Hearts of Carlsbad Village: A Community Tradition That Supports Local
Blog Post - February 17, 2026
Category: What's New
From February 7 through 14, Hearts of Carlsbad Village once again brought energy, exploration, and connection to downtown. Now in its sixth year, the celebration continues to grow in both participation and impact. This year, 675 handcrafted glass hearts were created, offering multiple ways for the community to take part and support local businesses.

Throughout the week, 260 glass hearts were hidden outside throughout downtown, waiting to be discovered along sidewalks and storefronts. The search encouraged residents and visitors to explore the Village on foot, wander new streets, and spend time engaging with the businesses that make downtown unique. The Scavenger Hunt added another interactive element, guiding participants to different areas of the Village and creating steady foot traffic along the way.

From lunch breaks and coffee runs to evenings spent shopping and dining, the Village saw consistent activity throughout the week. Families made an outing of searching for hearts. Friends met up after work to explore together. Visitors experienced firsthand the welcoming and walkable atmosphere that defines Carlsbad Village.

Local hotels also joined the celebration by offering special room packages featuring curated gift baskets assembled with products from Village businesses and farmers market vendors. These partnerships extended the experience beyond a single visit and further highlighted the strength of the local business community.

Hearts of Carlsbad Village continues to demonstrate how a thoughtfully designed community event can strengthen the local economy while fostering connection. By offering a number of ways to participate and encouraging exploration throughout downtown, the event brought people together in support of the Village and the small businesses at its heart.
It was a week that reflected the pride, collaboration, and community spirit that make Carlsbad Village so special.
