Summer may be winding down, but Encinitas is still going strong with a busy fall event calendar. Here’s a preview of what to do and see (call or check venue websites for up-to-date price and time information):
Sept. 1: As summer ends, spend one last leisurely evening at final Thursday Family Fun Night of 2011, with activities for the kids and entertainment. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
Sept. 4: Middle-Earth Ensemble performs gypsy-style music. , 540 Cornish Drive, 760-753-7376, sdcl.org.
Sept. 7: Sue Palmer & Deejha Marie perform in the First Wednesday Concert Series. , 2801 Newcastle Ave., 760-753-4027, sdcl.org.
Sept. 8: Come hungry, leave happy—the annual dishes up samples from more than 30 downtown restaurants. 760-943-1950, encinitas101.com.
Sept. 8: Installation artist Ann Agee opens the new 2011-2012 season at Lux Art Institute. Through Oct. 29. 1550 S. El Camino Real, 760-436-6611, luxartinstitute.org.
Sept. 10: Artist and environmentalist James Hubbell is the honoree at the 12th annual Gala in the Garden, with music, food, and more. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
Sept. 10: Enjoy the culture (dancing, pottery, jewelry) and food (baklava, spanakopita, and other mouthwatering treats) at the Greek Festival. Through Sept. 11. Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, cardiffgreekfest.org.
Sept. 15: takes one last spin around town for the year. Downtown Encinitas between D and J streets, 760-943-1950, encinitas101.com.
Sept. 16: La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls program, which stages plays in site-specific locations, opens with “Susurrus” at the . 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
Sept. 17: Northern California's The Banana Slug String Band performs a family-friendly concert. , 540 Cornish Drive, 760-753-7376, sdcl.org.
Sept. 17: and the YMCA team up for Harvest Fest 2011 Casino Night, which includes dinner, games, raffle prizes, and more. Magdalena Ecke YMCA, 200 Saxony Road, 760-753-6413, rchumanesociety.org.
Sept. 17: Eco-friendly businesses and surfers come together at the Through Sept. 18. Seaside Beach, off Coast Highway 101, 760-436-0431, cardiff101.com.
Sept. 17: The Wavecrest Woodies, billed as “the granddaddy of all woodie meets,” brings the coolest of the cars to Encinitas. Through Sept. 18. Moonlight Beach, 400 B St., sandiegowoodies.com.
Sept. 21: Author Rachel Brown discusses her memoir, "All the Fishes Come Home to Roost." , 540 Cornish Drive, 760-753-7376, sdcl.org.
Sept. 24: Local photographer Chris Mayne shares his photographs inBeautiful Birds of San Diego. , 540 Cornish Drive, 760-753-7376, sdcl.org.
Sept. 30: Everything is in bloom at the San Diego International Orchid Fair and 17th annual Orchid Show and Sale. Through Oct. 2. San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
Oct. 1: Silver may be the traditional gift for a , but how about lima beans? Encinitas celebrates its with a free party that takes place simultaneously with the annual Lima Bean Cook-Off. , 450 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-632-9711, sdheritage.org.
Oct. 1: The swanky Rancho Valencia resort hosts Lux After Dark: The Annual Fundraising Gala, which supports artist residency and education programs. 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 760-436-6611, luxartinstitute.org.
Oct. 5: Full Moon Poets hosts the seventh annual Invitational Poetry Slam. C, 2801 Newcastle Ave., 760-753-4027, sdcl.org.
Oct. 9: Raise your glass and celebrate Oktoberfest. Olivenhain Meeting Hall, S. Rancho Santa Fe Road and Seventh Street, olivenhain.org.
Oct. 11: Shoot a hole-in-one for students in the Encinitas Union School District at the Fore the Kids! Golf fundraiser for the Encinitas Educational Foundation. The Crosby Club, 17102 Bing Crosby Blvd., Rancho Santa Fe, encinitasedducationalfoundation.org.
Oct. 15: How does your garden grow? Easily, thanks to the annual Fall Plant Sale at the , with selections from more than 100 growers and retailers. Through Oct. 16. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
Oct. 29: Halloween isn’t just for kids—the third annual Howl O’Ween features a parade and costume contest geared toward pets. Coast Highway 101, 760-436-2320, leucadia101.com.
Oct. 31: Families at Encinitas Safe Trick or Treat can get candy from local stores, have their wishes granted at the queen’s court, and admire the elaborate trademark jack-o-lanterns produced by the . Downtown Encinitas, 760-943-1950, encinitas101.com.
Sept. 7: The Swingin' With Dean Show features music from the 1940s through the 1970s. , 2801 Newcastle Ave., 760-753-4027, sdcl.org.
Nov. 5: Raise money for the animal safehouse program at Celebration of Second Chances. The Del Mar Country Club, 6001 Clubhouse Drive, Rancho Santa Fe, 760-753-6413, rchumanesociety.org.
Nov. 10: Brooklyn painter Emilio Perez works on his visually stimulating paintings while in residence at Lux. Through Dec. 31. $10. 1550 S. El Camino Real, 760-436-6611, luxartinstitute.org.
Nov. 12: Handmade is the order of the day at the annual Olivenhain Arts and Crafts Fair. , Rancho Santa Fe Road and Seventh Street, olivenhain.org.
Nov. 12: The inaugural Bromeliad Bash includes demonstrations, plant and book sales, and an exhibit of original botanical illustrations. Through Nov. 13. , 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
Nov. 16: Author Diane Welch discusses the life and work of Rancho Santa Fe architect Lillian J. Rice. , 540 Cornish Drive, 760-753-7376, sdcl.org.
Nov. 20: You can do your holiday shopping at a mall, or at the Encinitas Street Fair, where you can browse among the local artisan goods while listening to live music and snacking on kettle corn. Coast Highway 101 between D and J streets, 760-943-1950, encinitas101.com.
Dec. 3: Grab some food and friends and find a prime spot on Coast Highway 101 to soak up the spirt of the season—and of the community as you watch the Encinitas Holiday Parade. Downtown Encinitas between D and J streets, 760-633-2760, cityofencinitas.org.
Dec. 4: Hang out with Old Saint Nick at the festive Kringle Mingle. Cardiff Town Center, 2033 San Elijo Ave., 760-436-0431, cardiff101.com.
Dec. 7: Full Measure Carolers sing traditional and modern songs of the season. , 2801 Newcastle Ave., 760-753-4027, sdcl.org.
Dec. 8: Garden of Lights is as close to a winter wonderland as we’ll get in our coastal town, with the decked out in more than 100,000 lights, plus live music, wagon rides, marshmallow roasting, and a visit from Santa. Through Dec. 30; closed Dec. 24-25. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, 760-436-3036, x. 206, sdbgarden.org.
