Community events in San Diego County: From Taste of Little Italy to Music on Main concerts – San Diego Union-Tribune

CARLSBAD

‘Living with Snakes’ topic of talk

Batiquitos Lagoon will host a presentation on “Living with Snakes” at 10 a.m. June 13. Bruce Ireland and his snake wranglers will discuss how they relocate snakes from homes to natural habitat and how the group educates the public about snake behavior. Meet some of their favorite venomous and nonvenomous snakes, including recent rescues from the local reptile community. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. If it rains, the event will be canceled. Visit batiquitoslagoon.org.

‘Parents Night Out’

Las Flores Church is offering a free “Parents Night Out” event on alternating Friday evenings throughout summer with outdoor games, music, crafts, activities and snacks. The program runs from 6 to 8 p.m. June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21 at 1400 Las Flores Drive. The supervised program inspired by Vacation Bible School is open to infants (nursery care provided) and kids age 12 and younger. Sign up at lasfloreschurch.com.

Genealogy librarian to give talk

Genealogy Librarian Jennifer Anklesaria will give a presentation on “Picture This: Photos and Genealogy“ at the North San Diego County Genealogical Society’s meeting from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 9 at City of Carlsbad Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave. Admission is free. To attend virtually, get the Zoom link at nsdcgs.org.

CHULA VISTA

Friends of Library hold book sale

The Friends of the Chula Vista Library will hold a three-day book sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 12-13 and 1 to 3:30 p.m. June 14 at the Chula Vista Public Library, 365 F St. Gently used books as well as other items will be sold. Children’s books will be 10 cents. Proceeds go to the Chula Vista Library and its programs. Visit chulavistaca.gov/departments/library.

Soccer Celebration

Chula Vista hosts the San Diego FC (Football Club) Soccer Celebration at noon June 18, presented by Adriana’s Insurance and the city of Chula Vista, in Memorial Park, 373 Park Way. The event will bring the community together for soccer, local food vendors and a beer garden where guests can watch the games.

EAST COUNTY

Rotary clubs build Little Free Libraries

EL CAJON

Music on Main concerts

Music on Main, a free, weekly summer concert series, continues from 6 to 8 p.m. June 12 at Prescott Promenade, 200 E. Main St., and on Fridays through August. Formerly known as the Dinner & A Concert Series, the event is now on Friday nights, with live performances from local musicians across genres including rock, country, jazz, and Latin. Visit downtownelcajon.com/events/music-on-main.

Heritage of the Americas Museum runs workshops

The Heritage of the Americas Museum holds various workshops in June as part of its summer Discovery Days at 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West. Upcoming workshops are at 11 a.m. June 9, “Eyes of God: Ojos De Dios,” where participants learn about the history of Ojos de Dios and create their own woven designs; and at 11 a.m. June 11, “Weaving Traditions: Native American Basketry,” where attendees learn the cultural significance of Native American basket-making and create their own basket. The workshops are taught in English and Spanish for ages 10 and older. Cost is $25; $20 for members and $15 for kids; including museum admission. For more workshops, visit heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com.

ENCINITAS

Reach for the Stars recital

The Music Therapy Center and Banding Together will put on their annual Reach for the Stars recital on June 7 with four one-hour recitals from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., including 15-minute intermissions between recitals. The event is at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Drive. Admission is free. There will be a photo booth and concession stand. Proceeds will benefit Banding Together’s mission to help people with developmental disabilities discover the power of music. Donations are rappreciated. Visit bandingtogethersd.org.

Program celebrates America’s 250th birthday

The Del Mar-Leucadia Branch of the American Association of University Women hosts a community program from 2 to 4 p.m. June 13 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The program, led by branch member Linda Quinby, will highlight women and events in history representative of the past 250 years and is inspired by a quote from Abigail Adams, “Remember the Ladies.” The event is at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. There will be social time at 2 p.m., followed by the program at 2:30 p.m. Visit delmarleucadia-ca.aauw.net.

ESCONDIDO

‘Lord of the Rings’ choral symphony

The Center Chorale, Pacific Coast Chorale, guest singers, soloists and Orchestra Tutti of San Diego will perform “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” symphonic score by Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore at 3 p.m. June 14 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. The concert will feature more than 185 performers. Tickets are $12-$36 online, including fees. No fees at the CCAE Box Office. Discounts are available for seniors, students, military and children ages 3-12. Visit artcenter.org.

