Carlsbad Village Street Faire May 5

The Carlsbad Village Street Faire returns to Carlsbad Village on Sunday May 5.

Carlsbad Village Street Faire is reportedly the largest US outdoor 1-day fair, other than its counter-part, the November Carlsbad Village Faire.

The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place from 8 am until 5 pm, so there is ample time to enjoy over 900 vendors and shop until you drop.

The Faire takes place in the heart of the Village, along Grand Avenue and spills over onto side streets, too.

Given the number of vendor booths much of the public parking will not be available so plan accordingly. (photo is from a prior art fair in Carlsbad Village).

The Carlsbad Village Faire is an impressive event. I’ve been several times, and it’s not a cliché to say there’s something for everyone, given the variety and number of vendors.

There are lots of local retailers in the downtown area to explore, too, if you get tired of the Faire.

They estimate there will be 100,000 or so attendees, so it will be crowded.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE STREET FAIRE

You’ll find unique clothing, arts and crafts, gift items, home furnishings and accessories, and collectibles. You’ll also find plants and garden items, antiques, products from around the world, and more.

There will be a traditional pancake breakfast and a food court. And there’s also a children’s area with games and rides.

This could be a fun time to explore Carlsbad Village, despite the crowds. And the beaches are just a couple of blocks away to enjoy a walk before or after shopping.

You can expect parking to very limited due to the crowds, and spaces taken up by vendors. The good news is parking is still free in Carlsbad, however you may need to walk a distance.

You might consider making use of the free shuttles offered throughout the day. The shuttles run at roughly 15-minute intervals. One shuttle stop is located at the northwest corner of Sears atThe Shoppes at Carlsbad (at the 78 freeway and El Camino Real/Marron Road). The other shuttle runs from the Poinsettia Coaster Station at 6511 Avenida Encinas.

The City of Carlsbad is providing a FREE Bike Valet Service. Monitored bike parking will be at the Engels and Volkers parking lot (2965 Roosevelt Street).

Another option is the Coaster train (a.k.a. Commuter Rail) – check the Coaster Schedule. The train station is just a block away.