San Diego Halloween Events

From haunted houses to adorable trick-or-treaters to the hottest costume parties, we have 19 San Diego Halloween events you won’t want to miss.

HAUNTED HAPPENINGS
Haunted Hotel
Sept. 25-Nov. 1. This spooky maze—complete with ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other freaky frights—is not for the faint of heart. This year, make your way through the creepy doll island, and watch your step aboard the clown subway. (Closed M-Tu, except Oct. 26-27.) 424 Market Street, Gaslamp Quarter. 619.231.0131 hauntedhotel.com

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

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 ft.-long dragon, and giant 100 pound pumpkins. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, 760.747.8702. sdzsafaripark.org

Scream Zone
Through Nov. 1. Bring your nerves of steel to this eerie foursome of attractions. The Haunted Hayride, Chamber, Zombie Paintball Safari and House of Horror will scare you from all angles, both indoors and out. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. 858.755.1161. thescreamzone.com

Ghosts and Gravestones
Ongoing Thursdays-Saturdays. The spirits come alive on San Diego’s most notorious tour. Take a seat on the trolley as one of the gravedigger guides transports you back in time to witness the paranormal activity, ghostly sightings and mysteries that surround some of San Diego’s most haunted sites. Journey through Old Town, walking through El Campo Santo Cemetery and ending outside the Whaley House, both sites of many reported paranormal occurrences. Reservations required. 888.920.8687. ghostsandgravestones.com

Monster Manor
Oct. 10-31. Fridays and Saturdays this October, attendees will jump between vampires, a crazed butcher, a sinister clown and more,  in 13 rooms of the Monster Manor. 8235 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa, 858.222.4815. monstermanor.org

EVENTS
Spooktacular Halloween Family Day at Balboa Park
Oct. 31. Families visiting San Diego don’t have to misss out on this year’s Halloween festivities as the Balboa Park Halloween Family Day presents a full day of hair-raising fun. Participating Balboa Park museums and organizations will treat families to free admission for children 12 and under as well as present free hands-on activities, crafts, costume contests and flash mobs along the Prado walkway and in the plaza. 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.0512. balboapark.org
Brick-or-Treat Trail
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 30. Kids can safely trick-or-treat on Legoland California’s Brick-or-Treat trail. Little ones can stop at Lego-themed treat stations to collect candy, healthy snacks and a few surprises along the way. With the expanded Brick-or-Treat Trail, new Ghost Cruise, costume contests, dancing, and entertainment, it’s Halloween, Legoland-style. There’s spooky, kooky excitement 5-9 p.m. Legoland California, 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. 760.918.LEGO. california.legoland.com

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oct. 30, 31. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas comes to the big screen accompanied by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, is bored with things always being scary in Halloween Town. Then he stumbles on Christmas Town and sets out to bring the colorful new holiday to his hometown—by kidnapping Santa. Jacobs Music Center, Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown, purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org

Boomont Park
Weekends through Oct. 31. Back for its third year, Belmont Park transforms into family-friendly Halloween festivities including free trick-or-treating, Booming Manor Haunted House, zombie laser tag, the spooky coaster, pumpkin patch and painting, superhero zip line and rock wall and costume contests with prizes. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.228.9283. belmontpark.com

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
Through Nov. 1. Saturdays and Sundays, SeaWorld welcomes the whole family to pose with mermaids, trick-or-treat through the park, meet some spooky (and not-so-spooky) animals and enjoy new Halloween-themed shows. Through the month of October, kids are also free with admission of a paid adult. 500 SeaWorld Dr., Mission Bay, 800.257.4268. seaworldparks.com

Haunted Aquarium: Shipwrecked!
Oct. 23-24. Enjoy close encounters with Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientists at Birch Aquarium’s special after-hours events. Discover a sea of glowing beasts, get sticky with life, enjoy shipwrecked stories, music and more. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.7336. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Trick-or-Treating at Flower Hill Promenade
Oct. 31. For a Halloween bash for all ages, Flower Hill Promenade hosts its annual Trick-or-Treating event with treats and candy at every store. Parents can meander through Del Mar’s open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center collecting goodies of their own. Pink Soul boutique will even offer “Mommy Treat Bags.” 10 a.m.-6 p.m. , 2720 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.481.2904. flowerhill.com

PARTIES
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

The Masquerade Ball
Oct. 31. The Lafayette Hotel hosts the first ever Masquerade Ball at the historic property. Festivities include live acrobatic performances, fire eating and stilt walking by the Circus Mafia. Enjoy five areas of music, full bars, costume contests and VIP pool area access with wine tasting. General admission $75/pp, VIP $125/pp. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. The Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, 619.296.2101. lafayettehotelsd.com

Monster Bash
Oct. 31. The annual festive street party features live bands, DJs and a costume contest as one of the largest Halloween parties in California. 21+, 6 p.m.-midnight. Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. sandiegomonsterbash.com

Hard Rock Horror Story
Oct. 31. Head to the Hard Rock Hotel for three floors, five venues and 20+ DJs with the hotel’s biggest Halloween bash yet. Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave., San Diego. hardrockhotelsd.com

Haunted W
Oct. 31. For one of San Diego’s hottest haunts, head to the W Hotel and enjoy 10 of San Diego’s top spin artists in three separate rooms. Also enjoy a newly renovated patio and a cash bar. 421 West B St., downtown, 619.398.3100. thewsandiegohotel.com

San Diego Zombie Crawl
Oct. 31. Keep the party rolling through the downtown Gaslamp Quarter, starting at an opening party at Parq Restaurant & Nightclub. Then head to 25 participating Nightclubs, 13 of which offer welcome shots and devilish treats. Just watch out for Zombies. Parq Nightclub & Restaurant, 615 Broadway, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.944.8900. sandiegozombiecrawl.com