Family events in San Marcos, CA

Little ones can sing, dance, and move along with Kathryn the Grape at a free community dance party designed for young children. The program pairs music with interactive movement activities that support learning and play. Presented with support from Mershops North County and held at North County Mall, it offers family-friendly entertainment for the community.

Experience Blood on the Clocktower with a storyteller guiding the action as players take on hidden roles and try to determine who is aligned with good and who is working for evil. The evil team thrives on confusion and misdirection to pave the way for a demon’s triumph. The good team collaborates, shares clues, and pieces together the truth to stop the demon first. No prior experience is required, and newcomers can jump right in. Suitable for all ages. Food will be available from Ned’s Poke.

Anesthesia free dental cleanings for dogs and cats are offered in sessions that take under an hour, helping promote fresh breath and clean teeth. A veterinary screening or exam is required prior to treatment. This is a one day service with a limited number of appointment slots. For details, see Get Tickets.

Trail runners and walkers head to San Elijo Hills Park for a community celebration of outdoor recreation that climbs to the highest peak in North County, rewarding participants with sweeping views along the way. The lineup includes a timed 10K challenge, an untimed 5K run or walk, and a kids trail trot. A pre race cardio warm up and stretch sets the tone, aid stations keep participants supported on course, and professional photography captures the experience. All finishers receive custom medals, with overall and age group awards also presented. After crossing the finish line, the race expo offers a beer garden featuring Michi Brewing, a San Marcos brewery. Event proceeds benefit the San Marcos community through Friends of San Marcos and the Boys and Girls Club of San Marcos.

The Rancho Vallecitos Annual Craft Fair brings together 33 vendors selling hand-crafted products. Shoppers will find new and distinctive gifts for everyday use and for the holiday season. The fair is held in the Game Room at Rancho Vallecitos Mobile Home Estates. Payment options include cash, check, and Venmo.

Animal lovers in San Diego can step into a veterinarian's role through a hands-on camp designed for ages 9 to 16. Participants practice basic suturing on a banana, listen to the heartbeat of a mini horse, use a microscope to spot bacteria, and explore core clinical skills like drawing blood and giving vaccinations. The experience blends real-world techniques with time alongside animals and the tools of the trade, helping young learners build confidence and practical know-how. Half-day and full-day options are available, and capacity is limited.

A family-friendly World Rhino Day celebration and rhino conservation fundraiser hosted by Global Conservation Force brings together wildlife supporters, families, advocates, businesses, and local community members for a full day of trading card excitement, learning, and community impact. Card and collectible sales include vendor booths, donated trading cards, and special items, with proceeds directed to conservation programs. A mini golf competition adds friendly rivalry with prizes on the line, and a silent auction features wildlife-themed items, experiences, artwork, gift baskets, collectibles, and travel opportunities. Each admission includes one raffle entry, with additional raffle tickets available throughout the day. Food, snacks, beverages, and treats are available, including shave ice, and guests can shop official GCF merchandise and educational materials. Wildlife education is woven throughout the event with videos highlighting the work of wildlife rangers, conservation K9 teams, anti-poaching operations, rehabilitation efforts, and education programs around the world. Conservation booths share information about rhinos, elephants, pangolins, giraffes, snow leopards, and other species supported by GCF initiatives. Door prizes and interactive activities for all ages create a welcoming atmosphere, and additional games, vendors, exhibits, and conservation experiences will be announced leading up to the event. Participants can also fundraise in advance by forming a team, receiving a personal fundraising page and link, sharing it with friends and family, and encouraging donations that are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Fundraising teams compete for prizes and recognition, with top fundraisers acknowledged during the celebration. Every contribution helps sustain wildlife rangers, conservation K9 teams, anti-poaching initiatives, wildlife rehabilitation, conservation education, and rhino conservation projects around the globe. Support generated through admissions, raffles, the silent auction, merchandise, food and collectible sales, sponsorships, and participant fundraising benefits Global Conservation Force’s conservation programs operating in Africa, Asia, Central America, and beyond. Attendance helps protect endangered wildlife while supporting the people on the frontlines of conservation.

