From Turkey Trot races, dazzling light displays representing the beauty of nature and the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair to tree lightings and Small Business Saturday, coastal North San Diego County enters the holiday season with a range of activities throughout our communities.
At least seven holiday tree lightings are planned in our coastal cities, from Solana Beach north to Oceanside. Chambers of commerce and mainstreet associations celebrate Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 with various events and offerings. Oceanside, Encinitas and 4S Ranch also have Turkey Trots this year.
Click the links embedded in this story’s text for more information about the events below. Information for this month’s Spotlight is provided by organizations and individuals in the communities covered by the North Coast Current and OsideNews.
Turkey Trots on Nov. 28
Oceanside — Oceanside’s annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk & Kids Run returns for its 19th year, kicking off at 6:45 a.m. at 330 N. Coast Highway. The races finish at The Strand and Seagaze. There are several races for varying skill levels and ages. The family friendly event also includes a costume contest, a teams competition, live entertainment on the course and finisher medals for all participants. Registration and race information: osideturkeytrot.com.
Encinitas — More than 5,000 participants are expected for Encinitas’ Turkey Trot, with a 10K race starting at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K starting at 8 a.m. Course closure and awards ceremony occur at 9:15 a.m. The event includes a costume contest. The race route requires the closure of the north and southbound lanes of Coast Highway 101 from Encinitas Boulevard to Chesterfield Drive in Cardiff. Registration and race information: encinitasturkeytrot.org.
North County — The first annual North County Turkey Trot launches at the 4S Ranch Boys and Girls Club with races at 7:30 a.m. for the 5K and 8:45 a.m. for the 1K Kids Fun Run. 4S Ranch Boys and Girls Club, 16118 4S Ranch Pkwy. Registration and race information: northcountyturkeytrot.org.
Small Business Saturday
Oceanside — MainStreet Oceanside invites the community to discover and support downtown’s merchants during this holiday season, starting with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 and continuing with specials through Dec. 14. Holiday season programming includes a shop-and-win event, window decorating contest, tree-lighting and weekly holiday markets. More information: mainstreetoceanside.com/shop-local-oceanside.
Encinitas and Cardiff — The city’s main street organizations and chamber of commerce are holding events for Small Business Saturday.
✔ Cardiff 101 Main Street invites residents and visitors to “Shop Local in Cardiff” this holiday season by shopping local independent businesses. Shoppers who visit participating businesses on Small Business Saturday will have a chance to receive a limited-edition Cardiff-by-the-Sea poster, with purchase, designed by local graphic design artist Natasha Zataray. Find out more at Cardiff 101 Main Street’s event page.
✔ Encinitas 101 MainStreet focuses on several key concepts: focusing on shopping locally, discovering hidden gems and building community connections.
✔ The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce brings together several business sponsors who will offer perks for shoppers who spend certain amounts at their stores, including a commemorative poster.
Carlsbad — The Carlsbad Village Association welcomes residents and visitors to support local entrepreneurs and longtime family businesses. There will also be drawings for restaurant and retail gift cards, and prize packages. Visit the Carlsbad Village Association’s event page for more information.
Vista — The Central Vista Business Improvement District and Vista Chamber of Commerce invite the community to “shop small with a big heart” downtown at the Small Business Artists Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free coffee, cocoa and doughnuts will be available while supplies last. Shoppers can find vintage and handmade local arts, gifts, and plants. More information is available at Downtown Vista’s event page.
Holiday tree lightings
Carmel Valley: Nov. 30 — One Paseo shopping center will be aglow with firefly lights and festive decor throughout the property as it launches the holiday season during an event from 5 to 8 p.m. The event includes the lighting of a 30-foot-tall tree in addition to live music performances, snow cascading from the rooftops and a visit from Santa. The tree-lighting happens at 6 p.m. One Paseo is located at 3725 Paseo Place in San Diego. Visit the event website for more information.
Oceanside: Dec. 5 — Oceanside’s annual Tree Lighting takes place during the Holiday Sunset Market from 9 to 5 p.m. at Regal Plaza, 401 Mission Ave. Visitors can enjoy beautiful decorations, live music, family-friendly entertainment and games and amusement rides. Free cookies and milk for children and holiday arts and crafts projects are also part of the event. Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m. on a vintage Oceanside fire truck, when he and city officials will light the tree. Santa will also be on hand for photos afterward. Free parking is available in the Civic Center parking structure and at the Oceanside Transit Center. More information: visitoceanside.org/events/holiday-tree-lighting.
