CARLSBAD, CA — Fall is in the air, bringing with it Halloween haunts, pumpkin patches, tricks and treats, Día de los Muertos, community festivals and harvest/holiday boutiques.
Peruse our annual, city-by-city guide, and find the fun going on near you throughout Carlsbad and San Diego County.
Bookmark this page: As more events are announced, we will add them. And if we missed your town or organization’s Halloween or autumn festivities, email details and online links to [email protected].
NOTE: Events are subject to last-minute change or cancellation, so always confirm with organizers that activities are proceeding as planned .
Enjoy the season, and Happy Halloween from Patch!
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BONITA:
OCT. 1-31: Pumpkin Farm, Petting Zoo, Hayrides & Corn Maze. Activities include train rides & u-pick sunflowers.
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BONSALL:
OCT. 23-24 & 30-31: Boo at the Zoo at Wild Wonders. With candy stations & flashlights, to get around safely at the wildlife rescue & conservation facility’ Halloween event.
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CAMPO:
OCT. 9-31: Pumpkin Express: Pacific Southwest Railway. The perfect, family-friendly excursion for the season!
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CARLSBAD:
SEPT. 18-NOV. 5: Strawberry Co. Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze. Fun includes tractor rides, Bounceland, apple cannon & corn maze.
OCT. 2: Rotary Oktober-Feast Kick-Off 2021: Strawberry Co. Pumpkin Patch. Where German dinner & pumpkins come together in the best way. All for charity!
OCT. 2-30: LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat. Park stays open late Saturdays for annual event with trick-or-treating, entertainment & more.
OCT. 2-31: Haunted Corn Maze ‘Field of Screams’: Your Halloween scare awaits!
OCT. 16: Pumpkin Plunge & Halloween Movie. Check in for tickets.
OCT. 31: Trick-or-Treating at The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Gather up your little ghosts and goblins!
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CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH:
OCT. 6-31: ‘Hitchcocktober’ Month: Angelika Film Center: Carmel Mountain. “Celebrate Alfred Hitchcock, the master who gave us some of the most suspenseful moments in film history!”
OCT. 31: Hitchcocktober ‘Psycho’: Angelika Film Center: Carmel Mountain. Month-long film event culminates with “Psycho.”
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CHULA VISTA:
OCT. 23: Villains In The Village: Third Avenue Village. “A night of beasts, feasts, boos and brews.”
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CORONADO:
OCT.: ‘Haunted Happenings Tour’: Hotel Del Coronado. Be brave, take the tour & learn of Kate Morgan’s mysterious death in the 1890s.
OCT. 1: LED Jack-O-Lantern Torches. In-person event or with take-home kits.
OCT. 16 & 30: Halloween Movies On The Beach: Hotel Del Coronado. Limited tickets available.
NOV. 5: Autumn Concert Series With Glenn Kramer. A library production.
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DEL MAR:
SEPT.-OCT.: ‘Scream Zone’: Del Mar Fairgrounds. Not planned for 2021.
OCT. 1-31: Pumpkin Station & Kiddie Rides. Giant slides & antique carousel, too.
OCT. 8-10: Harvest Festival Art & Craft Show: Fairgrounds. Annual extravaganza returns with photography, fine jewelry, specialty food, blown glass, art & more!
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EL CAJON:
SEPT. 24-26 & OCT. 1-3: German-American Oktoberfest. Parade & keg tap is opening day, followed by two festive weekends of food, dance & entertainment.
OCT. 1-31: Scotty’s Scare Trail & Haunted Amusement Park. At the old, abandoned Marshal Scotty’s Playland. Doesn’t get much scarier than that.
OCT. 29: Annual HauntFest On Main. Returning with costume contests, carnival rides, games, music & more.
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ENCINITAS:
OCT. 15-30: Scout Troop’s Haunted Hotel & Trail of Terror. The cherished, town tradition is back with new trail haunt.
OCT. 29: Dead Man’s Party. At the Belly Up.
OCT. 31: Halloween Heat ft. The Bella Lux Dancers. At Belly Up Tavern.
OCT. 31: Annual Trick-or-Treat. A safe trick-or-treating experience.
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ESCONDIDO:
SEPT. 18-NOV. 21: José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico Exhibit. “This exhibition features artworks from one of Mexico’s most celebrated artists, José Guadalupe Posada.”
