Celebrate Halloween 2026 with these Fun Festivities Across San Diego
San Diego Zombie Crawl
Oct. 29-31. Can you handle three days of partying with the undead? San Diego Zombie Crawl is the city’s premier Halloween-themed club and bar hop, blending booze, ghouls and graveyards in the Gaslamp. The chaos kicks off with an Opening Party at American Junkie; and ends with “Freakish Finale Parties” at popular nightclubs. Tickets include access to 25 bars, clubs and restaurants, all within walking distance; 10 welcome shots; dining and drink discounts; and more. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. See website for ticket pricing. 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
“HalGLOWeen” at San Diego Zoo
Oct. 30-31. San Diego Zoo comes aglow at night with its Halloween-themed spectacular. Enjoy plenty of interactive family fun—including “Boolahoops” with physical activities to get the kiddos moving; performances by the Spooky Revue; the Día de los Muertos Mariachi; performances by acrobatic spider performer “The Spider’s W.E.B.” at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp; The Skeleton Band (pictured); the eerily glowing “Python Path” through the Reptile House; and much more. Festivities start at 5 p.m. See website for admission info. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.231.1515
“Spellbound” at Estancia La Jolla Hotel
Oct. 30. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa hosts its annual Halloween party, “Spellbound: An Evening of Moonlight & Magic.” Dress in your best witch’s attire for this spirited, Practical Magic-inspired soiree beneath the moon—filled with immersive entertainment (including a few surprises), seasonal fare, magical potions, bubbling beverages and botanical-alchemy cocktails. Festivities begin at the hotel’s enchanting outdoor gardens; then continue with the Witching Hour Party with live DJ music and drinks until midnight. 6 p.m. $95 per person (21+). 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park
Through Oct. 31. Belmont Park’s celebration of all things autumn, the annual Beachside Fall Fest, offers something fun for everyone. Offerings include seasonal treats like caramel apples from Sweet Shoppe, s’mores churros from Snackin’ Kraken, and Bananas Foster Funnel Cake from Belmonty’s; face painting and glitter tattoos; live music and pumpkin jams; free trick-or-treating on Halloween (Sunday, 5 p.m.; costumes encouraged); and, of course, enjoying Belmont Park’s iconic rides and attractions. Open daily (see website for hours). Free general admission. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
“A Haunting in Venice” Gondola Cruises
Through Oct. 31. Known for its romantic tours through the Coronado Cays, The Gondola Company is adding a fun twist for Halloween, offering tours by masked, caped phantom gondoliers, inspired by the film A Haunting in Venice. Add to the fun with a Black Rose Boo-quet, select beverages and chocolates, available for separate purchase. Or make a party out of it and book The Haunting Caorlina Cruise, accommodating up to 13 passengers on a single gondola. See website for pricing. 503 Grand Caribe Causeway, Suite C, Coronado, 619.429.6317
“Howl-O-Scream” at SeaWorld
Through Oct. 31. Are you afraid of ghosts? SeaWorld San Diego invites you face your fears, as the park transforms into a haunted wonderland after sundown. The city’s largest nighttime Halloween experience includes all-new “scare zones” and “angry haunts;” live performances from sinister dancers and zombie DJs; six themed bars and five speakeasies; the Monster Stomp rock and rhythm spectacular; and a chance to ride SeaWorld’s most thrilling coasters and attractions after dark. “Howl-O-Scream” is a separately ticketed nighttime event; see website for pricing and admission info. 500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732
Lost Temple Tavern at Margaritaville Hotel
Through Oct. 31. Celebrate spooky season at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego, which presents its Lost Temple Tavern pop-up experience at LandShark Bar & Grill. Step inside this “haunted jungle” hideaway, complete with shipwrecked skeletons and skulls, overgrown decor, photo ops, and Halloween-themed tropical drinks with fun names. Sip on libations such as The Black Bat with black agave, Lost Soul Punch, Rigor Mortis, and the Bloody Ghost Skull Shot. Costumes encouraged. See website for hours and more details. 435 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
Mission Bay Halloween Party Cruise
Oct. 31. Bahia Belle Cruises presents a Día de los Muertos-themed cruise along Mission Bay on Halloween. Guests are invited to “dress to impress” and hop aboard the William D. Evans sternwheeler for an evening of dancing to spooky tunes; a cash bar with Muertos Margaritas, other themed libations and snacks; and a photo booth. There’s even a pre-party (6:30-8:30 p.m.) at Bahia Resort Hotel’s Beach and Boat Club, serving festive food and drinks. Cruise runs 9 p.m.-midnight. $50 per person. 998 W. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Through Oct. 31. Pick your preferred pumpkin patch experience with a variety of offerings at Mr. Jack O’Lanterns. Visitors can pick out their perfect pumpkin and partake in family-friendly activities and games, including a bounce house, haunted house, “boosketball,” mini Putt-Putt, pumpkin bowling and candy corn hole; as well as shop for Halloween costumes and decorations such as hay bales and corn stalks; along with pumpkin-carving kits and decorating kits available for purchase. Open daily. See website for hours. 3901 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont, 844.452.2567
Día de los Muertos Celebration in Chula Vista
Nov. 1. The largest Día De Los Muertos celebration in South Bay, this sixth annual, family-friendly event returns to downtown Chula Vista—which will be transformed into a place to honor deceased ancestors and welcome their return as memories. Festivities include an altar-building contest, with three categories and cash prizes; a Catrín/Catrina ensemble competition; myriad themed photo opportunities; a car show; live music and dance performances; face painting; artisan vendors and Mercado by Las Jefas Market; and food vendors. 3-7:30 p.m. Free entry. Downtown Chula Vista
The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park
Through Nov. 1. Test your fears of the dark and unknown by experiencing two “haunts” at one location. The 3,500-square-foot eXperiment Maze turns your cherished childhood fairytales into adulthood “scarytales.” (You’ll never think of Pinocchio in the same way again!) And The Haunted Trail—named by CNN as one of the “Top 5 Best Haunted Attractions in America”—takes you on a mile-long path of terror through twisted pines, oaks and unpleasant surprises. See website for hours, tickets and parking tips. Corner of Balboa Drive and Juniper, Balboa Park, 619.696.7227
Pumpkin Patch at Carlsbad Strawberry Co.
Through Nov. 8 This family farm’s fall wonderland is fun for all ages. After picking your perfect gourd from the ample pumpkin patch, wander through an enchanting corn maze; take a tractor ride; meet Shetland sheep and Nubian goats; explore fields of marigolds; and even race a tricycle. There’s also a haunted corn maze for teens and adults (select dates); the Jurassic Fright and Fantasy Fright experiences; the Hollandia Chocolate Milk Saloon; and more. Open daily at 9 a.m. $20 general admission M-Th; $25 F-Su. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, 760.603.9608
Photo credits: “Spellbound” is by ELJ Photography / Renato Films. All other images are courtesy of the venues and events featured.
