The best time in San Diego is here—spooky season! October means haunted houses, ghost tours, trick-or-treat hauls, and late-night parties for adults. Whether you’re after chills, candy, or cocktails, here’s your ultimate guide to Halloween events in San Diego for 2025.
What’s better than being chased through Balboa Park by demons and monsters during spooky season? For 26 years, the Haunted Trail has been a San Diego Halloween staple. This year’s setup features a mile-long walk through the park plus the eXperiment Maze—a two-for-one deal on scares, complete with twisted sets, dark pathways, and horror movie-worthy jump scares. Recommended for ages 10 and up, but little ones are allowed if they can walk it on their own two feet.
If clowns and carnivals weren’t already nightmare fuel, the Haunted Amusement Park takes it to another level. The old El Cajon destination transforms into a haunted wonderland with rides, themed mazes, and creepy performers lurking around every corner.
SeaWorld gets a spooky glow-up with haunted houses, scare zones like Terrors of the Deep, and plenty of live shows. Daytime hours are kid-friendly, but once the sun sets, the park leans into full-blown fear—plus 10+ themed bars if you need liquid courage.
Price: Starting at $75 Time: Park hours vary Address: 500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
Whaley House
Open year-round
One of America’s most haunted houses is right here in Old Town. Built in the 1850s and once used as a courthouse and general store, the Whaley House is infamous for the tragedies tied to its past. Today, you can brave candlelit after-hours tours where paranormal activity has been reported—or stick to a safer self-guided tour if you’re a scaredy-cat (like us).
Price: Tours starting at $13 Time: Daily, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; 5-9 p.m. Address: 2476 San Diego Ave., San Diego, CA 92110
Price: Starting at $39 Time: Daily, 7–9:30 p.m. Address: 4010 Twiggs St., San Diego, CA 92110
Haunted Histories of the Gaslamp
October 1–31
The Gaslamp’s past is full of red-light scandals, bootleggers, and all-around debauchery. These walking and bus tours hit 25+ haunted spots, from the Davis-Horton House to true crime locations packed with eerie lore.
Each year, Little Italy’s streets transform into a family-friendly trick-or-treating wonderland. Kids can collect candy from local businesses while enjoying the festive atmosphere and plenty of photo opportunities.
Price: Free Time: 3:30–7:30 p.m. Address: India St., San Diego, CA 92101
Price: $10; free for kids under 2 Time: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Address: 655 Fourth Ave., Downtown
Halloween on Maryland Street (University Heights)
October 31
Maryland Street goes all out with over-the-top decorations and trick-or-treating. It’s part block party, part neighborhood haunted house tour.
Price: Free Address: Maryland St., University Heights
Adams Avenue Halloween Haunt
October 26
If Normal Heights is your haunt, swing by Adams Avenue for trick-or-treating at over 50 businesses. There will also be costume contests with categories including families and groups, children, pets, and adults with prizes of up to $100.
Price: Free Time: Noon–5 p.m. Address: Adams Ave., Normal Heights
Price: Free entry; rides extra Time: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Address: 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat
September 20–November 1
Legoland’s weekends turn into Monster Parties with costume contests, festive rides like their Disco Dragon Coaster and Ghost Cruise, and trick-or-treat stations. Basically: endless candy and bricks.
Price: Starting at $75; free entry for one child per adult ticket Time: Park hours vary Address: One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad
Haunted Harvest at Fort Cross
October 4, 11, 18, 25
A rustic Halloween tradition, this Julian farm hosts a haunted hayride that takes guests through backcountry trails lit by lanterns and accompanied by ghost stories. The locale’s Autumn Jubilee event also offers guests activities like a hoedown with live music, farm animal pettings, cider pressing demonstrations, candle dippings and more.
Price: $30 per person Time: 7:30 or 8 p.m. (reservation required) Address: 4425 Hwy 78, Santa Ysabel
Halloween at Liberty Station
October 26
Liberty Station hosts a festive evening at Ingram Plaza featuring live music, trick-or-treating, a car show from Point Loma Cars and Coffee, an inflatable obstacle course, and arts and crafts for kids. Don’t forget to bring nonperishable food donations for Feeding San Diego.
Price: Free Time: Noon–4 p.m. Address: 2820 Roosevelt Rd., Point Loma
Courtesy of Eventbrite San Diego Zombie Crawl
San Diego Halloween Events for Adults
Graveyard Festival
October 31
This large-scale Halloween music and arts festival features multiple stages, music from over 50 DJs, undead dancers and more. Hosted at Lane Field Park, attendees can expect big crowds, costumes, and plenty of dancing.
Fans of classic horror will revel in this month-long celebration of Halloween Classics. At Regal Mira Mesa, 31 unique cult classics and modern horror films will be screened—from Friday the Thirteenth to The Witch—offering the perfect activity for film buffs looking for a scare with friends. Each week the theater is offering a unique offer from BOGO popcorn to half-off candy.
The Hard Rock’s carnival-themed Halloween bash will feature a lineup of San Diego’s top DJs, seven unique themed areas including a candy bar, and plenty of dancing. The party will feature VIP spaces for reservation offering bottle service and private cabanas. You won’t want to miss this three-story party of Halloween fun.
Grab your crew and hit Gaslamp bars like Good Night John Boy and Trailer Park After Dark, with drink deals, free shots, and lots of costumes.
Price: Starting at $40 Time: 6 p.m.–2 a.m. Address: Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, CA 92101
The Bar for the Recently Deceased at The Tipsy Crow
October 18–November 4
The Tipsy Crow gets a full Beetlejuice makeover, complete with creepy décor, themed cocktails, and a very different kind of “spirits” menu.
Address: 770 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter Time: Monday and Wednesday 3 p.m.–2 a.m.; Tuesday and Friday–Sunday noon–2 a.m.
Nightmare on Normal Street
October 31
Hillcrest comes alive at this Halloween block party that takes over the neighborhood. The event features a costume competition, a dance party, food and drink vendors, live DJs, and food vendors.
Price: $35 Time: 5–11 p.m. Address: 1601 University Ave., Hillcrest
Sip & Scare Sunset at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