SEPT. 18-NOV. 21: ‘Muerte y Monstruos- Death and Monsters’ Art Exhibit: CA Center For Arts. “These traditional artworks straddle the line between ‘folk’ and ‘fine’ art.”
OCT. 1-31: Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm, Petting Zoo, Hayrides & Corn Maze. Activities include train rides & u-pick sunflowers.
OCT. 16-31: Autumn Festival: San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Special fall celebration with wildlife encounters, entertainment & culinary delights.
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IMPERIAL BEACH:
OCT. 2: Fall Arts & Crafts Fair. Get a jump on your holiday shopping.
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JULIAN:
SEPT. 18: Autumn Jubilee, Hayrides & Petting Zoo. An old-timey adventure for the family!
SEPT. 22 & OCT. 21: Johnny Appleseed’s Discovering America’: Fort Cross. With hayride, sing-alongs, petting zoo & more.
OCT. 2-30: Haunted Harvest Hayrides: Fort Cross. Are you ready to conquer your fears of dark, scary forests? If so, book soon.
OCT. 9-10: Open Studios Art Tour. More than dozen artists participating in Cuyamaca Mountains autumn event.
OCT. 14-18: Autumn Harvest Teas: Julian Tea & Cottage Arts. Fall-themed menu includes corn chowder or pumpkin soup, autumn-themed finger sandwiches, savories, scones & dessert.
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LA JOLLA:
OCT. 1-31: Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin & Kids’ Fun. Features pumpkin bowling, decorating, inflatables, maze & games.
OCT. 22-24: Halloween ‘Haunted Aquarium’: Birch Aquarium. With treat bags, ‘kelp’ maze, costume showcase, music & more.
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LA MESA:
OCT. 1-3: Oktoberfest – Biergartens & Entertainment. La Mesa Village transforms into a German paradise.
OCT. 16: Howl-O-Ween Hounds Adoption Event: Grossmont Center. Several hundred animals will be ready to find forever homes.
OCT. 31: Halloween Trick-or-Treating: Downtown. Don’t forget your costumes & trick-or-treat bags!
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LAKESIDE:
SEPT. 28-OCT. 31: Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, Wagon Rides & Kids’ Fun. Little ones will love the petting corral, giant slides, pedal-car track & Cottonseed Mountain.
OCT. 22-23 & 29-30: Annual ‘Trail Of Terror’: River Park Trail. Not your run-of-the-mill scare with clowns & zombies. Meet swamp people.
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LEMON GROVE:
OCT. 8: History Alive Hails the Treganzas. Fall event kicks off weekend of events related to renaming of historical society’s cultural landscape as “Treganza Heritage Park.”
OCT. 9: Dedication of Treganza Heritage Park. Fall fun with color guard, singers, antique car show & more.
OCT. 9: Gala Dinner Celebrates Treganza Heritage Park. Dinner al fresco in H. Lee House courtyard with music, performance by Flamenco Sur, auction & more.
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MISSION BEACH:
OCT. 1-NOV. 14: Belmont Park Fall Fest & Pumpkin Patch. Live music & beer garden on Fridays and trick-or-treating on Sundays.
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MISSION VALLEY:
OCT. 1-31: Mission Valley Pumpkin Station, Kiddie Rides & Petting Zoo. Includes inflatables, train & boat rides & more.
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NATIONAL CITY:
OCT. 1-31: Plaza Bonita Pumpkin Station, Kiddie Rides & Petting Zoo. Also on site: a Ferris wheel & giant slide.
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OCEAN BEACH:
OCT. 8-9: OB Oktoberfest. Where your stein-carrying, balloon-blowing, bratwurst-eating skills will pay off. Two days of Bavarian food, fun & contests.
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OCEANSIDE:
OCT. 2: Mission San Luis Rey Pet Blessing, Fest & Costume Contest. “Day of fun, food & fabulous furry friends!”
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OLIVENHAIN:
OCT. 15-30: Scout Troop’s Haunted Hotel & Trail of Terror. The cherished, town tradition is back with new trail haunt.
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POWAY:
SEPT.24-25, OCT. 8-9 & 22-23: Lake Poway Fall Camping Overnight. Hike, fish & relax!
OCT. 24: ‘Once Upon a Hallowe’en’ Carnival & Haunted House. With scary stories, haunted carnival games & more.
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RAMONA:
SEPT. 25-OCT. 31: Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch, Petting Zoo & Corn Maze. With pony rides on weekend, too.
OCT. 29: Halloween ‘Safe Trick-Or-Treat’: Main Street. Free to the public.
