It’s that spooky time of year, which means several free and low-cost Halloween-themed events are being offered in Poway, Rancho Bernardo and neighboring communities.
The biggest event in the area is Poway’s annual Once Upon a Hallowe’en, set for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road.
Admission is free, though some activities such as the train rides, carnival games and haunted house have a nominal cost. For example, the Haunted Railroad is $5 for adults and $2 per child, with those under age 3 free. The Haunted House is $1 per person.
Other offerings include a creepy maze and opportunity to meet Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
A family dressed as characters from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” met with the movie’s Jack Skellington and Sally during a previous Once Upon a Hallowe’en in Old Poway Park. (City of Poway)
For those who want to arrive a bit early, a costume parade starts at 3:45 p.m. Check in is at 3:30 p.m. at Veterans Park. The parade will be led by the Headless Horseman, courtesy of Poway Rodeo.
A new offering this year is a trunk-or-treat with goodies distributed from over 50 vehicles organized by the Poway Chamber of Commerce. Trick-or-treat bags will be distributed to children, which they can decorate for free.
There will also be a pumpkin carving or painting contest. Entrants must deliver their pumpkins between 2 and 3:30 p.m. to the Old Poway Park staff. One entry only per person. The winners will be contacted on Oct. 28.
For details on all Once Upon a Hallowe’en events, call the park office at 858-668-4576 or visit poway.org/oldpowaypark.
Whether people go to Saturday’s event or not they can check out the haunted house in Templars Hall. Organized by the Old Poway Park Action Committee, the house will be open to provide spine-tingling chills from 6:30 to 9 p.m. starting Saturday and continuing nightly through Thursday, Oct. 30.
Youngsters will have an opportunity to experience a special “lights on” viewing from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 only.
According to Lynn Wolsey, one of the house’s lead decorators, the house has been “re-imagined” to “provide a spook-filled activity guaranteed to get your pulse racing and your heart pounding.” For this reason, Wolsey strongly advises parents not to bring children under 5 to the haunted house.
No strollers allowed, but wheelchairs will be accommodated. The haunted house will feature black lights, strobe lights, loud noises and more special effects to create the frights.
Admission is $1 per person, regardless of age. Tickets will be sold at the door. Visitors often enjoy the house so much that they buy tickets for multiple visits, Wolsey said.
As for other Halloween and Día de los Muertos events in the area:
Rancho Bernardo
• The Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station, 13421 Highland Valley Road, is offering tractor hay-wagon rides, an 8-foot tall corn maze, petting zoo and mechanical train (each activity is $5 per person, train fee is per child). Pick out a pumpkin (prices vary based on size) or cut your own sunflowers ($2 per stem).
Jade Scoggin wore a cat costume when searching for her Halloween pumpkin at the Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station in 2024. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)
There is no charge to walk through the pumpkin patch. For the sunflower fields, there is free admission Mondays through Thursdays, while it is $5 per teen and adult (under age 13 is free) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The Pumpkin Station is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31 (hayride and corn maze close at 6 p.m.). For details, visit pumpkinstation.com.
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• The Westwood Club will hold its annual Halloween carnival for members only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the club, 17394 W. Bernardo Drive. There will be games, trick-or-treating and more. Bring a bag or bucket to collect goodies.
Volunteers are needed to help from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Candy donations are requested, with donations accepted at the front office. For details, call 858-485-6300 or to volunteer email Nora at events@rbwestwoodclub.com.
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• The Rancho Bernardo Library will hold a free Halloween celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in its second-floor community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive.
The event will include Halloween craft activity, a scavenger hunt in the children’s area, face painting (4-5 p.m.) and treats. Wearing costumes is highly encouraged, but attendees are asked to keep costumes fun and appropriate for the setting.
All ages are welcome. All activities offered while supplies last. For details, call 858-538-8163.
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• The Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center will distribute candy to children who stop by its office from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The center is at 18448 W. Bernardo Drive in RB Community Park. For details, call 858-538-8129.
Poway
• Poway Cruisers Car Club will host a “Trunk or Treat” event from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 in the Poway Lowes parking lot, 13750 Poway Road. To register your vehicle and distribute treats, visit powaycruisers.com/events.
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• The National Charity League will hold its annual Halloween carnival at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road.
There will be games, candy and a haunted hallway. Children ages 10 and younger are encouraged to come in costume. For details, call 858-513-2900.
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• The Community Church of Poway is hosting its free Trunk-or-Treat from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 in the church’s parking lot, 13501 Community Road.
There will be games, prizes, hot dogs and snacks along with decorated vehicles and lots of candy. For details, call 858-748-3304.
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• A free showing of Disney’s 1993 movie “Hocus Pocus” will be held at sunset in Old Poway Park on Sunday, Oct. 26. Bring treats, lawn chairs and blankets for this outdoor, family-friendly event. The movie stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson sisters. It is rated PG.
The Hay Maze will be available for free exploration during the event and the haunted house open ($1 per person). Old Poway Park is at 14134 Midland Road.
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• All ages can learn about the importance and traditions of the Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Altar at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.
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Last year at the Poway Library, volunteers Alicia Cedillo, Raquel Pineda and Andrea Aguirre, assisted at the craft table where children crafted sugar skulls made of decorated white balloons to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. (Criselda Yee)
• Celebrate Día de los Muertos with music, dance and crafts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. This free event is for all ages. For details, call 858-513-2900.
4S Ranch
• The San Diego History Center will present “Haunted San Diego” at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 in the 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive.
Discover San Diego’s spooky side. From ghostly encounters in historic landmarks to eerie local legends, learn about the haunted histories that still linger in San Diego. All ages are welcome to this free event. For details, call 858-673-4697.
Carmel Mountain Ranch
• The Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Recreation Center will hold a free Halloween carnival from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 in the gymnasium, 10152 Rancho Carmel Drive.
There will be games, music, arts and crafts and other fun for the whole family. For details, call 858-538-8100.
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• The Carmel Mountain Ranch Library will offer Halloween storytime at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. The program is designed for children ages 2-4 and their families. Halloween costumes are optional. Every child in attendance will receive a special surprise.
The library is at 12095 World Trade Drive. For details, call 858-538-8181.
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• A Día de los Muertos storytime will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive. The event will include bilingual storytime and a sugar skull craft, recommended for ages 4 and older.
Space is limited. Registration is encouraged at tinyurl.com/CMR-Oct29. Registration closes at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28. For details, call 858-538-8181.
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Stores at the Carmel Mountain Plaza and Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center will distribute candy to trick-or-treaters on Oct. 31. (Getty Images)
• The Carmel Mountain Plaza is holding its “Halloween Spooktacular” from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Children in costumes are welcome to go trick-or-treating at the shopping center’s participating businesses. There will be live music by the 80’z All Stars in the courtyard by Barnes & Noble.
Free treat bags will be distributed at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and the Angelika Film Center. Participants are asked to bring a canned food item to support the San Diego Food Bank. The shopping center is at 11602-12174 Carmel Mountain Road.
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• Participating businesses in the Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center will be offering goodies to trick-or-treaters ages 12 and under who are dressed in costumes. They must be accompanied by an adult.
The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The participating businesses will have a bright orange pumpkin in their window.
Free treat bags will be distributed near Soma, across from Chase Bank. The center is at 11815 Carmel Mountain Road.