Carlsbad Fall Events and Holiday Traditions

Updated October 2026 · Rudy Flores

Carlsbad’s calendar is anchored by a few traditions the whole town shows up for. Here is the season from now until the tree is lit, with dates and times checked against the City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Village event pages.

Every week

State Street Farmers’ Market: Wednesdays, 2:30 to 7 p.m., in the Village (listed on the Carlsbad Village events page).
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat: Halloween weekends at the park through Sunday, November 1 (October 3 and 4, 10 and 11, 17 and 18, 24 and 25, 31, and November 1). It is included with a park ticket for an event day. LEGOLAND’s guide.

October

Taste of Carlsbad Village

When: Thursday, October 8, 5 to 8 p.m. · Where: Carlsbad Village

An evening of tasting your way around the Village. Carlsbad Village events.

Pumpkin Plunge

When: Saturday, October 17, 5 to 8 p.m. · Where: Alga Norte Aquatic Center

The pool turns spooky, with games, prizes and floating obstacles. The splash pad is open for younger swimmers, so bring a swimsuit. City of Carlsbad special events.

Halloween in the Village

When: Saturday, October 31 · Where: Carlsbad Village

A free Halloween celebration downtown. Carlsbad Village events.

Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch

When: Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. · Where: Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

The historic ranch celebrates the Day of the Dead. City of Carlsbad special events.

November

Carlsbad Village Street Faire

When: Sunday, November 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Where: Downtown Carlsbad Village

About 900 booths of arts, crafts and antiques, an international food court, a section of kids’ rides, a stage and a beer garden. The organizers call it the largest one-day street faire in the nation. Carlsbad Village Street Faire.

December

Holiday at the Rancho

When: Saturday, December 5, 5 to 8 p.m. · Where: Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

The City of Carlsbad’s holiday evening at the ranch. City of Carlsbad special events.

41st Annual Rotary Holiday Tree Lighting

When: Sunday, December 6, 2 to 4:30 p.m. · Where: Village Faire Shopping Center, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr

Free. Santa arrives on an antique fire truck, there is an orchestra and Carlsbad High School dancers, and the Rotary Club serves cookies, coffee and cider. The mayor lights the tree at 4:30 p.m. Tree lighting details.

Planning tips

The Village Street Faire shuts down streets, so walk or use a drop-off point and leave extra time.
Brick-or-Treat is only on the dates above, and park tickets are dated, so buy for the day you plan to go.
For anything run by the city, call the special events hotline at 442-339-2843.

Thinking about making Carlsbad home? Rudy would be glad to talk it through. The four-question Home Strategy Quiz takes about a minute, and he will follow up personally.

Dates and times were checked on the organizers’ and cities’ own pages on October 3, 2026. Events can change or sell out, so open the linked page before you head out. This site is not affiliated with any event listed here.

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