In San Diego County, fall isn’t just about pumpkins, Oktoberfest and trick-or-treating, though options for enjoying those seasonal delights are a plenty in 2026.
There will also be art walks, film festivals, street fairs, community events and an air show. Locals can look forward to a range of entertainment opportunities from Valley Center to Chula Vista.
These are just a few of the options for celebrating autumn.
Día de los Muertos at Fiesta De Reyes: The Día de los Muertos celebrations started Sept. 1 at Fiesta De Reyes and continue through Nov. 2. La Experiencia includes creative displays, festive lighting and scheduled entertainment. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, 2754 Calhoun St., San Diego. Free. fiestadereyes.com/dia-de-los-muertos/
Fall at Bates Nut Farm: San Diegans can experience traditional fall activities at this Valley Center farm. Visitors will find a pumpkin patch, tractor hay rides, a straw maze and a corn pit. The farm is dog-friendly and will have a petting zoo and pony rides in October. Sept. 17 to Oct. 31. 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center. Free admission. $10 seasonal parking on weekends. $2.50 tickets per additional activity. batesnutfarm.biz/blogs/events/the-pumpkin-patch
ArtWalk Carlsbad: This fine art event brings together traveling artists in a range of mediums, including sculpture, glass work, photography and jewelry. In addition to art from more than 150 participants, there will be a kids walk, food trucks and musical performers. Sept. 19-20. Armada Drive above the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Free. artwalksandiego.org/carlsbad
Adams Avenue Street Fair: For two days, the Normal Heights neighborhood will host 75 musical acts across six stages. Music fans at the street fair will also find food and beer gardens, carnival rides and vendor booths. Sept. 19-20. Adams Avenue, San Diego. Free. adamsavenuebusiness.com/adams-avenue-street-fair
Lindsey Vosburgh, left, and Krystal Zinn react walking through the clown room at the Haunted Trail at Balboa Park on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Haunted Trail: Locals don’t have to wait until October for haunted houses. One of San Diego’s largest spooky season experiences opens in Balboa Park the last weekend of September, presenting the eXperiment Maze, the Haunted Trail and the Dark Carnival. Sept. 25 through Nov. 1. Balboa Drive and Juniper Road, San Diego. $34.99-$49.99. hauntedtrail.net
Pumpkin Station: Locals can walk through this pumpkin patch for free or purchase one to take home. Giant slides, an antique carousel, a petting zoo and other carnival rides are available for entertainment. Sept. 25-Oct. 31. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $5 per ride and activity. pumpkinstation.com/del-mar-pumpkin-station/
Oktoberfest in El Cajon: The German American Societies of San Diego host two weekends of Oktoberfest activities. Participants can eat German staples such as bratwurst, potato pancakes and salted pretzels. There will also be music by a band from Baden-Württemberg, Germany and raffle prizes. Sept. 25-27; Oct. 2-4. 1017 S. Mollison Ave., El Cajon. $15 Fridays and Saturdays, $5 Sundays. Free for members, military and youth. events.germanclubsandiego.com/e/oktoberfest-el-cajon-26
Poway Rodeo: This annual event brings together rodeo fans with a two-day rodeo performance, live entertainment, activity for kids and more. An after party will take place each night from 10 p.m. to midnight. Children can attend for $1 on Saturday. Sept. 25-26. Poway Valley Riders Association Arena, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway. $18 for kids, $22.13 to $37.89 for general admission. Children under 5 attend for free. Youth 12 or older can attend for $1.60 on Saturday. powayrodeo.com
The Blue Angels in diamonds formation fly past show center at Day 1 at Air Show 2025 at MCAS Miramar. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
MCAS Miramar Air Show: The largest military air show in the U.S., according to the Marines, returns for its yearly event. The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show showcases aerial performances, military vehicles, old school aircraft, flight simulators and more. Some of the scheduled performances include the Navy’s Blue Angels and Marine Corps Marching Band. Sept. 26-28. MCAS Miramar, San Diego. Ticket options start at $22.45. miramarairshow.com
Julian Autumn Jubilee: The annual Autumn Jubilee returns to Fort Cross with a spooky maze, lawn games, a pumpkin patch, a hoedown show, farm animals and other activities. A $25 festival ticket includes additional hay rides, a cider-pressing demonstration, a reptile show, candle dipping and a treasure hunt. Sept. 26 to Oct. 25. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, 4425 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel. $10 general admission. fortcross.com/autumn-jubilee
San Diego Spirits Festival: With an ocean view, the San Diego Spirits Festival is a celebration of cocktails. Back for the 17th time, this year’s event will offer unlimited drinks from over 65 brands. It also features a spirits competition and musical entertainment. Sept. 26-27. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. $65-85. sandiegospiritsfestival.com
Chula Vista Art Fest: South Bay artists will present their work in a range of mediums at this fourth annual festival. There will also be live music and food vendors. Sept. 26. Chula Vista City Hall, 276 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista. Free. chulavistaca.gov/departments/library/chula-vista-art-fest
Rosemary Mantanona, leader of Guam dance group, Imahen Taotao Tano, performs on stage during the 30th anniversary of the Pacific Islanders Festival. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Pacific Islander Festival: This year’s Pacific Islander Festival has a theme of “Grounded by Roots; Woven by Culture.” The event will feature dancing and live music representing Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Authentic food vendors, cultural workshops and family-friendly activities are also scheduled to take place. Visitors are asked to bring blankets and chairs. Sept. 26-27. Ski Beach Park, 1600 Vacation Road, San Diego. Free. pifasandiego.com/festival
