Events
Del Mar Racetrack Fall Season & Breeders’ Cup
Oct. 30; Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Del Mar Racetrack’s 2025 Bing Crosby Season kicks off with Opening Day on Thursday; it’s the second leg of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s dual racing season, running through Nov. 30. Season highlights include the Breeders’ Cup World Championship this Friday and Saturday; Seniors’ Day every Friday (beginning Nov. 7); “Wine Down” Fridays; “Taste of the Turf Club” every Sunday (beginning Nov. 9); “Free & Fun” days; and more. See website for all details, events and tickets. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. dmtc.com
Adams Avenue Halloween Haunt
Oct. 31. The Adams Avenue Business Association presents its second annual Halloween Haunt. It’s a neighborhood walkabout, with trick-or-treating at 40-plus locations; and a costume contest with 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. Details
Nightmare on Normal Street
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; 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. Details
“Titanic Masquerade” Yacht Party
Oct. 31. Dress in your mysterious best and spend Halloween aboard the $10 million “Inspiration” mega yacht. The 12th annual Pier Pressure Titanic Masquerade & Costume Party includes entertainment across the 1,200-person-capacity vessel’s three decks and two areas of music—featuring DJs like Angie Vee and Lezlee. Guests can take advantage of fully stocked and staffed bars (with bottle service and VIP packages available); while dancing and cruising along San Diego Bay. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1800 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. Details
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. 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 colorful dance performances; face painting; artisan vendors and Mercado by Las Jefas Market; food stations; and more. 3-8 p.m. Free entry. Downtown Chula Vista. More Info
Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk
Nov. 2. Join thousands of survivors, family members, supporters and advocates for this 30th 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 9:30 a.m.; and the crowd-favorite San Diego Mascot Dance-Off begins at 10:15 a.m. See website for all details and to donate, register and/or volunteer. Corner of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street, Balboa Park. Details
Food + Drink
Pepino Grand Opening
Nov. 2. Chef Sebastian Becerra debuts a new Peruvian-inspired eatery/cafe and bakeshop, Pepino, celebrating its official grand opening on Sunday in La Jolla’s Sycamore Court. Serving seasonally driven Peruvian fare for breakfast and lunch, bread and baked goods sourced from Sadie Rose Bakery, and Talitha Coffee—amid warm, coastal-inspired decor—Pepino will host a live DJ set by Adam Salter (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), along with treats and merch, for its grand opening. Regular hours are Th-M 8 a.m.-4 p.m. See website for more details. 7556 Fay Ave., La Jolla. pepinosd.com
San Diego Food + Wine Festival
Nov. 2-9. Marking its 21st anniversary, the festival brings together Michelin chefs, James Beard Award winners, national food celebs and Baja culinary talents for events and activations countywide; along with the region’s premier wineries, breweries and distillers. Popular events like the Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night & Grand Decant (Nov. 7), the Grand Tasting at Embarcadero Marina Park North (Nov. 8), and Grand Fiesta at Liberty Station’s Ingram Plaza (Nov. 9) return this year; along with the debut of Forkcast: The Future of Food Summit. More Info
10-Year Anniversary at The Crack Shack
Through Nov. 30. In celebration of its milestone 10th anniversary, the flagship Little Italy outpost of The Crack Shack—first opened in November 2015—is offering anniversary specials, limited-edition merchandise, discounted specialty cocktails and more. Stop by the open-air “shack that started it all” and enjoy those famous deviled eggs and a $10 birthday cocktail; purchase a custom anniversary pint glass (and get $5 beers all month); and score more discounts on The Flock app. Open daily at 10 a.m. 2266 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. crackshack.com
Arts + Culture
San Diego Opera: Pagliacci
Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Launching its 61st year of operatic excellence this fall, San Diego Opera opens its season with Ruggero Leoncavallo’s riveting Pagliacci at San Diego Civic Theatre. The classically dark tale of jealousy, betrayal and violence follows a traveling theatrical troupe in which short-tempered Canio—costumed as a clown for his stage role—suspects another member of the troupe is having an affair with his wife; while another actor is also in love with her. Tragedy ensues… See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. sdopera.org
Pepino by Chris Tran. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
