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Top October Events

The Perfect Month for Families

Come soak up some Vitamin D in California's Beach City this October, all while enjoying 80+ Kids Free San Diego offers, Halloween happenings, Dia de los Muertos celebrations and more awesome events.

Don't miss these exciting events happening in San Diego this October.

Featured October Events

Kids Free San Diego

When: October 1-31, 2022
Kids Free San Diego is calling you back this October, where kids eat, stay, and play for free. With more than 80 deals on activities, attractions, meals and more, unforgettable family memories are waiting to be made in San Diego. Plan your trip today!

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream

When: Thru October 31, 2022
There’s a new terror in town, and it’s got a killer smile. For the second year, Howl-O-Scream has arrived to transform the peaceful SeaWorld San Diego park you once knew into something sinister. When night falls and a carnival of horrifying creatures surrounds you, just try to put on a happy face.

SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular

When: Thru October 31, 2022
For weekends brimming with family fun, SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular thrills with spooky live shows, Halloween activities and trick-or-treating for the little ones throughout the park in a safe, family-friendly environment.

LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

When: Thru October 30, 2022
Every Saturday night, LEGOLAND® California Resort creates Halloween excitement with live entertainment, character meet-and-greets, costume contests, and treat stations during extended Park open hours!

HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo

When: October 1-31, 2022
Plan to join the San Diego Zoo for musical entertainment, special performances, Dr. Zoolittle, and more family friendly fun will light up the night every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening in October. Kids 11 and younger are free, and can come in costume for even more seasonal excitement. 

Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

When: October 1-31, 2022
Come and join in all the autumn festive fun as the San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrates the season of color with special activities, entertainment, and culinary comforts.

San Diego International Film Festival

When: October 19-23, 2022
SDiFF offers world premieres, never before seen studio releases, the best in independent filmmaking and a full schedule of glamorous parties and intimate events with filmmakers.

Día de los Muertos

When: October 20 - November 2, 2022
Honor your lost loved ones and immerse yourself in traditional and authentic Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations throughout San Diego.

Halloween Happenings

When: Thru October 31, 2022
From family-friendly fright fests and historically-haunted tours, to terror-filled scream zones and wild, trick-or-treat parties, Halloween in San Diego is crazy fun for ghouls and kids of all ages.

More Awesome October Events

The Disturbance created by The Haunted Hotel

When: Thru October 31, 2022
The Haunted Hotel has been "disturbed", completely upset, thrown into disorderly chaos...every possessed zombie, every dead freak, every spider web, and every last drop of blood have been unearthed and re-located.

Beachside Fall Fest

When: Thru October 31, 2022
The magic of the season will transform the 97-year-old seaside Belmont Park into a vibrant taste of fall! Get into the festive spirit with FREE Trick-or-Treating every Sunday in October, live acoustic performances and festive beer garden Friday nights, specialty treats from your favorite stops, iconic rides and attractions and MORE!

La Mesa Oktoberfest

When: Thru October 2, 2022
3 days of festive live music, including Oompa bands, tons of top-notch German food, and of course, steins filled to the brim with German & Craft beer!

Oktoberfest in El Cajon

When: Thru October 9, 2022
San Diego County's most traditional Oktoberfest - fun for the whole family! Live German Oom-Pah music, awesome German food, German beers on tap, and so much more! 

Haunted Harvest

When: October 1-29, 2022
Haunted Hayride, Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest, Apple Bobbing Contest, Harvest Hoedown with Jug Band, Apple Cider Pressing and Tasting.

Pacific Beachfest

When: October 1, 2022
Pacific BeachFest has something for everyone including a fish taco contest, beach volleyball, craft beer, kids activities and music!

Julian Oktoberfest

When: October 1, 2022
Enjoy live music with Oktoberfest Dancers and Singers, Bingo Hours, Sip and Paint an Icon, Children's Activities, Silent Auction, Raffles, Great Food and a Beer Garden.