Explore Fox Point Farms on a guided weekend tour led by farm ambassadors. Ride the tractor train around the property, spend time with the animals, and see how regenerative methods bring food from seed to harvest. Hear about what is growing now and the care that goes into each crop, then help cut down on waste by offering overripe vegetables to the animals. Along the way, discover the many hands and hooves behind the farm’s micro-economy, including growing, brewing, coffee roasting and making, cooking and baking, herbalism, and community events with live music. The experience mirrors weekday tours, with the addition of the tractor ride, and runs throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays. No advance booking is needed, and tickets are sold on site.

A guided walk through a regenerative farm offers a close look at how food is grown for the community. The tour visits three productive gardens, many types of medicinal herbs, and an orchard with over 650 fruit trees. Farmer Rich shares how regenerative and permaculture methods build healthy soil, grow nutrient rich food, and support a healthy farm ecosystem. Guests can gather practical ideas to use in their own gardens. It is a chance to experience a working regenerative farm, ask questions, and enjoy a beautiful morning outdoors.

Meet adoptable dogs at Petco in Encinitas and help match them with loving homes. The event highlights several ways to support: adopt to provide a forever home, foster to help a dog get adopted faster, stop by to give the pups attention, or lend a hand as a volunteer. Friends and families are welcome, and every bit of support helps these dogs on their way to a brighter future.

At Petco in Oceanside, adoptable rescue dogs and puppies will be available for meet and greets. Guests can spend time with the animals, offer them attention, and get to know their personalities while exploring adoption. There are other ways to help as well, including fostering to provide short term care that speeds a dog’s path to a permanent home, or volunteering at the events to support the adoption effort. Friends and families are welcome to come along and help more dogs find the loving homes they deserve.

An indoor men's soccer showdown brings the USA and Mexico to Frontwave Arena for the Continental Cup. All ages are welcome.

Animal-loving kids ages 9 to 16 can experience what it is like to be a zookeeper through hands-on learning. Campers take part in interactive activities with mammals, reptiles, and birds, practice diet preparation, and create enrichment. Engaging projects and learning materials encourage curiosity while introducing the tools and responsibilities of daily animal care. Participants connect with animals and discover what goes into caring for them each day. Space is limited, and pricing and additional details are available at booking.

Explore Fox Point Farms on a guided tour that highlights its regenerative growing practices and animal care. Meet the animals and see how food is brought to life. Tours include a ride on the tractor train, with a farm guide sharing what is being grown and how it is tended. Guests help reduce food waste by offering overripe vegetables to the animals. The experience also introduces a network of on-site enterprises that includes growing, brewing, coffee roasting and making, cooking and baking, herbalism, and live music and community events. No advance booking is required, and tickets are available for purchase at the farm.

At San Dieguito County Park, the Southern California Terps Crab Feast brings University of Maryland alumni, families, friends, and supporters together for a laid-back celebration of a classic Chesapeake Bay tradition. Attendees crack crabs, share Maryland pride, and enjoy food, beverages, and activities for all ages in a scenic park setting. Terps from across the region, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, reconnect with familiar faces, make new connections, and mark the close of summer amid school colors and Maryland flag flair.

Meet beloved storybook characters during weekly meet and greets filled with photo opportunities and playful games. Each week brings a fresh theme with activities that could range from an upbeat sing along to a fun scavenger hunt. A Royalty Card rewards program lets visitors collect a stamp every Sunday, and filling the card with five stamps provides an entry to win a magical prize. Admission is free and open to the public.

Put your deck to the test in a Standard constructed Pokemon tournament. Entry is $6. Prize support is casual, with store credit added per participant to a prize pool and awarded to the top finishers. A Pokemon Professor runs the event. These Standard tournaments take place every Monday.

Sing and dance along with Kathryn the Grape at a free community dance party at The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Tailored for young children, this upbeat experience blends catchy songs with simple movement for a playful, educational introduction to music and motion. Sponsored by The Shoppes at Carlsbad, it supports family-friendly entertainment for the community.