Seasonal and Halloween activities and events are everywhere in San Diego County now that autumn is here.<\/p>\n
This guide to weekend events includes haunted houses, fall festivals and more.<\/p>\n
Friday<\/p>\n
Master of the Macabre:\u00a0Stories by Master of the Macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, will be featured at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 17 to Nov. 1 at Villa Montezuma Museum in Sherman Heights. The performances, \u201cPoe and More Poe\u201d are co-directed by Rachael VanWormer and Veronica Murphy and hosted by Write Out Loud.\u00a0 Tickets are $30 at\u00a0writeoutloudsd.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Fright for Future:\u00a0The horrors can impact humans, animals and Earth are on full display at Fright for Future. This interactive haunted maze is designed to educate visitors about the dangers of pollution, animal abuse and climate change through 20 interactive activations. Some of these attractions in the maze include a biohazard unit, a butcher shop, a poacher camp and a witch\u2019s cauldron. New this year are four attractions: tech-known terrors, the harm of processed foods, the influence of big tobacco and pain caused by pharmaceutical companies. This haunted maze is intended for those 10 years and older. It is free for students with a school identification.\u00a0Oct. 24-26. 37ECB, 3720 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. $10. frightforfuture.org<\/a><\/p>\n Haunted Amusement Park: A one-mile haunted trail with a spinning vortex tunnel, a haunted manor, a graveyard, a zombie land and a spider\u2019s cave are all part of the Haunted Amusement Park. This Halloween attraction is built as a trail meant to scare visitors as they move through 1960s carnival rides such as a roller coaster, bumper cars and a Ferris wheel. The Haunted Amusement Park is on the old grounds of Marshal Scotty\u2019s Playland in the East County.\u00a0Oct. 23-26, 30-31. Nov. 1. 14011 Ridge Hill Road, El Cajon. $25-$30. scaretrail.com<\/a><\/p>\n A guide to spooky and scary haunted houses, trails and mazes in San Diego County<\/a><\/p>\n Pumpkin Bash & Spooky Campover: This event starts with a campout with pumpkin carving, all-ages haunted house and other activities. Donation is $80; $55 for age 12 and younger or $50\/$35 for members. A Pumpkin Bash begins the next morning at 10 a.m. Dress up in your costume and watch the rescued big cats and bears devour treats out of pumpkins. It will take place Oct. 24-25 at Tigers & Bears wildlife sanctuary, 24402 Martin Way in Alpine. Donation is $60; $35 for age 12 and younger or $30\/$15 for members. Limited capacity. lionstigersandbears.org\/happenings.<\/a><\/p>\n Fright Night:\u00a0The Halloween annual event is from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 in historic downtown Vista and features a haunted house at the Avo Theater, trick-or-treating and a costume contest. Local businesses, Vista Fire fighters and sheriffs deputies will pass out candy. Haunted house admission is $6; $4 for kids 10 and younger at The Avo Ticket Box day of event. Visit\u00a0business.vistachamber.org.<\/a><\/p>\n Halloween Bash on the USS Midway: The Goonies Edition is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24 bringing the spirit of \u201cThe Goonies\u201d on the hangar deck of the USS Midway in downtown San Diego in honor of the film\u2019s 40th anniversary. Highlights include a Truffle Shuffle Dance-Off, a DJ and iconic movie clips playing on the big screen, treasure hunt trick-or-treating and pub trivia, along with costume contest. General admission is $25; $20 for Midway circle level members. Visit midway.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2025 Fall Arts Preview: Everything we\u2019re excited about this season<\/a><\/p>\n Jurassic Fright at Pumpkin Patch: Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in Oct. 3 through Oct. 31 at 1050 Cannon Road in Carlsbad. There\u2019s a haunted corn maze, marigold fields, bounceland, Jurassic Fright, a tractor ride and sheep, goats and rabbits. Admission is $15; free for kids 3 and younger plus fees for activities. Visit carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com\/pumpkin<\/a>.<\/p>\n Haunted Corn Maze:\u00a0The Carlsbad Strawberry Company is once the site of a haunted corn maze this fall. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is also part of this Haunted Corn Maze, which turns the strawberry fields into a terrifying labyrinth. The Haunted Corn Maze is recommended for teenagers and adults. Also, 50% of the proceeds from the corn maze go to the foundation, according to the Carlsbad Strawberry Company.\u00a07 to 10 p.m. Every Friday and Saturday from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. $40-$60.\u00a0aguahedionda.org\/haunted-corn-maze<\/a><\/p>\n Halloweekend at Campland: Halloween festivities are slated Oct. 24-26 at Campland on the Bay in San Diego, ranging from costume contests, pumpkin carving and a pet costume contest to a DJ Spooky dance party and trick-or-treating. Visit campland.com\/halloween-at-campland.<\/a><\/p>\n Brick-or-Treat:\u00a0LEGOLAND California holds its Brick-or-Treat Monster Party on weekends in October with entertainment, dance parties, live music, costumed entertainers and trick-or-treating. The party is included with park admission. As part of its Halloween season celebration, there will be costumed characters, d\u00e9cor and seasonal treats daily through Oct. 31. Visit\u00a0legoland.com\/california\/things-to-do\/seasonal-events\/halloween<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rolling Pumpkins festival: Find a petting zoo, rides, carnival games and pumpkins here through Nov. 1 at 415 Parkway Plaza, Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For details, go to visitparkwayplaza.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Haunted Forest:\u00a0Maneuver through ghosts and graveyards at The Haunted Forest in Banner Ranch in Julian. This half-mile outdoor Halloween trek has gory content, strobe lights and spooky sounds. The public can also spend the night at The Haunted Forest, which has tiny houses, covered wagons and camping sites. Food, cider and beer will be available for purchase. Event organizers encourage guests to wear costumes. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 26 to Nov. 1. 36342 California 78, Julian. $13-$15.\u00a0eventbrite.com\/e\/the-haunted-forest<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Howl-O-Ween at SeaWorld:\u00a0Howl-O-Scream is a nighttime Halloween event for mature audiences (separately ticketed), featuring haunted houses, scare zones, live performances and coasters on select nights through Nov. 1. SeaWorld\u2019s family-friendly Spooktacular features trick-or-treating included in park admission, a pumpkin patch and other family festivities. The Halloween-themed Howl-O-Sprint 5K run\/walk is at Oct. 19 for all ages featuring a course that goes through different animal and marine life exhibits. There is also a 1-mile Kids Fun Run. Costumes encouraged, without masks. Visit\u00a0seaworldsandiego.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Haunted Hoedown with a haunted house and trail:\u00a0Festivities include a haunted house and a haunted trail (scary and not-so scary versions), carnival games, food, treats\u00a0 and costume contest and farm animals along with a beer garden, a pumpkin decorating contest, music and dancing. The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at The Heritage Ranch, 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Entry is $10; $5 for kids. Visit olivenhainfarms.com\/service-page\/haunted-hoedown?referral=service_list_widget<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday<\/p>\n Boo at the Zoo: Meet spooky and not-so-spooky animals in a flashlight tour at Wild Wonders animal refuge, 5712 V\u00eda Montellano in Bonsall, Oct. 25-26. The hourlong Halloween-themed tours are at 6 p.m. with treat stations. Wear your costume. Tickets are $42 for adults and youths ages 12 and older and $22 for children ages 5-11. wildwonders.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n BooFront pet contest:\u00a0Hilton San Diego Bayfront\u2019s third annual BooFront Pet Costume Contest is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at Bayfront Park, 1 Park Blvd. in San Diego with doggie runway,\u00a0 local vendors and treats. Costumed canines can compete for prizes. The event spotlights local animal groups, such as rescues. Proceeds benefit Helen Woodward Animal Center. Free; donations encouraged. Register at eventbrite.com\/e\/hilton-san-diego-bayfronts-boofront-pet-costume-contest-tickets-1560127676879?aff=oddtdtcreator\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Spooktacular Halloween in Oceanside: This is a free community event from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 featuring a \u201cTrunk-or-Treat\u201d with trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk for kids at Mance Buchanon Soccer Fields, 425 College Blvd. in Oceanside along with inflatable obstacle courses, temporary tattoos for kids and dessert vendors. Costumes encouraged. Hosted by Oceanside Parks and Recreation. Registration required by 5 p.m. Oct. 20 for trunk hosts; no registration for attendees. Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us<\/a>.<\/p>\n Spooky magic: The Heritage of the Americas Museum hosts a Halloween event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 with a performance of \u201cSpooky Magic\u201d by retired educator and magician Bruce Wollitz. Highlights include classic Halloween movies and cartoons, crafts for all ages, including pumpkin painting, beaded \u201cIndian\u201d corn cobs, eyeball floral arrangements and spiders. Admission is $6; free for members and children. 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon. Visit HeritageOfTheAmericasMuseum.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pumpkin train rides:\u00a0The Campo Railroad Museum is offering its annual Pumpkin Express Halloween Celebration on Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 4-26. Ride decorated vintage 1920s rail cars through the San Diego County mountains. Walk through the themed display building with Halloween scenes and haunted train cars. Ride a train to a pumpkin patch where kids can pick pumpkins to decorate. Trains leave at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. from the Campo Depot, 750 Depot St. Tickets are $18.95-$39.95. Reserve at\u00a0psrm.org\/pumpkin<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trunk or Treat at car museum:\u00a0The San Diego Automotive Museum puts on its annual Trunk or Treat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at 2080 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park. Children collect candy from the museum\u2019s collection of classic and exotic cars on the museum floor. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free for children under 12 and for parents accompanying their children in costumes. Visit\u00a0sdautomuseum.org.<\/a><\/p>\n Sip & Scare Trains:\u00a0Campo Railroad Museum will run Sip & Scare Trains for adults over age 21 at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday nights. Tickets are $49.95-$64.95 and include one cocktail and a journey through the new haunted attraction, The Lost Train of Dr. Deadtrack. Reserve at\u00a0psrm.org\/sipnscare<\/a>.<\/p>\n A guide to Halloween festivities in San Diego County: From Halloween campouts and spooky places to pumpkin fests<\/a><\/p>\n Halloween Spooktacular: There will be trick-or-treating in costumes, carnival-style games, spooky characters and music from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona in Carlsbad. Children receive a bag to collect candy, while supplies last. Admission is free. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com\/events.<\/a><\/p>\n Oceanside Halloween Spooktacular:\u00a0A free Halloween trick-or-treating event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Mission Marketplace, 427 College Blvd. Children will get a free bucket to decorate and use for trick-or-treating at participating Mission Marketplace businesses during the event, which includes a chance to meet FrankenStilt. Wear your costume. There will also be a Dog Halloween Costume Contest and pet adoption event. Visit\u00a0missionmarketplaceoceanside.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once Upon a Halloween:\u00a0Stroll the haunted halls of Old Poway Park\u2019s Haunted House from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. A costume parade starts at 3:45 p.m.; meet at Veterans Park. Highlights include a haunted house, carnival games, treats and train rides. Admission to the haunted house is $1 (not recommended for kids under age 5); there is a small fee for train rides, carnival games and treats. New this year is Trunk or Treat in partnership with the Poway Chamber of Commerce; cars will be parked along Midland Road. The spooktacular haunted house in Templars Hall at Old Poway Park will also be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26-30. Admission is $1 per person; not recommended for children under 5. Visit\u00a0poway.org\/Halloween<\/a>.<\/p>\n Howl-O-Ween festival:\u00a0Helen Woodward Animal Center hosts its Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 11, 18, 25 and 26, featuring hands-on animal encounters, trick-or-treat stations, a free pumpkin patch, festive games, crafts, face painting and photo booth. The cost is $17.75 for kids participating and $8.90 for adults age 18 and older. Reserve a spot at\u00a0animalcenter.org\/programs-services\/education\/kid-events.<\/a> There are also Howl-O-Ween Harvest Adventures with up-close animal encounters, fall crafts and STEM-aligned lessons, for groups by appointment Oct. 1 to Nov. 10; email\u00a0education@animalcenter.org. 6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe.<\/p>\n Haunted Trail:\u00a0One of San Diego\u2019s largest Halloween experiences is at Balboa Park. The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park gives visitors two different experiences. The eXperiment Maze presents 3,500 square feet of twists and turns through various spooky encounters with childhood fairy tales remixed in Halloween-themed costumes such as \u201cGoldilocks and the Three Bears.\u201d The Haunted Trail takes visitors outdoors through a path with dense fog and several haunting installations with zombies, a ghoul bus, a graveyard filled with ghosts, chainsaw maniacs and more.\u00a0Sept. 26 through Nov. 1. Balboa Drive and Juniper Road, San Diego. $34.99-$49.99.\u00a0hauntedtrail.net<\/a><\/p>\n Sunday<\/p>\n Kids Monster Mash Brunch:\u00a0This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at Chula Vista Golf Course, including games, crafts, music, movies and a costume parade. Tickets are $29.99; $19.99 for ages 3-11 and $4.99 for toddlers. RSVP at\u00a0chulavistagc.com\/event\/kids-monster-mash-brunch\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Haunting gondola ride:\u00a0 \u2018A Haunting in Venice\u2019 cruises start at 3 p.m. with cruises departing by reservation until 9 p.m. Oct. 26-31, run by The Gondola Company. The 50-minute voyage goes through the canals of Coronado Cays at dark on gondolas helmed by masked and caped gondoliers. Rates start at $139. Visit\u00a0gondolacompany.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fallbrook Halloween Festival: The community event market with food, entertainment and nearly 50 local vendors is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Rainbow Valley Grange, 2160 Rainbow Valley Blvd. Highlights include costume contests, trick-or-treating, kid\u2019s corner, carnival games, face painting and craft table. Visit\u00a0fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Halloween Movie in the Park:\u00a0The movie Hocus Pocus will be shown 15 minutes after sunset on Oct. 26 in Old Poway Park.\u00a0Bring your spooky treats and blankets.<\/p>\n Halloween at the Station: Liberty Station puts on its annual free, family-friendly Halloween celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Highlights include a Hollywood car show, trick-or-treating throughout Liberty Station, live DJ entertainment, crafts, inflatable obstacle courses, a cornhole tournament, crafts and costume contest for all ages with prizes.\u00a0 Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for the Feeding Heroes initiative to help local military families in need. Halloween at the Station is at 2751 Dewey Road in San Diego. Visit libertystation.com\/events\/halloween-at-the-station<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trick-or-Treat in Little Italy:\u00a0The annual event is from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 on India Street with local businesses handing out candy, Halloween music and \u201cNightmare Before Christmas\u201d-themed decorations at Piazza della Famiglia. Visit\u00a0littleitalysd.com\/events\/trick-or-treat-on-india-street<\/a>.<\/p>\n Boo Bash:\u00a0Family-friendly Halloween celebration from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the nonprofit Junior League of San Diego\u2019s historic headquarters at 210 Maple Street in Banker\u2019s Hill. The event includes trick-or-treating, face painting, crafts, games, music and light refreshments. Tickets are $25; $5 for children under 12; proceeds support the league\u2019s community work. Visit\u00a0https:\/\/event.auctria.com\/69fc4a2c-c58c-4313-ae01-ed39928e08a9\/<\/a><\/p>\n Harvest Fest: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26 at Julian Farm and Orchard, 4381 Julian Highway. Highlights include pumpkin picking, petting zoo, hayride, rock wall, apple cannons and facepainting on weekends along with Julian Food Truck and gift sop. General admission is $10; unlimited activity armband is $30. Free parking. Visit https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JulianFarmandOrchard<\/a>.<\/p>\n Halloween Carnival:\u00a0The 68th annual event is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Solana Vista Elementary School, 780 Santa Victoria, hosted by the Solana Beach Schools Foundation for Solana Beach School District families. Highlights include games, bounces houses, a petting zoo, pony rides and treats. Costumes are encouraged. Proceeds benefit Discovery Enrichment at Solana Vista and Skyline elementary schools. Visit\u00a0sbschoolsfoundation.org.<\/a><\/p>\n Trunk or Treat and car show:\u00a0Pride of Vista Lions Club hosts its Muscles on Main Street Car Show with a Halloween twist from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at 25 Main St. with trunk-or-treating. Highlights include a costume contests, a kids\u2019 game area, a DJ and music, and classic cars and motorcycles. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m. Car registration entry fee is $35. Proceeds support the Lions community service programs. Visit\u00a0musclesonmain.square.site<\/a>.<\/p>\n Originally Published: October 23, 2025 at 11:08 AM PDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Seasonal and Halloween activities and events are everywhere in San Diego County now that autumn is here. 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