The 28th Annual Art in the Village transforms four blocks of Carlsbad Village into an outdoor gallery, Sunday June 28 from 10 AM–6 PM. 160 fine artists, live music, free.
The 28th Annual Art in the Village returns to downtown Carlsbad Village on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Southern California's premier outdoor fine art show, a one-day-only festival that transforms four blocks of Grand Avenue and State Street into a giant open-air gallery. 160 local and regional fine artists, more than a dozen musicians performing throughout the day, live mural and chalk art demos, a beer and wine garden, and Joe Vickers' surf-inspired Artist Ambassador work tying it all together.
It's free, all-ages, all-outdoor — and one of the longest-running summer art traditions in North County.
160 juried fine artists from across the region exhibit work spanning:
Every artist's work is juried before the show — meaning only carefully selected pieces make the cut. Visitors get to meet the artists at their booths and watch live demonstrations in sculpting, glassblowing, and printmaking throughout the day.
Joe Vickers is this year's official Artist Ambassador — a Carlsbad-based artist whose surf-inspired, coastal lifestyle work has become synonymous with Southern California beach culture. His vibrant, whimsical paintings blend coastal scenes, local landmarks, and ocean wildlife, and his work is part of the visual identity of Art in the Village 2026.
Joe's gallery, Surf Art Spot at 575 Grand Avenue in Carlsbad Village, is open year-round — making this event a chance to discover an artist whose work you can keep visiting after the festival wraps.
More than a dozen musicians perform throughout the village, creating a continuous soundtrack as you wander the booths. The musical lineup spans acoustic, folk, jazz, and indie — keeping the whole four-block stretch energized from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The popular Chalk Zone returns for 2026, with featured chalk artists Cecilia Linayao and Meg Beverly Canilang creating vibrant street art throughout the day. Plus, local artist Taylor Gallegos brings a live mural to life as the day unfolds.
The City of Carlsbad's Cultural Arts team hosts a hands-on Pop-Up Art booth with family-friendly activities for all ages. And in a quirky but cool 2026 addition, Aptera Motors brings out one of their all-solar-powered vehicles — "a piece of art in itself" — for visitors to see firsthand.
A dedicated beer and wine garden serves up local craft beer and wine throughout the day. 21+ only for the alcohol garden, but the rest of the event is all-ages.
Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Carlsbad Village — Grand Avenue and State Street, downtown Carlsbad, CA 92008
The four-block event area spans:
Carlsbad Village is just steps from the beach, with the Coaster train stopping at Carlsbad Village Station directly in the event area.
A few things make this San Diego County's most beloved summer art event:
1. The setting is unbeatable. Held in one of California's most charming coastal villages, with boutique shops, cozy cafés, and the Pacific Ocean just three blocks away. The "plein-air" event positioning is real — most of the day is spent in golden California light with the sound of the ocean nearby.
2. The artists are juried. This isn't a flea market with crafts. Every booth represents a carefully selected fine artist working at a serious level. The work is genuine, the prices reflect that, and the conversations with artists are richer than typical "vendor row" events.
3. It's free. Admission, parking nearby on side streets, and most of the activities are free. Only the beer and wine garden and individual artwork purchases cost money.
4. It's been running since 1998. This is the 28th annual event — meaning the village is well-organized, the local restaurants know how to handle the crowd, and the artist lineup has been refined over nearly three decades.
The Coaster is the smart play. Driving and parking will be brutal on event day.
For more events happening in San Diego this June, check out our full June events calendar or browse our Carlsbad neighborhood guide.
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