Encinitas has a busy calendar of free and community events. Many are held on Coast Highway 101 downtown or at Moonlight State Beach. Dates below follow each event's traditional schedule; check with organisers for the current year.[1]
Calendar
| Event | When | Where | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| April Street Fair | April (two days) | Downtown Coast Highway 101 | Annual street fair |
| Deep Pit BBQ | End of May | San Dieguito Heritage Museum | Community barbecue |
| Encinitas Environment Day | Second Sunday of June | Citywide | Environmental games and entertainment for families |
| Salute to Education | June | Chamber of Commerce | Honours local teachers and students |
| Switchfoot Bro-Am | Early July | Moonlight State Beach | Free surf contest and concert; surf jousting; proceeds to charity |
| Classic Car Cruise Nights | Third Thursday, May–September | Coast Highway 101 | Classic cars line downtown |
| Lima Bean Faire | September | San Dieguito Heritage Museum | Includes the Battle of the Beans cook-off |
| Wavecrest Woodie Meet | Third Saturday of September | Moonlight State Beach | World's largest rally of wooden-bodied vehicles; free |
| Oktoberfest | Last Sunday of September | Olivenhain | German heritage festival |
| Fall Festival | November (one day) | Downtown Coast Highway 101 | Annual street fair |
Schedule as described in the city's encyclopedic arts-and-culture summary.[1] Oktoberfest is tied to the Olivenhain Meeting Hall, which also hosts a haunted house, a summer movie series and craft fairs.[2]
Street fairs
The two-day April Street Fair and one-day Fall Festival in November close downtown Coast Highway 101 to traffic for vendors, food and music.[1] They are among the largest events in North County, and the Coaster is usually the easiest way to reach them; see getting around.
Beach events
Moonlight State Beach hosts the city's signature beach events. The Wavecrest Woodie Meet on the third Saturday of September is described as the largest rally of wooden-bodied vehicles in the world, and it is free to the public and to participants. The Switchfoot Bro-Am in early July combines a free surf contest, with the world's only surf-jousting competition, and an outdoor concert, with all proceeds going to local charities.[1] A mixed-doubles volleyball tournament with top international players has been held at Moonlight every October since 1964.[3]
Heritage events
The San Dieguito Heritage Museum on Quail Gardens Drive hosts the Deep Pit BBQ in May and the Lima Bean Faire and Battle of the Beans cook-off in September, recalling the area's farming past.[1] Oktoberfest, on the last Sunday in September, reflects Olivenhain's German founders.[1][2]
Runs and charity events
The Surfing Madonna Oceans Project, founded by the mosaic's creators, has run "Save the Ocean" beach runs. Its second annual 5K/10K and 10-mile run/walk raised $100,000 for the Encinitas community in 2014.[4] Encinitas also holds an annual Wellness Week of events and offers focused on well-being.[1]
Planning a visit
Downtown events close Coast Highway 101, and parking near Moonlight Beach fills early on event days. The Coaster stops at Encinitas station, within walking distance of downtown and Moonlight Beach, and is often the easiest way in.[5] City beaches ban alcohol, glass and dogs, which matters for beach events such as the Bro-Am and the Woodie Meet.[3] The fall events coincide with some of the warmest, clearest weather of the year.[1] For the venues, see Old Encinitas, Olivenhain and beaches. Event dates shift slightly from year to year, so check the organiser's announcement before travelling.
Common questions
- When is the Encinitas Street Fair?
- The April Street Fair is held over two days each April on downtown Coast Highway 101, and the one-day Fall Festival is held each November.
- What is the Wavecrest Woodie Meet?
- A free annual rally of wooden-bodied cars at Moonlight State Beach on the third Saturday of September, described as the largest of its kind in the world.
See also
Notes and sources
- Encinitas, California. Wikipedia.
- Olivenhain, Encinitas, California. Wikipedia.
- Moonlight State Beach. Wikipedia.
- Surfing Madonna. Wikipedia.
- Encinitas station. Wikipedia.