The Carlsbad Village Street Faire, one of Carlsbad’s more popular arts and craft fairs, is this Sunday May 4, 2025. The Street Faire runs from 8 am until 5 pm, so there is plenty of time to enjoy over 800 vendors.
The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is supposedly the largest outdoor 1-day art fair in the US, other than its counter-part, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire that takes place in November.
The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place in the heart of the Village, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire spills over onto side streets as well.
Because of the size of the Faire and the number of vendor booths much of the public parking will not be available so plan accordingly.
The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is huge and attracts around 100,000 attendees. I’ve attended a couple of times, and it’s not a cliché to say there is something for everyone.
There are plenty of local retailers in the downtown area to explore if you happen to get tired of the Street Faire. (photo is from a different at fair in Carlsbad).
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE STREET FAIRE
You’ll find unique clothing, arts and crafts, home furnishings and accessories, garden items and plants. You’ll also see products from around the world, collectibles, antiques, and more.
As in the past there is a traditional pancake breakfast, plus an international food court. You’ll find a children’s area with rides and games, and plenty of live music, too.
This could be a fun time to explore the Village. And the beaches are just a couple of blocks away to enjoy a walk before or after you shop.
You can expect parking to be very limited due to the crowds, and spaces taken up by vendors. As a result you should arrive early if you can. The good news is parking is free in Carlsbad, although you may need to walk a distance.
One good option is to use the free shuttles that are offered throughout the day. The shuttles run at roughly 15-minute intervals. Shuttles are located at the northwest corner of Sears at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, and the Poinsettia Coaster Station on Avenida Encinas.
A Free Bike Valet Service will be provided by the City of Carlsbad. Monitored bike parking (also scooters and skateboards) will be at 2965 Roosevelt Street (Lily Field Realty).
Another travel option is the Coaster train (Commuter Rail) – check the Coaster Schedule. The train station is just a short distance to the Faire.