Your guide to the spookiest season: Where to find fun and frights in San Diego

Local nonprofits, governments and businesses host Halloween- and fall-themed events to help San Diegans get into the spooky spirit.

Written by Sam Barney-Gibbs, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp

Ready to get the most out of the spookiest season in San Diego?

Family farms, local businesses and nonprofit organizations are hosting events throughout the fall season to celebrate autumnal vibes and Halloween spirit, from the beachy shores all the way to the inland cropland. 

Ghouls, goblins and ghosts can gather at these happenings across the county to be in community with like-minded people, enjoy sweet treats and maybe even experience a welcomed trick.

Multiple Days

Beachside Fall Fest: Belmont Park is offering Sunday trick-or-treating, discounted rates for families and children, various crafty activities, themed food, retro displays, live music and amusement park rides. Tickets can be bought online. Sept. 6 to Oct. 26, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109

Bates Nut Farm: Families are welcomed to the farm’s pumpkin patch, featuring crafts, a mechanical bull, live music, food for purchase, categorized costume contests, hayrides, a maze, a petting zoo and more attractions. The space is dog-friendly and free, though some dates have a $10 parking fee. Sept. 18 to Oct. 31, 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

Carlsbad Strawberry Company: The fields are hosting multiple events throughout the season, including Halloween movie nights, fall-themed book readings, a haunted corn maze, classic pumpkin patch, marigold picking, meet and greets with San Diego Gulls players, food trucks and merchandise vendors. Sept. 20 to Nov. 3, 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Oma’s Family Farm: The farm offers a haymaze, petting zoo, hayride, games, and pumpkin-themed treats and products for all ages. Children under 2 are free. Tickets and reservations available online. Sept. 27 to Nov. 1, 14950 El Monte Road, Lakeside, CA 92040

Julian Autumn Jubilee: Julian is celebrating its famous apple season with hayrides, cider pressing, a reptile show, a hoedown, a petting zoo, crafts, archery, treasure hunts, a pumpkin patch, mazes and merchandise for sale. Tickets available online. Oct. 18-26, 4425 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

Pumpkin Polar Palooza: This local, family-owned organization is providing activities like a petting zoo, mechanical bull, carnival games, wagon hay rides, movie nights and a funzone with inflatable bouncy houses, slides and an obstacle course. Oct. 3-26, 1200 Laurel Tree Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92011

Goff Family Pumpkin Patch: Handmade pizza vendors and a tap truck will be set up in the patch, which is also accepting reservations for private events this spooky season. General admission to the patch is free, but private party prices vary. Sept. 19 to Oct. 31, 2830 Perry Road, San Diego, CA 92106

Oct. 23

Encanto Thriller Thursday: San Diego Parks and Recreation is hosting a Halloween-themed event featuring a game truck, live DJ, haunted maze, pumpkin decorating and costume contests. 5 - 8 p.m., 6508 Wunderlin Ave., San Diego, CA 92114

Oct. 24

Fall Carnival & Spooky Movie Night: San Diego Parks and Recreation will show a movie and provide sweets and activities to celebrate the fall season at the City Heights Recreation Center and Mid-CityGymnasium. Costumes are welcome. 4:30 - 9 p.m., 4380 Landis St. and 4302 Landis St., San Diego, CA 92105

Bikes Del Pueblo Spooky Crawl: Bikes del Pueblo and cycling allies in San Diego invite people to bike crawl across the city, starting at the Bea Evenson Fountain in Balboa Park and ending at Golden Hill Park. Costumes are encouraged. 7 p.m., 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Sapphic Spaces Costume Dance Party: For the first event of the Sapphic Spaces series, there will be a costume dance party at the San Diego Made Factory. Activities include a DJ set, mocktails, tarot readings, photo booth, crafts and games. There will also be a sensory area for alternative activities. Tickets start at $13. 8 - 11 p.m., 2031 Commercial St., San Diego, CA, 92113

Carmel Mountain Fall Carnival: San Diego Parks and Recreation is hosting a carnival inside the gymnasium at Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Recreation Center featuring family-friendly carnival games, jumper bounce house, music, and arts and crafts. The event is free. 4 - 6 p.m., 10152 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

Paradise Hills Spooky Night: San Diego Parks and Recreation invites San Diegans to play games, listen to music, wander a haunted maze and enter costume contests for different age groups. The event is free. 4 - 7 p.m., 2555 Dusk Dr., San Diego, CA 92139

San Carlos Halloween Fest: San Diegans can play carnival games, listen to music, jump in a bounce house, trunk-or-treat and enter costume contests for different age groups. The event is free. 5 - 7 p.m., 6445 Lake Badin Ave., San Diego, CA 92119

‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Live-To-Film: The San Diego Symphony Orchestra will play music from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as the film is played. The film is rated PG. Tickets start at $47. Parking is pre-paid. 7:30 p.m., 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

Oct. 25

‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Live-To-Film: The San Diego Symphony Orchestra will play music from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as the film is played. The film is rated PG. Tickets start at $47. Parking is pre-paid. 7:30 p.m., 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

Ocean Beach People’s Halloween Party: Trees of Dreams will headline for a party featuring pumpkin painting, a bounce house, costume contest and free goodie bags. Noon - 3 p.m., 4765 Voltaire St. San Diego, CA 92107

CinKune Noche Latina: The Italian-Japanese restaurant is hosting an event with cumbia, drinks, a costume contest and DJ set by Bailando Sin Ceasar. 9 p.m. - midnight, 3025 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Belching Beaver Halloween Party: The brewery is celebrating its 13th year anniversary with a Halloween-themed party featuring three prize-winning games, costume contests, DJ sets by Strikeout, and food from Tacos Grano de Oro and Drippin Kitchen. RSVP online. Noon - 4 p.m., 1334 Rocky Point Dr. Oceanside, CA 92056

Meadow Harvest Party: The final day of Helena Westra’s “Lying Fallow” art installation at the Athenaeum Art Center will feature an art activation and creative celebration. Participants can use pieces of golden meadow grass from the installation to create new works. The event is free and family friendly. 2 - 7 p.m., 1955 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113

TransFamily Support Services Boo Bash: This party is designed as an inclusive Halloween-themed space for LGBTQ+ youth, families and allies. The event will feature snacks, drinks, food vendors, games, arts and crafts, costume contests and family-friendly drag performances. RSVP online. The event is free. 2 - 5 p.m., 3845 Spring Drive, Spring Valley, CA

‘Rocky Horror’ Screening and Show: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” the original ‘Columbia,’ played by Nell Campbell, will join the Happy to be Here Club for a live shadowcast performance and screening of the cult classic film. Tickets start at $59 online. 8 p.m., 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

Oct. 26

CinKuni Pumpkin Party: Wild Creative and Free is hosting a night of drinks and succulent pumpkin crafting. Tickets are available online starting at $45. 3025 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Little Italy Trick-or-Treat: Select businesses on India Street will hand out candy for trick-or-treaters, as local vendors sell food and other products. The Piazza della Famiglia will be decorated like the film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and Shake Shack Little Italy is hosting a costume contest with prizes. India Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Girls Who Walk Halloween Walk: The San Diego Girls Who Walk organization invites women looking to make new friends to a walk at Liberty Station, donning Halloween festive paraphernalia. 2757 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA 92106

Happy Girl Club Pumpkin Patch Meet: The women’s social meetup group will offer coffee, mingling, a scavenger hunt and viewing of the fall parade. Dogs and children are welcome. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

South Park Trick-or-Treat: The South Park business community will provide tarot readings, magic shows, live music and photo opportunities. Businesses will fill a South Park-themed tote bag for $18. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Check-in at South Bark Dog Wash (2037 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104) or Wicked Fit (1504 30th St., San Diego, CA 92102)

Oct. 28

CinKuni Sip & Paint: Art by Suchi is hosting a night of wine and painting fall-themed pieces, for people of all artistic levels. Tickets are available online starting at $39. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., 3025 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Oct. 29

Halloween Salsa & Bachata Dance Party: The New Village Arts Center is organizing a night full of Latin dance, starting with a 45-minute beginners lesson. Tickets are $10 online or at the door. 6:30 p.m., 2787 State St., Carlsbad, CA 92008

Oct. 30

LAMBDA ‘Rocky Horror’ Screening: LAMBDA archives, a community archive organization, will host a sober fundraiser that features a viewing of cult-classic film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Dressing up as a character from the movie is encouraged. 6 p.m., 4040 Goldfinch St., San Diego, CA 92103

Trunk or Treat: Voting Edition: The San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council invites families to trick-or-treat out of trunks of cars as adults cast their votes on Proposition 50. 5 - 7 p.m., 3737 Camino del Rio S., San Diego, CA 92108

Oct. 31

Oceanside Haunted Sunset Market: Instead of its normal Thursday market day, Oceanside will host a Halloween-themed market with music, costume parade, trick-or-treating at the vendor booths and contests. 5 - 9 p.m., 401 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054

Back to ‘80s Halloween Party: Pompeo DJ is spinning 1980s hits as people dance in themed costumes and outfits. Drinks will be available. 7 - 11 p.m., 2129 Industrial Court, Vista, CA 92081 

Ghetto District Trunk or Treat: Food, vendors, prizes, a costume contest and trick-or-treating out of car trunks will be offered by the Ghetto District clothing brand. 5 - 9 p.m., 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114

Organic Trick-or-Treat: GOODONYA Organic Eatery — a non-GMO cafe — is hosting a trick-or-treat event with organic goods, games, costume contests, a fortune teller and a photo booth.  5 - 9 p.m., 1051 S Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

UHeights Moms & Littles Trick-or-Treat: San Diego families are invited to trick-or-treat down Georgia Street in University Heights. Individual photos can be taken in front of a backdrop before the event at 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m., Corner of Madison Avenue and Rhode Island Street, San Diego, CA 92116

Nightmare on Normal Street: The Hillcrest Business Association is throwing a neighborhood Halloween party with live entertainment, costume contests, outdoor bars, vendors and a dance party. Costumes and cosplay are encouraged. Tickets are $34 online. 5 - 11 p.m., University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103

Adams Halloween Haunt: More than 40 businesses across University Heights, Normal Heights and Kensington will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. There will also be costume contests with different categories with prizes ranging from $25 to $100. 3-6 p.m., Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116