In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
The holidays are in full swing this week, with tree lightings, night markets, fireworks, and plenty of Santa sightings happening across Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, and Cardiff.
Carlsbad Village, The Forum, Leo Carrillo Ranch, and the Shoppes all have festive events lined up, along with a handful of fun extras like local live music, gaming nights, and community workouts.
Community updates keep you in the know on new dining, wellness, and neighborhood news.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 12/4:
✨ Christmas Light Show Spectacular | Calvary Chapel Oceanside, 3715 Oceanic Way, Oceanside | Nightly in Dec, Sun–Fri 5:30–9:30pm, Sat 7:30–9:30pm | Drive through or walk the campus to see more than 10,000 synchronized lights set to music on 98.9 FM. Free for all ages and running all month, it is an easy holiday outing close to home. details
🎨 Holiday Oceanside Art Walk | The Seabird Resort, 101 Mission Ave, Oceanside | Thu, Dec 4, 4–8pm | The First Friday Oceanside Art Walk goes holiday mode at The Seabird with live music and more than 50 local artists and makers. It is family friendly, free to attend, and a nice way to browse gifts while supporting Oceanside creatives. details
🛍️ O’Neill Warehouse Sale | Alternative Retail, 2561 El Camino Real, Carlsbad | Thu–Sun, Dec 4–7, 10am–6pm | The official O’Neill warehouse sale returns with big markdowns on surf and lifestyle apparel for men, women, and kids. Expect up to 80% off tees, jackets, flannels, swim, accessories, and more. Free tickets are required for entry, with one-hour shopping windows. Free parking. details
🧘♀️ Rooftop Yoga at Cococabana | Cococabana, 408 Pier View Wy Ste 401, Oceanside | Thu, Dec 4, 9:30–10:30am | Start the morning with an all-levels rooftop yoga class at this Caribbean-style bar in downtown Oceanside. Expect a laid-back flow with ocean views. Space is limited, so register ahead and bring a mat, water, and sunglasses if you have them. details
Friday 12/5:
🎄 23rd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration | The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad | Fri, Dec 5, 6–8pm | The Forum’s annual tree lighting brings Santa’s arrival, the La Costa Canyon marching band, a festive tree lighting, and snowfall. Afterward, enjoy Santa photos, live music from Woodie and The Longboards, strolling characters, and complimentary treats from restaurants. details
🎶 Musical Kickoff to the Holidays | Carlsbad Village, Grand Ave & State St, Carlsbad | Fri, Dec 5, 4pm | Carlsbad Village is turning the corner of Grand and State into a small outdoor stage for local choir and orchestra students, including the Carlsbad High Holiday Jazz Band. Stop by for the music, warm drinks, and an easy start to the holiday season. details
🎄 31st Annual Lighting of the Encinitas Heritage Tree | Moonlight Beach Upper Parking Lot, 400 B St, Encinitas | Fri, Dec 5, 4–6pm | This longtime Encinitas tradition brings the community together with children’s choirs, surf-rock from Free Verse, and a fun fire-engine arrival from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Families can enjoy food from Epic Eatz, pick up a Heritage Tree shirt, and watch the tree light up the evening. Free to attend with easy parking. details
🎄 Holiday at the Rancho | Leo Carrillo Ranch, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln, Carlsbad | Sat, Dec 6, 5–8pm | Leo Carrillo Ranch transforms into a classic holiday setting with lights, music, tree lighting at 6pm, cookie decorating, crafts, a plush snowball fight, train rides, an outdoor holiday movie, and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $15, children 3 and under are free with registration. details
📸 Photos with Santa | The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad | Fri, Dec 5 | Santa photo sessions run daily through Christmas Eve. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations help keep the wait short. details
🎸 Legend Zeppelin + Loom at Booze Bros | Booze Brothers Brewing, 2545 Progress St Ste D, Vista | Fri, Dec 5, 8–11:30pm | A high-energy tribute show inspired by Led Zeppelin’s early club days. Expect blues, rock, and a lively crowd at one of Vista’s favorite breweries. All ages welcome. details
🎮 Halo Kart Bros LAN Party | Michi Brew Co, 1801 Diamond St Ste 101, San Marcos | Fri, Dec 5, 4–9pm | A casual gaming night with a $10 Halo LAN tournament plus free-play Smash Bros and Mario Kart stations. Good beer, friendly competition, and a low-key Friday hangout. Open to all ages with a parent. details
🍺 Pizza Port’s 27th Annual Strong Ale Festival | Pizza Port Carlsbad, 571 Carlsbad Village Dr | Fri–Sat, Dec 5–6 | Pizza Port brings back its two-day strong ale festival with 60+ high-ABV beers on tap. VIP sessions include early access, a tasting glass, and food. General admission runs Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Ages 21+ only. details
Saturday 12/6:
🌙 Carlsbad Nights: A Magical Night Market | The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2561 El Camino Real, Carlsbad | Sat, Dec 6, 5–9pm | This monthly night market brings food vendors, local makers, and community vibes to the Shoppes parking lot. It’s an easy place to stroll, grab dinner, and enjoy the energy of an outdoor market. Free admission and parking. details
