Cultural Arts eNews

December Cultural Arts eNews

Full Measure Carolers Holiday Caroling Tour

Thursday, Dec. 18

Noon to 12:30 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

12:45 to 1:15 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library Learning Center

3368 Eureka Place

2:30 to 3 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

1775 Dove Lane

Celebrate the season with us! Enjoy joyful caroling at all three library locations and share in the cheer.

Front Row Saturday

Experience the magic of Front Row Saturday, a free live performance series held in the cozy and intimate 215-seat Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium. This series celebrates the vibrant talent of emerging and established artists from San Diego and North County, offering an exciting mix of music, theater, dance and more.

Enjoy an up-close and personal performance that brings creativity to life in a welcoming setting designed for connection and inspiration.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Hot Pstromi

Saturday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

Ann Kulchin Courtyard

1775 Dove Lane

Yale Strom performs Jewish folk music from Central and Eastern Europe. Strom is a trailblazer in the klezmer revival. Klezmer is characterized by its lively rhythms and melodies.

Swingin' with Dean

Saturday, Dec. 20, 5 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

Talented multi-instrumentalist Dean Ratzman plays a variety of genres including swing, jazz, rock and soul from the 1940s through the 1980s.

Saturdays in the Courtyard

Enjoy live music beginning at 5 p.m. Seating opens at 4:30 p.m. and is limited, so please feel free to bring your own chair. Performances take place outdoors, weather permitting. Cannon Art Gallery and Chapters Cafe will also be open so you can enjoy an early evening full of culture with friends.

Special "Dance at the Dove" event with Blame Betty

Saturday, Dec. 27

Free dance lesson at 4:30 p.m.

Blame Betty concert at 5 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

Ann Kulchin Courtyard

1775 Dove Lane

Kick off the evening with a free dance lesson from McCann Dance instructors, who will teach you some fun steps to show off on the dance floor.

Then, enjoy a high-energy performance by Blame Betty, a San Diego-based trio known for their rockabilly, roots rock, and surf sound. Inspired by 1950s rock-and-roll legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, Blame Betty brings vintage vibes with a modern edge.

"Printed & Stitched" exhibit at Cannon Art Gallery

Carlsbad City Library

William D. Cannon Gallery

1775 Dove Lane

Don't miss your chance to see the exhibit - on view through Dec. 14.

The Cannon Art Gallery will be closed Dec. 15, 2025 to Feb. 15, 2026 for upgrades.

The William D Cannon Art Gallery is thrilled to host "Printed & Stitched", which examines the storied overlap between printmaking and textiles.

This exhibit features 58 original artworks created by members of the California Society of Printmakers and Studio Art Quilt Associates of California & Nevada regions.

New gallery hours:

Tuesday - Saturday: noon to 5 p.m.

Friday: noon to 7 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

Borrow a ukulele

Carlsbad City Library

The Carlsbad City Library Learning Center has a collection of ukuleles available for you to come in and check out, or reserve online for pickup at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane or the Georgina Cole Library. It's a great, zero-commitment way to explore music before buying your own instrument. You can get strumming right away with our free lesson materials!

Reel Wednesday

Wednesdays, 4 & 7 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

1775 Dove Lane

Our beloved Wednesday Cinema Series is now Reel Wednesday - a fresh name for the same great midweek movie tradition!

Cinema Club Film Fridays

Fridays, 4 & 7 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library

1775 Dove Lane

Join us for our Cinema Club Film Friday series.

*Doors will open 30 minutes before showtime. All films are free to the public and are subject to change. All films will be shown in original language with English subtitles excluding the Wednesday at 7 p.m. screening. No food or drinks allowed.

Grantee Spotlight

The award-winning Valley Middle School Band & Orchestra held their first concert of the 2025-26 school year. A proud recipient of a City of Carlsbad Community Arts Grant, the ensemble is led by director Amanda Boer, who inspires a lifelong love of music while helping students build skills and confidence. With support from talented community guest artists, students gain hands-on, inspiring instruction they might not otherwise experience.

Arts Commission Updates

The next Arts Commission meeting is Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m., in City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. See what’s on the agenda, attend in person or watch online. The Arts Commission typically meets on the first Thursday of the month.