Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Oct. 12 to Friday, Oct. 16.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Museums and attractions
Kids free October: For the month of October, dozens of San Diego County museums, attractions, hotels, restaurants and cultural institutions are joining together to provide free admission and other activities for kids with an accompanying paying adult. More information on free activities for kids this month can be found from the San Diego Tourism Authority at sandiego.org/c/kids-free and from the San Diego Museum Council at sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree.
Seasonal
Corn Maze at Pumpkin Patch: The Carlsbad Strawberry Company will hold a haunted corn maze, tractor rides, hay pyramid, Jurassic Fright, marigold fields, and sheep, goats and rabbits. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October at 1050 Cannon Road. Admission is $20-$25; plus fees for activities. A portion of ticket sales support environmental education at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin.
Pumpkin Station: Festivities include giant slides, a carousel, petting zoo, mechanical rides and a play center, along with a pumpkin patch. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31 at 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets are $5 and are required for some attractions. Free admission and parking. Visit pumpkinstation.com.
Books
Jodi Picoult on ‘Hollow Bones’: Warwick’s and the University of San Diego present the bestselling author of “By Any Other Name” and “Mad Honey,” who will discuss her latest novel with “Gays Reading” podcaster Jason Blitman. “Hollow Bones” is the story of Molly, who was a baby when her mother died in the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. As an adult, she runs an emergency preparedness center, but she and her police polygrapher husband aren’t prepared when their marriage is rocked by a crisis. 7 p.m. Oct. 12. Shiley Theatre, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego. $39.53 (includes book). warwicks.com/event/picoult-2026
Fall Arts Preview 2026: Our top book picks for the season
Zapateado 101: As part of the San Diego Community College District’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Mesa College’s Ballet Folklorico Club will teach Zapateado 101 with traditional folk dancing, cultural traditions and music. Participants will practice Zapateado Base, the basic footwork needed for many folk dances. 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday. Mesa College, ES102, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego. sdmesa.edu/student-support/departments/student-success-equity/latine-heritage-month.shtml
Tuesday
Film
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
Theater
“Begin Again”:The Old Globe presents the world premiere of John Carney, Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy’s film-inspired musical about a singer and a songwriter who meet at an open-mic night and change each others’ lives, featuring a score by the band Train. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $66 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
“Topdog/Underdog”: The Old Globe presents Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning tragicomedy about two Black brothers, Lincoln and Booth, who struggle to make a living through humiliating jobs and card games. Despite their intense sibling bond, their rivalry becomes a destructive force. 7 p.m. Tuesday; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 18. Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $97-$119. 619-234,5623, theoldglobe.org
Wednesday
Movies
Fall Poolside Movie Series: La Valencia’s poolside movie series will feature “Hocus Pocus” this week, followed by showings every Wednesday of the month. Attendees can bring their dogs for an additional $5 donation, which will go to the Humane Society. 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla. $35. https://lavalenciahotel.ticketsauce.com
Theater
“JOB”: Cygnet Theatre presents Max Wolf Friedlich’s psychological thriller about at herapy session between a middle-aged male crisis counselor and the 20-something female tech worker being evaluated on her wellness to return to work.7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 31. Dottie Studio Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, 2880 Roosevelt Drive, San Diego. $35-$77. cygnettheatre.org/show/season26-27/job
“American Rhythm”: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Lamb’s Players Theatre has revived its high-energy musical celebration of 100 years of American music, from ragtime to swing, jazz and rock and roll. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 24. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
“Good Night, Oscar”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of Doug Wright’s Broadway drama inspired by the real-life 1958 broadcast of the mentally troubled, but brilliant, composer-pianist Oscar Levant’s appearance on Jack Paar’s TV talk show. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $63.50-$66.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
Thursday
Books
Verbatim Books in the Park til Dark: This event brings together book lovers to read in the park. Bring your own chairs or blankets and snacks. There will be a time for meeting new friends, followed by silent reading and a time to enjoy the sunet. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Bird Park 28th Street and Thorn Street, San Diego. Free.verbatimbooks.com
Sandra E. Bonura’s ‘The Zoo Lady’ book launch adventure: Adventures by the Book hosts a book launch party for author Bonura’s “The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo.” It’s the true story of how in 1927, middle-aged mom Benchley reluctantly took on the job of managing the struggling San Diego Zoo and gradually turned it into a global success. Benchley was the world’s first woman director of a major zoo. 11 a.m. Thursday. Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. Free ($35 ticket includes book). adventuresbythebook.com/calendar-event/bonura-10-14-26
Theater
“This is Government”: Moxie Theatre presents Nina Kissinger’s dark comedy about a group of U.S. Congressional summer interns questioning the stability of their jobs and the government when Capitol Hill is locked down due to a bomb threat. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 25. 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, San Diego. $20 and up. moxietheatre.com
Classical music
Escher String Quartet: UC San Diego presents the chamber ensemble performing works by Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Britten. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Conrad Prebys Music Center, 9410 Russell Lane, UCSD, La Jolla. $53-$68. artpower.ucsd.edu
Friday
Museums
Nat a Night: Nat a Night, the San Diego Natural History Museum’s after-hours event, is continuing weekly on most Fridays through the fall. The museum’s popular summertime activity was slated to switch to monthly dates, but the popular demand led to a change of plan, according to an announcement from The Nat. On these Friday nights, visitors can stay inside exploring the museum until 11 p.m., enjoying food and drinks on the rooftop and music. Other activities may vary from week to week. 5 to 11 p.m. most Fridays through Dec. 18. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, San Diego. $8.50 for youth, $12.50 for adults. sdnhm.org/calendar/nat-at-night
Seasonal
Haunted Amusement Park: This haunted experience is a one-mile haunted trail featuring a haunted manor, spinning vortex tunnel, graveyard and witch’s cottage along with a rollercoaster creeper, spider’s cave and 3-D black light bumper cars among other spooky attractions. Opens at 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and certain other days through Nov. 1. Not recommended for children under 10; children 5 and under not admitted. Closed shoes required. Tickets are $25-$35. scaretrail.com.
Haunted Hotel: The historic grounds of the Olivenhain Meeting Hall will be transformed into a Haunted Hotel. New this year is Candy Mystery Trail and Monster Hunt. There will be spooky scenes ranging from a Haunted Swamp, Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory and a Witches’ Lair to a Candy Mystery Trail. Actors are Scouts ages 11 to 17. There will be a carnival with prizes, live entertainment, crafts and food. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Oct. 23; and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 17, 24 and 30 at 423 Rancho Santa Fe Road. Admission is free. Tickets for Haunted Hotel tour are $8 at the door. Additional costs for concession, carnival, and candy mystery trail. The event is a fundraiser for Scout Troop 2000. For questions, email troop2kcommunityoutreach@gmail.com. Visit facebook.com/HauntedHotel2.
Entertainment
DroneArt Show: The Del Mar Fairgrounds will be the scene of a drone show in the sky this weekend. The one-hour show will feature more than 12,000 drones and have a “Harry Potter” theme and music. Guests are asked to arrive two hours early to find seating. Film merchandise will be for sale. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., San Diego. $46.71. thedroneartshow.com/san-diego/harry-potter
Dance
CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater: The Los Angeles-based contemporary dance company presents the world premiere of Ana Maria Alvarez and Holly Johnston’s “Roots of Loving Us,” which will explore themes of connection and belonging through the lens of adoptees, foster families and support systems. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, UCSD, La Jolla. $30 to $55. artpower.ucsd.edu
Classical music
San Diego Symphony presents Ravel and Debussy: Conductor Ludovic Morlot and trombone soloist Jörgen van Rijen join the symphony for works by Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and resident composer Jimmy López. 11 a.m. today; 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $43-$129. sandiegosymphony.org
Theater
‘The Wild Party’ opens Friday at SDSU: SDSU’s School of Theatre, Television, and Film kicks off its 100th season Friday with Andrew Lippa’ jazzy 1997 musical “The Wild Party.” Based on a 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, it’s the story of Prohibition-era party where a woman’s attraction to another man leads her lover to an act of violence. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Main Stage, Theatre District, SDSU, 5500 Campanile St., San Diego. $15-$25 ttf.sdsu.edu/calendar
“Ripcord”: The Roustabouts Theatre Co. presents David Lindsay-Abaire comedy about two very different roommates in an escalating battle of wills at a senior living community. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (no performance on Halloween). Through Nov. 1. The Roustabouts at Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9873 Avenue of Nations, San Diego. $10-$45. theroustabouts.org