San Diego in October: Halloween Events, Pumpkins and Glowing Zoos (2026)

Most of the country celebrates October with crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice everything. San Diego celebrates it in flip-flops. The leaves stay on the trees, the summer crowds go home, and the whole county quietly turns into a Halloween theme park.

So if you’re looking for things to do in San Diego in October, you’re in luck. Here’s what’s worth your time in October 2026, from family-friendly glowing animals to haunted houses that will make a grown adult scream “I’M FINE” at a teenager in a mask.

1. HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo (families, start here)

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, the zoo stays open until 9 p.m. for HalGLOWeen, with glowing displays and Halloween fun after dark. It’s included with regular admission, which makes it one of the best deals of the month. Your kids get to see the zoo after dark, and you get to see what a flamingo looks like by spooky light.

Tip: read our San Diego Zoo survival guide first. The hills don’t get any flatter at night.

2. Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld (adults, bring a brave friend)

On select nights through October 31, SeaWorld turns into a full-on scream park with haunted houses, scare zones and themed bars. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the scaring starts at 7. This one needs its own ticket, separate from daytime admission, and annual passes don’t get you in.

SeaWorld itself says it’s not recommended for kids under 13 or “the faint of heart.” We’d add: or anyone who has ever said “I don’t really get scared.” Those are the loudest screamers.

Tip: check the calendar before you go. It’s select nights only, not every night.

3. Día de los Muertos in Old Town (free, and gorgeous)

From September 1 to November 2, the Fiesta de Reyes plaza in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park fills with giant Catrinas, decorated skulls, altars and marigolds. It’s free and family-friendly. Go in the late afternoon and stay until after sunset, when new lighting makes the whole plaza glow.

Día de los Muertos isn’t “Mexican Halloween,” by the way. It’s a celebration of loved ones who have died, and the altars are personal and beautiful. Look, learn, take photos and don’t lean on the ofrendas.

Tip: while you’re in Old Town, have the margarita, enjoy the mariachis and then read our take on where to find the best tacos.

4. A haunted night in the Gaslamp Quarter

Downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter goes all in on October. There’s the San Diego Zombie Crawl, a 21+ bar crawl on October 23, 24, 30 and 31, plus a 2-hour Ghosts of Gaslamp walking tour on Friday evenings. For something calmer, the Gaslamp Museum runs classic horror movie nights in its courtyard on Thursdays in October.

Tip: if your costume involves a lot of fake blood, maybe skip the white rental car seats.

5. Halloween Aglow at Birch Aquarium (La Jolla)

On October 23 and 24, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Birch Aquarium in La Jolla hosts Halloween Aglow: glowing displays, strange sea creatures and a little science sneaked in while nobody’s looking. Tickets are $59.95 for adults and $49.95 for kids aged 3 to 12. It’s a good pick if your family likes their spooky with a side of octopus.

6. Free Halloween at Liberty Station (little monsters welcome)

On Sunday, October 25, from noon to 4 p.m., Liberty Station in Point Loma throws Halloween at the Station in Ingram Plaza. It’s free and made for families: trick-or-treating around the plaza, a DJ, a car show, inflatable obstacle courses, crafts and a costume contest with categories for little kids, big kids, adults, groups and pets. Yes, pets. Your dog has been waiting all year for this.

7. Yokai Masquerade at the Japanese Friendship Garden

For a Halloween night that’s more art gallery than haunted house, the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park hosts the Yokai Masquerade on Saturday, October 31, from 6 to 10 p.m. It’s inspired by yokai, the mischievous spirits of Japanese folklore, with after-hours exhibits, games, performers and a yokai parade. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $60, or $45 for members.

8. Scream Diego, for the true horror fans

If your idea of a perfect Saturday is meeting horror icons and arguing about the best slasher sequel, Scream Diego is your people. San Diego’s own Halloween and horror convention takes over the DoubleTree in Mission Valley on Saturday, October 17, with panels, cosplay, games, local horror artists and a Kid’s SCREAM Zone for the next generation of scream queens.

9. A real pumpkin patch at Bates Nut Farm

Yes, San Diego has a proper pumpkin patch, and it’s been a local tradition for a long time. Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center (inland North County, a proper drive from downtown) runs its pumpkin patch through October 31, with hay rides, a corn maze and a little farm zoo with alpacas, goats and an emu. The emu is not part of the Halloween decor. It just looks like that.

Tip: go on a weekday morning if you can, and bring sunscreen. It’s still Southern California. Your pumpkin will get a tan.

10. Just enjoy October, because it’s secretly the best month

Here’s a well-kept secret: October is one of the nicest times to visit San Diego. The summer crowds have gone home, the beaches are quieter and the weather is often warm and sunny. It’s a great month for a beach day you’d never get away with in Chicago.

The one thing to watch for: hot, dry Santa Ana wind days can roll in during the fall. On those days, drink extra water, skip the long hikes in the afternoon heat and follow any fire safety rules in parks and on trails.

FAQ: things to do in San Diego in October

Plan the rest of your trip

El Campo Santo Cemetery

An 1840s Old Town cemetery where ghost tours stop at night.

Sunset Cliffs

Free golden-hour cliffs in Point Loma for your October beach evening.

Coronado Beach

A wide, calm beach with sparkly sand and a secret dune message.

Photo: khawkins04, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr