Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 2.
Friday
Nautical Nightmares: This Halloween rooftop party will take place in a transformed nautical pirate escape. There will be live music, tarot card readings, themed cocktails and a costume contest. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday. Margaritaville Hotel San Diego’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, 616 J St., San Diego. Free. margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-hotel-san-diego/live-entertainment/coming-soon-halloween-party
Bayside Boo: Seaport Village will put on a “Spirited Night by the Bay” from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31 with spooky music, treats and dancing in the moonlight. Seaport Village is at 849 W. Harbor Drive. Visit seaportvillage.com.
Halloween in the village: This village event is from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 between Grant Avenue and Acacia Avenue, and adjoining streets, hosted by the La Mesa Village Association. Find trick-or-treating in downtown La Mesa at participating businesses, a Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest, Halloween-themed stilt walkers, a balloon artist, a DJ, a spooky organ concert at 4:30 p.m. at La Mesa First United Methodist Church, 4690 Palm Ave. and farmers market. Check-in for Pet Costume Contest is at 5 p.m. and judging will begin at 5:30 p.m. Visit lamesavillageassociation.org.
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Free treats: Village Walk at Eastlake hosts kids ages 12 and younger dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult at a free trick-or-treat event from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31. Bring a bag to collect your treats or pick up a free treat bag and a coupon booklet at the Halloween table near Mission Federal. Then stop by participating businesses with a bright orange pumpkin in their windows. Village Walk at EastLake is on EastLake Parkway and Miller Drive. Visit shopvillagewalk.com/special-events.
“Witch”: Trinity Theatre Company will present an adult-cast production of Jen Silverman’s play “Witch,” inspired by the 1621 Elizabethan tragedy “The Witch of Edmonton.” In this adaptation, an innocent woman is labeled wicked because she dares to speak her mind and a sly devil arrives to mix things up. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 2. Mission Valley Center, Suite 128, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego. $30. trinityttc.org
Mainstreet Goes Ghostly: Witches and ghosts will be wandering throughout Coronado’s central downtown from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 31 and merchants are set to welcome trick-or-treaters for the Mainstreet Goes Ghostly event hosted by Coronado Mainstreet. Visit coronadomainstreet.org/mainstreetgoesghostly.
Rolling Pumpkins festival: Find a petting zoo, rides, carnival games and pumpkins here through Nov. 1 at 415 Parkway Plaza, Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For details, go to visitparkwayplaza.com.
For a limited time, Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine has a special lineup of Halloween cocktails. (Clique Hospitality)
Lionfish’s Halloween menu: Lionfish is debuting a Halloween cocktail menu available for eight days only. The four limited-time drinks are: the Black Widow with activated charcoal, tequila, mezcal, agave, lime juice and peach bitters; the Pretty Poison contains gin, a melon liqueur, cucumbers, honeydew melon, lemon and simple syrup; the PSM mixes vodka, a pumpkin spiced liqueur, house-made spiced syrup and oat milk; and The Bite is made with tequila, mango juice, agave, lime juice and chamoy. Each cocktail is $18. Available through Oct. 31. 435 Fifth Ave., San Diego. 619-738-7200, lionfishsd.com
Halloween Family Day at train museum: There will be Halloween-themed crafts, games, costume contest and candy from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park. sponsored by First 5 San Diego. Admission ($10-$20) includes all activities, and kids 12 and under get in free with paid adult. Visit sdmrm.org/halloween.
Trick-or-treating downtown Encinitas: The free annual Safe Trick or Treat will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Many downtown businesses will have goodies for kids. Costumed trick-or-treaters can stroll South Coast Highway 101, from Encinitas Boulevard to K Street. There will be Halloween-themed activities and games for kids along with entertainment. Visit encinitas101.com.
La Mesa Trick-or-Treat at mall: A free community event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive with costumed characters, face painting, games, candy and photo ops. Pick up a map and free pumpkin bag at guest services and trick-or-treat your way around Grossmont Center. Visit grossmontcenter.com.
