Happy Wednesday, North County!

School is starting back up but there’s still a ton of fun summer events going on. Friday in particular is packed! There is a FIT4MOM stroller celebration in San Marcos, the last Friday Night Splash of the season at the Wave Waterpark in Vista, cat videos La Paloma, an outdoor movie at Leo Carrillo Ranch and a night market at The Boochyard winery.

Then Oceanside takes over the weekend with classic cars on Saturday and three full days of surfing, skating, music and youth sports at Super Girl.

Fifteen plans this week, sorted by age. CatVideoFest appears in two sections because it works equally well for little and big kids. But speaking of La Paloma there’s also a Jack Johnson movie if you can get there tonight, and a cool looking documentary about a massive manta ray.

But let’s break it down for this week!

1. FIT4MOM 25th Anniversary Mega Class FIT4MOM is celebrating 25 years with a stroller-friendly workout followed by a family celebration at Hollandia Park. You can bring the baby, get a workout in and stick around afterward. It’s free and first-timers are welcome.

📍 Hollandia Park, 12 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos (20 min from Carlsbad)
💰 Free
📅 Friday, August 21 at 9:30 a.m.
👉 Details

2. Baby Lapsit Songs, rhymes, fingerplays and some time to play afterward, all designed specifically for pre-walkers ages 0–12 months. It’s only 30 minutes, which is probably about the perfect length for this age.

📍 Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad
💰 Free
📅 Thursday, August 20, 10–10:30 a.m.
👉 Details

3. Baby Storytime in Oceanside Books, songs and movement for babies and toddlers ages 0–2. It’s free, indoors and lasts 45 minutes—an easy Tuesday morning outing without having to plan the whole day around it.

📍 Oceanside Civic Center Library, 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
💰 Free
📅 Tuesday, August 25, 10:30–11:15 a.m.
👉 Details

4. Parachute Play Playgroup Music, movement, bouncing balls and group games with a parachute. It’s hosted by FIT4MOM, but the playgroup is free and open to everyone—you don’t need to be a member or attend the workout first.

📍 Hollandia Park, 12 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos
💰 Free
📅 Tuesday, August 25 at 10:30 a.m.
👉 Details

5. Baby Storytime in Solana Beach Stories and songs for babies up to 18 months, followed by playtime and a chance for parents to meet each other. A good coastal option for anyone who doesn’t want to drive inland for a morning activity.

📍 Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach
💰 Free
📅 Thursday, August 20, 10:30–11 a.m.
👉 Details

1. Final Friday Night Splash The Wave Waterpark is staying open late for one final Friday this summer. Four hours gives the kids plenty of time for the slides and lazy river without committing to a full day at the waterpark.

📍 The Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Drive, Vista
💰 $16
📅 Friday, August 21, 4–8 p.m.
👉 Details

2. DIY Spin Art Kids use paint and spinning motion to make colorful art they can bring home. It’s free, but supplies are only available while they last—so this is one where showing up on time probably matters.

📍 Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas
💰 Free
📅 Monday, August 24, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
👉 Details

3. CatVideoFest 2026 Basically, it’s funny cat videos on a movie theater screen. Ten percent of ticket sales also goes to Rancho Coastal Humane Society, so watching internet cats with your kids is now supporting a good cause.

📍 La Paloma Theatre, 471 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
💰 $15
📅 Friday, August 21 at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m.
👉 Details

4. Dog Days of Summer Open Market More than 30 local vendors, live music and plenty of dogs at Burtech Family Vineyard. It’s free to enter and works as an easy Wednesday afternoon outing - or an excuse not to cook dinner.

📍 Burtech Family Vineyard, 1325 Pipeline Drive, Vista
💰 Free to enter
📅 Wednesday, August 19, 3–7 p.m.
👉 Details

1. Oceanside VFW Annual Car Show Cars, trucks and motorcycles of all kinds, plus vendors and raffles. It’s free for spectators, and proceeds from the event support the local veteran community.

📍 Oceanside Elks Lodge, 444 Country Club Lane, Oceanside
💰 Free for spectators
📅 Saturday, August 22, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
👉 Details

2. Leo Carrillo Ranch Film Festival Explore the ranch before watching the 1937 musical Manhattan Merry-Go-Round outside at sunset. Bring low-back chairs, blankets and a picnic. It’s free, but you need to reserve a spot in advance.

📍 Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane, Carlsbad
💰 Free; advance reservations required
📅 Friday, August 21, 6–10 p.m.; movie begins at dusk
👉 Details

3. San Marcos Summer Concert A Bon Jovi tribute band playing outside at the Wood House. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and your own food. Kids 12 and under get in free, so you can expose them to your music without paying for the privilege.

📍 Wood House at Woodland Park, 1148 Rock Springs Road, San Marcos
💰 $8 in advance or $10 at the door; free for kids 12 and under
📅 Saturday, August 22; gates open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m.
👉 Details

4. CatVideoFest 2026 This one also made the little-kids section, but funny cat videos work for older kids too. It’s a full compilation shown on the big screen, with ten percent of ticket sales going to Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

📍 La Paloma Theatre, 471 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
💰 $15
📅 Friday, August 21 at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m.
👉 Details

1. Super Girl Surf Festival Oceanside Pier is taken over for three days of professional surfing, skating, beach sports and free concerts. K.Flay and Iration play Saturday, with B.o.B and Hippie Sabotage on Sunday. The festival is free, but you need to preregister separately for the concerts.

📍 Oceanside Pier, 300 The Strand North, Oceanside
💰 Free; concert preregistration required
📅 Friday–Sunday, August 21–23
👉 Details

2. The Last Dive A new documentary about Vietnam veteran and diver Terry Kennedy’s nearly 20-year friendship with a giant manta ray named Willy. If your teen likes the ocean, diving or documentaries, this is probably the most interesting movie option this week.

📍 La Paloma Theatre, 471 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
💰 $20
📅 Thursday, August 20 at 4 p.m.
👉 Details

There’s a 7 p.m. screening but it’s already sold out so grab tickets for the 4 p.m. if you can swing it!

3. Vista Sustainable Night Market Live music, food, local vendors, billiards and other games at The Boochyard. It’s free, all ages and an easy Friday night option for teens to do with friends or family.

📍 The Boochyard, 1430 Vantage Court, Suite 101, Vista
💰 Free
📅 Friday, August 21, 5–9 p.m.
👉 Details