North County and San Diego County have all kinds of fun things to do in September.
45th Annual Barona Powwow
September 4 – 6
Location: Barona Indian Reservation, Barona Sports Park
Join the Barona Band of Mission Indians for a weekend of dancing and dress contests, camping, drums and cultural immersion. Dancers will be competing for over $60,000 in prize money!
Free Movie at the Pier – Frozen
September 5
6:00 – 11:00 PM
Location: Oceanside, Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater
This is a free event including a magic show and the movie Frozen will be shown at dark. Sponsored by City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation.
Alley Art Festival
September 5
Location: Vista, Downtown
This isn’t your normal art walk. This is a celebration of creativity found off the beaten path. All are welcome to experience this interactive art and culture event. The festival features a film festival, live music, public art installation, slam poetry, interactive mural, an artists’ and makers’ market, the Alley Cat Bike Parade, a beer garden, a recycled art show, the Big Ass Art Show and Sale.
Julian Grape Stomp Festa
September 5
Location: Julian, Menghini Winery, 1150 Julian Orchards Dr
Every September the Julian Chamber of Commerce celebrates the harvest of the grapes with a real, olde-world style grape stomp and festa at the Menghini Winery. This grape stomp out-does all others by providing two barrels for stomping – one for adults and one for children.
Tons of grapes are blessed then poured into the barrels. The atmosphere is created with Italian music by Roman Holiday, dancing, Bocce Ball competitions, stomping, wine tasting, a Jumbo Jump for the kids and a variety of food and crafts for sale will keep you busy. Situated in rolling hills covered with vineyards and apple orchards, the Menghini Winery offers an ideal setting for the Festa.
Annual Taste of Downtown
September 10
5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: San Diego, Downtown
Enjoy tantalizing tastes from more than 50 Restaurants located throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, Headquarters, Financial District and East Village neighborhoods! Tickets $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event. Complimentary Shuttle Service throughout the Taste.
Family Movie Night
September 12
5:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Carlsbad, Stagecoach Community Park
Enjoy movie-themed games and activities plus a free showing of Big Hero 6 at the City of Carlsbad’s annual Family Movie Night. The family fun will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Stagecoach Community Park, 3420 Camino de los Coches in Carlsbad. The movie will begin under the stars at dusk, at about 7:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to arrive at 5 p.m. to set up their blankets or low-back chairs and enjoy the fun activities before the movie begins.
The movie is free, and fun zone wristbands will be available for $6. The wristbands provide unlimited access to the family fun zone that includes bounce houses, slides, crafts, games and activities. The event will be sponsored by Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry. Beverages, hot dogs, pizza, funnel cakes and ice cream will be available for purchase.
Giro di San Diego GranFondo
September 12 – 13
Location: Solana Beach, 150 South Sierra Ave
Southern California meets Italy at the Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo, a celebration of cycling, food, and San Diego’s North Coast. Held in beautiful Solana Beach, CA, our two-day festival features five mass-start, timed cycling events for road and mountain bikers, the Bike & Fitness Expo, and the Super Tasty 5K – Taste of Solana Beach Restaurant Walk.
Keeping with the tradition of Italian Gran Fondos, which are semi-competitive, long-distance rides attracting thousands of cyclists, the Giro di San Diego caters primarily to casual riders, though professional cyclists are invited as special guests.
Surf for the Sea
September 12 – 13
Location: Oceanside, North Jetty – Oceanside Harbor
This is a memorial surfing event for the environment in honor of local surfers who have passed away and Oceanside Firefighters Charity surf event. Sponsored by Surf for the Sea/Surfrider Foundation S.D.
Grape Day Festival, 5K and Parade
September 12
Location: Escondido, 235 E. Grand Ave
Escondido’s most historic event starts with a 5K fun run organized by the Sunrise Escondido Rotary Club. Then the historic parade travels down Grand Avenue, and last but not least, enjoy the festival in its namesake park. The free festival includes grape stomping, an entertainment stage, vendor booths, fun zone and much more!
Water Warrior Amphibious Assault
September 12
Location: Camp Pendleton
Compete with the few, the proud, the Marines! Our Amphibious Assault includes a stand up and prone paddleboard races, outrigger canoe and surfski races, an open harbor swim, vendor village, kids races, and SUP yoga and instructional sessions.
Cardiff Greek Festival
September 12 – 13
Location: Cardiff, 3459 Manchester Ave
Be Greek for the day! Bring the entire family to the Annual Greek Festival held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The church grounds are transformed into a quaint Greek village complete with Greek cuisine and heavenly pastries, live Greek music, folk dancing, a kid’s fun zone, a marketplace and church tours.
Carlsbad Brewfest
September 12
12:00 – 4:30 PM
Location: Carlsbad, Holiday Park, 3400 Pio Pico Dr
Enjoy over 30 of the finest craft beers from San Diego County and beyond.
Carding Policy: Please note: ALL ATTENDEES, including designated drivers, will be carded at the gate and must be over the age of 21 to enter the Brewfest. NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WILL BE ADMITTED. This includes children, toddlers, and infants. No refunds will be issued to patrons under the age of 21 attempting to enter the festival.
