San Diego Events October
San Diego Events October
I love October in San Diego. The weather actually does start to feel like fall, at least when we don't have the Santa Anna's blowing. October is full of activities from San Diego Oktoberfests to Harvest Events and Art Festivals. San Diego Pumpkin Patches open up and pop up all over the county, and Halloween activities are everywhere throughout the month. Kids Free San Diego is also celebrated throughout the month, giving parents a bit of a financial break as we head towards the holidays. And, of course, it wouldn't be October without a trip to a pumpkin patch, so check out our San Diego Pumpkin Patch Guide.
I’ve curated a list of events throughout San Diego County in October to give you and yours an opportunity to have some fun and make some memories.
San Diego Events Throughout October
Kids Free San Diego - Kids get in free throughout the month at various places throughout the county, including Sea World and San Diego Zoo.
Most everyone knows of the big locations taking on Halloween from the zoo and Sea World and our major institutions of the Haunted Trail in Balboa Park and The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fair. Some the events we used to do didn’t make it through Covid or aren’t back this year, like Haunted Hotel.
Imperial Beach Farmers Market
- Location: Imperial Beach Pier Plaza
- Date & Time: Every Friday in October, 2:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Description: Explore a wide variety of fresh produce, local crafts, and artisanal goods. A perfect place for some family-friendly shopping. Event Link
San Diego Zoo's HalGLOWeen
- Location: San Diego Zoo, San Diego
- Date and Time: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October - 29th, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- More Info
Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego
- Location: SeaWorld San Diego
- Date & Time: All month long
- Link to Event
Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
- Location: Balboa Park
- Date & Time: October 1 - 31, 2023 (Nightly)
- Event Details No Haunted Hotel this year.
The Scream Zone
- Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds
- Date & Time: October 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM
- Description: Brace yourself for terrifying haunted attractions at The Scream Zone, perfect for thrill-seekers. More Info
Pumpkin Express Train Ride
- Location: Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo
- Date and Time: October 7th - 29th, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- More Info
Les Misérables: The Musical
- Location: San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego
- Date & Time: Friday, October 3, 2023 - Sunday, October 15, 2023
- More Info
San Diego Events October 2nd - October 8th
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
- Location: Ocean Beach
- Date and Time: October 6th - October 7th, 2023
- Join the lively Oktoberfest celebration with music, contests, and a bratwurst-eating competition. More Info
Taste of North Park
- Location: North Park, San Diego
- Date and Time: October 7th, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- More Info
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
- Location: La Jolla Village
- Date and Time: October 7th - October 8th, 2023
- Enjoy fine art, live music, and wine tastings in the picturesque La Jolla Village. More Info
San Diego Events October 9th - October 15th
Bulls Only Rodeo
- Location: Lakeside Rodeo Grounds
- Date & Time: October 13th - October 14th, 2023
- Description: Experience thrilling rodeo action, including bull riding and barrel racing, at the annual Lakeside Rodeo. Event Link
Old Town San Diego Art Festival
- Location: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- Date and Time: October 14th - October 15th, 2023
- Description: Discover unique artwork, live music, and delicious food in the heart of Old Town. More Info
Tase of Coronado
- Location: Coronado
- Date & Time: October 11, 2023 5-9pm
- More Info
Grand Ave Festival, OCT 15, 2023
- Location: Downtown Escondido
- Date and Time: October 15th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- More Info
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
- Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds
- Date and Time: October 13-15, 2023
- Description: Explore artisanal crafts, jewelry, and gourmet food at this fall-themed festival. Event DetailsMaking Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
- Location: Balboa Park, San Diego
- Date and Time: October 15th, 7:30 AM
- More Info
San Diego Events October 16th - October 22nd
San Diego Film Festival
- Location: Various venues
- Date and Time: October 18th - October 22nd, 2023
- Description: Immerse yourself in the world of cinema with screenings, panels, and parties at the San Diego Film Festival. Event Details
Haunted on Main
- Location: Downtown El Cajon
- Date and Time: October 20 2023
- Description: The 10th Annual HauntFest on Main is an exciting family-friendly event in Downtown El Cajon. The event features live music on two stages featuring! Costume Contests on the Main St. Stage; an expanded Carnival Rides and Games; Car Show; Candy Challenge Activities; Kidz Zone, Face Painting; performances by TNT Dancers, Arts In Motion Crew & Jr. Crew, and St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Pumpkin Patch; Craft and Game booths; LED Rock Wall; Inflatables for kids; With a surprise feature of Movies In The Park.
- Event Details
Rancho Beernardo
- Location: Rancho Bernardo’s Webb Park
- Date and Time: October 21, 2023 1:00-5:00 PM
- Description: Rancho Bernardo’s Favorite Beer Festival is Back! Event Details
Borrego Days Desert Festival
- Location: Christmas Circle Community Park
- Date and Time: October 21- 22, 2023
- Description: 57th Borrego Days Desert Festival Join us for an exciting lineup of FREE Saturday and Sunday entertainment. Back at Borrego, Days 57 is the Saturday "Shine & Show" Car/Vehicle Show. DON'T MISS the popular "Beer Garden", "Kids Zone - expanded", Food Stations, Food Trucks, and a Variety of Booths with everything from art to information! Event Details
San Diego Events October 23rd - October 31st
Bubble Run
- Location: North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Date and Time: October 28 6-8:00 AM
- Description: Bubbles with a mission. A portion of the Bubble Run proceeds to our events go towards research, funding, and treatment to families that are battling childhood cancer and terminal illness. Registration will include admission to the Bubble Run 5k, your Race T-shirt, Finisher medal and Race bib! Register early and show up to packet-pickup. Event Details
Queen Bee Market
- Location: Cal State University San Marcos
- Date and Time: October 28-29 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Description: We are excited to announce that we will be hosting the Fall Queen Bee Market at CSUSM in San Marcos. This will be a SATURDAY AND SUNDAY event, October 28 & 29, 10-4pm. We will be taking over the campus with booths both in the main ballroom, adjoining room spaces as well as in the outdoor area. Think indoor/outdoor shopping, food, music and make-and-takes. Event Details
Dia de los Muertos at Old Town San Diego
- Location: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- Date and Time: October 28 -November 2, 2023
- Description: Honor and celebrate loved ones with traditional altars, music, and face painting starting the 28th and ending on November 2nd with a candlelit procession. Event Details
Chula Vista Dia de los Muertos
- Location: Memorial Park, Chula Vista
- Date & Time: October 28th, 3:00 -8:00 PM
- Description: This free community event will include fun for the entire family and is a great way for the community to come together to honor our loved ones that have passed, while still celebrating life. The celebration includes a community altar at Davidson, an Altar Competition for cash prizes, live music and dance performances at three different locations, kids crafts, treats, delicious food, vendors by Las Jefas Market, themed photo ops throughout the neighborhood and a special screening of Guillermo del Toro’s Book of Life on the Papel Pic Event Link
These are just a few of the exciting events happening throughout San Diego County in October 2023. I hope this list provides you with ample opportunities to create wonderful memories with your friends and family. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember that San Diego is a city full of vibrant culture, diverse activities, and endless possibilities for fun and exploration.
Please note that event details and dates are subject to change, so be sure to check the official event websites for the most up-to-date information.
If you have any specific questions or need more information about any of these events, feel free to reach out. Enjoy your October adventures in San Diego!
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