Carlsbad Oktoberfest

When: October 1, 2022
Come join us at our 40th Annual Oktoberfest Fall Festival event with real German meals from Tip Top Meats, kids and adult activities, live German music, and of course a Bier Garten! The Bier Garten will feature a variety of Oktoberfest beer on tap and wine.

The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

When: October 6-31, 2022
The Scream Zone is considered among the goriest, scariest, and screaming-est fright fests to be found in the dark corners of Southern California. We invite you to be our guests, that is, if you have the nerve!

Del Mar Harvest Festival

When: October 7-9, 2022
Each Harvest Festival features hundreds of artisans exhibiting American handmade items, strolling entertainment, festival food and a Kidzone.

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest

When: October 7-8, 2022
The Ocean Beach Oktoberfest is a two-day, eclectic, beachside festival with a variety of exciting activities, contests and entertainment. 

San Diego Open - Women's

When: October 8-16, 2022
A 28-player singles main draw and a 16-team doubles main draw are held, all featuring best two-out-of-three set matches. A 24-player singles qualifying draw will be held for six main-draw entries.

Blended Festival

When: October 8, 2022
This two-day social experience delivers live music, culinary stations, full bars, and unique activations. Guests must be 18 or over to attend.

Taste of North Park

When: October 8, 2022
Enjoy over 40 food tastes and 15 craft beer/craft cider sips from North Park’s best restaurants and breweries while exploring the sites and sounds of this electric North Park neighborhood.

Pumpkin Express

When: October 8-30, 2022
Join the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association in the Pumpkin Express Halloween Celebration complete with a train ride, pumpkin patch and more.

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

When: October 8-9, 2022
Enjoy 150+ juried artists from around the globe, 3D chalk art displays, interactive art murals, non-stop live music, family art center, roving entertainment, gourmet food court, and a wine, craft beer, and spirits garden featuring local brews, distilleries and global wineries.

Taste of North Park

When: October 8, 2022
In one afternoon, Taste of North Park invites you to enjoy 50+ food tastes from some of San Diego's best restaurants and craft beer samples from 15 local brewers.

XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon

When: October 9, 2022
Join us at the birthplace of the sport for the Mission Bay Triathlon! Competitors from around the country will return to Mission Bay to celebrate the triathlon.

Fall Fest at Belmont Park

When: October 9-31, 2022
Fall fun is back this October and better than ever at Belmont Park's Annual Fall Fest with trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch, live acoustic performances + beer garden, specialty eats from Sweet Shoppe, and more!

San Diego Italian Film Festival

When: October 12-22, 2022
The San Diego Italian Film Festival showcases the best of new Italian film with a series of premieres ranging from dramas and comedies to documentaries.

A Taste of Coronado

When: October 12, 2022
Take a culinary trip around the world sampling from Coronado bistros. Meander along Orange Avenue or take a ride on the complimentary trolley. This will be a night to remember so come and bring your friends!

San Diego Filipino Film Festival

When: October 13-18, 2022
SDFFF aims to not only be a platform to amplify Filipinx visions, voices and stories but also foster new interest in filmmaking and cinema as art throughout the local and global Filipinx community.

Carmel Valley Trail 15k, 10k and 5k

When: October 15, 2022
On the Carmel Valley Trail 15K, 10K and 5K, participants will experience a combination of single track and dirt service road trails through beautiful open spaces.

Escondido Grand Avenue Festival

When: October 16, 2022
Since 1989, the Escondido Grand Avenue Festival has brought live entertainment, over 400 vendors, children's rides and activities, and food from around the world to the downtown tree-lined streets of Escondido.

Not-So-Scary Estuary Family Discovery Day

When: October 16, 2022
Discover hoots + howls at a nature-themed Halloween Family Day! Costumes are encouraged! Kids can join hands-on interactive activities, from craft-making to live animal encounters. Nature gets the spotlight with a fun variety of family-friendly experiences and nature walks in a Halloween theme.  