Fishing enthusiasts gather

The Senior Anglers of Escondido meet at 9:30 a.m. June 12 at American Legion Hall, 230 E. Park Ave. The speaker is park ranger Tony Flores from Escondido’s Lake Wohlford. The group does freshwater and saltwater fishing, camping, boating and environmental conservation. New members are welcome. Visit senioranglersofescondido.net.

Free meals for Escondido youths

The Escondido Union High School District will host free summer meals for Escondido youths ages 18 and younger in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Free breakfast and lunch will be from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, June 15 to Aug. 14 (closed July 3), at Washington Park, 501 N. Rose St., and free lunch will be from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, June 22-July 30, at Westside Park, 333 S. Spruce St. Also, free meals will be provided to students attending summer school on campus at Orange Glen High School, Valley High School and Del Lago Academy. For questions, call 760-291-3240 or 760-291-3239 (Spanish); email [email protected].

LA JOLLA

Surf club holds youth art contest

The nonprofit Windansea Surf Club is accepting submissions for the 2026 Menehune Art Contest through June 13. The contest is open to youths 18 and younger. Artists may submit up to three pieces. Visit windanseasurfclub.org.

NORTH COUNTY

Defense Department strategist to speak

The North County Republican Women group will host keynote speaker retired Navy Vice Adm. Charles Martoglio, Defense Department strategist, at its breakfast meeting at 9:30 a.m. June 17 at LaValle Coastal Club, 5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. The cost is $30; $25 for members. Register by June 12 at ncrwsd.org.

OCEANSIDE

Thrift boutique benefits cancer society

The American Cancer Society’s thrift boutique, Discovery Shop, holds a loyalty promo sale June 12-13 at 2570 Vista Way. The shop is staffed by volunteers and features upscale items such as clothing, accessories, jewelry, furniture, artwork, antiques, collectibles, cookbooks and household items. Donations are always accepted. The shop’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. During the promotion, shoppers who spend $25 save 10% or save 20% when spending $50. Call 760-364-5507.

Lunch at the Library

Lunch at the Library is open to kids from infancy to age 18, weekdays at 11 a.m. starting June 22 at the Civic Center Library, 330 N. Coast Highway, and at noon starting June 15 at the John Landes Community Center Library, 2855 Cedar Road, and Joe Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St. Visit oceansidelibrary.org.

Lifetime learning group holds lectures

The LIFE learning group at MiraCosta College hosts two free lectures June 12 at MiraCosta’s Oceanside Campus, in the Board Room of the Administration Building 1000, or online via Zoom. At 1 p.m., there will be a presentation on “Oceanside Police Dept. Volunteer Service.” At 2:30 p.m., there will be a talk on the California Surf Museum’s exhibit, “Surfing, Hawaiian Royalty’s Gift to the World.” Visit miracosta.edu/life.

Soulstice Arts & Wellness Festival

The Soultry Sisters host their fifth annual Summer Soulstice Arts & Wellness Festival, themed Radical Re-imagining, June 26-28 at Oceanside Museum of Art and the Oceanside Public Library. An Opening Community Mixer with live performances, a DJ, culinary arts, wellness and art vendors, and imagination stations is from 6 to 9 p.m. at Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way. A​ Play Day and Mixer with mindful movement, art in conversation, an art walk and a social mixer is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27 also at the museum, and wellness workshops, culinary arts, performances and vendors will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 28 at the Oceanside Civic Center Library, 330 N. Coast Highway. Register at soultrysisters.com/ssfestival.

High school reunion picnic

The Oceanside High All Class Reunion Picnic is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28 at Oceanside High School Campus, 1 Pirate Cove Way. Highlights include DJ music and an opportunity drawing for gift baskets donated by each class. The nonprofit Oceanside High School Foundation marks its 40th anniversary this year. Visit ohsfoundation.org.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Historical Society hosts free presentation

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Speakers Series hosts a talk at 11 a.m. June 13 on “Frances Perkins: FDR’s Labor Secretary and Champion of the New Deal,” led by Meagan Albrant, historian and teacher for the San Diego Community College District. Admission is free. The event is at the Rancho Bernardo History Museum in the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte. Visit rbhistory.org.

