Valley Events
San Pasqual Valley events & school dates
School nights, winery weekends, Safari Park seasons, golf leagues, and the handful of county events worth the drive — all in one board. Tap a category to filter. Neighborhood guides: Rancho San Pasqual · Vistamonte.
The valley calendar
Every upcoming event — filter to what you love
📅 This week
October 19–23SchoolSPU parent-teacher conferences — minimum days all week1:30 release at San Pasqual Union, Monday through Friday. Monday–Thursday, October 19–22 · 10pm–5amNewsEastbound SR-78 fully closed overnight at South Rancho Santa Fe Road, October 19–22Caltrans will close all lanes of eastbound SR-78 at South Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos each night from 10pm to 5am, Monday, October 19, 2026, through Thursday, October 22, 2026, to replace weigh-in-motion sensors. Drivers are detoured off at the South Rancho Santa Fe Road off-ramp and can get back on eastbound SR-78 at the South Rancho Santa Fe Road on-ramp. Caltrans says the schedule is subject to change due to weather, traffic incidents, or other work-related reasons. The project ends at Broadway and Lincoln Parkway in Escondido, so the valley stretch of SR-78 isn't part of it, but late-night eastbound SR-78 trips home from the coast pass through the closure. Monday–Friday, October 19–23 · 8am–4pmNewsLane closures on SR-78 (San Pasqual Valley Road) this week, October 19–23Caltrans' lane-closure list shows an eastbound lane closed for utility work on SR-78 (San Pasqual Valley Road) between Viletta Dr and the Adobe Creek bridge, at the Escondido end of the road, 8am–4pm daily Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23, 2026. It also lists one-way traffic control for utility work between Idaho Ave and Hill Haven Rd overnight, 9pm Wednesday, October 21 to 5am Thursday, October 22, 2026. Planned closures can change; check Caltrans QuickMap before you go. Friday, October 23 · 7pmSchoolGolden Eagles football — home vs Mt. CarmelLeague home game at San Pasqual High. The Golden Eagles (5–3, 1–1 Palomar League) come off a 32–18 home win over Valley Center on Friday, October 16; Mt. Carmel is 2–7, 1–2. The regular season ends Friday, October 30 at Escondido High (7:15pm). Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25CommunityHarvest Tea at the Sikes Adobe farmsteadSan Dieguito River Park's seasonal afternoon tea at the historic Sikes Adobe Farmstead. $45 per guest; choose October 24 or 25. Space is limited, so reserve early. Sunday, October 25 · 9am–5pmAround TownGather on Grand — downtown's fall street festival, new name and dateThe Downtown Business Association's new fall festival on Grand Ave downtown, 9am–5pm: live music on several stages, a beer & wine garden, vendors, and Art in the Garden at Heritage Garden. Free admission. Escondido, 10 min away. Monday–Thursday, October 26–29SchoolRed Ribbon Week spirit days at San Pasqual UnionDress-up themes each day: mismatched socks and crazy hair (Monday), running or sports clothes (Tuesday), wear red (Wednesday), and Halloween costumes or saints gear on Thursday, the day of the Halloween Parade and Harvest Night. No school Friday, October 30.🔁 Ongoing & weekly
Ballots arrive the week of October 5CommunityNovember 3 election: mail ballots and drop boxesEvery active voter gets a two-card mail ballot starting the week of October 5. Official drop boxes open October 4, select vote centers October 24 and all of them October 31; mailed ballots must be postmarked by November 3. The countywide ballot includes Measure B (half-cent sales tax); the three SPU board seats are uncontested and won't appear. Select nights, October 2 – December 31Safari ParkRoar & Snore sleepovers — fall & December datesOvernight camping at the Safari Park, 4:15pm to 9:30am, with a guided night hike, campfire s'mores, dinner and breakfast. All-ages nights October 2–3, 9–10, 16, 24 & 30 and November 6–7, 20–21 & 27–28, from $205/person; adults-only (21+) Saturday, October 31, from $255. Park admission is separate. December all-ages nights: December 5, 11–12, 18–20, 26–27 & 31 (only Vista and Premium tents in December). October 1–31Safari ParkKids Free October at the Safari ParkKids 11 & under free all month with an adult — up to 6 kids