Events

HauntFest 2025

Oct. 17. Head to downtown El Cajon on Friday for San Diego County’s largest free (and family-friendly) Halloween block party. Festivities include live music, costume contests with cash prizes, carnival rides, a haunted maze and candy trail, a “trunk-or-treat” with classic cars, a reptile petting zoo, an outdoor screening of Monsters University, face painting, food vendors, and even a sensory-friendly tent. The Magnolia will also host its popular Haunted Circus: Monsters at Play, with free shows at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. HauntFest runs 4-9 p.m. Downtown El Cajon. Details 

Mission Bayfest

Oct. 17-19. Live music by the bay makes for a perfect San Diego weekend. The reggae-centric Mission Bayfest will host a diverse lineup of musicians this year; headliners include Slightly Stoopid, 311 (pictured), Sublime, Steel Pulse, Rebelution and many more. Other perks: craft beer, cocktails, taco stands and food vendors. See website for schedule and ticket pricing. The festival is offering two levels of VIP tickets; Platinum VIP includes a hosted bar, exclusive backstage access, premier side-stage viewing, an exclusive lounge and more. 3119 Mariners Way, Mission Bay. bayfestsd.com

TwitchCon San Diego 

Oct. 17-19. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, TwitchCon—where the energy of live-streaming collides with gaming, fashion, music and more—takes place at the San Diego Convention Center. Highlights include the Opening Ceremony on Friday, featuring Twitch execs and your favorite streamers; the Block Party on Saturday, including a drone show by Angry Birds and exclusive music released by Trey Smith; and the Roblox Dress to Impress LIVE on Sunday. See website for full schedule and tickets. 111 Harbor Drive, downtown. twitchcon.com

“Howl-O-Sprint” Race at SeaWorld

Oct. 19. Infuse your Sunday morning with fright and fitness at Seaworld San Diego’s second annual “Howl-O-Sprint” 5K race. Walk or run your way through the park’s 3.1-mile course, which will be decked out in Halloween decorations, surprises, photo ops and spooky characters popping up along the way. The kiddos can join in, too, via the Kids Fun Run. All participants will receive an official race shirt and finisher medal. Costumes are encouraged (masks not permitted). See website to register. 7 a.m. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay. seaworld.com

Food + Drink

Bella Vita Fest in Little Italy

Oct. 18-19. Produced by ArtWalk San Diego, the Galbani Bella Vita Fest is a celebration of Italian Heritage Month. Peruse chalk art paintings on asphalt (an artform dating back to the 16th century) by local expert artists; along with an interactive Kids Chalk Zone; vino tastings from myriad Italian winemakers; Italian-themed live music, entertainment and merchants; and food available for purchase from local Italian eateries and vendors. Sa 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free general admission; see website to purchase wine-tasting tickets. India Street, Little Italy. bellavitafest.com

Bernardo Winery Arts & Crafts Fair

Oct. 18-19. Bernardo Winery (SoCal’s oldest operating winery) hosts its 48th annual Fall Arts & Crafts Fair. Shop for handcrafted works by 125-plus artisanal vendors: artwork, pottery, jewelry, clothing, homewares, garden items, soaps, local honey and more. Plus: wine bars sprinkled across the grounds; Italian food from the Kitchen restaurant; a food court with global fare; coffee from Manzanita Roasting Co.; and shopping at the winery’s village shops. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Family-friendly; free entry. 13330 Paseo del Verano, Rancho Bernardo. bernardowinery.com

Arts + Culture

Broadway San Diego: & Juliet

Through Oct. 19. “There’s life after Romeo.” Spoiler alert: this version of Shakespeare’s epic tale, Romeo & Juliet, comes with quite the plot twist: It’s a romantic comedy. Presented by Broadway San Diego at the Civic Theatre through Sunday, & Juliet is a hilarious musical that is essentially a “play within a play,” exploring what would happen if Juliet were to choose her own fate instead of dying for her beloved—interwoven with pop music hits and hip-hop choreography. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com

The Old Globe: Huzzah!

Closes Oct. 19. The Old Globe stages the world-premiere musical, Huzzah!, closing on Sunday. The comedy—with book, music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe, and directed by Annie Tippe—invites you to grab a turkey leg and cinch thy corset for “a midsummer night’s screamingly funny musical.” The story centers on two sisters, who stop fighting long enough to hire the greatest swordsman, in order to save their  father’s Renaissance Faire from financial ruin. See website for times and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org

The Old Globe: Small

Closes Oct. 19. Also closing on Sunday at The Old Globe, the West Coast premiere of Small. Hailed by The Wall Street Journal as “a gripping and vividly acted one-man show,” it’s an autobiographical tour de force written and performed by Robert Montano in the Globe’s 360-degree White Theatre. In it we meet “Bobby,” a Long Island kid bullied for his small stature, who goes on to become a successful horseracing jockey; and later, a performer on Broadway stages. Jessi D. Hill directs. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.23.5623. theoldglobe.org

Oceanside Museum of Art: Surf Art

Now On View. The Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) debuts a new exhibition, Surf Art: Exploring California’s Coastal Culture. Featuring 30-plus local artists and surfers, the collection captures the spirit of surfing, comprising works in the form of sculptures, murals and custom surfboards. (Pictured: Sean Mattison aka Von Sol Surfboards, “The Wings of Light,” 2025.) The exhibit runs through Feb. 1, 2026. See website for museum hours and admission info. 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720. oma-online.org

“& Juliet” by Matthew Murphy. “Huzzah!” by Jim Cox. “Small” by Rich Soublet II. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.