Celebrate Halloween 2025 with these Festive Happenings Across San Diego
“Halloween Aglow” at Birch Aquarium
Oct. 24-25. 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; watch scuba divers transform the aquarium into an underwater pumpkin patch; 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. 24-25; Oct. 30-31; Nov. 1. 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. San Diego Zombie Crawl is the city’s premier Halloween club and bar hop and Día de los Muertos (Nov. 1) celebration. The chaos kicks off at American Junkie and ends with finales at Parq, Vin de Syrah and Bang SD. 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. Tickets start at $39. 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
“A Haunting in Venice” Gondola Cruises
Oct. 26-31. 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 and Halloween-themed libations such as Blood on the Vine – A Cabernet Tale. Or make a party out of it and book The Haunting Caorlina Cruise, accommodating up to 14 guests on a single gondola. See website for pricing. 503 Grand Caribe Causeway, Suite C, Coronado, 619.429.6317
Trick-or-Treat on India Street
Oct. 26. Get ready for 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 courtyard will be transformed into The Nightmare before Christmas—complete with a 13-foot-tall Jack Skellington; Halloween decor, music and stacks of pumpkins; shopping for “ghoulish goodies” among local vendors; and a costume contest hosted by Shake Shack Little Italy. 3:30-7:30 p.m. Along India Street, Little Italy
Oct. 31. The Adams Avenue Business Association presents its second annual Halloween Haunt. Festivities include a neighborhood walkabout, with trick-or-treating at 40-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,” “Best Pet Costume” and “Empty Heading.” Participating businesses include Tajima Ramen, The Rabbit Hole, Blind Lady Alehouse, Mission Brewing, Parabola Coffee, Coco & Jules Cookies and Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant. 3-6 p.m. Along Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
Oct. 31. 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 trucks; live DJ music all night long; a massive outdoor all-ages dance floor; and some of the best people-watching you’ll find anywhere. The evening’s famed costume competition will offer more than $1,000 in prizes, complete with celebrity guest judges. 5-11 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1601 University Ave. (between Herbert and Centre streets), Hillcrest
Through Oct. 31. 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 Spooky Revue; 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
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. Free admission and parking. 3901 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont, 844.452.2567
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
Through Nov. 1. 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 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
Día de los Muertos Celebration in Chula Vista
Nov. 1. The largest Día De Los Muertos celebration in South Bay, this fifth 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. 3-8 p.m. Free entry. Downtown Chula Vista
Pumpkin Patch at Carlsbad Strawberry Co.
Open Daily. 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; bouncing fun at Bounceland; and the new Jurassic Fright experience; plus fall treats and beverages. Open daily at 9 a.m. $15 general admission (ages 3 and under free). 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, 760.603.9608
Photo credits: “Halloween Aglow” at Birch Aquarium by Jordann Tomasek. Trick-or-Treat on India Street is courtesy of the Little Italy Association. All other images are courtesy of the venues and events featured.
