CARLSBAD
Genealogy buffs run free class
The North San Diego Genealogical Society will hold a free, one-day Beginning and Refresher Class from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. Registration is recommended at president@nsdcgs.org.
CARMEL VALLEY
Fall festival features video game music
Orchestral Soundtracks @ San Diego (OST), a volunteer-run community orchestra that performs live orchestral arrangements from video games and anime, holds a free fall festival starting at 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at Torrey Pines High School. There will be local indie developers showing playable games, food trucks, cosplay, live bands, a “Name That Tune” game show and OST’s full orchestra performing video game and anime music. Free tickets are at givebutter.com/ost-2026-fall-fest. Visit sdost.org.
CHULA VISTA
Farm to Bay tasting
The Living Coast Discovery Center will host its 17th annual Farm to Bay tasting event and fundraiser from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 inside the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1080 Gunpowder Point Drive. The event will focus on the Living Coast’s conservation and education work. Along with local food and drinks, guests can get up close with wildlife, help feed some of the animals and join activities showing the animal care, education and community outreach work at Living Coast. The event is for ages 21 and older. Visit thelivingcoast.org/programs-events/upcoming-events/farm-to-bay.
CLAIREMONT MESA
Night of Jazz
The San Diego Community Jazz Band will put on A Night of Jazz Music at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Madison High School, 4833 Doliva Drive. The band of 30 musicians will play music ranging from “Luck Be A Lady” and “Jazz Police” to “Sing, Sang, Sung” and “Count Bubba.” Admission is free. Visit instagram.com/sandiegocommunityjazzband.
DEL MAR
Community lunch features genealogy talk
A community luncheon hosted by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20. The event features a presentation on “Tracing Your Roots: A Guide to Personal Genealogy” led by local genealogy buff Jim Silva. The program will offer tips for getting started, finding useful records and going beyond names and dates to uncover the stories behind our families. The program includes a catered lunch from Viewpoint Brewing Co. and costs $20. RSVP at stpetersdelmar.breezechms.com/form/community-lunch-tracing-your-roots.
EL CAJON
Nominations sought for Citizen of the Year
The El Cajon community of volunteers is accepting nominations for its Citizen of the Year award. El Cajon volunteer groups and community members can submit a nomination. For a nomination form and rules, contact the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., at rickw@eastcountychamber.org or 619-440-6161. Nominations must be received at the chamber by 4 p.m. Dec. 11.
ENCINITAS
Concert features young classical musicians
A Rising Young Stars Concert themed An Afternoon of Music and Inspiration will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, presented by the nonprofit American Foundation for Music at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. The program includes works by Vivaldi, Bach and Rieding performed by young classical musicians alongside a chamber ensemble from the American Philharmonic Orchestra. Admission is $20; $10 for students and children ages 5–17; free for children under 5. Group tickets for five or more are $15 per person. Tickets are available at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/rising-young-stars-concert.
Día de los Muertos with ballet folklórico
The annual Day of the Dead festival is from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at the MiraCosta College San Elijo campus, 3333 Manchester Ave. The event includes performances by mariachi musicians, ballet folklórico dancers and Aztec dancers. Festivities include artist demonstrations and art exhibits along with a lowrider car show presented by Callejeros de Encinitas Car Club. The festival opens with a blessing of the Community Ofrenda (remembrance altar) by Danza Azteca Mission San Luis Rey. There will be food for the occasion, face painting, sugar skull decorating and paper flower crafting. A community ofrenda will be on display indoors, and attendees can honor the memory of a loved one with a photograph or remembrance. Free admission. Visit encinitasarts.org/programs/encinitas-dia-de-los-muertos-celebration.
Mural artists sought for skate park
The city of Encinitas and Encinitas Friends of the Arts invite mural artists from Southern California to submit their qualifications for a large-scale mural for the Encinitas Skate Park. The submission deadline is Nov. 20. Visit encinitasca.gov.
