From Trick-or-Treating to Halloween Bar Crawls, These Are San Diego’s Top Happenings
San Diego may not see the transition of leaves from verdant green to crimson red, but that doesn’t mean we’re not falling for spooky season in a hundred other ways. With fall fully underway, it seems like nearly every corner of the city is embracing the season. Trick-or-treating excursions, autumn festivals and ghoulish pub crawls are all on this year’s calendar. Plus, you won’t want to miss major events like The Forum Carlsbad’s Halloween Spooktacular and Volo Sports’ Voloween Bar Crawl in Pacific Beach. With that said, here’s a list of our favorite fall events in San Diego for 2024!
Voloween Bar Crawl + Fall Sports Leagues
Date: Oct. 26
This October, Volo Sports San Diego is bringing together fun, fitness and festivity with their highly anticipated Voloween Bar Crawl on Saturday, October 26th. If you’re new to Volo Sports, they’re all about creating social sports leagues that foster community, friendships and a healthy lifestyle—all with a side of friendly competition!
The Voloween Bar Crawl kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and rolls through some of the best bars in Pacific Beach, starting at The Sandbox, then moving on to Tavern at the Beach, where you can enter the costume contest for a chance to win a $50 gift card. It then stops at bar Ella and Mavericks Beach Club. Volo Pass members can enjoy this epic Halloween bar crawl in San Diego for free, complete with two drink tickets at each bar, while non-pass holders can join in for $25, which includes one drink ticket at every location. But it’s not all about the bar hopping—registration for fall sports leagues is closing on Nov. 7, and soccer and volleyball are the top sports to sign up for before time runs out. Whether you’re looking to take the pitch or practice your spike, now’s your last chance to get in on the autumn action with Volo Sports!
Location: Pacific Beach
Halloween Spooktacular at The Forum Carlsbad
Date: Oct. 26
The Forum Carlsbad isn’t just home to some of the ritziest retailers—it’s also where little ones will stumble upon some of the best trick-or-treating. With spooky season officially here, the community is preparing for another year of frights and frolics at the annual Halloween Spooktacular from 2-6 p.m. Throw on your witch’s hat and follow the smell of Skittles and Snickers along this trick-or-treat trail that winds through participating retailers and restaurants (and may just lead you to a Sanderson Sister or two). Of course, all those treats have to be stored somewhere! Before dashing off to find their first candy bowl, trick-or-treaters can stop by the Garden Area to receive an exclusive Halloween tote bag! When your littles’ baskets are brimming, return to the Garden Area to indulge in some ghoulish fun with carnival games, treats and live music.
Location: Carlsbad
San Diego Food + Wine Festival
Dates: Nov. 2-10
Prepare your taste buds for the 20th annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival, a culinary event set against the backdrop of sailboats and sandy beaches! As one of the nation’s most anticipated weeks in food, this milestone year promises a celebration like no other, featuring more than 300 chefs, wineries, farmers, artists and brands.
With a lineup that includes culinary legends such as Alice Waters, Elizabeth Falkner, and Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytán, this year’s festival is packed with talent and flavor. New partnerships with the James Beard Foundation and Food Tank elevate the event to a cultural platform that honors Latin, Asian, and BIPOC culinary traditions that have profoundly shaped Southern California’s food scene. Attendees can expect not just an indulgent experience but a week of thought leadership, cultural exchange, and storytelling. Get your tickets here!
Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Dates: Weekends in October
Take a walk on the wild side this fall at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Autumn Festival. Bats, owls and wolves aren’t the only entertainment at this wild animal park when fall rolls around. Keep an eye out for not-so-scary scarecrows and an ear tuned for the Barn Owls band, spreading the sound of down-home, bluegrass tunes. Not to be corn-fused with your typical corn maze, the labyrinth of hay bales in Nairobi Village is a fall favorite, sheltering scarecrows and clues leading to Southwest wildlife. As dusk settles in, watch as the eerie park grounds come to life in a kaleidoscope of colors during the annual lantern ceremony.
Location: Escondido
Trick-or-Treat on India Street
Date: Oct. 27
Everyone knows that the secret to the best trick-or-treating is quantity—and Little Italy has plenty of candy to go around! Taking the trick-or-treat scene a step beyond traditional door-to-door knocking, this neighborhood rallies retailers and storefront owners to participate in the fun. Little ones won’t want to miss out on Trick-or-Treat on India Street, with participating businesses adding their share into the melting pot of candy on Oct. 27. Stop by from 3:30-7:30 p.m. for a little pre-All Hallow’s Eve fun, starting at Piazza della Famiglia to grab your map of the candy trail. Oh, and you might even get to snap a photo or two with Jack Skellington!
Local Insight: Explore more of Little Italy with this full neighborhood restaurant guide!
Location: Little Italy
Carlsbad Village Street Faire
Date: Nov. 3
Farmers market fanatics will feel right at home at the Carlsbad Village Street Faire, a festive San Diego event held on Nov. 3. This bi-annual festival takes your traditional neighborhood market to a new level with a blend of local goods and international cuisines from over 900 vendors. As one of the largest street fairs in America, the laid-back square surrounding Carlsbad Village will transform into a vibrant labyrinth of vendors and live musicians along Grand Avenue and Carlsbad Avenue. Grab a cozy cup of coffee from Choice Juicery and peruse the lineup of goods that range from homemade candles and art displays to handmade cultural dishes from Central America, Asia and beyond.
Location: Carlsbad
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Dates: Nov. 2-3
There’s no point in denying it—you know you want a nibble of the sweet, sugary pan de muerto that makes an appearance every year during Dia de los Muertos. The cheerful sound of mariachi ensembles and sights of colorful ofrendas found across San Diego’s Old Town district are making their way to Liberty Station for the annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration. While the sugar skulls and Las Catrinas might give the impression, this cultural fest has no ties to All Hallow’s Eve. Gather on Nov. 2 and 3 for a day of artistry, music, margaritas and age-old traditions during this symbolic celebration that honors the lives of those before us.
Location: Liberty Station
Bikes & Beers at AleSmith Brewing
Date: Nov. 16
Ride off that extra Halloween candy at Bikes & Beers, hosted by Miramar’s AleSmith Brewing! This cycle-loving community is returning for its 11th annual ride on Nov. 16. with 15-, 30- and 45-mile rides departing and ending at the brewery. Keeping you safe and caffeinated before the big ride, fuel up with free coffee and pastries from the crew, as well as last-minute safety checks before setting out on your GPS-marked route. Celebrate a road well cycled with complimentary beers, a pint glass and a koozie. Oh, and stick around for the after-party, featuring food trucks, live music and a charity raffle!
Location: Miramar
