![North County and San Diego Events January 2025 by Pam Fraser. Picture of two champagne glasses with gold ribbon and sparkles and a blue background.](https://i0.wp.com/pamfraser.com/hiliter/stuff/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jan2025eventsHeaderFB.jpg?resize=474%2C249&ssl=1)
North County and San Diego Events for January
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, watch a parade, 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. 28-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! ! Bring the kids for Family Day on Sunday, December 31. Kids 12 and under are free.
San Diego Convention Center
858-550-0080 / www.sdautoshow.com
San Marcos City Hike
Jan. 4
Start out from the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead to enjoy a scenic 6.4-mile hike on the Mule Hill Historical Trail towards Raptor Ridge. There is little to no elevation gain. Meeting location: San Dieguito River Park Parking Lot, 12655 Sunset Dr., Escondido.
9am-12pm / Mule Hill Historical Trail
760-744-1050 / www.san-marcos.net
Open House at Pacific View Arts Center
Jan. 4
This event includes campus tours, instructor meet-and-greets, and art demonstrations – a great opportunity for prospective students, art enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the arts. Attendees can explore facilities, engage with instructors, and sign up for classes. Admission is free. No sign-up required.
10am-3pm / 380 West F Street, Encinitas
760-943-2160 / www.encinitasca.gov
Gem Faire
Jan. 10-12
A world-renowned marketplace for fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, fossils and much more. Take advantage of buying direct from the importers and wholesalers. From loose gemstones, raw minerals and millions of bead strands, to finished jewelry, fashion accessories, supplies and tools, find them all under one roof. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing service is available while you shop.
Del Mar Fairgrounds
gemfaire.com
Poway Winter Festival
Jan. 10-11
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. This year, it’s bigger and better than ever with founce houses, snow play areas, face painting and pony rides.
Fri. 5-9pm, Sat. 3:30-8:30pm / Poway Community Park
858-668-4671 / poway.org
San Diego Brew Fest
Jan. 11
The San Diego 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 / Preble Field, Liberty Station
www.sandiegobeerfest.com
Human Trafficking Awareness Walk
Jan. 11
Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland invites you to join us at our annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk and Event. Water and signs will be provided. Registration is free. Families and pets welcome!
9am-12pm / United Methodist Church of Vista
760-758-1910 / www.soroptimistvista.org
Wetlands in the Time of Change – Speaker Series at Batiquitos Lagoon
Jan. 11
Christine Whitcraft, PhD of CSU Long Beach will discuss the importance and functioning of the wetlands of the southern California region, including a framework for monitoring estuarine Marine Protected Areas throughout California which she and her collaborative team are currently developing. Ages 15+. No cost, no reservations.
10-11am / 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad
442-320-7009 / www.carlsbadca.gov
Poway Winter Festival for the Special Needs Community
Jan. 11
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
San Diego Home Show Spring
Jan. 11-12
Our events feature a wide selection of home improvement professionals in a fun, interactive environment. After meeting with and comparing our expert exhibitors, we know you’ll be inspired and motivated to start planning with confidence. More importantly, we want you to be excited for all the fantastic possibilities that come with your project!
Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm / San Diego Convention Center
888-560-3976 / www.homeshowsandiego.com
Borrego Springs Film Festival
Jan. 15-19
The 12th annual BSFF offers single-venue-screenings, great local attendance, a catered opening gala, a filmmaker networking event, our catered Saturday party, panel discussions, workshops, a grand award ceremony, and much much more.
Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center
760-518-0509 / www.borregospringsfilmfestival.org
Jurassic Quest
Jan. 17-20
Observe a herd of life-size animatronic dinosaurs including our 80-foot long Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, and out lifesize T-Rex. Interact with our trainers, baby dinos, and watch a live Raptor show. Explore dinosaur rides, giant fossil dig, inflatables, fossil science exhibit, Tricera-tots soft play area, and MORE!
Del Mar Fairgrounds
www.jurassicquest.com
Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND California
Jan. 18
LEGOLAND® California Resort joins In Motion in presenting the 2025 Kids Marathon Mile – a special 1-mile fun run for kids of all ages and abilities. Participants can run, walk, skip or stroll, or even be pushed in a stroller or carried on a back as they wind through the theme park and back out to the finish line.
6:30-10am / LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
www.legoland.com/california
Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Jan. 19
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 reusable grocery bag, and much more!
See website for schedule.
760-692-2900 / inmotionevents.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Jan. 19
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.
11am / Harbor Dr. South from Ash to Pacific
www.sandiegoalphas.com/mlk-parade
Star Walk XXXIII
Jan. 19
Learn basic astronomy concepts at a beginner’s level. Locate and understand featured celestial/astronomical events. Locate and identify common constellations and asterisms. Recommended Equipment: LED flashlight with red filter, or red lens cover. Binoculars. Warm clothes. Blanket and/or ground cloth.
5:30-7pm / Double Peak Park, San Marcos
www.san-marcos.net
Farmers Insurance Open
Jan. 22-25
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
San Diego Cat Show
Jan. 25-26
With more than 350 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
Vista State of the Community Luncheon
Jan. 27
Our Keynote Speaker will be City of Vista Mayor John Franklin.
11am-1:30pm / City of Vista Community Room
www.vistachamber.org
Oceans at Night
Jan. 30
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
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.