Mid-summer has officially settled over the 101, and the town is humming — golden-hour crowds at Swami's, the smell of somebody's grill drifting down every side street, and a genuinely stacked lineup of live music this week.

We did the scrolling so you don't have to. Below is your no-fluff plan for the next seven days — live sets, a movie night, Hawaiian roots music on the sand, and the farmers market that's basically a Sunday religion around here.

Grab a cold brew. Here's the week. 👇

What: Beloved local folk duo Nathan & Jessie playing a special live movie-night set — think warm, vintage-tinged tunes to kick off the evening before the screen lights up. When: Gates open 6:00 PM — live music from Nathan & Jessie, then a 7:30 PM panel discussion and an 8:05 PM outdoor film screening under the stars 🎬 Where: Coastal Roots Farm, Encinitas (441 Saxony Rd) Why we love it: It's the perfect low-key Thursday reset. Live music and a movie under the stars? That's a whole date night for the price of showing up early. 🎥 Tickets: $12/person in advance · $18 at the door · $36 Farm Friend (proceeds support the Farm's community programs) 🔗 Details & tickets: coastalrootsfarm.org/events

What: Fox Point Farms' weekly Friday Sunset Sessions — golden-hour live music out on the Lawn. This week's act: Michael Richardson, bringing an easygoing country set. When: 5:00 – 8:00 PM (free + all ages, free parking) Where: The Lawn @ Fox Point Farms — 1200 Fox Point Farms Ln, Encinitas Why we love it: It's the ultimate Friday exhale. Grab a taco from Huerta, a wood-fired pizza, and a $10 margarita, spread a blanket on the grass, and let the music carry you into the weekend as the sun drops behind the farm. Kids, dogs (on the Lawn), and giant Jenga included. 🌅🌾 🔗 Details & free RSVP: Fox Point Sunset Sessions on Eventbrite

What: Shakespeare, beautifully staged by the Theatre School @ North Coast Rep. A story of jealousy, redemption, and one very famous stage direction involving a bear. When: 5:30 PM on July 23, 24 & 25 (free — no reservations, bring a chair or blanket) Where: Birdwing Open Air Classroom — San Dieguito Lagoon, 3201 Via de la Valle, Del Mar (enter off San Andres Dr) Why we love it: Polished, professional theatre performed outdoors at golden hour — a genuinely lovely way to spend a warm evening after a full beach day. 🎟️ 🔗 Full schedule: northcoastreptheatreschool.org

What: The crown jewel of our Sundays — 90+ booths of organic produce, artisan bites, flowers, and finds you didn't know you needed. When: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Where: Oak Crest Middle School — 675 Balour Dr, Encinitas (new home! The market moved here from Paul Ecke Central in June) Why we love it: It's the town's living room. Come for the heirloom tomatoes, stay for running into half the people you know. Bring a tote and small bills. 🍑🌻 🔗 Details: leucadia101.com

What: THE headliner of the week. Live music directly on the sand at Moonlight Beach, featuring Slack Key ʻOhana playing traditional Hawaiian slack key roots music. When: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (opening act Uncle Tims starts at 1:00 PM) — free! Where: Moonlight Beach Why we love it: Toes in the sand, mellow slack key guitar drifting over the waves, and an afternoon that eases you right into the evening. This is peak Encinitas summer — full stop. Pack a blanket and a picnic. 🌅🎶 🔗 Details: encinitasca.gov concerts

What: Your last chances to catch this free outdoor Shakespeare — and heads up, the production changes cities for its closing run. When & Where:

Sunset at Swami's. 🌅

Everyone says they'll catch the sunset — few actually do it right. Here's the move: grab a taco to-go from your spot of choice, walk down to Swami's, and post up on the bluff about 30 minutes before the sun drops.

The light does something ridiculous to the water this time of year, the surfers turn into silhouettes, and for about ten minutes it feels like the whole town exhales at once. Zero dollars. Ten out of ten.

That's your week, neighbor. Now go do something with it. ☀️

Loved this? Forward it to a friend who always asks "what's going on this weekend?" — you'll look very in-the-know. 😉

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See you on the sand. 🌊

— The Encinitas Weekender