Where to Play After Dark: Carlsbad’s Nightlife Top Picks for 2024

This year, summer evenings kick off with the TGIF Concerts in the Parks series. These free concerts at Stagecoach, Calavera Hills, and Alga Norte community parks bring a mix of genres that keep the nights lit with lively tunes and great vibes.

Stagecoach Community Park
-July 12: Travel back to the Roaring 20s with the swing and jazz of The Mad Hat Hucksters.

Calavera Hills Community Park
-July 19: Kimba Light turns the park into a tropical paradise with Afro-Cuban rhythms.
-July 26: Brothers Igniting a Groove (B.I.G) bring 90s hip hop and R&B for a night of dancing.
-August 2: Polyester Express’s sets capture the fun-loving essence of the 70s.

Alga Norte Community Park
-August 9: Back to the Garden pays tribute to the iconic Laurel Canyon sound.
-August 16: Anthony Cullins, "The Fallbrook Kid," showcases exceptional blues guitar skills.

Arrive early to claim your spot with blankets and low-back chairs. Music starts at 6 p.m., and there’s a short intermission at 7 p.m. Free bike valet services and limited parking with shuttle options make getting there easy. So pack a picnic and settle into summer with outdoor concerts, now through the end of August.

More summer adventures continue at Flicks at the Fountain, right downtown in the heart of Carlsbad Village. Running from July 11 to August 8, every Thursday night is a movie under the stars.

This year's lineup includes:
-Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (G)
-Trolls (PG)
-The Little Mermaid (G)
-The fifth movie is a community choice, for an interactive twist.

Seating opens at 6 p.m., so bring your chairs and blankets to secure a place to watch. You can take your own food or get pizza delivery right to your spot. Movies start at dusk, around 8 p.m., and wrap up by 10 p.m. - great for a date or a night out with the family.

Another way to light up the night this summer is the Endless Summer Neon Nights at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. During after-hours access you can dive into an electrifying atmosphere of neon lights and house music, or get your game on with light-up lawn games, glow-in-the-dark pool floats and an interactive DJ.

This series is happening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the following dates:

-July 13
-July 20
-July 27
-August 3
-August 10

After the pool fun, guests can retreat to luxurious accommodations for a relaxing end to a fun filled night, or head home to start the weekend off on the right foot.

After a fun day exploring Carlsbad, why not mix things up with an adventure on the water? As the summer evenings roll in, the Carlsbad Lagoon is offering something new this year, turning the quiet lagoon waters into a playground with their newest Row in the Dark opportunity.

Event Details:
-Dates: Select nights throughout the remainder of the summer—July 12, August 16 and September 13, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
-Pricing: $49 for a three-hour rental of paddle boards, kayaks, or aquacycles, complete with a glow stick package. Bring your own gear for $29 or just enjoy the vibe for $20.

If you’re not out on the water, there’s live music and beach games to keep the good times rolling. Not many people get to experience the Lagoon after dark but Row in the Dark is shedding light (quite literally) on the Lagoon in a new way.

For nightlife on the coast, The Camp Store in Carlsbad is where to go for a fun vibe for the entire family. Located at South Carlsbad State Beach, this hotspot offers ocean views, tasty food, live music and epic sunsets.

July’s schedule includes:
-July 12: Reggae/Maka Roots
-July 13: Rockin’ Blues and Classics/Blues Farms
-July 18: Jason Jenkins - Dazzling guitar techniques from this acclaimed musician.
And many more performances this summer!

Along with the live entertainment, there is authentic woodstone pizza, firepits and tables so that you can enjoy Pacific breezes while you jam out under the stars.

If you’re looking for a go-to spot to enjoy a night out, Coyote Bar and Grill in Carlsbad Village is where it’s at. This place is buzzing with live outdoor entertainment, an energetic dance floor and delicious Southwestern and American food.

Every night at Coyote Bar and Grill is a party and the lineup is always diverse. You can catch acts like the Goodtime Party Band or Whiskey on the Rox with jams from the '70s, '80s and '90s.

If karaoke is your thing, grab the mic every Monday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and show off your vocal skills. Plus, you can enjoy a full dinner and cocktails, making sure your night is as cozy as it is entertaining.

For the late-night crowd, the club scene at Coyote Bar and Grill is lit. On Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. the place transforms with the hottest dance tracks and hip-hop beats, making it the perfect spot to end your night in Carlsbad on a high note.

Fine wines and laughter go hand in hand. At Witch Creek Winery’s Stand-Up Comedy Nights, you can enjoy local comedians and headliners every other Monday with Cool Cat Comedy Open Mic Night while enjoying some of the best wine in the state.

Why You’ll Love It:
-Date Nights: Ideal for couples looking to try new wines while laughing through the night.
-Historic Charm: As San Diego's oldest urban winery, Witch Creek Winery, founded in 1993 and relocated in 1996, has a touch of history and innovation.

Expert Wines: With Paul Warson as their esteemed Wine Consultant, expect award-winning wines crafted from grapes sourced from renowned vineyards like Valle De Guadalupe, El Dorado, Clarksburg, Paso Robles and Napa Valley.

New Village Arts is a cultural hub celebrating 22 years of artistic innovation, drawing over 30,000 patrons annually. The White Family Next Stage, a new addition to the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center, is its newest addition to the space with a series of music and spoken word events throughout the year.

This summer, New Village Arts is also getting in on the laughs with Nerd Comedy nights. Events feature acts like Dana Eagle and other top ‘nerd’ comics, followed by the Nerd Olympics, a lively game show with geek-themed trivia.

Why Visit:
-Inclusive and Engaging: Strong partnerships with local schools and a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion ensure accessibility for all.
-Community Connection: Support from the City of Carlsbad and local businesses highlights New Village Art's importance in the cultural fabric of the area.

Another fun place smack dab in the middle of Carlsbad Village is Park 101. Park 101 has dining, lounging and entertainment, all sprawled out in a plaza-style complex.

The menu is loaded with comfort food and snacks, including options like:
-Juicy tri-tip sandwiches
-Flavor-packed pulled pork
-Grilled or buttermilk fried chicken

Every week, you can mark your calendars for:
-Taco Tuesday: Dive into a fiesta of flavors.
-Burger N' Beer Wednesdays: Unwind with the perfect combo.

With flexible hours and a lineup of live events, this place transforms into somewhere that you can really let your hair down during the warm summer nights. Chill with a drink or dance under the stars, Park 101 is where Carlsbad's nightlife comes alive.

The Alley Carlsbad features music, dancing and cocktails to keep the energy high, no matter what day of the week it is.

Here's a breakdown of their weekly events:
-Sunday to Tuesday: Belt out your favorite tunes during karaoke nights with beer specials.
-Wednesday to Friday: Live DJs are on stage spinning new hip-hop hits.
-Saturday: Rock out with live bands starting at 9:30 p.m.

The Alley is a clean, welcoming environment with a spacious dance floor and daily drink specials.

Next time you’re ready to get out on the town, remember that Carlsbad has an entire nightlife scene just waiting to be explored. Here’s to days in the sun and nights you won’t forget. Cheers to the nightlife in Carlsbad!