Best events in
Carlsbad

When evening arrives, the variety of events and things to do in Carlsbad, CA shifts from beach days to lively nights. The walkable downtown area of Carlsbad Village serves as the central hub for nightlife, with crowds moving between patios and live music venues. Beyond the bustling village, the city's calendar includes large-scale annual festivals, professional theatre, and free community concerts in local parks.

Stroll through Carlsbad Village for an evening of bar-hopping, with spots like Coyote Bar & Grill offering nightly live music and Park 101 hosting DJ parties.
Experience large-scale community gatherings like the semi-annual Carlsbad Village Street Faire or the annual Carlsbad Music Festival by the beach.
Find professional stage productions and other art events at New Village Arts, located in the heart of the downtown village.

autocomplete

Popular in Carlsbad

Explore more events

The Haunted Car Wash in Carlsbad, CA.

Today • 6:30 PM + 14 more

Eco Friendly Auto Spa

Check ticket price on event

Halloween @ the Tub Hub w/ Sockerbit

Tomorrow • 10:00 AM

The Tub Hub

Check ticket price on event

Monster Mash

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Beacons, Inc. (Beacons North County)

Check ticket price on event

Pumpkins & Succulents: A Fall Crafting Experience

Tomorrow • 1:00 PM

Cbar Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

10/28 Amplified Studios Open Mic (October 2026)

Wednesday • 7:00 PM

2796 Loker Ave W suite 102

Check ticket price on event

Carlsbad Golf Carts Halloween Parade

Fri, Oct 30 • 4:00 PM

Carlsbad Golf Carts Headquarters

Check ticket price on event

A Solar Education Event for Real Estate Professionals

Thu, Nov 12 • 12:00 PM

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Check ticket price on event

Defense Tech Happy Hour

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:30 PM

Private Location - Address Provided with RSVP

Check ticket price on event

The Haunted Car Wash in Carlsbad, CA.

Today • 6:30 PM + 14 more

Eco Friendly Auto Spa

Check ticket price on event

Halloween @ the Tub Hub w/ Sockerbit

Tomorrow • 10:00 AM

The Tub Hub

Check ticket price on event

Monster Mash

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Beacons, Inc. (Beacons North County)

Check ticket price on event

Pumpkins & Succulents: A Fall Crafting Experience

Tomorrow • 1:00 PM

Cbar Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

10/28 Amplified Studios Open Mic (October 2026)

Wednesday • 7:00 PM

2796 Loker Ave W suite 102

Check ticket price on event

Carlsbad Golf Carts Halloween Parade

Fri, Oct 30 • 4:00 PM

Carlsbad Golf Carts Headquarters

Check ticket price on event

A Solar Education Event for Real Estate Professionals

Thu, Nov 12 • 12:00 PM

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Check ticket price on event

Defense Tech Happy Hour

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:30 PM

Private Location - Address Provided with RSVP

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Online Events

Explore more events

L'ATLETICA DEL FUTURO

Monday • 9:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tuesday • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Global Startup Symposium - Life Sciences & Technology Startups - Virtual

Thursday • 8:00 AM PDT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM MST

Check ticket price on event

A sweet history of cake and Christmas

Wed, Dec 9 • 7:30 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

L'ATLETICA DEL FUTURO

Monday • 9:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tuesday • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Global Startup Symposium - Life Sciences & Technology Startups - Virtual

Thursday • 8:00 AM PDT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM MST

Check ticket price on event

A sweet history of cake and Christmas

Wed, Dec 9 • 7:30 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

This Weekend

Explore more events

Monster Mash

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Beacons, Inc. (Beacons North County)

Check ticket price on event

Pumpkins & Succulents: A Fall Crafting Experience

Tomorrow • 1:00 PM

Cbar Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

Nashtyween @ Amplified Studios!

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM

2796 Loker Ave W suite 102

Check ticket price on event

San Diego Sabers vs. Iron County Yeti

Tomorrow • 8:00 PM

Ice Realm Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

Sat Beach Pilates

Tomorrow • 10:00 AM

Tamarack Beach Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

SaturDaze Sound + Social

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Breathe Degrees

Check ticket price on event

Heart to Herd - Horse Communication + Energy Healing

Sunday • 9:00 AM

3675 Copper Crest Rd

Check ticket price on event

Monster Mash

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Beacons, Inc. (Beacons North County)

Check ticket price on event

Pumpkins & Succulents: A Fall Crafting Experience

Tomorrow • 1:00 PM

Cbar Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

Nashtyween @ Amplified Studios!

