon outdoors on the property. Encinitas Ranch golfers can add $5 beer to their round with the golf card. details

The Most Happy Fella | North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach
Frank Loesser's classic runs at North Coast Rep through July 5. Follows a big-hearted winemaker whose mail-order courtship leads to a love triangle. details

Vista: 8am-12pm | County Courthouse lot | details

Cardiff: 10am-2pm | MiraCosta Campus | details

Del Mar: 12pm-4pm | Civic Center | details

Rancho Santa Fe: 9:30am-2pm | Del Rayo Shopping Center | details

Encinitas: 10am-2pm | Paul Ecke Elementary | details

Solana Beach: 12pm-4pm | Cedros Avenue | details