Noche Mexicana
September 13
2:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Oceanside, Civic Center Plaza
This is a cultural celebration of Independence Day and will include food, music, and live entertainment. Sponsored by Deputy Mayor Esther Sanchez and Noche Mexicana Committee.
Wavecrest Woodies
September 17 – 20
Location: Encinitas, Moonlight Beach
Wavecrest is the granddaddy of all woodie meets. You will experience the longest running and largest gathering of woodies in the world. There are around 300 woodies of every size, shape, description on display. Throughout the day there is Hawaiian and surf music performed live, along with fabulous raffle prizes and awards for the best of the best. Wavecrest merchandise and food will be available at the event.
The post Wavecrest evening activities begin with drinks in the pool/cabana area at the Host Hotel followed by a fabulous buffet dinner. After dinner there will be a raffle/auction which will be limited to high-end woodie items. The evening will end with entertainment in the cabana.
To wrap up your Wavecrest experience, join 80-90 woodies on a cruise from Encinitas to Oceanside and back on the historic Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 101). The cruise (approx. 25 miles) will begin at 8:00 am and proceed north to the Oceanside Harbor with a photo-op stop on the beach below the Oceanside Pier. If you didn’t bring your woodie to the event, you can still join the fun by hitching a ride on the cruise.
NSSA Open Season Surfing Contest
September 19 – 20
Location: Oceanside, South Harbor Jetty
The National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage and assist its members in their interest to learn and develop the fundamentals and skills of surfing competition while competing in structured and quality events.
It is one of the few national youth sports organizations that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to compete. Since 1978, the NSSA program philosophy has been that athletics and scholastics go hand in hand. More than 80 NSSA events are run nationwide that culminate with the annual National Championships which is regarded as the highest profile youth surfing event in America. Open Season is a ten event schedule running from September to June.
Carmel Valley Trail 5K and 10K
September 19
Location: Carmel Valley, Torrey Highlands Community Park
Welcome to San Diego’s ONLY trail race through beautiful Gonzales Canyon Open Space and Torrey Highlands Community Park.
The 2nd Annual Carmel Valley Trail 10K and 5K is Carmel Valley’s premier trail race. With an elevation gain between 300 and 500 feet, participants will experience a combination of single track and dirt service road trails. Both the 10K and 5K courses will see a mix of flat and fast with some hills thrown in for extra flavor. Great for ALL running levels!!
Encinitas Oktoberfest
September 20
Location: Encinitas, Mountain Vista Drive and El Camino Real
The 20th Annual Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mountain Vista Drive and El Camino Real. This event is completely FREE and fun for the entire family!
The event entertainment features Alpine Quintett, a German-American Band, Bavarian dancers and a street craft faire featuring over 200 vendors including artisans with unusual arts and craft items. The family food and refreshment tent will be serving authentic German food and beers from national and local breweries. There will be a family fun zone with children’s games, family oriented activities and much more.
FREE PARKING is available at the Flora Vista Elementary School (1690 Wandering Road) with FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE from the parking lot to the Oktoberfest site.
Poway Rodeo
September 25 – 26
Location: Poway, 14336 Tierra Bonita
Professional rodeo cowboys from around the country compete during the 42nd Annual Poway Rodeo.
Guests can watch contestants compete in events such as Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping and Bull Riding. There’s even a “Mutton Bustin” event where kids under 50lbs. ride sheep. They try to hold on for 8 seconds, just like the cowboys. There’s also a free dance for everyone 21 and over after the rodeo each night.
National Public Lands Day
September 26
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Location: Carlsbad, Agua Hedionda Reserve
The City of Carlsbad will celebrate National Public Lands Day with a volunteer trail clean up at Kelly Trail in Agua Hedionda Reserve on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteer work will include clearing the trail of overgrown brush as well as trail surface improvements, litter pick up and other trail work. City staff will be on hand to assist with the volunteer event.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort aimed at educating the public about the environment and natural resources to improve public lands for outdoor recreation.
Oceanside Harbor Days
September 26 – 27
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Harbor
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce along with Genentech will present Oceanside Harbor Days at the Oceanside Harbor. The event will feature arts and craft exhibits, great food and fun activities for the entire family. The event is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Two event filled days of sun, sand, and surf provide an outstanding opportunity for residents and neighbors to experience fun activities including the new Sandcastle competition, Entertainment Stage, Arts, Crafts and Food booth areas, Nail ‘n’ Sail Competition, Military, Public Safety displays, and more.
Julian Apple Days Festival
September 26 – 27
Location: Julian, 1150 Julian Orchards Dr
As part of Julian’s Apple Days Celebration, a two-day Apple Days Festival will be held September 26 & 27, 2015 at Menghini Winery featuring apple displays, music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, gold panning demonstrations, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests, and, of course, apple pie. The event runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, both Saturday and Sunday. The admission is $5 for adults with children 12 and under free of charge.
The first 250 people through the gate (paid admission only) each day receive a FREE pie server.