Events
Howl-O-Ween at Margaritaville Hotel
Oct. 29. Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter hosts a Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour at its rooftop 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Dress up your canine kiddos in their Halloween best for a Dog Costume Contest and Pup Parade, with the first place winner receiving a one-night stay at the hotel; and a Kahoots Gaslamp prize basket for second place. Plus: a special Yappy Menu with “Barktails” and “Bark Bites,” seasonal cocktails for their humans, photo ops with festive backdrops, and more. 4-6 p.m. 435 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.819.9500. Details
“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—featuring immersive entertainment, 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. Details
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. Details
Día de los Muertos Celebration in Chula Vista
Nov. 1. South Bay’s largest Día De Los Muertos celebration, this sixth-annual family event returns to downtown Chula Vista—which transforms 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; 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. Details
Komen San Diego MORE THAN PINK Walk
Nov. 1. Join thousands of survivors, family members, supporters and advocates for this 31st annual walk that raises funds and awareness for Komen’s Patient Care Center, breast cancer research, patient/family support and more. Wear pink! Event site opens at 6:30 a.m.; opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m.; walk begins at 8 a.m.; post-walk festivities begin at 9:45 a.m., including the crowd-favorite San Diego Mascot Dance-Off. See website for all details and to donate, register and/or volunteer. Corner of Sixth Avenue and El Prado, Balboa Park. Details
Food + Drink
Prohibition Week at Rustic Root Gaslamp
Oct. 29-31. Rustic Root downtown invites you back to the glamorous Roaring Twenties for three exclusive nights. The restaurant/bar morphs into a speakeasy with a secret entrance, blacked-out windows, vintage-glam decor, whiskey barrels and candelabras. Enjoy live jazz, full dinner service and Prohibition-era cocktails, including Manhattans and martinis. On Halloween, the speakeasy becomes a late-night Halloween party (9 p.m.). 1920s attire is encouraged. See website for tickets and dinner reservations. 535 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Details
“It’s Britney, Witch” at Barleymash
Oct. 31. Gaslamp bar and restaurant Barleymash presents a Halloween party inspired by the pop princess whose first name is all you need. Guests are invited to dress up with their favorite Britney looks from over the years—from her “Oops, I Did It Again” days to her unforgettable MTV Video Music Awards performance circa 2001. The Britney energy will be going strong all night, including her hit songs, giveaways and themed cocktails. See website for all details on Barleymash’s Halloween weekend festivities. 600 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Details
Día de Muertos at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Nov. 1. The official kickoff to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, Fairmont Grand Del Mar presents its inaugural Día de Muertos celebration. The immersive soiree at the resort’s alfresco Grand Social features tasting stations by top S.D. and Baja chefs, including Javier Plascencia, Roberto Alcocer, Drew Deckman and Esteban Lluis; plus music, cultural performances and more. The event honors chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen; plus live and silent auctions benefiting Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre. 6:30 p.m. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar. Details
San Diego Food + Wine Festival
Nov. 1-8. San Diego’s signature annual culinary extravaganza spotlights 150 Michelin– and James Beard-recognized chefs (including 70 chefs and traditional cooks from across Mexico), Food Network personalities, legendary winemakers, and well-known tastemakers. Signature events include Icons + Legends, Friday, Nov. 6, at JULEP Venue; the epic Grand Tasting, Saturday, Nov. 7, at Embarcadero Marina Park North; and the Grand Fiesta, Sunday, Nov. 8, also at Marina Park North, featuring the spirited Taco TKO, Baja wineries, spirits of Mexico, and live Latin music. Details
Arts + Culture
Broadway San Diego: The Outsiders
Upcoming | Nov. 3-8. After its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2023, The Outsiders went straight to Broadway, winning the 2024 Tony Award for “Best Musical.” Now the smash hit returns to the Civic Theatre on its North American tour. Based on the 1983 film by Francis Ford Coppola and 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton, the coming-of-age drama takes us back to Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967—reintroducing audiences to Johnny Cade, Ponyboy Curtis and their “outsiders” family. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
Photo credits: “Spellbound” at Estancia is by ELJ Photography / Renato Films. “The Outsiders” is by Matthew Murphy. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
