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News from the City of Carlsbad | Aug. 13, 2026

One of the best things about summers in Carlsbad is our TGIF Concerts in the Parks. And as someone who grew up in the 1980s, I have been particularly looking forward to this Friday’s concert, which features an '80s cover band. We had some fun this week putting together this video preview to promote it.

I’ll share the details below and, sticking with the theme of summer, recap the Summer Reading Adventure with some stats and book recommendations participants of all ages shared in this video.

Here’s the full lineup:  

• Flash back to the ’80s as TGIF concerts head to Alga Norte Community Park 
• Summer Reading Adventure wraps up
• Back-to-school resources for students
• Streamlining building inspection requests
• New economic development webpages
• Register now for fall classes; plus more events and activities
• Species spotlight: Western ragweed
• Apply to serve on a city commission
• Work at Batiquitos Lagoon
• Snores, s’mores and smiles

Flash back to the ’80s as TGIF concerts head to Alga Norte Community Park 

For the next two weeks, TGIF concerts will bring summer melodies to Alga Norte Community Park on Friday evenings. This Friday, ignite the dance floor and unleash your inner rock star to the sounds of ’80s tunes from the band FlashPants. As you can see in this video, I’m not going to miss it.

Make sure you give yourself time to enjoy our family-friendly activities where you can make retro sunglasses (kind of like mine!) from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., and dance lessons with Bella Lux Entertainment from 5 to 5:45 p.m. 

Friday, Aug. 14

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Alga Norte Community Park

6565 Alicante Road

How to get there

Only limited ADA parking is available at the park, so if you’re driving, park at Dove Library and hop aboard the complimentary shuttle that runs every 15 minutes from 4:15 to 9:15 p.m.

Here’s how it works:

1. Park at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane.
2. Look for the shuttle pickup zone signs in the lot.
3. There will be space available for all your picnic supplies, including low-back chairs and blankets.
4. The shuttle will drop you off next to security entrances.
5. Shuttles will run until 9:15 p.m.

If you’re planning to ride your bike, be sure to use our complimentary bike valet service. It works like a coat check for your bike.

Security screening and what you can bring

• Security screening stations will be set up at the concert venue entrances.
• Security personnel will do a bag check and use handheld wands to check for weapons and other items not allowed at the concerts, like drones and fireworks. Bottle openers, utensils and other picnic items are allowed.
• See more security details, including a list of items you can bring and what’s not allowed.

See how the security process works in this video.

Summer Reading Adventure wraps up

The 2026 Summer Reading Adventure has come to a close, and it wouldn’t be the annual success that it is without our community. This year’s theme, Plant a Seed, Read, encouraged readers of all ages to grow their love of reading, discover new interests and cultivate lifelong learning.

Together, 3,326 participants helped us surpass our community reading goal and logged more than 2 million minutes of reading. Our library staff hosted 52 programs throughout the Summer Reading Adventure.

Thank you to everyone who participated, encouraged a reader, attended events and helped spread the word.

We can’t wait to bring you another Summer Reading Adventure next year. Until then, keep reading, exploring and growing, one page at a time! If you’re looking for your next great read, this video has a few recommendations from readers of all ages.

A special thank you to the Friends of the Carlsbad Library for generously supporting the Summer Reading Adventure each year, along with this year's sponsors:

• Children's Museum of Discovery
• Dave & Buster's
• Handel's Ice Cream
• The Mini Donut Company
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• San Diego County Fair
• The Op Games

Back-to-school resources for students

The new school year is here for some community members and quickly approaching for others. That’s why the City of Carlsbad offers several resources to support students with learning, homework and after-school activities.

Starting Sept. 8, homework help for grades K-12 is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carlsbad Library Learning Center Monday through Thursday, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

• Each student with an appointment is guaranteed up to 30 minutes of tutoring.
• No sign-ups are required. Students can sign in at the help desk and will be called in the order they arrive. Learn how the center helped a local eighth grader in this video.

Carlsbad City Library also offers several online resources to help students throughout the school year:

• eResources — The library’s Homework Help page provides access to databases, primary sources and other resources for school projects and research.
• Britannica School — Students of all grade levels can access articles, biographies, videos and other resources in English and Spanish for research and school assignments.

Library staff can answer questions, provide reading recommendations, host after-school activities and more. Access in-person or virtual help from librarians through text, email, chat or phone, plus find answers to frequently asked questions on the Carlsbad City Library website.

After school activities for teens

The city also offers opportunities for teens to spend time with friends, try new activities and build important skills outside of school at the Pine Avenue Community Center. 

The Teen Center is on the second floor of the Pine Avenue Community Center. It’s a dedicated space where teens can enjoy fun, creative and healthy activities in a safe, supervised environment. Activities include ping-pong, foosball, air hockey, a climbing wall and more. Whether you’re looking to play, socialize or try something new, the Teen Center is the place to be.

Teen Center hours

Monday through Friday, 6 to 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The city also offers leadership programs for younger students. L.I.T.E. – Leadership in Training & Education is an after school program for students in grades six to eight. Students build skills in communication, leadership, community service, finance and college prep in a fun and safe environment. Daily homework assistance is also provided.

Register for teen programs at carlsbadca.gov/carlsbadconnect.

Building inspection requests at the touch of a button

Building inspections and permitting in the city just got easier. Customers can now request building inspections through the city’s online permit portal.

The new feature gives customers a faster, more convenient way to request building inspections and view their inspection history online. It also streamlines the review and scheduling process for staff, making it easier to provide timely updates, inspection results and next steps.

In an average year, our Building Division processes more than 14,000 building inspections, so this will save a significant amount of time for both staff and customers. This is just one example of how we’re creating greater efficiencies for customers and making it easier to do business with the city, while ensuring buildings continue to meet public safety standards.

Connecting the community to business resources

The City of Carlsbad has launched newly redesigned business webpages to make it easier than ever to start, operate, grow and relocate a business in Carlsbad. You can see them for yourself at the city's online business hub. 

The redesigned webpages feature improved navigation, simplified content and streamlined access to business resources, with the goal of providing the community with clear, actionable guidance for starting, operating and growing a business in Carlsbad while highlighting valuable tools, industry resources and workforce information.

Whether you're launching a startup, expanding an existing company or exploring workforce resources, the updated webpages provide the information you need in one convenient location.

Visit carlsbadca.gov/business for more information.

Register now for fall classes; plus more events and activities

Registration is open for the city’s full lineup of fall classes and programs, including sports lessons, creative and performing arts classes and science and exploration classes. If you haven’t signed up yet, please register now, because many of these programs fill up quickly. The complete schedule is available in the city’s Fall Community Services Guide, now online.

Speaking of fun things to do, here are some of the events and activities happening soon at our city libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center:

• Alchemy + light exhibition (just 10 days remaining) – Tuesdays through Saturdays, hours vary, Cannon Art Gallery 
• Community Friendship Builders – Friday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
• Cinema Club Friday: “Sweet As” – Friday, Aug. 14, 4 and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday: “The Fugitive” – Wednesday, Aug. 19, 4 and 7 p.m., Dove Library 

Species Spotlight: Western ragweed

Those of us who read the Sustainable Carlsbad newsletter recently learned about the western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), a local plant that can be seen blooming in summer and fall around the Buena Vista and Agua Hedionda lagoons. 

This perennial native herb is found across much of North America in different habitat types, including disturbed areas such as roadsides. It grows as an upright, slender stem with hairy stems and leaves. It has a flower spike of white-green color that blooms from July through November.

Sign up to receive the Sustainable Carlsbad newsletter, which we send every few months to help residents learn more about sustainability-related events, eco-friendly tips and our local environment.

The city’s more than 6,000 acres of protected open space are managed through our Habitat Management Plan. Preserving Carlsbad’s natural open spaces is one of the top goals in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan. 

Apply to serve on a city commission 

If you’re interested in getting involved and making a difference in our community, we have five scheduled vacancies on the city's Agriculture Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens Advisory Committee.

This committee reviews grant applications and recommends funding for agricultural, coastal and wetland restoration projects using available developer mitigation fees.

Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city. You can apply online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens Advisory Committee

Five vacancies

Meetings: As needed, at least one per year

Deadline to apply: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at noon

Work at Batiquitos Lagoon

Caltrans and SANDAG asked us to share that work will be resuming this month on the Batiquitos Lagoon Double Track Project. This project will replace the old bridge and add nearly a mile of new double track, helping trains run faster and more reliably. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

Work will focus on track construction between La Costa Avenue and Avenida Encinas, with the goal of moving rail traffic onto the new double track in late 2026.

The majority of work is scheduled to occur Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., with occasional weekend and night work.

Those in the area may experience some noise, dust, lane closures and increased train horn activity.

Snores, s’mores and smiles

Before I close, here’s a quick look at our recent Snores & S’mores overnight campout at Aviara Community Park, which resulted in plenty of smiles all around. 

The sold-out event brought families together for games, camping, food and fun, including a movie under the stars. While I didn’t spend the night, I did see what makes this such a popular activity when I stopped by during the movie while the marshmallows were roasting. Thanks to the more than 80 volunteers and all the participants who helped make it such a fun and memorable night.

Have a great weekend and hope you enjoy Friday’s TGIF '80s concert. I know I will!

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager