CavernFest, the Farmers and Makers Market, and What's Coming for Downtown
Community Forum | Tuesday, June 9, 2026
There’s a lot happening in downtown Carlsbad right now, and Denise Green, director of Carlsbad Main Street, stopped by the Mountain Lion Studio to break it all down on Communnity Forum. From a beach stage headliner to a neon alley project funded by the Creative Industries Division, the organization that quietly powers much of what makes downtown worth visiting is having a big year.
CavernFest — This Weekend at the Beach
CavernFest, now in its ninth year, is moving to the beach area along the river this year — a shift driven by courthouse facade work and the simple reality that more trees mean more shade. It’s still a free community event, and the lineup is stacked.
Friday, June 13
A local young singer opens at 1 PM. Charlie and the Rangers perform later in the afternoon. The main stage kicks off at 6 PM with Zach Wilkerson as a solo act, followed by Slade Coulter. Headliner Rae Lynn closes out the night at 8:30 PM. Food trucks will be on-site Friday. Check the CavernFest Facebook page for the complete Friday schedule.
Saturday, June 14
The day starts early with a 5K at 8 AM in partnership with the local Road Runners running group. Registration is still open — sign up on the CavernFest page or through the Road Runners’ Facebook. The race runs through Lower Townsville and finishes at the new Carlsbad sign before walkers head back toward the beach.
At 9 AM, Desert Days studio owner Talissa leads a free yoga class at the beach.
Vendors open at 10 AM. Noisy Water and Milton’s will both be set up in a beer garden near the stage. The Chamber of Commerce will have their train on site, courtesy of Permian Resources. Title sponsor: Chevron. Stage sponsor: Bad Bass Barbecue.
Main stage Saturday: Zaki returns from Las Cruces, followed by Gannon Freeman and the CC Revs opening for headliner Easton Corbin, who takes the stage at 8:30 PM.
Need a cool-down break from the heat? The Cavern Theater will be showing The Patriot at 2 PM and 6 PM on Saturday.
Volunteers are still needed for the weekend. Contact Carlsbad Main Street to sign up.
Farmers and Makers Market — Returning June 27
After a three-week break around CavernFest, the Farmers and Makers Market returns Saturday, June 27, at a new location: Halagueno Arts Park by the Carlsbad Public Library and Museum. The market runs June through October.
The schedule this season: Saturday morning markets every week except the third week of each month, when a Thursday evening market takes the Saturday slot instead.
Carlsbad Main Street is also actively looking for new vendors through the rest of the season.
Coming Soon: The Neon Alley Project
Carlsbad Main Street received a Creative Industries Division grant to develop the alleyway between Canyon and Canal and Fox and Mermod streets — the section in front of Milton’s. Plans include murals, neon LED signage, and QR codes linking to the history behind each piece of art. RFPs for muralists will be coming out soon.
All this and more on Community Forum today at noon and 11 PM. Will you be there this weekend? What is your favorite part of CavernFest?
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