In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
Frontwave Arena celebrates its free 1st birthday bash October 9 with a fun (and free) community party before the LA Clippers preseason game.
Oceanside hosts Halloween fun with the Artist Alley Spooky Festival and Write On Literary Festival on October 10-11.
Shop the lululemon ‘like new’ warehouse sale in Carlsbad and discover vintage treasures at the Redo Market in Del Mar.
The Carlsbad City Council also voted 4–1 to approve a $2 million bid for PFAS-free synthetic turf at Poinsettia Park after a heated public debate.
Fall harvest festivals and celebrations light up North County through the weekend.
Weekly farmers markets continue across Carlsbad, Oceanside, and neighboring communities.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 10/9:
🎉 Frontwave Arena’s FREE 1st Birthday Bash | Frontwave Arena, Oceanside | Thurs 10/9, 5:30pm–7:30pm. Celebrate before the LA Clippers Preseason Game with live DJ, lawn games, face painting, birthday cake contest, mascots, giveaways, and more. Free and open to all—no game ticket needed. details
🛍️ lululemon Like New Warehouse Sale | Alternative Retail, 2561 El Camino Real, Carlsbad | Thurs–Sun 10/9–10/12, 10am–6pm. Shop refreshed, gently-used lululemon gear along with other brands at this multi-brand in-person event. Ticket required (free, see link), one hour of shopping per ticket—standby/flexible time options available if sold out. Free parking onsite. details
🍽️ Taste of Carlsbad Village | Carlsbad Village | Thurs 10/9, 5pm–8pm. Carlsbad's most delicious self-guided tasting tour returns with bites, desserts, craft beer, wine, and cocktails from more than 25 restaurants and beverage makers. Enjoy live music and a vibrant community atmosphere in the heart of the Village. Tickets are sold out, but they are transferrable so ask around if you want a chance to attend—otherwise, mark your calendar for 2026! details
Friday 10/10:
🛍️ Redo Vintage Market | Del Mar Fairgrounds | Fri 10/10, 4pm–9pm & Sat 10/11, 9am–4pm. Explore 68,000 sq ft of curated vintage, surf, home, antiques, and jewelry vendors. Enjoy live music by SUN BUM–presented artists, Rivian demo drives with free entry, and great food. Tickets available online and at the door, kids 12 & under free. Parking $20 onsite or $16 prepaid. Family-friendly, all are welcome. details
🎨 Artist Alley Festival Bazaar: Spooky Edition | 212 Artist Alley, Oceanside | Fri 10/10, 3pm–8pm. Wander a lineup of artists, jewelers, designers, and makers offering treasures and costumes. Enjoy live music and Halloween spirit. Free, family-friendly, all are welcome. details
Saturday 10/11:
💀 Día de Muertos at Rancho Guajome Adobe | 2210 N Santa Fe Ave, Vista | Sat 10/11, 10am–4pm. Celebrate the rich tradition with traditional altars (ofrendas), live performances by Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts, delicious food for purchase, and free kids’ arts & crafts. Stroll historic courtyards and scenic trails. Admission: $2 ages 4-12, $5 ages 13+, free under 3. Family-friendly cultural event. details
👟 Endurance Race Series: Trail & Hill Races | Solana Ranch Park | Sat 10/11, 7am–12pm. San Diego’s only trail race through Gonzales Canyon Open Space! 5K, 10K, and 15K distances include scenic dirt paths and the infamous Puke Hill. Registration and limited spots. details
🥳 BIG BAM BOO Oceanside Block Party | Cococabana Rooftop & Alleyway, Oceanside | Sat 10/11, 4pm–2am. Two stages, Funktion One sound, live performances, DJs, and non-stop festival energy all night. 21+ event. details
🍺 Rancho BEERnardo Festival | Webb Park, Rancho Bernardo | Sat 10/11, 2pm–5pm. Enjoy tastings from top breweries, hard ciders, kombucha, and wine, plus live music from Rubber Band & Par Avion. Proceeds support local charities. 21+ only. GA $65/VIP $90/Designated driver $10. Free parking. details
🍂 Carlsbad Fall Harvest Festival | Beacons North County, 2245 Camino Vida Roble #100, Carlsbad | Sat 10/11, 5:30pm–8:30pm. Autumn spirit arrives with dancing, games, crafts, dinner, snacks, and harvest fun for all ages. Registration/waiver required for new participants. details
🍂 Vista Fall Fun Festival (Free) | Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista | Sat 10/11, 10am–3pm. Celebrate autumn with art and craft vendors, the Scarecrow Contest, kids’ crafts, activities, plant sales, garden shopping, and a Lions BBQ lunch. Perfect for families and neighbors—be part of the fun! details
🍷 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival: Wine & Beer Garden | Downtown La Jolla, Girard Ave | Sat–Sun 10/11–10/12, 12pm–6pm. Sample wines, craft beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages from over 30 vendors in a shaded garden setting with live entertainment and a dance floor. 21+ event with general and VIP tickets available. All proceeds support local San Diego Unified Public Schools. details
📚 Write On, Oceanside! Literary Festival | Oceanside Civic Center | Sat 10/11, 10am–2pm. Celebrate local authors with readings, kids’ crafts, contests, and engaging workshops on publishing and indie zines. A creative day for the whole family. Free entry. details
Sunday 10/12:
🐾 Pet Costume Contest | Carlsbad Strawberry Company, 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad | Sun 10/12, 1pm–2pm. Dress up your pet and join the first-ever costume contest at the pumpkin patch, judged by Mayor Keith Blackburn! Enjoy fall treats, fun, and a good time for all. details
🛍️ San Marcos Harvest Fest | North City Drive, San Marcos | Sun 10/12, 9am–5pm. Enjoy a vibrant street festival featuring 270+ artisans and crafters, multiple live music stages, family-friendly attractions, carnival rides, interactive play areas, and an array of street food plus local craft beers, ciders, and wine. Free parking, free to attend, fun for all ages. details
Monday 10/13:
🍹🕹️ Monday SIP Industry Night | Dave & Buster’s Carlsbad | Mon 10/13, 9pm–close. Hospitality professionals get 1/2 priced drinks and a free $10 Power Card every Monday night. Show proof of employment for perks. All ages, restrictions apply. 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 10/9
77 🌡️ 58 | 🌦️ | 58% | 💨 SW 3 mph
Friday 10/10
77 🌡️ 61 | 🌤️ | 1% | 💨 SW 6 mph
Saturday 10/11
75 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️ | 1% | 💨 SW 7 mph
Sunday 10/12
74 🌡️ 57 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 SW 6 mph
Thursday 10/9
am: 2-3 ft, pm: 2-3.5 ft
Friday 10/10
am: 2-3 ft, pm: 2–3 ft
Saturday 10/11
am: 2-3 ft, pm: 2-3 ft
Sunday 10/12
am: 2–3.5 ft, pm: 2–3 ft
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 67ºF
Note: Above forecast is for Tamarack
🎉 Frontwave Arena’s 1st Birthday Bash 🎉
The Frontwave Arena 1st Birthday Bash event on Thursday, October 9, 2025, is a free public celebration open to everyone, with no admission fee required to attend the festivities starting at 5:30 PM. However, the LA Clippers Preseason Game that follows at 7:30 PM inside the arena requires separate tickets for entry, so game attendance is not free and tickets must be purchased separately. The birthday party and fan activities before the game are free and welcoming to all ages without requiring a game ticket.
The event features a live DJ, lawn games, cornhole, basketball inflatable challenges, face painting for kids, and a nostalgic birthday cake eating contest (no hands allowed!). Fans can enter ticket giveaways for the Clippers game that night, and special appearances from the SD Clippers and SD Sockers mascots will add to the fun.
Inside the arena, the first 2,000 attendees will receive mini foam fingers, enjoy photo booth moments, and savor a special birthday-themed drink at concessions. The celebration also includes unveiling Frontwave Arena’s mission statement and a highlight video showcasing the incredible community impact made in its first year.
Since opening, Frontwave Arena has become a cultural and entertainment hub for North County San Diego, hosting major concerts, sports events including the San Diego Clippers, Sockers, and Strike Force, and community gatherings. The arena is quickly establishing itself as a premier venue that combines top-notch fan experiences with a welcoming local vibe. Link for more details.
🌱 Carlsbad Council Approves $2 Million Bid for Poinsettia Park Synthetic Turf After Heated Debate
The Carlsbad City Council voted 4–1 to move forward with replacing synthetic turf at Poinsettia Community Park, selecting a new PFAS-free, fully recyclable “Pivot” system projected to cost $2 million. The vote on October 7th followed passionate testimony from both youth sports advocates who support consistent, durable fields and residents concerned about microplastic shedding, long-term disposal, and claims about chemical safety.
Staff presented testing data from the vendor showing no detectable PFAS, but acknowledged that these findings have not yet been independently verified. The product is new on the market, with recycling protocols not yet proven locally. Amortized over 24 years, the projected costs for synthetic turf and natural grass are nearly identical.
Councilmembers weighed health, safety, water use, and field availability before passing the bid package, with Councilmember Acosta the lone dissent. Procurement steps are now underway, but final construction contracts will require further council review after bidding. Field closures for installation are expected to last about two months.
🎃 Fall Fun: Pumpkin Patches Around North County
If last week’s newsletter missed your radar, don’t worry! North County offers plenty of fantastic pumpkin patches to jumpstart your fall celebrations. Check out these top spots to enjoy seasonal fun with family and friends:
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad
Open daily 9am–6pm, with extended hours until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays in October.
For $15 (free under age 4), you get access to a vibrant pumpkin patch, marigold fields, and extras like tractor rides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo. Plus, the Haunted Corn Maze opens Oct 3 for thrill seekers.
Pumpkin Patch & Polar Palooza
1200 Laurel Tree Ln, Carlsbad
Hours vary: 2-8pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-9pm Fri-Sun
Just $3 for entry, with optional fun zone tickets. Expect giant slides, a petting zoo, wagon hay rides, snacks, and weekend movie nights in the patch.
Mellano Farm Stand Fall Festival
5714 North River Rd, Oceanside
Saturdays & Sundays 10am–4pm through October
Tractor rides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, live music and kids activities make it a festive weekend stop. Parking is $5.
Del Mar Pumpkin Station
15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
Sept 26–Oct 26, open daily 10am–7pm Sun-Thurs, and 9am–9pm Fri-Sat
Free admission with free parking, plus rides like a miniature train, giant slides, carousel, Ferris wheel, and other carnival classics.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop