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The spookiest time of the year is finally here. Throughout the month of October, there is plenty of festive activities and events for families to explore in the San Diego area.
Here's everything kid and pet-friendly happening in San Diego for Halloween 2021:
(If you’re looking for fun FREE things to do with your kids, Get Free Kids Admission At These San Diego Attractions In October!)
CORN MAZES
- Pumpkin Station in Rancho Bernardo and Bonita | Open October 1 - 31
There are a handful of Pumpkin Station locations throughout San Diego County, but both the Bonita and Rancho Bernardo locations feature an 8ft tall corn maze! They also feature a kids train ride and a petting zoo along with a pumpkin patch. Visit the Pumpkin Station website for complete details. Pumpkin Station operates pumpkin patch locations with fun activities at in Bonita, Del Mar, Mission Valley, National City, and Rancho Bernardo.
- Mountain Valley Ranch in Ramon | Open September 25 - October 31
You may know this location for its Christmas tree farm, but this fall they're getting in the Halloween spirit with a corn maze open 7-days a week, along with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, 'corn cannon,' and pony rides on certain days. Visit the Mountain Valley Ranch website for complete details.
- Carlsbad Strawberry Company | September 18 - November 8
This popular strawberry farm is mixing it up with a pumpkin patch for fall, and activities like an 'apple cannon,' and a 1.5-mile corn maze trail that they say takes about 30 minutes to complete. Check out the Carlsbad Strawberry Company website for complete details.
- Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center | September 18 - October 31
This popular north county farm has been open for over 50 years. This year Bates will feature all of their traditional fall festivities but
- HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo | October 1 - 31
This year, the glittering, glowing spectacular has been expanded to five fun-filled weekends in October. It will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5:00 - 9:00 P.M. to allow families more time to encounter remarkable wildlife in diverse habitats, and take part in all of the 'fang-tastic'HalGLOWeenentertainment and experiences. As the sun goes down each weekend, from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M., guests can enjoy a multitude of entertainment options, including live music, amazing performances, and awesome interactive games and costume fun—hosted by the Zoo’s zany Dr. Zoolittle.
Guests can meet and greet the Zoo’s Boo Crew, as Dr. Harry and Friends don their Halloween finery and they will find delicious seasonal treats at eateries throughout the Zoo. Visit the Zoo's website for complete details.
- SeaWorldSpooktacular| September 18 - October 31
Guests looking for family friendly Halloween fun can head toSeaWorldSpooktacular® for a festive day filled with candy, costumes, colorful characters, music and more.This immersive family event featureseverything kids love about Halloween, from trick-or-treatingto hay mazes to a Halloween dance party to fun times with their favorite Sesame Street friends.In addition to all the returning favorites, this year SeaWorld San Diego is bringing back its belovedSpooktacularPumpkin Hunt!SeaWorldSpooktacularruns weekends September 18 through October 31 and is included with park admission.
- Belmont Park Fall Fest & Pumpkin Patch in Mission Beach | October 1 - November 14
Get into the festive spirit with FREE Trick-or-Treating every Sunday at 5 pm, NEW Pumpkin Patch open daily, live acoustic performances + beer garden Friday nights at 5 pm, specialty eats from Sweet Shoppe and MORE! There will also be a Trunk-or-Treat at 5 pm on Saturday, October 30.
- LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat in Carlsbad | October 2 - 30
LEGOLAND®CaliforniaResort transforms into the ultimate family Halloween party during its Brick-or-Treat Halloween celebration, every Saturday in October from 3-8pm.
Guests are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes, boogie down with the Midnight Monster Jam, enjoy tasty treats from one of 15 treat stations, take photos surrounded by all the fall décor and interact withSpooktacularentertainment.
New this year is a digital Pop Badge Challenge! With video clues scattered throughout the Park, guests will go on a spook-filled adventure as they become Halloween detectives and help find a missing party guest while also uncovering an exclusive 2021 Brick-or-Treat pop badge.
Even more spooks and not too frightening frights can be expected during Brick-or-Treat with the first-ever LEGOLAND Scare Zone! Located in Adventure Club, the scare zone will take guests through ancient Egypt, a jail cell, the rainforest, and a bone-chilling ice cave. Creepy crawlers, eerie music and not-too-terrifying actors will make it a scream-worthy experience. Visit Legoland's website for complete details.
- Howl-O-WeenHarvest Family Days at Helen Woodward Animal Center | October 2 - 31
This festive event includes hands-on animal encounters, trick or treat stations, entry into the 'Eerie Expedition,' crafts, a hay maze, and a mini pumpkin patch. We look forward to providing a safe environment for your family to have an awesome autumn adventure and to make new memories.
Animals you may encounter include miniature horses or alpacas, lizards or turtles, and millipedes or hermit crabs. For safety purposes, we are limiting the number of people attending at one time. Therefore registration is for a one-hour time slot with a group of no more than 45 people. Groups will be led through their activities by a member of our creepy crew during their registered hour. Visit the Helen Woodward website for complete details and ticket information.
- Howl-O-WeenHounds Adoption Event atGrossmontCenter | October 16
The San Diego Animal Support Foundation is conducting a Howl-O-WeenHounds MEGA Adoption Event atGrossmontcenter in Las Mesa on Saturday, October 16 from 11 am to 3 pm. Hundreds of pets from dozens of shelters and rescue facilities will on-site for you to meet and find your next furry friend. More details are available HERE.
- Mr. JackO'LanternsPumpkin Patch in La Jolla | October 1 - 30
Pick your pumpkin and other festival fall items at Mr. JackO’LanternsPumpkin patch while you enjoy tons of other fun activities and projects for the kids. Visit their website for days of operation, hours, and complete details.
- Oma's Pumpkin Patch in Lakeside | September 28 - October 30
Oma'sfeatures farm activities, wagon rides, giant slides, pedal car races, and lots of kids-powered games. Tickets must be purchased online in advance at Oma's Pumpkin Patch website.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
- 20th AnnualDiade los Muertos Festival in Oceanside | October 24
The 20th Annual OceansideDiade Los Muertos festival is a multi-cultural festival celebration of the traditional Dia de Los Muertos(Day of the Dead). A fun family-friendly event with retail and food booths. Featuring traditional live entertainment, community and family altars built-in memory of loved ones, music, Classic Car Show with caraltares, marigolds fromMellanoFlowers, Day of the Dead bread, Chalk Cemetery and children’s activity areas. Visit the website for complete details.
- 26th Annual Sherman HeightsDiade Los Muertos | October 26 - 30
Celebrate at San Diego's most authentic and longest standingDíade Los Muertos celebration in the heart of Sherman Heights featuring indoor and outdoor altars, plus workshops and more.
- City HeightsDiade losMuertos2021 | October 30
Celebrate the lives of friends and relatives who have passed away at the City HeightsDiade Los Muertos. People of all cultures will come together for community altars, face painting, mask making, and prizes for the best catrina, plus dancing, singing, and music. More details are available at this website.
- EncinitasDiade laMuertos | October 30
The 6th annualEncinitasDiade Muertos(Day of the Dead)celebration will take place at the Encinitas CommunityCenter from 12-4 pm. The festival is geared toward families offering great performances by Mariachi bands and exciting BalletFolkloricogroups on stage. Plus, art-making workshops, artist demonstrations, a Day of the Dead art exhibit by local students, food trucks, and a low-rider car show! There will be a 10’Ofrendain the Encinitas Library and Community Center, which will be open to all to contribute remembrances of loved ones. More details will be available on this website.
- Mercado de Arte at Old Town State Park | October 30
It’s the time of year to reunite the living and the dead, and Old Town will keep the tradition alive with its Dia de Los Muertos celebration. The celebration will be a bit different this year – the Mercado de Arte will be held at the north side of the park across from the Market Theatre and Trolley stop. Old Town will also be decorated in honor of the holiday, including 16 alters located in businesses throughout the park – these will remain on display through November 15. More details are available at this website.
- Diode Los Muertos-Procesiónto the Cemetery at Old Town State Park | November 1- 2
Old Town’sDiade Los Muertos is held each year on November 1and 2in celebration of the history, culture, and heritage of the region to honor one of its more important holidays. It is believed that at this time the spirits of loved ones who have died return to earth to celebrate with family and friends. November 1 is the day of the children and November 2 is All Souls Day. The processions begin at 5 pm. More details are available at this website.