Pumpkin picking in Fallbrook: Pick a pumpkin from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays Sept. 26 through Nov. 2 at The Vineyard, 1924 E. Mission Road. Weekday specials and special events on weekends, including beer, wine, food trucks and live music. Visit fallbrookpumpkinpatch.com.
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Howl-O-Ween tours at wolf center: The California Wolf Center, a nonprofit working on the recovery of wolves in the wild, will host its annual Howl-O-Ween tour at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the conservation facility, Tall Pine and K Q Ranch roads. Visitors can make Halloween-themed items like pumpkin-spiced meatballs to share with the center’s ambassador wolves during their tour, in a fun, spooky setting. Costumes are welcome. Tours is $65; free for kids 4 and younger. Advance reservations are required. Visit californiawolfcenter.org/tours.
Haunted Market: Sunset Market’s Haunted Market is from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at 401 Pier View Way. The free, family-friendly event includes trick-or-treating, costume parade, vendors, scream contest and other contests for kids and adults. Visit mainstreetoceanside.com
Breeders’ Cup: One of horse racing’s premier events is returning to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The Breeders’ Cup is an annual horse racing competition over two days. Attendees can bet on the races and purchase food and drinks. There are general admission, reserved tickets and box seating viewing areas. Friday and Saturday. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $80-$2,861. dmtc.com
Saturday
Visitors pose for photos in front of Thomas the Tank Engine at the Day Out with Thomas 2019.(Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Day Out with Thomas: Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine can ride a replica train, enjoy bounce houses and live entertainment, race through a hay maze, take photos with Thomas, Percy and Sir Topham Hatt and other activities. Ride times vary, Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9 and 11. Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 South ‘A’ Street, Perris. $26.85. socalrailway.org/scrm-events/thomas
Día de los Muertos at historic hacienda: The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park holds a free open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1-2 at the historic home and gardens of Hollywood legend Leo Carrillo, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane. Highlights Nov. 1 include crafts, food truck, face painting, ofrenda, and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Ballet Folklorico and Jarabe Mexicano concert. Nov. 2 highlights include children’s craft activities and community ofrenda. Admission is free. Visit carlsbadca.gov/departments/parks-recreation/programs-and-events/special-events/dia-de-los-muertos.
Christmas in November: The Barn Redefined is starting the holiday season early with 25 days of Christmas shopping pop-ups. The public can get holiday decorating ideas, including 26 Christmas tree displays. There will also be food, music, raffles and a gift-wrapping station with supplies available for purchase. The Christmas at the Barn Pop-up starts Saturday and occurs Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 7, except Nov. 26-27. 729 Main St., Ramona. thebarnredefined.com
“Meet the Winds: Mother Goose”: San Diego Symphony presents two 30-minute Symphony for Kids concerts hosted by Nathalia Palis and featuring the San Diego Symphony Wind Quintet. They will perform child-friendly songs, nursery rhymes, dances and more. 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., Downtown. $24. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
‘The Golden Girls’ x 2: It’s well known that gay men adore the ’80s TV series “The Golden Girls,” which will arrive on stage this fall in two different stage productions featuring men in drag as the wacky but mostly progressive Florida retirees Dorothy, Rose, Sophia and Blanche. Murray & Peter Present “Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue,” a stage play with an all-new script, runs Nov. 1-2. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. sandiegotheatres.org/event/2025/11/golden-girls.
Downtown Día de los Muertos: The annual Día de los Muertos celebration is from 3 to 8 p.m. Nov. 1 in downtown. The family-friendly community event includes an Ofrenda Competition, Catrín & Catrina Ensemble contest, live music and dance performances, car show, kids crafts and artisan vendors at Mercado by Las Jefas Market along with treats, food and photo ops. Visit downtownchulavista.com.
Gem & Mineral Show: The nonprofit San Diego Mineral & Gem Society holds its Gem & Mineral Show, GemDiego, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2 at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. The show features gems, minerals, crystals, fossils, rough-cut stones, books, jewelry and slabs. There will be nearly 30 dealers and over 20 exhibits along with lapidary demonstrations, gem identification, kid’s zone, door prizes and grand prize raffle Trained Service Animals Only. Free admission. Visit sdmg.org.
‘Jekyll and Hyde’ San Diego Musical Theatre had a big hit last year with its macabre production of the Victorian-themed slasher musical “Sweeney Todd.” In a similar vein, pardon the pun, comes this Frank Wildhorn gothic musical about a Victorian-era doctor with two personalities, one an idealistic doctor, the other an evil murderer. Oct. 3 through Nov. 2. 4650 Mercury St., San Diego. $30-$69. sdmt.org
Festival at arts center: The free 30th annual Día de los Muertos festival at the California Center for the Arts Museum, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., is from 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 with an art walk, live music, food vendors, folklórico dance groups, community ofrendas and a catrina contest along with artisan market, kids’ crafts and face painting. Performances in the Concert Hall start at 5 p.m. There will be a marigold bar serving drinks and dancing to the tunes of DJ Zuni. The museum will be open with free admission, showing the current exhibition, “Light Among Shadows: The Night of the Dead in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán and XICANA! San Diego.” Visit artcenter.org/dia-de-los-muertos.
Escondido Tamale Festival: Compete in a tamale festival, enjoy a beer garden, see live entertainment and more at this fest. There will be a catrina and cartrin costume contest, vendors, a kids zone and other activities. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Grape Day Park, Escondido. usamulticultural.org/escondido-tamale-festival/
Molé Mama author event: Readers can meet author Diana Silva, also known as Molé Mama, as she presents her new book, “Abuelita’s Magical Molcajete.” There will also be a drawing for a free cooking lesson and a copy of the book. 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday. Rancho Santa Fe Library, 17040 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe. Free. https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/68b9d2c5cefea32800905abc
The fifth annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration in Chula Vista brings ofrenda (altars) competitions, tamales and pan de muerto, live music and dance performances. (Downtown Chula Vista Association)
Ofrenda Competition: The annual Día de los Muertos celebration is from 3 to 8 p.m. Nov. 1, in downtown Chula Vista. The family-friendly community event includes an Ofrenda Competition, Catrín & Catrina Ensemble contest, live music and dance performances, car show, kids crafts and artisan vendors at Mercado by Las Jefas Market along with treats, food and photo ops. Visit downtownchulavista.com.
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents “The French Connection”: French and French-inspired works by Stravinsky, Rameau, Debussy and more will be performed. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $22-$49. ljsc.org/the-french-connection
Sunday
Little River Band: The Happy Anniversary tour comes to San Diego. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Humphreys Concerts By the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. $70.40. humphreysconcerts.com/schedule.cfm
Old Town Día de los Muertos: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park hosts a Día de los Muertos celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2. There will be live entertainment on the Fiesta de Reyes stage, traditional and contemporary Día de los Muertos altars, professional face painters, art demonstrations and catrinas at the plaza. Highlights include live mariachi music and folklórico dancers. The Día de los Muertos experience runs throughout October until Nov. 2 featuring a display of Day of the Dead art. Visit parks.ca.gov/EventDetails/17798.
Candlelight procession: Old Town’s Immaculate Conception Church hosts a candlelight procession at 5 p.m. Nov. 2 for Día de los Muertos. This year’s procession will include Aztec dancers, catrina contest winners and Old Town park staff in 1800s period attire. The free event begins in front of the church, 2540 San Diego Ave., heading down San Diego Avenue and ending at El Campo Santo Cemetery. Visit oldtownsandiego.org/ddlm.
San Diego Master Chorale presents “Echoes”: The choral group, with the San Diego Children’s Choir and five musicians, presents a concert inspired by All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos in two locations. 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2728 Sixth Ave., downtown; 4 p.m. Sunday at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. $15-$35. sdmasterchorale.org/echoes
284 Strings: Intimate Classics presents an all-strings concert by cellist Paul Tseng, pianist Ching-Ming Cheng and harpist Vanessa Fountain performing works by Bach, Mendellsohn, Strauss, Schumann and more. 3 p.m. Sunday. California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $30-$66. 760-839-4138, artcenter.org/event/284strings