Haunted Corn Maze: The Carlsbad Strawberry Company will be the scene of a terrifying corn maze. The spooky experience is recommended for teens and adults only. Fridays and Saturdays in October. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. $25-45. aguahedionda.org/haunted-corn-maze
The Bonita Museum and Cultural Center (BMCC). (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Kids Free in October: For the 15th time, San Diego County museums, attractions and cultural institutions are joining together to provide free admission for kids with an accompanying paying adult. There are more than 60 participants this year, including Living Coast Discovery Center, WorldBeat Cultural Center, USS Midway Museum, Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, Oceanside Museum of Art and Birch Aquarium at Scripps. See the San Diego Museum Council’s online guide for details. Oct. 1-31. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree
San Diego Tijuana Jazz Fest: Over four days in October and multiple venues on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, the San Diego Tijuana Jazz Fest is a binational celebration of the genre. This year’s lineup of performers includes a binational youth ensemble, Lucía and the Familia Gutiérrez, Danilo Pérez with La Covacha Big Band and SeñalesSelañes. Oct. 1-4. San Diego, Tijuana and Escondido. $54-90. sdtjjazz.org
North Park Book Fair: The North Park Book Fair returns “bigger, better, and with Verbatim Books at the helm from start to finish,” according to an event announcement. It will feature local bookstores and literary vendors as well as artisans, publishers and comic book artists. There will also be a costume contest, readings and other activities. Oct. 3. North Park Way from 29th Street to Ray Street. Free. verbatimbooks.com/events/#event=verbatim-books-presents-the-north-park-book-fair-2
Rancho Beernado Festival: AleSmith Brewing Company, Black Plague, Harland Brewing Co., Chula Vista Brewery, Blowfish Tequila and Pure Project are among the participant’s in the 2026 Rancho Beernado Festival. Tickets come with unlimited 2-ounce pours, music, wine and free parking. Oct. 3. Rancho Bernardo’s Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place, San Diego. $65. ranchobeernardofestival.com
La Mesa Oktoberfest on Oct. 4, 2025. (Ariana Drehsler / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Oktoberfest in La Mesa: Oktoberfest in La Mesa features three biergartens, international food, a kids area, Glücklich games, Bavarian bingo, a pumpkin patch and other activities. Four different ticket prices are available with perks ranging from a VIP bar and a commemorative hat to front-of-line privileges. Oct. 2-4. La Mesa Boulevard and Allison Avenue. $15-$54.89 for adults, $11.59-22.93 for under 21. lamesaoktoberfest.org
San Diego international Film Festival: Celebrating 25 years in 2026, the San Diego International Film Festival celebrates filmmaking from around the world. It kicks off with an opening night film and premiere party on Oct. 14. To celebrate the big anniversary, Belly Up will host a 25 Years After Dark party. Throughout the event, more than 100 films will be presented. Oct. 13-18. AMC 14 at Westfield UTC and other venues. Single screening or festival tickets available. sdfilmfest.com
Seed pods hang from a mesquite in Borrego Springs on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Borrego Days Desert Festival: The community of Borrego Springs will gather for a flyover, parade, car show and other activities. Kids will have their own zone and food vendors and a beer garden will be available for attendees. Oct. 17-18. Christmas Circle Community Park, Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs. Free. borregodays.com
Once Upon a Hallowe’en: An obvious pick for families with kids (of all ages) who love trains, Poway’s Once Upon a Hallowe’een event includes opportunities to ride the Poway Midland Railroad. A haunted house will add some spooky fun, along with carnival games and other activities. Oct. 24. Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway. Free. poway.org
Latine Pride: Fall is the time to specifically celebrate Latine Pride in San Diego, and Liberty Station will be the scene of an all-ages event. Find resources, food, music and other activities to celebrate the Queer Latinidad. Oct. 24. Liberty Station Central Promenade, 2641 Truxtun Road, San Diego. Free. sdpride.org/latine
Liberty Station’s annual Halloween at the Station event invites locals to wear costumes for an all-ages costume contest, as well as family-friendly activities. (Liberty Station Community Association)
Halloween at the Station: Halloween can be celebrated early this year in Point Loma. Aimed for family-friendly fun, locals can participate in a costume contest, play on bounce houses, see a Hollywood car show and trick-or-treat throughout Ingram Plaza. Attendees are asked to bring donations of non-parishable goods for Feeding San Diego. Oct. 25. Ingram Plaza, 2751 Dewey Road, San Diego. Free. libertystation.com/events/halloween-at-the-station
Yokai Masquerade: For one night only, the Japanese Friendship Garden will host a Halloween event rooted in Japanese folklore. Costumes are encouraged and visitors can enjoy carnival games, a yokai parade, fire performances, tarot card readings, music, dancing and more. Oct. 31. Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, 2215 Pan American Road East,San Diego. $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. niwa.org/yokaimasquerade
Día de los Muertos in Chula Vista: All ages are invited to celebrate Día de los Muertos in downtown Chula Vista. There will be competitions for the best ofrendas and Catrín and Catrina ensembles as well as live performances, arts and crafts, a car show and other activities. Nov. 1. Downtown Chula Vista. Free. downtownchulavista.com/events/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration