San Diego Halloween Events
Who says Halloween has to last only one day? Those costumes are too cute to wear only once. Here are some of the fun events happening throughout San Diego to celebrate Halloween and the fall season, although it still feels like summer here!
Legoland California Resort’s Brick-or-Treat
(Weekends in October) – Two trick-or-treat trails, a giant Lego pumpkin, themed décor, and much more.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Halloween Spooktacular
(Weekends in October) – Silly and spooky shows like the Pirates 4D movie experience and The Search for Captain Lucky’s Treasure walk-through adventure. Trick or treat alongside SeaWorld characters.
Scream Zone Del Mar
(October 17-21, October 24-31 7 pm until midnight) The best San Diego Halloween adventure awaits you at the Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Tickets $14.99 for one scary adventure, $27.99 for all three – Haunted Hayride, House of Horror, and The Chamber. Recommended for teens and above.
The Haunted Hotel
(September 29 through October 31st) – Gaslamp Quarter at 424 Market Street. NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10 OR THOSE EASILY FRIGHTENED. Buy tickets online to avoid waiting in line. Tickets cost $17 Friday and Saturday, $15 other nights.
Bates Nut Farm
(September 29 through October 31st) – Over 40-year tradition. Pumpkin patch, picnic, farm zoo, straw maze, and hayrides. One of the great San Diego Halloween events. All ages. Open daily 9am-5pm
Balboa Park Halloween Family Day
(Saturday, October 27) – Children under 12 will be treated to free admission to over a dozen museums. There will be a doggie costume parade and contest at the Lily Pond, a Great Pumpkin parachute drop at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, and activities that explore legendary local ghosts at the San Diego History Center.
Halloween Carnival
(Friday, October 26th 4:30-6:30 at Mira Mesa Recreation Center) – Even with the absence of Monster Manor this year, Halloween fun (not scary) can be had as Mira Mesa Theatre Guild joins the Mira Mesa Halloween Carnival. Children can enjoy carnival-style games, trick-or-treat, a costume contests for ages 11 and under, face painting, and more.
Haunted Birch Aquarium: Shipwrecked!
(October 26 & 27 6-9pm) Live music, games, storytimes, walk through a “whale fall”, create slime in “deep-sea” slime lab, collect tricky treats, costume raffle. Members $15, Public $17, Door (all) $19, Free for children 2 and under.
Carmel Mountain Plaza
(October 31st 3-5pm) – Trick-or-Treating throughout the center at participating stores. Halloween fun, balloons, and live music featuring 80’z All-Stars (2:30-5:30 in front of Barnes & Noble). Register near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Reading Cinemas and receive a free treat bag, while supplies last. Give a treat too – bring a can of food to support the San Diego Food Bank.
Spooktacular 10k/5k Run-Walk
(October 27th at 8:00am – subject to change) Lake Murray. Register online by October 25th at midnight. USATF certified map. Scenic gentle rolling, paved course. Get your freaky fitness on. Fun for the whole family.
And for those who don’t mind the drive……
Disneyland Resort’s Halloween Time
(September 14 through October 31) – Experience the year-round favorites like Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and Tower of Terror at Disney’s California Adventure as well as seasonal treats like Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy.
Knott’s Berry Farm’s Snoopy’s Costume Party (Weekends in October) – Non-scary daytime event offers shows, activities, and trick-or-treating geared for kids ages 3-11. Costumes are allowed.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights
(until October 31st, select nights) (Ticket purchase required, not included in regular park admission) – Costumes not allowed, Not recommended for kids under 13. Navigate through hundreds of haunted mazes and scare zones, and take a ride on the Terror Tram, which drops guests off on some of the scariest sets on the Universal backlot.
