Carlsbad Village will ring in the holiday season with back-to-back community events on the first Friday and Saturday of December, according to the Carlsbad Village Association.
The Musical Kickoff to the Holidays returns Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fountain at State and Grand, 2898 State St. Carlsbad High School musicians, including the Holiday Jazz Band, will perform holiday favorites and jazz selections. The Village Association encouraged attendees to explore nearby shops and restaurants before or after the performances.
The next morning, Pets on Parade takes over St. Michael's by-the-Sea Parish Hall, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Village Association described the gathering as a chance for pet owners to bring their furry companions in holiday outfits for an afternoon of photos.
The Musical Kickoff is a returning event. Last December, the same venue hosted an evening with hot cocoa, cookies and student performers from across Carlsbad Unified School District, according to a Village Association recap published in December 2025. The 2026 announcement names only Carlsbad High School musicians and the Holiday Jazz Band.
Upcoming community dates
- Friday, Dec. 4 — Musical Kickoff to the Holidays, 5–7:30 p.m., Fountain at State and Grand, 2898 State St.
- Saturday, Dec. 5 — Pets on Parade, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., St. Michael's by-the-Sea Parish Hall, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd.
