Special Events

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The City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department offers a variety of special events for the community to enjoy. The department is responsible for two special events functions: creating special events for the public's enjoyment and event permitting for events on city property.

Call our special events hotline at 442-339-2843 for more information about any of the following annual community events.

MONTH EVENTS
MONTH EVENTS
March

Shamrock Social
EGGstravaganza

August

Leo Carrillo Film Festival

April Classic Car Show
Pirate Plunge
September Family Movie Night 
May

Hot Rods & Cool Treats
Fiesta at the Rancho

October

Super Hero Obstacle Race
Pumpkin Plunge
Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo

July Aloha Plunge December 

Holiday at the Rancho 

Upcoming events

Hot Rods & Cool Treats

  • Date: 05/13/2023 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM  
  • Location: Pine Avenue Community Center and Park
    3209 Harding St.
    Carlsbad, California 92008
  • Introduction: The City of Carlsbad is bringing back the past at the Hot Rods & Cool Treats carnival and classic car show.

The City of Carlsbad is bringing back the past at the Hot Rods & Cool Treats carnival and classic car show.

Saturday, May 13
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pine Avenue Community Park
3333 Harding Street

Grab the family and come on out for some good old-fashioned fun.

  • It’s an old-fashioned carnival at Pine Avenue Park with activities for the young and young at heart.
  • Test your game skills in Can-Knock-Down, Ring Toss, Frog Hopper, and more.
  • Enjoy crafts, face painting, and a Fun Zone.
  • Build your own sundae at the ice cream bar and vote on your favorite car in the classic car show
  • Enjoy live music covering decades of sounds.
  • Carnival tickets, food, and drinks are available for purchase at the event.

How to enter your car

Cars are eligible to win in only one category. Entries will be limited to automobiles 25 years old or older, no buses or semi-trailer rigs. All participants will receive an event collectors dash plate.

Awards will be given out in 11 categories:

  • Best of show
  • Best interior
  • Best paint
  • Best wooden car/wagon
  • Most original car
  • Kids’ choice
  • Spectator’s choice
  • Oldest car
  • Best custom graphics
  • Best muscle car
  • Best convertible

There is a maximum of 30 cars for this event. Entries will be taken in the order received. Register here

Entries must be received no later than, Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Note: The 2023 car show is full. Please contact Rachael Shay to be added to the waitlist.

For more information

Rachael Shay, Special Events Supervisor, rachael.shay@carlsbadca.gov or 442-339-2519

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