Find the best things to do in San Diego this October 2016
28 Things to do in San Diego this October 2015
From fashion, film and aerial acrobatics, to Halloween and Oktoberfest celebrations, its a lively month in America’s Finest City. Check out our roundup of 28 things to do in San Diego this October that you don’t want to miss.
Kids Free in October
Oct. 1-31. The San Diego Museum Council hosts Kids Free in October where children ages 12 and under can explore over 40 museums in San Diego, including most of the Balboa Park favorites, USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium, The New Children’s Museum and many more. Various locations. 619.276.0101. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org
Haunted Trail
Through Nov. 1. 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. Balboa Park, San Diego, 619.696.7227. hauntedtrail.net
San Diego Film Festival
Through Oct. 4. The film festival showcases more than 100 independent feature films, documentaries and shorts from around the world. Also enjoy filmmaker meet-and-greets, industry panels, film premieres, celebrity appearances and exclusive VIP events. Various locations, sdfilmfest.com
Fashion Week San Diego
Oct. 1-4. Showcasing local and national designers, this fashion-forward event features art and beauty forums, after parties, runway shows, a trunk show, awards ceremony and live entertainment. La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, fashionweeksd.com
MCAS Miramar Air Show
Oct. 2-4. Enjoy flight performances, parachute demonstrations, aerial acrobatics and more by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Golden Knights, Leap Frogs, and others. Miramar Way, Miramar Mesa, 858.577.6000. miramarairshow.com
Oktoberfest La Mesa
Oct. 2-4. Be one of 200,000 expected revelers at the annual celebration—the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi. Expect more than 300 vendors, beer gardens, food courts and a kiddie carnival that fill 10 city blocks. La Mesa Blvd., between Acacia and Fourth avenues, 619.465.7700. lamesachamber.net
Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns
Oct. 2-25. Fridays through Sundays, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park lights up the night with more than 5,000 hand-carved illuminated jack-o-‘lanterns created by professional artists and sculptors. Animal lovers will enjoy larger-than-life animal themes, a 50-foot-long dragon, and giant 100 pound pumpkins. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, 760.747.8702. sdzsafaripark.org
Maker Faire San Diego
Oct. 3-4. Balboa Park hosts the Maker Faire San Diego, a celebration of arts, crafts, technology, food, music, science and projects with the Do-it-Yourself mindset. Balboa Park. sdmakerfaire.org
Pacific Beachfest
Oct. 3. Enjoy volleyball and surf contests, live music, beer garden,local shopping the kids action alley and the best of the beach fish taco contest at the 18th annual event. Pacific Beach. pacificbeachfest.org
Carlsbad Oktoberfest
Oct. 3. San Diego’s longest running Oktoberfest celebration continues with fine craft and domestic beers, authentic German meals, costume contests, music and more. Holiday Park, Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad. rotaryoktoberfest.org
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Oct. 9-10. Live bands, bratwurst-eating and stein-holding contests, a sausage toss and more take over Ocean Beach’s Newport Ave. Ocean Beach, 619.224.4906. oceanbeachsandiego.com
CRSSD Festival
Oct. 10-11. The two-day electronic music festival returns to the San Diego Waterfront Park featuring three stages and more than 36 performers. Also enjoy craft beer, mixed drinks, food and more. 1600 Pacific Hwy., San Diego Marina, crssdfest.com
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Oct. 10-11. View works by 150 artists, while you enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, gourmet market-place and beer and wine garden. The annual juried art show benefits arts and physical education programs at local schools. Girard Ave., between Prospect Ave. and Torrey Pines St., La Jolla, ljawf.com
Little Italy Festa
Oct. 11. Celebrate Italian heritage and cuisine at the largest Italian-American festival on the West Coast. Festivities include cooking demos, three stages of live entertainment, a Kids Fun Zone and more. India St., between Ash and Grape streets, Little Italy, 619.615.1092. littleitalysd.com
Taste of North Park
Oct. 17. Stroll though the trendy boutiques and galleries of downtown North Park and taste the best of the neighborhood while shopping. Enjoy food from over 30 of North Park’s finest restaurants and beer from 10 local craft breweries from served in participating storefronts. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.Various locations, North Park, tastenorthpark.com
Stone Pour it Black
Oct. 18. Stone Brewery’s Stone Pour It Black beer festival features more than 100 of the deepest, darkest brews gathered locally and internationally. Sip 15 3-ounce tasters with over 100 beers to choose from and a commemorative glass. $49/pp. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, 1999 Citracado Pkwy., Escondido, 760.294.7899. brownpapertickets.com
Children’s Discovery Museum Fall Family Festival
Oct. 25. Offering fun for the entire family, the Children’s Discovery Museum hosts the 5th annual Fall Family Festival with pumpkin carving, street fair and food vendors, live music, petting zoo and more. 320 North Broadway, Escondido, sdcdm.org
Chef Showdown
Oct. 29. Attendees get up close and personal with 10 of San Diego’s top chefs and mixologists at the 11th annual Chef Showdown as they battle to create five over-the-top culinary creations with exquisitely paired cocktails. Tickets include free-flowing cocktails, food from over 20 participating restaurants and more. 5:30-9 p.m. The Port Pavilion at Broadway Pier, 1000 North Harbor Dr., ccssd.ejoinme.org
Del Mar Racing
Oct. 29-Nov. 29. The fall “Bing Meet” features thoroughbred racing four days a week (Thurs-Sun). Post time is 12:30 p.m. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
Hallo-wine and Spirits Party at Hotel del Coronado
Oct. 30. San Diego’s famous haunted hotel presents the 6th annual Hallo-wine & Spirits Party with costumes, spooky surroundings, great eats, wines and dancing. Keep an eye out for the resident ghost, Kate Morgan. Dinner reception begins at 7 p.m. and the dance party goes from 9 p.m.-12 a.m. $150/pp. Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.8490. hoteldel.com
Monster Bash
Oct. 31. The annual festive street party features live bands, DJs and a costume contest. Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. sandiegomonsterbash.com
THEATER
My Mañana Comes
Oct. 1-25. Four busboys working in a New York restaurant struggle to make ends meet in this humorous and haunting story about sacrifice and survival in pursuit of the American Dream. San Diego Rep, Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000. sdrep.org
The Phantom of the Opera
Oct. 7-18. Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical has been hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before,” featuring new special effects, scenic and lighting designs and staging and choreography. 1100 Third St., downtown, 619.564.3000. broadwaysd.com
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Oct. 9-Nov. 15. Based on L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, this new adaptation illuminates the book’s darker corners and brings to light its romance, humor and adventure with a thrilling new score. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.437.6000. lambsplayers.org
Chapatti
Oct. 21-Nov. 15. Two lonely animal-lovers in Dublin cross paths and develop an unexpected spark in this heartwarming second-chance romantic comedy. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
Shaping Sound
Oct. 22. Enjoy a mash-up of dance styles and musical genres brought to life on stage by a company of contemporary dancers who rose to fame on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800.988.4253. artcenter.org
MOMIX: Alchemia
Oct. 24. MOMIX, the inventive company of dancer-illusionists, will present Alchemia, a multimedia spectacle exploring themes of invention, beauty, sensuality and humor. California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800.988.4253. artcenter.org
The California Ballet Performs The Great Gatsby
Oct. 23-25. Return to the splendor of the Jazz Age and the frivolity of the Roaring Twenties as Septime Webre’s choreography tells the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous tale, The Great Gatsby. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
