North County lights its trees on two Sundays in 2026: Carlsbad Village (2 to 4:30pm) and Del Mar (5pm) on December 6, and Solana Beach at La Colonia Park on December 13 (5 to 7pm, free). Before that: the Carlsbad Holiday Market on November 14, the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair on Coast Highway 101 on November 22, Shop Small Saturday in downtown Encinitas on November 28, and Cardiff's free Kringle Mingle on December 6. Each date is from the organizer's own 2026 page.
Tree lightings
| Town | Date | Time | Where | What | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Village | Sun, Dec 6 | 2 to 4:30pm | Carlsbad Village Faire, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr | The Rotary Club of Carlsbad's 41st annual | Village Faire |
| Del Mar | Sun, Dec 6 | 5pm | Jim Watkins Amphitheater at L'Auberge Del Mar | Hot chocolate, Santa and the Grinch (Del Mar Village Association) | Del Mar Village |
| Solana Beach | Sun, Dec 13 | 5 to 7pm (Santa about 5:20) | La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave | Free; the City and La Colonia Community Foundation | City of Solana Beach |
Solana Beach: the switch is flipped by Mayor Lesa Heebner and the City Council, then Santa arrives with his elves; Parks and Recreation, 858-720-4430.
Street fairs, markets and Santa
- Carlsbad Holiday Market, Saturday, Nov 14, 9am to 2pm: local craft makers and vendors with handmade gifts, at the Woman's Club of Carlsbad, 3320 Monroe Street (Woman's Club of Carlsbad).
- Encinitas Holiday Street Fair, Sunday, Nov 22, 9am to 4pm: along Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas, with children's rides, bike valets and a kid- and dog-friendly beer garden with live music; free, hosted by Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association (2026 calendar; its event page says 9am to 5pm).
- Shop Small Saturday, Saturday, Nov 28, noon to 3pm: participating shops in downtown Encinitas (Encinitas 101).
- Cardiff Kringle Mingle, Sunday, Dec 6: Cardiff 101's free holiday gathering on Aberdeen Drive: photos with Santa in his vintage Camera Camper sleigh from 11am to 2pm, local live music, crafts for kids, holiday treats, hot coffee and hot chocolate (its calendar entry lists 10 to 11am; Cardiff 101).
- Winter Taste & Sip, Sunday, Dec 6, 1 to 4pm: downtown Del Mar Village, before the tree lighting (Del Mar Village Association).
Each line read on the organizer's own page on November 4, 2026.
Sunday, December 6: one coast, three stops
Santa photos at the Kringle Mingle in Cardiff (11am to 2pm), the Carlsbad Village tree (2 to 4:30pm), then Del Mar's tree at 5pm, with Winter Taste & Sip in Del Mar Village from 1 to 4pm. Going by train? Check the Sunday trains on Coaster times.
Not confirmed yet
- Encinitas Holiday Parade: the City of Encinitas parade page didn't load for us on November 4, so no 2026 date here yet; check encinitasca.gov.
- Carlsbad's Holiday at the Rancho: the City page didn't load for us.
- Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido: no 2026 tree lighting or parade date on a city or organizer page we could read.
This list adds each one when its own 2026 page posts.
The fix: a holiday plan for the family
- Pick your Sunday. December 6 has three in one day; December 13 is Solana Beach's, and it's free.
- Bring a parent or grandparent? Solana Beach's lighting at La Colonia Park runs 5 to 7pm with Santa at about 5:20, so you can leave early.
- Thanksgiving week first. Turkey trots Thursday morning, and what's open and closed.
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"North County tree lightings: Carlsbad Village 2-4:30pm and Del Mar 5pm on Sun Dec 6, Solana Beach (free) 5-7pm Sun Dec 13. Street fair in Encinitas Nov 22. Details:"
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Questions people ask
When is the Del Mar tree lighting in 2026?
Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 5pm at the Jim Watkins Amphitheater at L'Auberge Del Mar, with hot chocolate, Santa and the Grinch, per the Del Mar Village Association.
When is the Carlsbad tree lighting in 2026?
Sunday, December 6, 2pm to 4:30pm at the Carlsbad Village Faire, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive: the Rotary Club of Carlsbad's 41st annual Holiday Tree Lighting.
When is the Solana Beach tree lighting in 2026?
Sunday, December 13, 2026, 5pm to 7pm at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Avenue. It's free and open to the public; Santa is scheduled for about 5:20pm. Questions: Parks and Recreation, 858-720-4430.
When is the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair in 2026?
Sunday, November 22, 2026, 9am to 4pm on Encinitas 101's 2026 calendar (its event page says 9am to 5pm), along Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas. It's free.
What is the Cardiff Kringle Mingle?
Cardiff 101's free holiday gathering, Sunday, December 6, 2026 on Aberdeen Drive: photos with Santa in a vintage camper sleigh from 11am to 2pm, live music, crafts for kids and holiday treats.
When is the Encinitas Holiday Parade in 2026?
We couldn't confirm it: the City of Encinitas parade page didn't load when we checked on November 4, 2026. Check encinitasca.gov; this page adds the date when we can read it.
When is Shop Small Saturday in Encinitas?
Saturday, November 28, 2026, noon to 3pm in downtown Encinitas, per Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association.
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