NOV. 5-7: Annual Art & Wine Festival. Annual fall event at participating wineries.
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RANCHO BERNARDO:
OCT. 1-31: Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm, Petting Zoo, Hayrides & Corn Maze. Activities include train rides & u-pick sunflowers.
OCT. 23: Rancho BEERnardo Festival. Great beer & great cause!
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RANCHO SANTA FE:
OCT. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30-31: Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Days: Helen Woodward Animal Center. Fun includes trick-or-treating, critters, hay maze & mini pumpkin patch.
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SAN DIEGO:
SEPT. 17-OCT. 31: SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream. When your family-friendly park lands in Simon’s Slaughterhouse. Yikes!
SEPT. 18-OCT. 31: SeaWorld Spooktacular & Trick-or-Treat. Candy, costumes & dance party with Count von Count, Elmo, Cookie Monster & more.
SEPT. 24 – OCT. 31: Haunted Trail Of Balboa Park. Wear your running shoes. Maze & haunted trail? You will need them!
OCT.: Los Muertos 5k: Canceled for 2021.
OCT. 1-NOV. 14: Belmont Park Fall Fest & Pumpkin Patch. Live music & beer garden on Fridays and trick-or-treating on Sundays.
OCT. 1-31: ‘Haunted Hotel Disturbance’: Mission Valley. Three haunts, one location — so you’ll get your money’s worth of fear!
OCT. 1-31: SD Zoo’s ‘HalGLOWeen’ Halloween Extravaganza. Zoo stays open for late-night on weekend nights for costume fun, entertainment, games & treats.
OCT. 1-31: Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin & Kids’ Fun. Features pumpkin bowling, decorating, inflatables, maze & games.
OCT. 1-31: Mission Valley Pumpkin Station, Kiddie Rides & Petting Zoo. Includes inflatables, train & boat rides & more.
OCT. 4-31: Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero’s Halloween Movies: Manchester Grand Hyatt. All your Halloween fave flicks in rooftop setting.
OCT. 6-31: ‘Hitchcocktober’ Month: Angelika Film Center: Carmel Mountain. “Celebrate Alfred Hitchcock, the master who gave us some of the most suspenseful moments in film history.”
OCT. 16-31: ‘Witches of Westgate Tea’: Westgate Hotel. Wear your most bewitching costume!
OCT. 22: AleSmith Fright Nights featuring Scareventures. Haunted brewery tour.
OCT. 23: 14th Annual Hallo-Wine Fall Festival. Outdoors at historic Burnham House in Balboa Park.
OCT. 27: Trick-or-Treat On India Street: Little Italy. Sweet & spooky fun for all ages.
OCT. 30: The Dinner Detective Interactive Mystery Show – Halloween Show. “Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner.”
OCT. 30: City Heights Dia de Muertos Celebration. Face-painting, community altars & entertainment.
OCT. 31: Hitchcocktober ‘Psycho’: Angelika Film Center: Carmel Mountain. Month-long film event culminates with “Psycho.”
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SANTA YSABEL:
SEPT. 18: Autumn Jubilee, Hayrides & Petting Zoo. A true, old-timey adventure for the family!
SEPT. 22 & OCT. 21: Johnny Appleseed’s Discovering America’: Fort Cross. With hayride, sing-alongs, petting zoo & more.
OCT. 2-30: Haunted Harvest Hayrides: Fort Cross. Are you ready to conquer your fears of dark, scary forests? If so, book soon.
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SANTEE:
OCT. 2: Blessings of the Animals. An autumn tradition. At St. Columba’s Episcopal Church.
OCT. 8-10: Guardian Angels Fall Festival. With a Saturday night BBQ dinner.
OCT. 16.: ‘Brews & Bites’ – A new fall event with live music.
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VALLEY CENTER:
SEPT 18-OCT. 31: Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy tractor hayrides, straw maze, petting corral & pony rides.
OCT. 9: Halloween Scarecrow Contest: Bates Nut Farm. Individuals, groups & clubs invited to enter.
OCT. 23: Howl-o-Ween Doggie Costume Contest & Parade: Bates Nut Farm. This one’s for the dogs!
OCT. 24: Halloween Costume Contest & Parade: Bates Nut Farm. Participants score certificate, treats & tractor hayride.
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VISTA:
OCT. 16: Halloween Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat: North County Square. Hosted by Elsa, Spiderman and a dynamic dinosaur.
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