🎆 Santa’s Christmas Magic Fireworks | LEGOLAND California, One LEGOLAND Dr, Carlsbad | Sat, Dec 6 | LEGOLAND lights up the sky with its holiday fireworks show, a fun seasonal finale for families already spending the day at the park. More shows run on Dec 13 and nightly Dec 20–31. details
🤠 Ho Ho Ho-Down | Bressi Ranch Village Center, 2629 Gateway Rd, Carlsbad | Sat, Dec 6, 12–3pm | Bressi Ranch is hosting a Western-themed holiday afternoon with a mix of simple activities and family fun around the center and Peet’s patio. It’s an easy midday stop if you’re out running errands. details
🎅 Dine with Santa at Ruby’s Diner | Ruby’s Diner, 5630 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad | Sat, Dec 6 | Ruby’s is kicking off its holiday dining dates with Santa, giving families a relaxed place to grab a meal and take photos. Additional dates follow later this month, including choir performances on select evenings. details
💪 Carlsbad Fit Body Boot Camp Bash | 5814 Van Allen Way Ste 185, Carlsbad | Sat, Dec 6, 10–11am | A free 30-minute strength-circuit workout in the new Fit Body studio. It’s a good chance to meet the coaches, try a session, and learn about their 4-week intro special. Salt & Sun Social will also be onsite to make it a fun community morning. details
Sunday 12/7:
📸 Photos with Santa at Village Faire | Village Faire, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad | Sun, Dec 7, 2–5pm | Santa stops by Village Faire for free photos, with elves helping families capture the moment. Kids can enjoy crafts, cocoa, storytelling, and treats provided by the Carlsbad Library Learning Center and the Carlsbad Rotary Club. No reservations needed. details
🎁 Kringle Mingle | Aberdeen Dr, Cardiff-by-the-Sea | Sun, Dec 7, 10am | Cardiff 101’s holiday gathering fills Aberdeen Drive with local makers, free Santa photos, live music, and hands-on crafts for kids. It’s a relaxed way to shop small, sip something warm, and enjoy the morning. Guests can also bring a toy for Toys for Tots to support local Marines. details
🎶 Holiday Carolers | Plaza Paseo Real, 6941–6985 El Camino Real, Carlsbad | Sun, Dec 7, 12–2pm | The carolers return for another afternoon of holiday music in the upper courtyard, bringing a festive weekend atmosphere for shoppers and families. details
🖼️ First Free Sunday at Oceanside Museum of Art | Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside | Sun, Dec 7, 12–2pm | OMA opens its doors for free community art making with local artists and partners. Families and adults can explore current exhibitions, then create hands-on projects using different materials. All levels are welcome, and it is a nice low-key way to spend a Sunday afternoon. details
🐦 Winter Sky Bird Walk | Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center, 1580 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad | Sun, Dec 7, 8–9am | Join local birder Rick Grove for a relaxed morning walk spotting winter birds around the lagoon. It’s a great chance to learn from an experienced local naturalist and enjoy a quiet start to the day outdoors. 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 12/4
70 🌡️ 41 | ☀️
Friday 12/5
65 🌡️ 41 | ☀️
Saturday 12/6
65 🌡️ 44 | ☀️
Sunday 12/7
67 🌡️ 53 | 🌤️
🚴♀️ Carlsbad Moves Toward New E-Bike Age Limits
Carlsbad is moving closer to setting new age limits for e-bike riders after the City Council voted unanimously to support a round of safety recommendations. The big headline is a proposed rule that would keep kids under 12 off e-bikes, something many residents have been asking for as collisions and close calls continue to rise around town.
More than 550 people shared feedback with the Traffic Safety and Mobility Committee, and the message was pretty clear: families want safer streets without over-penalizing kids. The recommendations also include no passengers under 16, updated unsafe-riding standards, and the ability for police to impound bikes in serious cases. Penalties would stay light at first, with small fines or required safety classes, but repeat issues could escalate to consequences for parents.
Carlsbad declared a traffic emergency back in 2022 when e-bike collisions more than doubled, so this is the city trying to strike a balance between freedom and responsibility. Nothing is final yet, though. A formal ordinance is now being drafted, and the public will have another chance to weigh in before anything becomes official.
🎄 23rd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration at The Forum Carlsbad
The Forum is hosting its annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the evening starts strong right at 6. The La Costa Canyon High School Marching Band opens the night, setting the tone before Santa arrives with Buddy the Elf. The tree lighting follows, along with a light show and snowfall that usually draws families toward the center courtyard.
From 6:30 to 8 p.m., the event settles into a relaxed, walk-around holiday evening. Santa will be taking photos in the breezeway near the koi pond, Woodie and The Longboards will be playing live, and kids can enjoy simple carnival-style games and stroll alongside festive characters. There’s also a photo booth bus and complimentary treats from nearby restaurants, making it a relaxed, fun way to ease into the December season.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop