Events List

The VC Art Gallery warmly invites residents, families, students, and visitors to explore this meaningful exhibition.

View flyer for more details.

Free to the public.

Community Yard Sale from 7:30am – 12:30pm! The annual Valley Center Community Yard Sale is a don’t-miss for buyers and sellers alike. Sellers can convert unwanted treasures to cash. Shoppers can find all kinds of deals on furniture, art, clothing, home décor, tools, electronics and many other fantastic items. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning in the country!

Admission and parking are free.

PLANT SALE
Vegetable Starts * Succulents * Trees * Plants * Drought Tolerant Agaves & Cacti

FREE SEEDS

Hop on over to the farm for a fun-filled Easter celebration the whole family will enjoy! 

Free activities include the following:
– Photos with the Easter bunny from 10:30am – 1:30pm (with your camera.)
– Scavenger Hunt – Pick up in our store!
– Tractor Hayride
– Bates Farm Zoo

Paid Activities:
– Pony Rides ($14 – $26)
– Face Painting ($7 – $20)
– Crafts with Michelle ($6 – $16)
– Bounce House & Inflatable Slide ($3)

Grab lunch while you’re here, there will be BBQ burgers & hot dogs and more!

It will be a perfect day for the whole family! A day of springtime joy and memories to last a lifetime!

Free parking and admission!

Do you enjoy watching the Westminster Dog Show? Come out to Bates and see over 1000 dogs compete. It is fun to see the pure breed varieties small and extra-large. They will be competing for conformation and obedience. Watch as the groomers prepare, and the trainers and owners who work with their dogs are preparing for their competitions. Dog products are also available.

Pony rides will be back at the farm the first Saturday of every month with Snows Pony Rides and Farm Animal’s. 

80lb weight limit. Venmo & cash only.

$14 a ride or $26 for 2 rides.

Bring the kids and enjoy a day at the farm! Don’t forget to visit with the Bates Farm Animals too!

Come enjoy wine, and run or walk through our historic farm. Join us at the Wicked Wine Run and create your own memories here in Valley Center at Bates Nut Farm!

Founded in 2013, Wicked Wine Run is the longest running and most participated Wine Run in the country. Our journey began with a passion for combining fun, fitness, and fantastic wine into unforgettable experiences that bring friends and loved ones together.While health and fitness are a core focus of our events, we really love having fun! Our Wine Runs offer the rare opportunity to sample a variety of local wines from the wineries hosting our events, as well as enjoy good music, food, and non-cheesy games. So grab your besties, rally your running buddies and walking partners, or come on your own and join the party!

At Wicked Wine Run, we’re all about running for a cause. By lacing up your shoes and participating at our Wine Run you’ll not only be doing something great for yourself but will also be raising a glass to some great initiatives. So, let’s run together, toast together, and make our world a better place, one stride at a time. Does it get any better than that? We’d love to know! We can’t wait to see you at Wicked Wine Run!

Whether you prefer Merlots, Malbecs, Cabernets, or Chardonnays, we’ve got the perfect night out for you! Join Wicked Wine Run in San Diego for an unforgettable experience.

Please note: Drink responsibly and consider inviting a designated driver.

To register for this event, please visit: https://wickedwinerun.com/race/2026-san-diego-ca-bates-nut-farm-winerun/

LoveValleyCenter announces the first Love Valley Center Day.

Join us for Valley Center’s first Love Valley Center Day – Neighborhood Cleanup!

Thousands of vehicles pass by Miller Plaza every day. Unfortunately the project has been on hold for years. As time passes, the weeds grow. Let’s come together and use this opportunity to help clean this very visible corner. Permission was granted by the property owner.

More info and to register, visit: www.LoveVCday.org

Customer Appreciation Day at A-1. Free lunch by Corbins Q. 20% off store wide. Raffles, Local Business and Vendors! A fun filled day! 

Come and shop for American handmade arts and crafts on the farm at the “Spring Festival” Arts, Crafts and Vintage Market. Up-cycled, recycled, restored, vintage, antique, and handmade wares will be offered with a large variety of jewelry, woodworking, candles, soaps, fine art, and more.

• Spring Food Festival: Saturday, April 25th from 11:00am – 3:00pm! Some of San Diego’s favorite food vendors will be on hand serving a variety of mobile cuisine. Come grab a meal and celebrate Spring at our local farm! Enjoy delicious food, live music and kids activities and more!

• KIDS DAY! (Saturday, 4/25, ONLY):
Face painting 10am – 2pm
Pony Rides 10am – 3pm
Bounce House

• LIVE MUSIC! Saturday, April 25th, from 12pm – 3pm!

• Classic Car Show: Sunday, April 26th from 9:00am – 2:00pm

Free parking and admission.

Some of San Diego’s favorite food vendors will be on hand serving a variety of mobile cuisine. Come grab a meal and celebrate Spring at our local farm! Enjoy delicious food, live music, kids activities and more!

Come and be a part of a fun family farm tradition at the Bates Nut Farm, Spring Arts, Crafts and Vintage Market! Young entrepreneurs can showcase their creativity and learn how to manage their very own business! It’s a great opportunity for them to gain hands on experience at a fun and supportive kid-friendly environment with live music, food festival, pony rides and a bounce house.

he Heartbeat Classic Car Show returns to Bates Nut Farm this spring! Join us on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM to check out an impressive variety of classic cars and enjoy a fun day at the farm.

Afterwards head over to our Spring Craft Fair and shop from local vendors!

Free parking and admission.

Free Entry, Live Music, Local Vendors

Celebrating America –

The Western Days Parade is returning to Memorial Day weekend!

Celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a parade full of Red-White-Blue Saturday, May 23rd along Valley Center Road.

Register to be in the parade: www.WesternDaysParade.org

Community Yard Sale from 7:30am – 12:30pm! The annual Valley Center Community Yard Sale is a don’t-miss for buyers and sellers alike. Sellers can convert unwanted treasures to cash. Shoppers can find all kinds of deals on furniture, art, clothing, home décor, tools, electronics and many other fantastic items. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning in the country!

Admission and parking are free.

Community Open House – Valley Center History Museum: Let’s Celebrate Together!

SAVE THE DATE: Check back later for details
Time: TBD

Some of San Diego’s favorite food vendors will be on hand serving a variety of mobile cuisine. Come grab a meal and celebrate Summer at our local farm! Enjoy delicious food, live music, kids activities and more!

Experience a summer evening with Live Music at the farm from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm!

Kids Zone from 4:00pm – 7:00pm:
Saturday, 7/18 (Prices per activity vary.)
• Pony Rides
• Tractor Hayrides
• Slide & Bounce House
• Face painting & Airbrush
• Crafts

Admission and parking are free.

Community Yard Sale from 7:30am – 12:30pm! The annual Valley Center Community Yard Sale is a don’t-miss for buyers and sellers alike. Sellers can convert unwanted treasures to cash. Shoppers can find all kinds of deals on furniture, art, clothing, home décor, tools, electronics and many other fantastic items. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning in the country!

Admission and parking are free.

 Celebrate the magic of pumpkin season at our century-old farm in beautiful Valley Center, CA — home to one of San Diego’s most picturesque pumpkin patches! Families have been visiting Bates Nut Farm since 1963, with generations coming together each Fall to celebrate the season and create cherished memories on the farm.

Every Day at the Patch

• Pumpkin Patch 
• Grab a wheelbarrow & experience farm life!
• Tractor Hayrides 
• Straw Maze 
• Corn Pit
• Bounce House • Giant Slide
• Snows Pony Rides (Month of October only.)
• Snows Petting Zoo (Month of October only.)

Weekends at the Patch

• Pumpkin Patch
• Grab a wheelbarrow and experience farm life!
• Tractor hayrides 
• Straw Maze
• Corn Pit 
• Face Painting 
• Henna
• Airbrush Tattoo
• Bootiful Hair
• Pumpkin Bounce House • Giant Slide
• Snows Pony Rides
• Petting Zoo 
• Rock Climbing • Mechanical Bull 
• Balloon Art • Kids ‘N Paint • Caricature
• Rubber Band Guns • Photo Booth
• Slime making and more!

Admission to the pumpkin patch is free.
Weekday parking is free.
$10 parking fee only for last weekend in September and every weekend in October.

HOURS

SEPTEMBER HOURS: 9:00am to 5:00pm

OCTOBER HOURS:
Weekdays: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Last 3 Fridays in October: 9:00am – 6:30pm
Weekends: 8:30am – 6:00pm

We will be closing early on Halloween.

Community Yard Sale from 7:30am – 12:30pm! The annual Valley Center Community Yard Sale is a don’t-miss for buyers and sellers alike. Sellers can convert unwanted treasures to cash. Shoppers can find all kinds of deals on furniture, art, clothing, home décor, tools, electronics and many other fantastic items. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning in the country!

Admission and parking are free.

 Celebrate the magic of pumpkin season at our century-old farm in beautiful Valley Center, CA — home to one of San Diego’s most picturesque pumpkin patches! Families have been visiting Bates Nut Farm since 1963, with generations coming together each Fall to celebrate the season and create cherished memories on the farm.

Every Day at the Patch

• Pumpkin Patch 
• Grab a wheelbarrow & experience farm life!
• Tractor Hayrides 
• Straw Maze 
• Corn Pit
• Bounce House • Giant Slide
• Snows Pony Rides (Month of October only.)
• Snows Petting Zoo (Month of October only.)

Weekends at the Patch

• Pumpkin Patch
• Grab a wheelbarrow and experience farm life!
• Tractor hayrides 
• Straw Maze
• Corn Pit 
• Face Painting 
• Henna
• Airbrush Tattoo
• Bootiful Hair
• Pumpkin Bounce House • Giant Slide
• Snows Pony Rides
• Petting Zoo 
• Rock Climbing • Mechanical Bull 
• Balloon Art • Kids ‘N Paint • Caricature
• Rubber Band Guns • Photo Booth
• Slime making and more!

Admission to the pumpkin patch is free.
Weekday parking is free.
$10 parking fee only for last weekend in September and every weekend in October.

HOURS

SEPTEMBER HOURS: 9:00am to 5:00pm

OCTOBER HOURS:
Weekdays: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Last 3 Fridays in October: 9:00am – 6:30pm
Weekends: 8:30am – 6:00pm

We will be closing early on Halloween.

Date & Time: 

FRIDAY | December 11, 2026 | 4pm-8pm 
– Valley Center Marching Band 5:45pm
– Santa’s Grand Entrance arriving by Fire Truck at 6:00pm! 
– Afterwards Santa will light our holiday lights tree! 
– Next head over to listen to Christmas Carols from Valley Center students choir!
– Free hayrides and visits with Santa are from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
– Meet The Grinch! 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Please Note: We suggest arriving by 5:30pm to find a spot to watch the Valley Center Marching Band and Santa’s big arrival! 

SATURDAY | December 12, 2026 | 9am-3pm
– Santa arrives by Polar Express Hayride at 11:00am! 
– Free hayrides and visits with Santa are from 11:00am – 3:00pm. 
– Plus, come and enjoy several beautiful holiday performance through out the day on the Bates Stage, 9:30am – 1:30pm! Schedule of performances will be posted closer to the event. 
– Meet The Grinch! 11:30am – 2:30pm

Date & Time: 

FRIDAY | December 11, 2026 | 4pm-8pm 
– Valley Center Marching Band 5:45pm
– Santa’s Grand Entrance arriving by Fire Truck at 6:00pm! 
– Afterwards Santa will light our holiday lights tree! 
– Next head over to listen to Christmas Carols from Valley Center students choir!
– Free hayrides and visits with Santa are from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
– Meet The Grinch! 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Please Note: We suggest arriving by 5:30pm to find a spot to watch the Valley Center Marching Band and Santa’s big arrival! 

SATURDAY | December 12, 2026 | 9am-3pm
– Santa arrives by Polar Express Hayride at 11:00am! 
– Free hayrides and visits with Santa are from 11:00am – 3:00pm. 
– Plus, come and enjoy several beautiful holiday performance through out the day on the Bates Stage, 9:30am – 1:30pm! Schedule of performances will be posted closer to the event. 
– Meet The Grinch! 11:30am – 2:30pm