per paying adult. Plus the Autumn Festival on weekends: October 3–4, 10–11, 17–18 & 24–25 (now confirmed for 2026). October 1–31 · Wed–Sat 10am–4pmCommunitySan Diego Archaeological Center: October in the valleyAt 16666 San Pasqual Valley Rd. Story Time with an Archaeologist on Thursdays October 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10–11am ($5). All month, a Kids Free San Diego coupon gets up to two kids 12 & under free admission and a take-home pottery kit per full-price paid adult. Seniors 65+ free on Wednesdays. Adults-only (21+) owl-pellet dissection Saturday, October 31, 11am–1pm, $40 ($30 members). Daily through October 31Around TownPumpkin patches at both ends of the valleyMountain Valley Ranch, 842 Hwy 78 toward Ramona, is open daily 9am–6pm through October 31 with free admission. Pumpkin Station's Rancho Bernardo farm, 13421 Highland Valley Rd, has free parking and admission, open daily 9am–6pm through October 8 and 9am–7pm October 9–31. Rancho Guejito also sells pumpkins on its open days. Lease approved August 12NewsCostco ground lease approved for the former Sears site at North County MallEscondido, 10 min away. The council approved a 20-year ground lease for the former Sears site on August 12. The lease can be signed only after the current Sears-successor lease ends, and it doesn’t approve the store itself: a warehouse and gas station still need development and environmental review. In processNewsProposed: an RV resort at the Dos Osos golf clubThe city is processing case PL26-0121, a Rancho San Pasqual Specific Plan amendment for 82 RV spaces and 42 park-model cottages at 2492 Old Ranch Rd. The council voted 5-0 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to let staff process it; that is not an approval. As of Wednesday, October 14, 2026, no hearing had been announced: the project isn't on the Planning Commission's tentative future-agenda list dated Friday, October 9, 2026, and the city hadn't posted an agenda for the commission's Tuesday, October 27, 2026 meeting. Through February 28Around Town'Blood Memory' Native art exhibition at CCAEWork by regional artists from Native nations and Indigenous communities at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum, through February 28, 2027. Escondido, 10 min away. Through the holidaysAround TownStone Brewing is winding down Escondido — bistro open for nowSapporo, which kept the Escondido brewery and World Bistro & Gardens after selling the Stone brand, plans to close both by year-end; the first 58 layoffs come in October and the rest (220 total) by January. The bistro is open for now. Escondido, 10 min away. September–OctoberWorth the DriveJulian apple seasonU-pick orchards, cider, and the famous pie shops, 45 minutes up Highway 78. Julian’s Halloween Pet Parade starts at Town Square (2712 Washington St.) Saturday, October 31 at 1:30pm; pet registration forms are due by 4pm October 30. TuesdaysAround TownEscondido Farmers' MarketEvery Tuesday 2:30pm until sundown on Juniper St between Grand Ave and Valley Pkwy (Heritage Garden Park), downtown. Escondido, 10 min away. OngoingGolfDos Osos club nightsTaco Tuesdays, Wine Wednesday, Pizza Night, happy hour, Bingo Brunch and Friday Night Live music — call the golf shop at (760) 737-9762 or check the club's Facebook for this month's schedule. First Fridays · 8:45amSchoolSPU PTO meetings — all families welcomeSeptember 4, October 2, November 6 & December 4 in Trussell Hall. Most weeksSchoolGolden Eagles fall sports at homeGirls volleyball, tennis, field hockey & flag football host home dates most weeks at SPHS — full athletic calendar online. (Homecoming dance is Saturday, October 17; theater dates not yet announced.) WeekendsWineryWeekends at Rancho GuejitoFall hours Sat 11am–3pm, Sun 11am–7pm. October Sundays bring afternoon bands (Cadillac Fringe October 4, Gainesville the Band October 11, The Jackstones October 18, Crossroads October 25), free hayrides, the kids' craft camp noon–5, and pumpkins for sale all month. Makers & Shakers fall market Sunday, October 18, 11am–5pm, with a Pumpkin Candle Workshop that afternoon, 3:30–4:30pm ($50); Spooky Sunday Funday October 25; open Saturday, October 31, 11–5, with Dolly’s Revenge playing 1–5pm. 17224 San Pasqual Valley Rd. WeeklyWineryOrfila's weeknight calendarKaraoke Mondays 6–8pm and Twang Tuesday line dancing 6–8:30pm (both free, all ages), Trivia Thursdays 5:30–7:30pm, and Musical Bingo Remixed October 14 & 28. Ticketed Lumos candlelight concerts: Fleetwood Mac vs. Elton John Saturday, October 24 and Queen vs. The Beatles Friday, November 13, 6:30pm. New: Cumbia Entre Viñedos with El Flow, Saturday, October 17, 5–10pm: a cumbia workshop 6–7pm, then social dancing (tickets required). 