Old Town San Diego's Dia de los Muertos

When: October 20 - November 2, 2022
Old Town San Diego will have a Mercado de Arte at the north side of the lot across from the Market, Theatre and Trolley stop on Saturday October 29-30th. On November 2nd Old Town will be hosting the traditional procession to the El Campo Santo cemetery displaying a public altar.

Hauntfest on Main Street

When: October 21, 2022
HauntFest on Main is an exciting family friendly event in Downtown El Cajon with a pumpkin patch, costume contest, kidz zone, rides, entertainment and more!

USA Ultimate National Championships

When: October 21-24, 2022
The USA Ultimate National Championships represent the pinnacle of elite ultimate in North America and crowns champions in three divisions: men’s, mixed and women’s.

Great Pumpkin Beer Festival

When: October 22, 2022
For one day only, the streets of Downtown San Diego will be transformed into a gourd-geous mecca of all things nonsensical as misfits unite to celebrate brews, boos and beats.

MCRD BootCamp Challenge

When: October 22, 2022
The MCRD Bootcamp Challenge features obstacles used only by Marine Recruits plus USMC Drill Instructors providing direction and encouragement.

Borrego Days Desert Festival

When: October 22-23, 2022
The 56th Annual festival weekend at Christmas Circle includes live bands, an acclaimed Comedy Hypnosis Show, plus art exhibits, kid's zone, food vendors, artisans, education, adult beer garden, free to enter car show and more. This is a family friendly festival that is fun for all ages.

EŌS Fitness Tour de Cove

When: October 23, 2022
Join Challenged Athletes Foundation at beautiful La Jolla Cove for a fun and sweat-drenching 4.5 hour stationary cycling marathon with 100 riders and over 50 challenged athletes.

Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge

When: October 23, 2022
The San Diego Triathlon Challenge has raised the funds that have allowed 9,500+ challenged athletes around the world to make it to the starting line.

Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival

When: October 23, 2022
Altars, arts & crafts, por siempre car show, a chalk cemetery and more! 

Halloween at San Diego Zombie Crawl

When: October 27-29, 2022
If you love Halloween, dining and the nightlife, do not miss San Diego's #1 Halloween Celebration! Your San Diego Zombie Crawl ticket includes a guided route, 25+ premier club admissions, welcome shots + food and beverage specials in the Gaslamp.

Trick-or-Treat on India Street

When: October 28, 2022
This fun and safe Halloween event makes it possible for urban families to enjoy authentic trick-or-treating fun as Little Italy businesses along historic India Street open their doors to give out candy and Halloween treats.

Third Avenue Village Dia de los Muertos

When: October 28, 2022
Join Third Avenue Village as we take part in a traditional Mexican celebration honoring loved ones who have passed, by enjoying life, music, and good food and drink.

Lions Tigers & Bears Spooky Campover

When: October 28-29, 2022
Enjoy a wild and ghoulish night under the stars with the rescued exotic animals of Lions Tigers & Bears. The annual Spooky Campover is a family favorite you do not want to miss! Enjoy pumpkin carving (don't forget your pumpkin), s'mores by the campfire, and more.

Nightmare on Normal Street

When: October 29, 2022
Guaranteed to be a Fang-tastic evening filled with ghouls, goblins and spine chilling scares. You won't want to miss this year Nightmare on Normal St.

City Heights Dia de los Muertos

When: October 29, 2022
Celebrate the lives of friends and relatives who have passed away at the City Heights Dia de Los Muertos. People of all cultures will come together for community altars, face painting, mask making, and prizes for the best catrina and catrin contest, plus dancing, singing and music.

Encinitas Dia de los Muertos Celebration

When: October 29, 2022
Celebrate life with live performances, art-making workshops, a student art exhibit, artist demos, food trucks and more at the Encinitas Dia de los Muertos. 

A Dia De los Muertos Celebration at the Shell

When: October 30, 2022
The fabulous Grammy® award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos headlines the event and is joined by the skilled dancers of Grupo Folclórico Chiquina Palafox. Also, the evening will feature special Día de los Muertos food and drinks available for purchase from The Rady Shell Provisions and Día de los Muertos park activation activities.

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