A large sand sculpture of a pumpkin with a beach ball and surfboards during the Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park in San Diego.

Explore San Diego Attraction's Fall Fun

Iconic attractions with seasonal experiences
Sep 4, 2026

San Diego's world-class attractions offer even more to explore during the fall season. You can venture through the new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, discover SeaWorld's reimagined Shark Encounter, experience the excitement of LEGOLAND California's LEGO Galaxy and enjoy seasonal programming at some of the region's most popular destinations. Together, these attractions and their fall events create memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Elephant Valley Now Open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Elephants roaming across Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, with a spacious natural habitat, rocky terrain, trees, and guests viewing the herd from a lookout area under a clear sky.

Elephant Valley Now Open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Denny Sanford Elephant Valley is the newest experience at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido. Here, you can explore a dynamic savanna filled with African plant life, including rare species, while being surrounded on multiple sides by wildlife, creating an immersive setting just a short drive from downtown San Diego.

Autumn Festival

Colorful lanterns float on a serene lake, surrounded by vibrant lights and trees at dusk during the Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Autumn Festival

When: Oct. 3-25, 2026
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is celebrating the return of the season of color during Autumn Festival, every Saturday and Sunday in October. Amazing wildlife, special entertainment and delicious culinary comforts await! Join us to create heartwarming memories and enjoy good ol’ fashioned family fun.

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego’s New Shark Encounter Experience

A man carries a child on his shoulders, both reaching toward a swimming shark at SeaWorld San Diego's Shark Encounter.

SeaWorld San Diego’s New Shark Encounter Experience

SeaWorld San Diego debuts its all-new Shark Encounter, offering an immersive journey from coastal views to underwater environments. You can walk through a shark tunnel, see sharks glide overhead, and experience interactive exhibits designed to challenge misconceptions while highlighting the importance of global shark conservation.

Halloween Spooktacular

Three kids walking down the street at SeaWorld San Diego in costumes during Spooktacular

Halloween Spooktacular

When: Sept. 11 - Nov. 1, 2026
SeaWorld San Diego's biggest fall festival, Halloween Spooktacular, brims with family fun full of spooky live shows, Halloween activities and trick-or-treating throughout the park in a safe, family-friendly environment.

 

SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream

Three scary clowns standing close together looking really creepy and scary at Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream

When: Sept. 11 - Nov. 1, 2026
Howl-O-Scream will once again arrive 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.

Military Appreciation Weekend

A smiling military couple walks hand in hand at an SeaWorld San Diego under a blue sky.

Military Appreciation Weekend

When: Sept. 19-20, Oct. 7-8 & Nov. 7-8, 2026
Join us for our monthly Military Appreciation Weekend as we honor the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our nation’s heroes. It’s a powerful way for families to come together, show support, and celebrate the spirit of gratitude. The Waves of Honor military salute program provides free admission to SeaWorld and Sesame Place for members of the U.S. armed forces.

LEGOLAND California

LEGO Galaxy

A group of children and adults watch a robot character in a colorful, futuristic room that's part of LEGO Galaxy at the LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad near San Diego.

LEGO Galaxy

LEGOLAND® California has opened a brand-new, space-themed land whose centerpiece is the park’s first new roller coaster in nearly 20 years! LEGO Galaxy boasts multiple rides, a new dining destination, and more family-minded features. And it all revolves around Galacticoaster, an indoor coaster that incorporates storytelling, interactivity and cutting-edge ride tech.

LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat

Four children in colorful costumes stand in front of playful decorations, holding treat buckets at LEGOLAND California.

LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat

When: Sept. 19 - Nov. 1, 2026
LEGOLAND's signature Halloween event is better than ever this year! Brick-or-Treat will bewitch LEGOLAND® California Resort with tons of candy, an all-new show lineup, never-before-seen exclusive LEGO® characters and more!

 

San Diego Zoo

HalGLOWeen

A large globe with a glowing pumpkin face in a festive outdoor setting during HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo.

HalGLOWeen

When: Friday-Sunday - Oct. 2-31, 2026
Plan to join the San Diego Zoo for musical entertainment and special performances. The Skeleton Band and more family-friendly fun will light up the night every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening in October during HalGLOWeen. Kids 11 and younger are admitted free and can come in costume for even more seasonal excitement.

Sesame Place

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

A Count stands near a "Sesame Street" sign, smiling and holding colorful items.

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

When: Weekends - Sept. 12 - Nov. 1, 2026
Come in costume and celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place! The park will be transformed into a family-friendly Halloween haven and guests will enjoy trick-or-treating around the park, Halloween-themed shows, the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, DJ parties, an interactive Spot-The-Ghost Scavenger Hunt, Sesame Street-themed rides, games, seasonal merchandise, and unique photo opportunities with everyone's favorite furry friends dressed up in costume!

Belmont Park

Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park

Three musicians performing on stage at the lively Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park.

Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park

When: Sept. 10 - Oct. 31, 2026
The magic of the season will transform the iconic seaside Belmont Park into a vibrant taste of fall! Get into the festive spirit with free Trick-or-Treating every weekend in October, live acoustic performances and a festive foodie lineup, with specialty treats from your favorite stops, iconic rides and attractions and more!

USS Midway

Midway's Fright Deck: Halloween Party & Movie Night

Downtown, San Diego - USS Midway Museum

Midway's Fright Deck: Halloween Party & Movie Night

When: October 24, 2026
Calling all pirates, ghosts, ghouls and creatures of the deep! This Halloween, gather your crew and step aboard the USS Midway Museum for Fright Deck: Halloween Party & Movie Night — a swashbuckling evening of family-friendly Halloween fun high above San Diego Bay.

Old Town San Diego

Día de Los Muertos

Four people in traditional Dia de los Muertos costumes, smiling, with colorful makeup and decorations.

Día de Los Muertos

When: Oct. 1 – Nov. 2, 2026
Experience one of San Diego's finest Día de Los Muertos celebration! Take a tour of more than 40 unique altars. Bring the family for amazing art and activities in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and stroll a fabulous street market for treasures. Join our annual candlelit procession or enter to win the Catrina Contest.

Family of four with two kids walking into Belmont Park

Kids Free San Diego

All October long, kids eat, stay, and play for free, while parents enjoy great deals and big-time savings on attractions, museums, meals and more. So come on over to the bright side in San Diego, and enjoy a getaway filled with sunshine, discovery and experiences the whole family will love. Plan your trip today!