American Association of University Women meets

The Poway/Rancho Peñasquitos branch of the American Association of University Women meets at 1 p.m. June 10 and will host the group’s 2026 Speech Trek winner, Somang Chung, a student at Del Norte High School, for a presentation of her winning speech on “How will AI change our lives in the future?” Also, member Adrianne Peterson, branch manager at Pacific Highlands Ranch Library, will discuss “What’s Happening in Libraries Today.” Presentations start at 1:30 p.m. after snacks and social time. The meeting is at Eastview Community Center, 17520 Drayton Hall Way. RSVP by June 8 to [email protected].

Unite 4 Freedom director to speak

The Rancho Bernardo Republican Women group holds a luncheon meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. June 19 at The Heights Country Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway. The guest speaker is Lisa Hazelton, Southern California chapter director of Unite 4 Freedom, a non- partisan civic group, working on ensuring trustworthy elections. Cost is $40. RSVP by 6 p.m. June 12 at rbrepublicanwomen.org.

RANCHO SANTA FE

Video-based Bible study with scholars

The Village Church holds a summer Bible study on The New Testament You Never Knew, starting June 14 at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the church’s Fellowship Center, 6225 Paseo Delicias. The eight-session video study series will feature renowned scholars N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird. Visit villagechurch.org/summer-series.

SAN DIEGO

Wellness festival at Liberty Station

Liberty Station will put on its third annual Anchored in Wellness Festival from 9 a.m. to  3 p.m. June 13 at Ingram Plaza, 2640 Cushing Road. This daylong “celebration of movement and mindfulness” features workouts, yoga, pickleball, fitness studios, wellness practitioners and a vendor village with more than 35 wellness products along with a beer garden. Tickets are $35. Visit libertystation.com/events/anchored-in-wellness.

Greek Festival

The San Diego Greek Festival is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 13 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 14 at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 3655 Park Blvd. Highlights include authentic Greek cuisine, handmade pastries and traditional Greek coffee along with Greek wines and beer. There will be bands performing traditional and contemporary Greek music and youth dance troupes in traditional folk costumes along with a kids fun zone, church tours and vendor shopping. General admission is a $5 donation; free for children 12 and younger, active military and first responders. There will be free parking and a shuttle. Visit sdgreekfestival.com.

Family Day at train museum

The Summer Kick Off Family Day at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13. Highlights include hands-on toy train play tables, crafts throughout the museum, a scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos, bubble activities in the garden and photo opportunities. Visit sdmrm.org/summer-kickoff.

Ukrainian chorus to give concert

The House of Ukraine hosts The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America for a concert at 5:30 p.m. June 13 at St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave. The chorus shares Ukrainian musical heritage and employs the 60-stringed bandura. Tickets are $45; free for ages 22 and younger. Visit bit.ly/banduraconcert.

Plant show features Bromeliads

The San Diego Bromeliad Society Summer Show and Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13-14 in Room 101, Casa del Prado at Balboa Park. There will be a display of drought-resistant flowering bromeliads from members’ collections and vendors. Admission is free. Visit sandiegobromeliadsociety.org.

Taste of Little Italy

Taste of Little Italy is from 4 to 8 p.m. June 16-17, with a walkable culinary adventure, beginning at Piazza della Famiglia, 523 W. Date St., where attendees check in and receive their Taste Passport before setting out to explore a curated lineup of “local favorites and newer hotspots.” Attendees can explore Little Italy while sampling bites from more than 20 participating restaurants each evening. Visit littleitalysd.com/events/taste-of-little-italy.

Twilight in the Park concert

The free Twilight in the Park concert series is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 16 to Aug. 27, at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Visit balboapark.org/twilight-in-the-park-concert.

Summer Arts Festival

The Summer Arts Festival is from 2 to 8 p.m. June 13 in the North Promenade at Arts District Liberty Station, 2848 Dewey Road. featuring a celebration of art, music and community. The festival, hosted by Arts District Liberty Station, includes in-studio workshops, painting demonstrations and a curated art market featuring local artists and one-of-a-kind work along with live music and drinks. Admission is free. Visit eventbrite.com/e/summer-arts-fest-tickets-1988421044872.

Police and Fire championships

The California Police Athletic Federation, a nonprofit supporting sports and physical fitness among first responders, holds the U.S. Police and Fire Championships at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley from June 13-20. The event celebrates camaraderie, sportsmanship and community pride. The games include 40 Olympic-style events and will run in conjunction with the Firefighter Challenge Championships Series. FCCS will host its West/Southwest Regional Championships from June 18-20. Visit cpaf.org.

Free Valley Vibes concerts

Mission Valley Mall’s free Valley Vibes summer concert series is from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 7. The Valley Vibes Farmers Market will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Saturday through Sept. 5. Visit mission-valley.com/event/38454-valley-vibes-summer-concert-series.

Laurel & Hardy convention

The Saps At Sea, a San Diego Laurel & Hardy club, hosts the 24th International Sons Of The Desert Convention from June 21-25 at various venues in San Diego. The event celebrates the 100th anniversary of the actors “Stan & Babe” working as a team at Hal Roach Studios (1926-2026). Preregistration is June 7, except for the June 23 film program (minus the meal), which will be available as a walk-up event for $20; parking fee for the film program at Legacy Resort Hotel, 875 Hotel Circle S., is $15. Visit sonsfestsd2026.com.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Musical Merit Foundation awards scholarships

The Musical Merit Foundation of Greater San Diego, founded in 1946, annually gives scholarship awards to extraordinary instrumentalists and vocalists in high school and college who live in San Diego and Imperial counties and Northern Baja California in Mexico. The foundation announced its 2026 scholarship winners:

• Anne Liu, Piano – $12,000, Conrad Bruderer Award
• Yoyo Wu, Marimba – $11,500, Aspen Award
•  Ethan Zhou, Violin –  $11,000
• Stephanie Smith, Soprano – $10,500, Trovillo-Graham Award
• Daniel Torerro, Bassoon – $10,000
• Søren Pedersen, Baritone – $9,500
• Bradley Carpiuc, Piano – $9,000
• Nathan Haghgoo, Flute – $8,500
• Mariam Tony Mouawad, Mezzo-Soprano – $8,000
• Dylan Ellis, Violin – $7,500

SAN MARCOS

Concerts at the lake

The Live at the Lake concert series kicks off June 13 with The PettyBreakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty at Lakehouse Resort, 1025 La Bonita Drive. The series will feature Jimmy’s Buffet: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett on July 11, Queen Nation: A Tribute to Queen on Aug. 15 and Twisted Gypsy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Live, Sept. 19. Doors open at 4 pm. Tickets are at thelakehouseresort.com/lakehouse-concert-series.

SANTEE

Free summer concerts

The free Santee Summer Concerts series kicks off from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 11 at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive. The concert features The Pistol Blonde and includes patriotic elements to launch the “Summer of 250” celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Concerts continue at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 13 (except July 2). Visit cityofsanteeca.gov/city-special-events/santee-summer-concerts.

SOLANA BEACH

Conservation group puts on Baja Bash

WILDCOAST, a nonprofit international coastal and ocean conservation group, will host its 14th annual Baja Bash from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 13 to raise awareness and funds for marine protection and natural climate solutions. The fundraiser also supports the nonprofit’s programs to conserve wild coastlines and wildlife in California and beyond. The event includes gourmet food stations, live music, mariachis and an auction of local artworks at a private Solana Beach residence, overlooking the lagoon and coast. Tickets are $240. Visit wildcoast.org.

VISTA

Kids garden class

The Kids in the Garden class runs from 10 a.m. to noon June 13 at the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive. Attendees create Veggie Critters using vegetables and fruits and will learn about nutrition. Class fee is $5 per person, which includes entry and time to enjoy the gardens until closing at 5:30 p.m. Adults stay with kids. The class is free with family membership. Preregistration is required with the child’s name and age and membership status by noon June 12 at [email protected]. Visit altavistabotanicalgardens.org.

Movie in the Park series

The Movie in the Park series features Disney’s “Encanto” at 8 p.m. June 13 at the Luz Duran Soccer Field, 340 Townsite Drive. Admission is free. Visit vista.gov.

Eco-Explorer Day

The city of Vista’s Stormwater Division will put on a free Eco-Explorer Day for kids from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13 with games and activities that teach about the environment and water quality. The event is at Buena Vista Creek Trail across from 1280 Hacienda Drive. Visit vista.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/14323/20?curm=6&cury=2026.

Community shredding event

The city of Vista and EDCO sponsor a free shredding event (up to two banker boxes per household) and electronics collection from 9 a.m. to noon June 13 at the Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive. Goodwill will also be onsite to accept donated usable items. Visit vista.gov.

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