Join a Movement and Help a Cause

The weekend’s almost in reach—do you have your days off planned out? Don’t worry, we have a list of the weekend’s best bets right here for you (and we don’t really expect you to have plans—it’s the weekend! Let loose!)

This weekend, Aug. 12-14, stay in Carlsbad for plenty of fun and feel-good activities. Kids can join a movement and do multiple kind acts, the whole family can camp out together and you can help support the new NICU center at a nearby hospital. For the art-lovers, we’ve got an art show and some free music.

If you’re feeling up to a little road trip, you can head south and inland for a workshop to avoid home foreclosure or go see Jimmy Eat World in concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun. And don't forget to try to catch the Perseid meteor shower, which will peak Saturday night, but might be hard to find because of the bright moon.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Church and School, 6600 Black Rail Rd., Carlsbad, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.
• Why go: Help support the Rady Children’s NICU while having some family fun. Donate to the hospital and trike and bike in a lap event, get your face painted and participate in a silent auction.
• Price: Any and all donations are accepted.

• When/where: 3303 James Dr., Carlsbad, 3-5 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: Take your kids here to do all of the prep work for the the next day.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 2997 Glasgow Dr., Carlsbad, 6-8 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: John Nemeth plays the blues for Carlsbad.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Aviara Community Park, 6435 Ambrosia Ln., Carlsbad, 5 p.m.-9 a.m. Saturday through Sunday.
• Why go: The whole family can spend the weekend together during this Wizard of Oz-themed family campout. Bring your sweet tooth, cause plenty of s’mores will be served.
• Price: $20.

• When/where: The Village, 3642 Village Cir., Carlsbad, 9-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: This open-aire fair features several types of mediums of art and plenty of international food vendors.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: , 400 B St., Encinitas, 11 a.m. Saturday.
• Why go: San Diego kids will come together to do as many acts of kindness as they can (i.e. leave hearts on cars, thank a bus driver or clean up the beach).
• Price: Free.

• When/where: 5560 Overland Ave., San Diego, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Register for this clinic and receive advice on foreclosure prevention and housing assistance.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, following the race Friday.
• Why go: Watch the horse races then stick around for a rockin’ concert by Jimmy Eat World.
• Price: The concert is free if you paid race admission; otherwise the cost is $20.