ESCONDIDO
ESCONDIDO: San Pasqual High School dedicates freedom exhibit celebrating American history…
San Pasqual High School in Escondido recently dedicated a ‘Freedom Shrine’ in its school library. The display shows reproductions of important documents from American history and serves as a resource for students and teachers to explore the nation’s founding principles, rights and responsibilities. The ‘Freedom Shrine’ is a program of the National Exchange Club to foster “a greater understanding and appreciation of American history and the ideals that shaped the nation.” The display was donated and dedicated by the Exchange Club of San Diego with sponsorship from the Rotary Club of Escondido. Left to right, Janell Darby, Exchange Club of San Diego vice president; Vaughn North, Rotary Club of Escondido member who spearheaded the project; Cory Gregory, San Pasqual High School principal; Larry Rannals, district director of the Exchange Club of California/Nevada and Jon Petersen, Escondido Union High School District superintendent. Photo by Rita Alatorre.
Gather on Grand Festival
A new downtown Escondido street festival, Gather on Grand, is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 with live music on several stages, art and food celebrating the community’s creativity and agricultural heritage. Hosted by the Escondido Downtown Business Association, highlights include hundreds of vendors selling goods ranging from hand-crafted gifts to imports and international cuisine; free hands-on art and the Art in the Garden juried art show in Heritage Garden Park. Visit downtownescondido.com.
Harvest Tea at Sikes Adobe
A community Harvest Tea gathering is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive, hosted by the San Dieguito River Park. Highlights include hand-blended teas inspired by the San Dieguito River Park, accompanied by home-cooked autumn treats, served in an elegant setting at the restored 19th-century farmhouse. Cost is $45; seating is limited and reservations are required at sdrp.org/harvest-tea-at-the-sikes-adobe-historic-farmstead.
Volunteer Day at Daley Ranch
The Friends of Daley Ranch will host a volunteer work day from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 24 for folks of all ages to help remove invasive species, clear trails or pick up litter. Tools and gear will be provided. Sign-ups are required at daleyranch.org.
Boo Bash Fall Fest at mall
A Fall Festival with pumpkin patch and entertainment, including carnival games, pumpkin bounce pad, inflatable attractions, petting zoo, children’s race track and panning for gems along with food and vendors, runs through Nov. 1 at the Mershops North County Mall parking lot. The festival is from 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 3 to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Tickets for entry start at $5 and can be purchased at boobashescondido.com/tickets.
Harvest Party
The annual community Harvest Party features pony rides, carnival-style games and rides, face painting and balloon animals from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 for families with children ages 2 through sixth grade at Emmanuel Faith Community Church, 639 E. 17th St. Tickets are $10 and include hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn. There will also be food trucks. Visit efcc.org/hp.
LA JOLLA
Garden club discusses water-wise plants
The La Jolla Garden Club meets at 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The program will cover “Water-Wise Plants that Bloom and Invite Pollinators,” led by Master Gardener Debby Dunn. Guests are welcome. Visit lajollagardenclub.org.
Caregiver Resource Fair
A Caregiver and Family Resource Fair is from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Center, in the first-floor multipurpose room, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive. The event connects veterans, family members and caregivers with support programs, health services and community organizations. Lunch is provided to those who register. RSVP at 858-642-1215.
NATIONAL CITY
Day of the Dead festivities
Día De Los Muertos festivities are from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at Plaza Bonita, 3030 Plaza Bonita Road. There will be live entertainment, including a Mariachi band, folkloric dancers, sugar skull face painting and stilt walkers along with a community mural project. Free admission. Visit shopplazabonita.com.
OCEANSIDE
Día de los Muertos downtown
The annual Day of the Dead event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 next to City Hall and around the Oceanside Civic Center and Pier View Way. Highlights include community and family altars built in memory of loved ones and kids crafts and activities. There will be ballet folklórico dancers, catrina contest, food, shopping and a car show with trunk altars sponsored by the Por Siempre Car Club, along with lowrider bicycles on display. Free admission. Visit friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org.
Series focuses on Stories of Service
The nonprofit Assistance League of North Coast hosts a community presentation at 9 a.m. Oct. 22 featuring Eleanor Juanita Evans, as part of the nonprofit’s Stories of Service speaker series, which focuses on supporting local schoolchildren to achieve academic success. Evans, a member of the Oceanside Unified School District school board, has been an educator for over 40 years. The free event is at the Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive. Proceeds from the League’s Thrift Shop at 1830 Oceanside Blvd. provide shoes and clothes to local children. RSVP at president@alnc.org. Visit alnc.org.
Monster Mash Wellness Bash
A free, family-friendly Halloween health fair with wellness resources hosted by TrueCare is from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the John Landes Community Center. There will be snacks, a DJ, kids’ costume contest, interactive activities and giveaways along with medical and dental screenings, blood pressure checks, flu shots and Medi-Cal enrollment help. Visit truecare.org.
Art After Dark at museum
The Oceanside Museum of Art hosts Art After Dark from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 24 at 704 Pier View Way. The event is inspired by the museum’s exhibition, “David Adey: Sacrificial Bodies,” exploring creative expression through the theme “Anatomy of the Surreal.” Open to ages 21 and older. Tickets are $85; $65 for members. Visit oma-online.org.
Urban Milpa and community ofrenda
Oceanside-based nonprofit Plants, People, Community and the Oceanside Public Library will co-host a Día de Muertos community ofrenda Oct. 20 to Nov. 6 at John Landes Community Resource Center, 2855 Cedar Road. The nonprofit is expanding the center’s garden through its Urban Milpa project with the city of Oceanside and will work with youths and community members to plant the garden and build the ofrenda. Community members are invited to contribute copies of photographs, small mementos, notes, flowers or stones to the ofrenda to remember loved ones who died, including pets. Visit plantspeoplecommunity.org.
POWAY
‘Corks and Community’ wine tasting
Ner Tamid Synagogue in Poway holds a wine-tasting event, Corks and Community, from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24. The event features wines from Bread & Butter Winery and an array of gourmet cheeses from Barons at the synagogue, followed by Havdalah. Tickets are $36. Visit www.nertamidsd.org.
Trunk-or-Treat for families
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church will host a free community Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event for families at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at 16275 Pomerado Road. There will be trick-or-treating, costumes and Halloween activities. Admission is free. Visit stbartschurch.org.
RAMONA
Harvest Fair at church
The First Congregational Church will put on its annual Harvest Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 in Pilgrim Hall, adjacent to the parking lot. The church is at the corner of 8th and D streets. Homemade soups, pies and baked goods will be sold as well as plants and crafts from 16 vendors. Original themed baskets will be on display, and an opportunity drawing will be held at 2:30 p.m. Visit fccramona.org.
SAN DIEGO
Disabled Veterans Resource Fair
The annual Disabled Veterans Resource Fair, hosted by the San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, is from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 20 at National University, 9980 Carroll Canyon Road. The free event will feature government agencies, nonprofits and community partners providing benefits, services and resources, including free haircuts and property tax savings information to veterans and their families. Officials from the Department of Motor Vehicles, California Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration and GovX will be there. Fiona Ma, state treasurer, will speak at 9 a.m. Visit sdarcc.gov or call 619-236-3771.
Halloween at Liberty Station
Liberty Station puts on its annual free, family-friendly Halloween celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at 2751 Dewey Road. Highlights include a Hollywood car show, trick-or-treating at Ingram Plaza, live DJ entertainment, inflatable obstacle courses, crafts and costume contest with prizes for all ages and for pets. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for Feeding San Diego to help military families and veterans in need. Visit libertystation.com/events/halloween-at-the-station.
Halloween organ concerts at Balboa Park
The nonprofit Spreckels Organ Society puts on two spooktacular concerts for Halloween, showcasing the Spreckels Organ at 2125 Pan American Road in Balboa Park. At 7 p.m. Oct. 24, San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez presents organ solos and a concert version of “The Phantom of the Opera” with soprano Caroline Nelms and tenor Cole Tornberg. At 7 p.m. Oct. 30, there will be a Halloween rock tribute, Bark at the Moon, to Ozzy Osbourne of the legendary band Black Sabbath, with the Spreckels Organ band. The free concerts include spooky lights and the Oct. 24 concert will also include eerie projections. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes. Visit SpreckelsOrgan.org.
Quilters hold sale and auction
The Canyon Quilters of San Diego will host a fundraising event with a silent auction of quilting services, among other things, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at the City View Church, 8404 Phyllis Place. Handmade items will be for sale, including napkins, placemats, fabric boxes, pop-up containers and wall hangings. More than 50 quilts will be sold, along with curated fabric bundles for sewers and quilters. A live auction at noon will feature sewing machines, special fabrics, and sewing machine furniture. Proceeds will support Canyon’s yearlong activities and philanthropic work, including quilt donations for foster youths and the Paralyzed Veterans Association. Free entry and parking. Visit canyonquilters.com.
Ghost Light Masquerade
The Ghost Light Masquerade, an immersive Halloween experience, is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-25 and Oct. 28-30 by The Rosin Box Project at Nocturne Theatre, 3246 Imperial Ave. The masquerade, inspired by the classic theater tradition of the “ghost light,” brings dance, theater and storytelling together and audiences become part of the performance and wear masks. Visit therosinboxproject.com/ghost-light-masquerade.
Harmony Harvest concert
The Pacific Coast Harmony, an a cappella ensemble based in La Jolla, will perform “Harmony Harvest,” a show of modern four-part a cappella harmony music at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Vision Center, 4780 Mission Gorge Place. The music covers the Great American Songbook, Broadway theater and film and popular songs. Tickets are $25 in advance at visioncsl.breezechms.com/form/20261026.
Día de los Muertos celebration
Sherman Heights’ annual celebration will include ofrenda tours, music, food tastings and craft workshops Oct. 15-29. Self-guided ofrenda tours are from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays Oct. 20-23 and Oct. 27-30 and a candlelight procession is from 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 2 with Danza Azteca, copal and drums leading the way. Visit shermanheightscc.org/dia-de-los-muertos.
Halloween dueling piano show
A family-friendly Halloween dueling piano show is at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25, with a costume contest at The Shout! House, 655 Fourth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter. Song requests welcome. Visit theshouthouse.com/event/family-friendly-halloween-show.
Movie night in Old Town
Old Town continues its movie night series starting about 15 minutes after sunset Oct. 23, when “Practical Magic” screens at Heritage County Park. Visit oldtownsandiego.org/sunset-stars-and-cinema-free-movies-return-to-old-town.
SAN MARCOS
Documentary on tribal disenrollment
A screening of the 2025 documentary, “You’re No Indian,” is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26 as part of California State University San Marcos’ Arts and Lectures Program in the University Student Union, Room 2300 Ballroom. The film explores “the crisis of tribal disenrollment amid issues tied to tribal gaming and politics.” Tickets are available at csusm.edu/al/calendar.html?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1433925818.
SANTEE
Celebration of American Archives Month
A free celebration of American Archives Month, hosted by San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Jordan Marks, will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 21, at the assessor’s East County office, 10144 Mission Gorge Road. Highlights include informational tables from local museums, libraries and historical groups and a panel discussion on military history. Marks will present Champions of History and Heritage awards. The Santee office houses parcel maps, ownership records and assessment rolls dating to 1850, and is visited by genealogists, historians and researchers. Visit sdarcc.gov.
SOLANA BEACH
Día de los Muertos with music and dance
The annual Día de los Muertos community event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave. The free, family-friendly event features ballet folklórico dance, classic car show by Viejitos Car Club, musical performances by Los Gringos Muertos Band, Mariachi Del Mar and Ilusión Norteña, among others. This year’s event pays tribute to the 40th anniversary of the city of Solana Beach and the ancestral legacy of La Colonia de Eden Gardens. Highlights include Mexican food and vendors selling handmade goods along with a piñata for kids, a Catrina costume contest, dog costume contest and mask contest. The event features more than 40 ofrendas honoring family and friends who have died. Danza Azteca San Luis Rey will begin blessing the altars at 10 a.m. Visit cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov/en/node/3573.
SPRING VALLEY
Holiday Craft Fair seeks crafters
Mt. Miguel High School Foundation’s Holiday Craft Fair seeks crafters to participate. The craft fair is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 14. Booth space costs $50. Register at 619-469-7350.
VISTA
Cactus and succulent show
The Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society will hold its free annual Fall Show and Sale from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1450 E. Vista Way. Park in the back. Visit palomarcactus.org.
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