There are several activities for those of all ages to get into the Halloween spirit throughout Poway, Rancho Bernardo and adjacent communities.
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The National Charity League will host its annual Halloween carnival at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Kids can enjoy fun carnival games and a haunted hallway. For details, call 858-513-2900.
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Old Poway Park will be the home of “Once Upon a Hallowe’en” from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. There will be a “Nightmare Before Christmas” zone, Trunk-or-Treat, haunted house, carnival rides and trips on the Poway Midland Railroad for a nominal fee. Food and drinks will be sold.
“Once Upon a Hallowe’en” is returning to Old Poway Park on Saturday, Oct. 24. (Criselda Yee)
Check-in for the costume parade at 3:30 p.m. The park is at 14134 Midland Road. For details, call 858-668-4576 or visit tinyurl.com/PowayOnceUpon26.
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St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church invites families to a free Trunk-or-Treat event at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at the church, 16275 Pomerado Road in Poway.
Children and families are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of Halloween fun, costumes and trick-or-treating in a safe, family-friendly environment. Admission is free, and the entire community is invited to attend. For details, visit stbartschurch.org.
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The haunted house in Old Poway Park will be welcoming visitors nightly from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 through Friday, Oct. 30. It is in Templars Hall, 14134 Midland Road. Admission is $1 per person.
The haunted house is not recommended for children under age 5. For details, call 858-668-4576.
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The Carmel Mountain Ranch Library will host a reading of “Ivy & Bean: The Ghost that Had to Go” followed by a slime-making session from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Children are encouraged to wear their best Halloween pajamas and read along with the text and illustrations projected on the big screen.
The story is geared toward second- and third-graders transitioning into longer chapter books. The library is at 12095 World Trade Drive. For details, call 858-538-8181.
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Enjoy not-too-spooky tales during a Halloween storytime at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive. This free event is geared toward children ages 2-4 years. All children will receive a special surprise. For details, call 858-538-8181.
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The Rancho Bernardo Library will host a Halloween celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. There will be a Halloween craft while supplies last, face painting after 4 p.m. and a musical performance by The Microphone Doctors at 4 p.m.
Wearing costumes is highly encouraged, just keep them fun and appropriate for the setting. All ages welcome. For details, call 858-538-8163.
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LifeBridge Church will be hosting its “Fall Spooktacular” from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the church, 17645 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo. Activities include a Trunk-or-Treat and carnival-style games. No masks allowed for children or adults. For details, call 858-487-7676.
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There are many opportunities for local children to get Halloween treats in the coming days, not just on Halloween night. (Getty Images)
Stores at the Carmel Mountain Plaza will be giving free treats from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 to children who come in costume to its stores. The shopping center is at 11602-12174 Carmel Mountain Road in Carmel Mountain Ranch.
There will be treat bag stations by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Angelika Film Center. Live music by 80’z All Stars will be at the courtyard by Barnes & Noble.
Participants are encouraged to bring a canned food item to support the San Diego Food Bank.
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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. 30. 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.
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Blur Martial Arts will host its Hank’s House of Horrors, a live-actor haunted maze celebrating the life and legacy of Hank Deutschendorf, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
There will also be a Zombie Scenario Room for ages 7 and older where participants can feel what it’s like to be in a horror movie. They can try the self-defense training room in a simulated violent encounter with a zombie.
The studio is at 10890 Thornmint Road, Suite 103 in 4S Ranch. Donations are welcome to help cover expenses. All net proceeds benefit Friends for Survival.
Walk-ins are welcome or RSVP for an entry time at blurma.com/hanks-house-of-horrors. For details, contact Will Deutschendorf at will@blurma.com or 858-462-5421
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The 4S Ranch Library is hosting a free Star Wars Halloween Spooktacular from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 in the library, 10433 Reserve Drive.
Lucy Beard and her children, Maisie, 3; Ellie, 6; and Geoffrey, 1; wore “Star Wars” costumes when meeting with Star Wars characters at the 4S Ranch Library in 2023. (Elizabeth Marie Himchak)
Those of all ages are encouraged to wear a “Star Wars” costume or their Halloween costume. There will be special guests, a scavenger hunt, Star Wars trivia contest, treats and prizes. For details, call 858-673-4697.
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Those who received too much Halloween candy can trade it in at Brain Balance San Diego. The Carmel Mountain Ranch location at 10175 Rancho Carmel Drive, Suite 124 is holding its annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back program from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 through Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Bring in your extra Halloween candy and swap it for toys, activities or gift cards while supplies last. All ages are welcome and costumes encouraged. Guests are encouraged to RSVP at bit.ly/bbcandy2026.