13455 San Pasqual Rd. Fri–Sun in OctoberWineryHungry Hawk: October weekends + October 30 SoiréeOpen Fri–Sun noon–6pm (5pm close Saturday, October 3) with afternoon musicians and food vendors. Closed to the public October 16–18 for the wine-club pickup weekend. October Soirée Friday, October 30, 4–8:30pm, with music by Carlos Calvo and food from 11 Pueblos Café; no cover, reservations strongly recommended. 21+, no pets.🗓️ Looking ahead
Thursday, October 29SchoolSPU Halloween Parade & Harvest NightThe PTO's Harvest Night, an evening of games, food and fall fun, and the district's Halloween Parade, on the last day of Red Ribbon Week (costumes or saints gear). Times have not been announced. Thursday is a 1:30 minimum day at SPU, and Friday, October 30, 2026 is a staff development day with no school. Friday, October 30SchoolNo school at San Pasqual Union (staff development day)A non-student staff day on the SPU calendar. San Pasqual High is in session. Friday, October 30 · 7:15pmSchoolGolden Eagles football at Escondido High — regular-season finalePalomar League road game at Escondido High (1535 N. Broadway), 7:15pm kickoff. Friday, October 30 · 1pm shotgunGolfGhosts & Ghouls Halloween tournament at Dos OsosFour-person scramble with a costume contest, on-course skill contests and a BBQ, followed by live music from Cadillac Fringe. $95 per person ($85 with a JC Players card), paid at the pro shop. Questions: (760) 737-9762. Saturday, October 31 · from noonAround TownTrick or Treat on GrandThe Downtown Business Association's free, all-ages trick-or-treat along Grand Ave with participating businesses, from noon to about 5pm. Costumes encouraged. Escondido, 10 min away. Sunday, November 1 · 2amCommunityClocks fall back an hourDaylight saving time ends at 2am Sunday. November 2–20SchoolSee's Candy fundraiser at SPUStock up for the holidays and support the PTO. Tuesday, November 3SchoolSPU board: no race on the November 3 ballot — all three open seats uncontestedOnly one candidate filed in each of Trustee Areas 2, 3 and 4, so there is no SPU contest on the ballot (county candidate list, August 28). November 6–29Worth the DriveDel Mar racing — the Bing Crosby seasonFall racing Friday–Sunday, November 6–29 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (12:30pm first post), plus Thanksgiving Day racing Thursday, November 26 (11am first post). November 7–8Around TownEscondido Tamale FestivalTwo-day fiesta at Grape Day Park per the organizer: Saturday, November 7, 5–10pm and Sunday, November 8, 11am–6pm. Escondido, 10 min away. Tuesday, November 10 · 4:30pmSchoolSPU school board regular meetingSan Pasqual Union's next regular board meeting is Tuesday, November 10, 2026. It opens at 4:30pm with public comment on closed-session items, followed immediately by closed session; the agenda hasn't been posted yet. As of Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the most recent minutes posted online are from Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Wednesday, November 11SchoolVeterans Day — no school in either districtSan Pasqual Union and EUHSD are both closed. Thursday, November 12SchoolCoffee with the Principal at SPUOn the PTO's 2026-27 calendar; time to be announced. November 13–15Worth the DriveFleet Week San Diego — free public ship toursFleet Week events run November 1–15; public ship tours at Broadway Pier (1000 N. Harbor Dr.) are November 13–15. Free; bring photo ID for security screening. Friday, November 20SchoolSPU minimum day — end of the first trimester1:30 release at San Pasqual Union, the Friday before Thanksgiving break. November 23–27SchoolThanksgiving break — both school districtsSan Pasqual Union and EUHSD are off the full week. Monday–Wednesday, November 23–25 · 10am–2:30pmCommunityThanksgiving-week archaeology day camp in the valleySan Diego Archaeological Center camp for ages 7–12 during the school break: $100/day or $300 for all three days; early drop-off from 9am and pickup until 4pm for $20/day. Limited to 30 campers per session. November 26–28CommunityThanksgiving week: Thursday & Friday trash pickup runs a day lateEscondido Disposal moves Thursday pickups to Friday and Friday pickups to Saturday; Monday–Wednesday service is unchanged. Look up your pickup day by address. November 28–29, December 18–23 & December 26 – January 3Safari ParkWild Holidays at the Safari ParkHoliday lights, music and storytelling after dark, included with admission or membership. The park stays open until 8pm on Wild Holidays dates: November 28–29, December 18–23 and December 26 – January 3. Members’ preview Friday, November 27. Wildlife viewing is limited during the evening event. December 4–5Worth the DriveBalboa Park December NightsSan Diego's biggest free holiday festival: Friday, December 4, 4–10pm and Saturday, December 5, noon–10pm, with free evening museum hours, international food booths, and lights across the park. Saturday, December 5 · 6pmAround TownEscondido Jaycees Christmas Parade — 75th annualDown Grand Ave from Juniper to Orange, starting at 6pm. Grand Ave closes to traffic and cars must be off Grand by noon. Escondido, 10 min away. December (unconfirmed)CommunityBattle Day reenactment at San Pasqual BattlefieldNo 2026 Battle Day has been announced; the volunteer association said it would not hold one in 2025. The park's visitor center and parking lots remain closed (State Parks cites renovations). Watch spbva.org for any December plans. Sunday, December 6 · 10am–4pmCommunityArtisan Fair at the Sikes Adobe farmsteadSan Dieguito River Park’s free artisan fair at the historic Sikes Adobe Farmstead: handmade pottery, jewelry, textiles, art and woodwork, local food and drink, and tours of the 1880s farmhouse. Free entry and parking. December 9–11SchoolSPU Holiday Boutique & Winter EventBoutique December 9–11, Trimester Awards December 10, and the PTO Winter Event Friday, December 11. December 12, 13 & 20Worth the DriveHoliday boat parades on the waterMission Bay's lighted-boat parade Saturday, December 12; the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights sails Sundays December 13 & 20 at 5:30pm — free to watch from shore. December 12–13Around TownEscondido Holiday FestivalFree downtown holiday weekend from USA Multicultural: a holiday music festival Saturday, December 12, 5–10pm, and a family day with Santa's Village Sunday, December 13, 11am–5pm. Escondido, 10 min away. December 21 – January 4SchoolWinter break — both school districtsSan Pasqual Union and EUHSD are both off December 21 – January 4; students return Tuesday, January 5. Friday, December 18 is EUHSD's semester end and a 1:30 minimum day at SPU. Friday, December 25 & Friday, January 1CommunityChristmas & New Year’s: Friday trash pickup moves to SaturdayBoth holidays fall on Fridays. Escondido Disposal (EDI) will pick up Friday residential routes the next day, Saturday, December 26 and Saturday, January 2. Monday–Thursday pickup stays the same. Look up your pickup day by address. Saturday, February 27, 2027 · 5–9:30pmSchoolSaints Soirée 2027: Aloha NightsThe SPU Foundation's annual evening fundraiser at San Pasqual Union School. Ticket details to come.📅 Add the valley calendar to your phone: subscribe in your calendar app or download .ics. It carries the dated events on this board, including school days off.
Mark your calendar
Recurring valley traditions
Fridays, June–September
Cruisin' Grand
Pre-1974 classic cars fill downtown Escondido's Grand Avenue every Friday evening, 4–9pm, June through September — free.
December (paused)
Battle Day
The traditional living-history commemoration at San Pasqual Battlefield — not held in 2025; the park's visitor center and parking lots have been closed since 2020. We'll post if 2026 plans emerge.
Late February
Saints Soirée
The San Pasqual Union Foundation's annual evening fundraiser at the school — 2027's is “Aloha Nights,” Saturday, February 27.
Year-round
Safari Park events
From Roar & Snore sleepovers to seasonal festivals — a mile from home. Calendar →