From haunted trails to spooktacular festivals and parties, check out San Diego’s top Halloween happenings.
Edited by Madelyn Harris.
Haunted Trail
Oct. 1-31. No ordinary walk in the park, this mile-long scary trail features spine-tingling and shriek-inducing sights (not suitable for kids under 10), as well as an additional terrifying maze called The Experiment. 7-11 p.m. $25. Balboa Park, Corner of Balboa Drive and Juniper at Marston Point. hauntedtrail.net
Devil’s Exchange: A Special Halloween Experience
Oct. 26. This Halloween-themed dinner experience includes five courses and beverage pairings presented by Kettner Exchange. Indulge in seasonal dishes such as Hocus Pocus (a French onion soup), Friday the 13th (venison loin) and Night of the Living Dead (a zombie ice cream dessert). 6:30 p.m. $95. 2001 Kettner Blvd. sdcm.com
Eastbound’s Halloween House Party
Oct. 27. If you’re looking for Halloween cocktails to cheers to the holiday, Eastbound is your place. They’ll be serving up a cauldron of delicious recipes such as Witches Brew, Zombie Apocalypze Slushy and Gravedigger concoction. Sample delicious drinks and dance to the beats of DJ Petecaso. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. 10053 Maine Ave., Lakeside, 619.334.2566. eastboundbarandgrill.com
Trick or Treat on India Street
Oct. 27. Get ready to see little ones dressed up as goblins, ghouls, superheroes and princesses at this 11th annual event. Kids will enjoy going door to door as businesses in the neighborhood pass out candy and Halloween treats. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 621 W Fir St., 619.233.3898. littleitalysd.com
Balboa Park Halloween Family Day
Oct. 28. Kick off Halloween activities at Balboa Park, where over two dozen participating museums and cultural attractions will present free craft projects, spooky surprises, costume parades and contests. Families will enjoy food trucks, prize-drawing booths and a rooftop pumpkin drop. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Balboa Park. balboaparkconservancy.org
Black Pearl Haunted Mansion
Oct. 28. Have a frightfully fun time at this year’s Halloween Yacht Party. This 2.5 hour cruise aboard The California Spirit features an open bar, tray-passed appetizers, DJ music and three decks—each one playing different music. 10 p.m. boarding. $69-$99. 21+. 990 N. Harbor Drive. ticketvibe.com
Dead Sexy Halloween Weekend
Oct. 28. Dress up and head to the Gaslamp Quarter for endless Halloween festivities. Enjoy a live DJ, drink specials, food service and a costume contest to determine the dead-sexiest costume in the Gaslamp! 7 p.m.-close. UNION Kitchen & Tap, 333 Fifth Ave, 619.795.9463. gaslampunion.com
Halloween Freakshow
Oct. 28, 31. Ready to get freaky in Pacific Beach? Backyard Kitchen + Tap will offer Halloween shot specials, carnival games, performers and a costume contest (Oct. 31) with cash prizes to the Most Original Costume, Sexiest Costume and Best Group Theme. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. 832 Garnet Ave. 858.859.2593. backyardpb.com
Monster Bash
Oct. 28. Watch as the iconic Gaslamp Quarter transforms into a wicked underworld for over 15,000 people. The annual street party features live bands, a Bones and Booze bar crawl, DJs and a Halloween costume contest with a $5,000 cash prize. 6 p.m.-midnight. $55+. 21+. Gaslamp Quarter, downtown. sandiegomonsterbash.com
Stranger Things Party
Oct. 28. Kick of Hallo-weekend with a Stranger Things themed pre-party at the Lafayette Hotel. Activities include Darkwave Music, fortune tellers, Ouija boards, photo booths, raffles and prizes, a costume contest and drink specials. 7-10 p.m. $13. The Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., 619.296.2101. lafayettehotelsd.com
Tragic Kingdom
Oct. 28. The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will transform from swanky to scary for this year’s haunted fantasy-inspired bash. Guests can expect a spectacular lineup of entertainment plus five different themed venues on three levels of the hotel. 8 p.m. $40+. Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave, 619.702.3000. hardrockhotelsd.com
Paws on the Patio: Hyatt Hound’s 2nd Birthday Pawty
Oct. 29. Guests and locals alike can stop by Sally’s Fish House & Bar with their furry friends in celebration of “Hyatt,” the puppy that was found wandering the halls of Manchester Grand Hyatt two years ago. Guests will enjoy stunning Bayfront views, complimentary samples of dog-friendly craft beer, a canine costume contest and happy hour specials, including half-off appetizers. 1-4 p.m. 1 Market Place. sallyssandiego.com
Boomont Park
Through Oct. 29. For the fifth consecutive year, Belmont Park will transform into the frighteningly-fun Boomont Park. Family-friendly activities include zombie laser tag, superhero zip line, rock wall, trick or treating and an expanded pumpkin patch. Noon-8:30 p.m. Free. 3146 Mission Blvd. belmontpark.com
Halloween Dinner for Two
Oct. 30-31. Make Halloween a date night at Oceanaire with a three-course dinner for two. Entrees include the Grilled Salmon Fillet, Jumbo Shrimp Scampi and Pan-Roasted Chicken Chop. A delicious assortment of seasonal desserts is the perfect way to end the evening. $60 dinner for two. Oceanaire Seafood Room, 400 J St. theoceanaire.com
Halloween Night Pub Crawl
Oct. 31. Join this spooky pub crawl that includes free admission to more than half a dozen bars. Participating bars will offer great drink specials to help you get in the spirit. 2 p.m.-2 a.m. $10-$30. Taste & Thirst, 715 Fourth Ave. ticketvibe.com
The Haunted Hotel
Through Oct. 31. Named one of the top 13 haunted houses in America by Haunt World Magazine, the Gaslamp Quarter’s Haunted Hotel has plenty of frights for everyone. Plunge into chaos on the Hellevator, stroll down the dark, deadly zombie-infested alley, ride to insanity on the Clown Subway and make your way through the Hillbilly Swamp. $19. Visit website for schedule. 424 Market St. hauntedhotel.com