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM

2796 Loker Ave W suite 102

Check ticket price on event

San Diego Sabers vs. Iron County Yeti

Tomorrow • 8:00 PM

Ice Realm Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

Sat Beach Pilates

Tomorrow • 10:00 AM

Tamarack Beach Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

SaturDaze Sound + Social

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Breathe Degrees

Check ticket price on event

Heart to Herd - Horse Communication + Energy Healing

Sunday • 9:00 AM

3675 Copper Crest Rd

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Business & Professional events

Explore more events

Carlsbad Healthcare Job Fair - Carlsbad Career Fair

Wednesday • 11:00 AM

Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

THE UNCONVENTIONAL WEALTH!

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

CLUB HOUSE CALRSBAD

Check ticket price on event

Dinner with Entrepreneurs | Carlsbad

Thu, Oct 29 • 7:00 PM + 4 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

Accelerated Networking Events eWomen San Diego Chapter

Sun, Nov 1 • 11:30 AM + 1 more

El Camino Country Club

Check ticket price on event

The Business Breakthrough Retreat

Thu, Nov 12 • 8:30 AM

Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

Video That Converts

Fri, Nov 13 • 10:00 AM

Verdani Partners

Check ticket price on event

Defense Tech Happy Hour

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:30 PM

Private Location - Address Provided with RSVP

Check ticket price on event

Carlsbad Healthcare Job Fair - Carlsbad Career Fair

Wednesday • 11:00 AM

Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

THE UNCONVENTIONAL WEALTH!

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

CLUB HOUSE CALRSBAD

Check ticket price on event

Dinner with Entrepreneurs | Carlsbad

Thu, Oct 29 • 7:00 PM + 4 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

Accelerated Networking Events eWomen San Diego Chapter

Sun, Nov 1 • 11:30 AM + 1 more

El Camino Country Club

Check ticket price on event

The Business Breakthrough Retreat

Thu, Nov 12 • 8:30 AM

Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad

Check ticket price on event

Video That Converts

Fri, Nov 13 • 10:00 AM

Verdani Partners

Check ticket price on event

Defense Tech Happy Hour

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:30 PM

Private Location - Address Provided with RSVP

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Points of Interest near Carlsbad

Sea Life Aquarium

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center

Leo Carrillo Historic Park

Carlsbad Ranch

Legoland California

Frequently asked questions about Carlsbad

What are some free events in Carlsbad?

Look for the TGIF Concerts in the Park series for free outdoor performances. This popular annual series brings music to various city parks on summer evenings. For a different vibe, the nearby Oceanside Sunset Market is a weekly event with no entry fee, featuring food and entertainment.

Where can I find live music events in Carlsbad Village?

Coyote Bar & Grill is a well-known spot for nightly live music and dancing. The large outdoor patio provides a classic Southern California atmosphere. For larger annual events, the Carlsbad Music Festival presents a diverse lineup of performers right by the beach.

Are there family-friendly things to do?

The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is a major family-friendly event held twice a year. It features hundreds of booths, an international food court, and children's rides. Another great seasonal option is The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch®, an annual springtime attraction for all ages.

How can I experience the local arts scene?

New Village Arts is a central hub for the arts in Carlsbad Village. The venue presents professional theatre productions as well as other musical and visual art events. The semi-annual Carlsbad Village Street Faire also features hundreds of arts and crafts vendors showcasing their work.

What kind of nightlife events does Carlsbad offer?

Carlsbad Village is the main destination for nightlife, from casual to high-energy. Venues like Park 101 are popular for DJ parties, while other spots offer a more relaxed atmosphere for cocktails. For a different type of late-night fun, K1 Speed offers indoor go-kart racing.

Any ideas for a date night event in Carlsbad?

Consider an evening of theatre at New Village Arts in the heart of the village. For a more active date, Draft Republic has golf simulators and arcade games. The historic Leo Carrillo Ranch also hosts unique events, including an annual film festival.

Which areas are best for food and drink events?

Carlsbad Village is the core area for food and drink happenings. The walkable downtown has a high density of restaurants and bars, and it hosts the weekly State Street Farmers' Market. For a unique food experience, Windmill Food Hall offers a variety of gourmet vendors under one roof.

Does Carlsbad have any large outdoor festivals?

Yes, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire is a massive one-day event held each May and November. It's recognized as one of the largest street fairs in the nation. The Carlsbad Music Festival is another major outdoor event, taking place annually by the beach.