Rancho Santa Fe: Dec. 5 — The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea Del Cielo, holds a community Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. The event, which begins at 4:30 p.m., will include live music, entertainment, holiday treats and other seasonal surprises. The tree-lighting event is complimentary and open for the community to enjoy. More information is available at the inn’s event page.
Encinitas: Dec. 6 — Notable songwriter and longtime Encinitas resident Jack Tempchin joins the community when it marks the 30th anniversary of its heritage tree being lit for the holiday season. The Encinitas Historical Society, in partnership with the city of Encinitas and support from the Encinitas Rotary Club, will hold the event at the Moonlight Beach upper parking lot from 4 to 6 p.m. Attendance and parking are free. The event will also feature carols by the San Diego North Coast Singers children’s choir and three “EnSINGnitas” choirs from local elementary schools. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by Encinitas fire engine for the event. More information is available at the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce event site.
San Marcos: Dec. 7 — The city of San Marcos lights its community holiday tree at 5:35 p.m. during an afternoon-long event that runs from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Drive. Photos with Santa take place between 2 and 5 p.m. There will also be festive arts and crafts, in addition to local vendors. More information is available on the city’s event page.
Carlsbad: Dec. 8 — Carlsbad Village celebrates its 39th annual Holiday Tree Lighting from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the front entrance to the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive. The Rotary Club of Carlsbad sponsors the annual celebration. Santa, Mrs. Claus and one of their elves will arrive in an antique fire truck courtesy of the Carlsbad Fire Department. Photos and candy handouts are also part of the event. Go to Carlsbad Village Faire’s event website for more information.
Solana Beach: Dec. 14 — The city of Solana Beach and La Colonia Community Foundation host a holiday tree-lighting event from 5 to 7 p.m. at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave. The family friendly event is free to the public and will feature plenty of sweets, treats and Mexican hot cocoa. After the tree-lighting at about 5 p.m., Santa Claus is expected to arrive with his elves. Call the city;s Parks and Recreation Department at 858-720-4430 or visit the event website for more information.
Upcoming festivities
Nov. 24: Encinitas Holiday Street Fair — The annual Encinitas 101 Mainstreet Association’s Holiday Street Fair runs along Coast Highway 101 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring artisan vendors, food and entertainment from a variety of performers. More information is available at Encinitas 101’s event page.
Now through Jan. 5: Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden — Lightscape has returned for its third year to the 37-acre San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas, featuring a 1-mile, illuminated trail with eye-catching artistic installations from international artists and returning favorites. The event is produced in association with Sony Music and Culture Creative. More information and ticket reservations are available at sdbg.org/lightscape.
Dec. 8: Kringle Mingle — Cardiff 101 Main Street welcomes the community to its annual Kringle Mingle, a free holiday gathering from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Aberdeen Drive. Visitors can take photos with Santa in his vintage Camera Camper sleigh and enjoy live music performed by local musicians. Holiday treats, hot coffee, hot chocolate, and holiday arts and crafts for children will also be available, in addition to a Makers Market of local vendors. More information is available at cardiff101.com/events-calendar/kringlemingle.
Nov. 22-Dec. 24: Miracle on 34th Street — New Village Arts, 2787 State St. in Carlsbad, presents “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play.” The classic holiday story will be told in the style of a radio play created by San Diego artists Jon Lorenz and Lance Arthur Smith, with live Foley effects and a score of holiday carols. The show is directed by Faith Carrion and Kay McNellen. Previews begin Nov. 22, with the show officially opening Nov. 30. More information: newvillagearts.org/miracle-34-street.
Dec. 7: Holiday at the Rancho — Explore Carlsbad’s Leo Carrillo Ranch lit up with holiday lights, decorations and a backdrop of classic holiday music, including a holiday tree lighting at 6 p.m. on the sand near the pool. The event, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m., is located at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historical Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane. Visitors can decorate holiday cookies, create crafts and participate in the “plush” snowball fight. Face painting, train rides, an outdoor movie and a visit by Santa Claus are also planned. Registration is required. Go to the city of Carlsbad’s event page for more information.
Submit events for publication to the North Coast Current and OsideNews at currentevents[at]northcoastcurrent.com.