The San Diego Traveler

It’s time for the Carlsbad Village Street Faire, a semi-annual event that takes over the the entire Carlsbad downtown area on the first Sunday of May and November each year.  This is one of the largest street faires in the country, drawing over 80,000 visitors, and you never know what or who you’ll see there until you arrive. (Check out Time Out of Mind for some good pics of a previous faire.) 

Grand Avenue, State Street, and adjoining side streets are all closed off before the 8 a.m. start time, making way for about a thousand booths in front of stores and restaurants, many of which are also open.  Vendors come from far-and-wide to sell their goods and services, alongside local artists and merchants. 

One-of-a-kind items may be snatched up early in the day, as both local and distant shoppers flock to this event, but some arrive closer to the 5 p.m. closing time, hoping for bargains from vendors who would rather lower the price than pack up unsold products.

Along with vendor booths, you’ll find representatives from political causes and other organizations, food booths, live entertainment, and children’s rides.

Parking is limited, so visitors are encouraged to park at Westfield Plaza Camino Real, where they can catch a  free shuttle to the faire every 15 minutes.

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