Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos with these Festive Happenings Across San Diego.
“Halloween Aglow” at Birch Aquarium
Oct. 25-26. Looking for some family-friendly Halloween fun? The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is hosting two evenings of festivities. The kiddos can trick-or-treat around the aquarium; get hands-on with an interactive bioluminescence experience (i.e., discover how movement causes bioluminescent plankton to glow at night); play games and dance to live music; and learn more about the interesting research happening at Scripps Oceanography. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged. (Hot tip: You get bonus points if your costume is ocean-themed!) 6-8:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474
San Diego Zombie Crawl
Oct. 25-26; Oct. 31; Nov. 1-2. Can you handle FIVE days of partying with the undead? Get ready for one hell of a bonanza (literally) that blends booze, ghouls and graveyards in the Gaslamp. This year’s San Diego Zombie Crawl is themed “Halloween meets Día de los Muertos.” The chaos kicks off at American Junkie and ends with “Freakish Finales Parties” at Parq Nightclub. Tickets include access to around 25 bars, clubs and restaurants, all within easy walking distance; hosted “welcome potions”; dining and drink discounts; and more. Tickets start at $40. 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
Adams Avenue Halloween HauntOct. 26. The Adams Avenue Business Association presents its inaugural Halloween Haunt. Festivities include a neighborhood walkabout, with trick-or-treating at 50-plus locations; and a costume contest for a chance to win cash prizes. Categories include “Best Family or Group Costume,” “Best Children’s Costume,” “Best Adult Costume” and “Best Pet Costume.” Participating businesses are divided into three map zones and include Blackmarket Bakery (on 30th Street), Whiskers & Wine, Blind Lady Alehouse, Mariposa Ice Cream, Lestat’s Coffee House, The Haven Pizzeria, and Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant. Noon-5 p.m. Along Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
“Nightmare on E Street” Pop-UpOct. 26. Be warned: “Nightmare on E Street, a Halloween Speakeasy” is not for the faint of heart or those who are afraid of the dark. The 85-minute “immersive horror movie experience like no other” pop-up unfolds in a creepy Gaslamp Quarter basement—filled with all your favorite horror movie characters (including iconic villains, monsters and creatures) roaming about, eerie dancing and photo ops, horror movie-themed board games, Halloween-themed cocktails and snacks, immersive soundscapes, and spooky decor. 6:30-11:45 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (21+). 919 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
Nightmare on Normal StreetOct. 26. Eat, drink and be scary with the return Hillcrest’s infamous Halloween block party and costume competition. Highlights include outposts serving beer, wine and cocktails; local food vendors; a special VIP area; live DJ music all night long; a massive outdoor dance floor; and some of the best people-watching you’ll find anywhere. The evening’s famed costume competition will offer $2,000 in prizes, complete with celebrity guest judges. There’s even a pet costume competition! 5-11 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. Pride Flag Plaza, 1500 University Ave., Hillcrest
“Art After Dark” at Oceanside Museum of ArtOct. 26. Back and better than ever, “Art After Dark” is a grand after-hours party hosted by the Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA). See the museum transformed into an ocean-inspired wonderland—in celebration of OMA’s coastal-themed PST.ART exhibition, Transformative Currents: Art and Action in the Pacific Ocean—for the region’s largest Halloween costume contest. Dream up your artsiest, most creative costume ever to work the catwalk in a runway show presenting your creation; plus live music, food and libations. 6-10 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720
“HalGLOWeen” at San Diego ZooThrough Oct. 27. The San Diego Zoo comes aglow at night, with the return of its Halloween-themed spectacular—running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. Enjoy plenty of interactive family fun—including “Boolahoops” with physical activities to get the kiddos moving; performances by the Skeleton Band; the Boo Crew scarecrow stilt-walkers; performances by acrobatic spider performer “The Spider’s W.E.B.” at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp; 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
Trick-or-Treat on India StreetOct. 27. The Little Italy Association promises a spooktacular time at Trick-or-Treat on India Street—during which Little Italy’s India Street will be closed for families and kiddos to safely stroll among local businesses to collect candy and treats. Start at the Piazza della Famiglia, whose 10,000-square-foot courtyard will be transformed into The Nightmare Before Christmas—complete with a 13-foot-tall Jack Skellington; Halloween decor, music and stacks of pumpkins; a Halloween-themed farmers market; and photo ops with Oogie Boogie and the Christmas Wreath Monster. 3:30-7:30 p.m. Along India Street, Little Italy
Halloween at Del Mar HighlandsOct. 31. Del Mar Highlands Town Center hosts a full day of family-friendly Halloween fun. Start the morning with a Hullabaloo singalong at the Pop Jet Fountain in the lower plaza (10 a.m.; costumes encouraged). Five pop-up Halloween experiences located throughout the center also await to be explored at your leisure, including Spidey’s Web Zone, The Enchanted Realm and The Creepy Corner. And then it’s trick-or-treat time, with 45 tenants (yes, 45!!) giving out candy to the kiddos (4-6 p.m.). Trick-or-treating is free but see website to reserve your spot for this very popular activity. 12925 El Camino Real, Del Mar Heights
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin PatchThrough Nov. 2. It’s the height of pumpkin season! 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. Free admission and parking. 3901 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont, 844.452.2567
Día de los Muertos Celebration in Chula Vista
Nov. 2. The largest Día De Los Muertos celebration in South Bay, this fourth-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 by Impalas Card Club SD; live music and dance performances; face painting; artisan retailers at the Mercado by Las Jefas Market; and food vendors. 3-8 p.m. Free entry. Downtown Chula Vista
Día de los Muertos Celebration in the Gaslamp
Nov. 2-3. The Gaslamp Quarter hosts a fun-filled, family-friendly weekend comprising its 14th annual Day of the Dead celebration. The ‘hood will transform into a bustling mercado filled with artisan vendors for this cultural community event; plus live music and entertainment, with headliner Grupo Marca Registrada performing on Sunday; margaritas and other libations; and dozens of dining options. Sa 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission is free; VIP tickets are also available (and required to get up close for Sunday’s main concert). Along Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park
Through Nov. 2. 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. Five words: zombie rodeo clowns wielding chainsaws. See website for hours, tickets and parking tips. Corner of Balboa Drive and Juniper, Balboa Park, 619.696.7227
Carlsbad Strawberry Co. Pumpkin Patch
Through Nov. 3. 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; and explore fields of marigolds and lavender. There’s even a separate haunted corn maze for teens and adults (see website for dates and times); plus festive fall treats and beverages. Open daily at 9 a.m. $15 general admission (ages 4 and under are free); $25 per person for haunted corn maze admission. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, 760.603.9608
“Howl-O-Scream” at SeaWorld
Through Nov. 2. Are you afraid of ghosts? SeaWorld San Diego invites you face your fears, as the park transforms into a haunted wonderland after sundown. This means multiple haunted houses; “scare zones” and “roaming haunts” (watch your back, literally!); live performances from sinister dancers and zombie DJs; creepy cocktails and treats; the all-new 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
“Mask-O-Raid IV” at Comic-Con Museum
Nov. 2. Promising “a scream of a good time,” this special costume party features raffle drawings to win oversized Funko protypes; a chance to meet Funko’s founder Mike Becker; an appearance by Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr; a costume contest (“dress to distress!”) with prizes for “Funniest,” “Scariest” and “Best in Show”; an art sale of one-of-a-kind pieces created by Comic-Con staff and other artists; spooky jams by DJ Chino; and bites and libations. Proceeds benefit Comic-Con Museum’s youth engagement programming. 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $130 per person. 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show at Cygnet Theatre
Through Nov. 2. Cygnet Theatre presents Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show at Old Town Theatre. Centered on naïve lovers Brad and Janet—who encounter a mad scientist while seeking shelter from a thunderstorm in an old castle—the cult-favorite musical is a satirical tribute to the 20th century’s science fiction and low-budget horror flicks. Directed by Sean Murray—based on the book and music by Richard O’Brien—the production features musical direction by Patrick Marion and choreography by Luke H. Jacobs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525
Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors at The Old Globe
Through Nov. 3. Get into the Halloween spirit at The Old Globe, which presents the West Coast premiere of Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors. It’s a comedic twist on Bram Stoker’s famed 1897 novel—written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen—in which vampire hunter Jean Van Helsing chases Count Dracula across the English countryside in a race to save his victims. Featuring special effects and creative staging, the production is likely to elicit blood-curdling screams… of laughter. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623
Photo credits: Opening skeleton photo by Marilyn Gold. “Halloween Aglow” at Birch Aquarium by Jordann Tomasek. Trick-or-Treat on India Street is courtesy of the Little Italy Association. Dracula / The Old Globe by Jim Cox. All other images are courtesy of the venues and events featured.
