January’s North County and San Diego events offer something for everyone! We’ve got celebrations and festivals of all kinds, a golf tournament, auto show and the Carlsbad Marathon. You can learn about dinosaurs and the oceans at night, recycle your TV, and help stop human trafficking. That’s not all! There are film festivals and even a cat show. Keep reading for more great San Diego and North County events!
San Diego International Auto Show
Dec. 29-Jan. 1
Features a wide variety of the latest new vehicles, all under one roof, making it ideal for consumers to comparison shop and discover new models, including the newest EVs. Attendees will also enjoy test drives, exotics, classics, automotive products and much more!
San Diego Convention Center
858-550-0080 / www.sdautoshow.com
San Diego Brew Fest
Jan. 6
The event will feature over 70 breweries, 200 beers, 10 of San Diego’s best food trucks as well as cover bands and lawn games.
12-4pm / NTC Park, Liberty Station
www.sandiegobeerfest.com
Borrego Springs Film Festival
Jan. 11-15
The 11th annual BSFF offers single-venue-screenings, great local attendance, a catered opening gala, a filmmaker networking event, our Saturday party, panel discussions, workshops, a grand award ceremony, and much much more.
Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center
760-518-0509 / www.borregospringsfilmfestival.org
San Diego Underground Film Festival
Jan. 13
San Diego Underground Film Festival is a showcase for experimental films, video, and live shows. For our ninth edition, we have an exciting program that includes underground narratives, experimental films, live music, and projector performances by artists who are both local and international.
Media Arts Center, UCSD Park & Market, 1100 Market St.
www.sdundergroundarts.org
Poway Winter Festival
Jan. 12-13
Feel snow between your fingers while sledding down the snow hill. Smell roasting marshmallows as you devour delicious s’mores. Experience the wind in your hair skating around the synthetic ice rink and more! Lights will twinkle, as music sets the tone and laughter fills the air. Winter Festival brings to life all of the charm and entertainment of a cold-mountain town, set right in Poway.
Fri. 5-9pm, Sat. 3:30-8:30pm / Poway Community Park
858-668-4671 / poway.org
Poway Winter Festival for the Special Needs Community
Jan. 12-13
We’re inviting our Special Needs Community to join us for an extra-special edition of Winter Festival. Whether you’re building a snowman, sledding down our snow hill, or taking a spin around the synthetic skate rink, there is bound to be something for everyone!
2:30-3:30pm / Poway Community Park
858-668-4671 / poway.org
Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND California
Jan. 13
1-mile fun run for kids of all ages and abilities. Before the doors open to the public, they’re opened for us to enjoy the sights and sounds of LEGOLAND®! Participants can run, walk, skip or stroll, or even be pushed in a stroller or carried on a back as they wind through the park and back out to the finish line. A portion of each registration will be donated directly to Merlin’s Magic Wand.
6:30-10am / LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
www.legoland.com/california
Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Jan. 14
The BEST and most scenic winter race with the BEST swag! Miles and miles of breathtaking ocean views with outstanding course support and entertainment. Turn your Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend into a run-cation! Entry includes: Long-sleeve technical-fabric shirt, premium technical-fabric 1/4 zip pullover, gorgeous finishers medal, souvenir cinch bag, and much more!
See website for schedule.
760-692-2900 / inmotionevents.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Jan. 14
This is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s parade will feature a MLK 5k Walk/Fun Run and Festival. This parade is coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African American fraternity in America, founded in 1906 and the San Diego Alpha Foundation.
10am / Harbor Dr. – Embarcadero
www.sandiegoalphas.com/mlk-parade
Jurassic Quest
Jan. 19-21
Observe a herd of life-size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, T-Rex and an incredible 50-foot long Megalodon. Interact with our trainers, baby dinos, and watch a live Raptor show. Explore dinosaur rides, giant fossil dig, inflatables, fossil science exhibit, Triceratots soft play area, and MORE!
Del Mar Fairgrounds, O’Brien Hall
936-320-0030 / www.jurassicquest.com
TV and Computer Recycling Drive
Jan. 20
Proceeds will help support Fallbrook High School PTSA. We cannot accept microwaves, refrigerators, batteries, bulbs, appliances or furniture.
9am-1pm / Fallbrook High School
www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
Farmers Insurance Open
Jan. 24-27
An official PGA TOUR event. We are excited to welcome fans back to the course for this year’s tournament to experience San Diego’s premiere social and golf event. Don’t miss out on the breathtaking views, world-class golf, and an unrivaled experience at Torrey Pines.
Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla
858-886-4653 / www.farmersinsuranceopen.com
Oceans at Night
Jan. 25
Discover the wonders and mysteries of the ocean after dark during our monthly nighttime 21+ event. Oceans at Night features interactive experiences highlighting ocean phenomena that occur at night including bioluminescence and biofluorescence, while creating a fun, adults-only atmosphere with live music, a glow lounge with life-sized games, glowing nighttime dives and epic ocean views.
6:30-9:30pm / Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla
858-534-3474 / aquarium.ucsd.edu
Human Trafficking Awareness Walk
Jan. 27
Information booths welcome from organizations. We will walk from the church to Sunset Drive and back, a distance of 1-1/2 miles. Water and STOP TRAFFICKING signs will be provided. Registration is free. ($10 Donation requested but not required.) Dogs and children welcome!
10am-12pm / United Methodist Church of Vista
760-683-9427 / www.soroptimistvista.org
San Diego Cat Show
Jan. 27-28
With more than 450 kittens and cats in competition, including 43 breeds, an agility course, onsite adoptions and more, the San Diego Cat Show is the Super Bowl of Cat Competitions!
Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
www.sandiegocat.org
Enjoy January’s North County and San Diego events! Do you have North County or San Diego events that you’d like included here? Just let me know, and I’ll add them for you.
Please excuse any errors or omissions and let me know if there’s anything that needs fixing. Check with the organizations holding these events for costs, tickets, availability, changes, limitations and important details.