Halloween is just around the corner and San Diego is already very much in the spirit. The local spooky season offerings include eerie performances of Poe & More Poe at the Villa Montezuma Museum and a trip to the splatter zone for Evil Dead The Musical at Tenth Avenue Arts Center. If you’re someone with an aversion to horror but a love for action thrillers, consider seeing FilmOut San Diego’s double feature of The Warriors and Escape From New York, or choose from dozens of screenings across genres at the San Diego International Film Festival. Speaking of festivals, it’s also worth remembering that Mission Bayfest, Bella Vita Fest, and TwitchCon (just to name a few) are all happening this weekend in America’s Finest City.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
The Chef and The Daruma
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser
October 18
Over 40 food and beverage vendors are taking part in Santee’s annual Brews & Bites, back with a haunting Halloween theme this Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East. Eventgoers can compete in individual and group costume contests and enjoy live music from BETAMAXX, opportunity drawings, and special cocktails in the Captain’s Quarters ($20) courtesy of Deano’s Pub. The proceeds from this fundraiser will support recreation programs, park improvements, resident financial assistance, and more. General admission is $60.
550 Park Center Drive, Santee
Culinary Cinema at AMC UTC 14
October 19
One of the centerpiece events of the San Diego International Film Festival is the food-driven programming of Culinary Cinema. This Sunday, attendees can enjoy a pre-reception buffet at Capital One Café, followed by a screening of the documentary The Chef and The Daruma. The experience finishes with wine and cocktail pairings and bites from local chefs. Culinary Cinema tickets are $75, with available start times at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.
4425 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego International Film Festival
October 15–19
See the world on the silver screen throughout the San Diego International Film Festival. The festival’s packed screening lineup at AMC UTC 14 begins Wednesday with Luca Guadagnino’s thriller After the Hunt and closes with Wake Up Dead Man, the latest addition in the Benoit Blanc whodunit series. Plus, there will be special events like the elegant Night of the Stars Tribute ($175+) Thursday at The Conrad and Party with a Purpose ($55) Friday at Belly Up. Ticket options range from $20 individual screenings passes to the $575 all-inclusive VIP pass.
4425 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
NxWorries at SOMA
October 16
Why Lawd?, the long-awaited sophomore album from Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge as NxWorries not only delivered on eight years of expectations, but added a new dimension to the duo’s smooth-talk anthems. NxWorries’ upcoming performance at SOMA this Thursday at 8 p.m. will include R&B artist Rae Khalil, who featured on the Why Lawd? tracks “OutTheWay” and “WalkOnBy.” Tickets are $76 for this concert.
3350 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
Rilo Kiley at Gallagher Square
October 17
When Rilo Kiley released Under the Blacklight, the LA indie rockers had reached a peak, both securing major label success and beginning their descent towards a necessary breakup. Now over a decade later, all the bad blood has washed away, and the band is back, playing timeless hits such as “Portions for Foxes” and “A Better Son/Daughter” like it’s 2007 all over again. This Friday at 8 p.m., Rilo Kiley will rock the Gallagher Square stage with special guest Waxahatchee, the excellent country/folk rock venture of Katie Crutchfield. Tickets are $69 for this concert.
899 J Street, Downtown
TwitchCon
October 17–19
Livestream platform Twitch is celebrating 10 years of TwitchCon with a weekend of live entertainment, meet-and-greets, networking, panels, and more this Friday through Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center. Passholders can check out interactive workshops, watch live e-sports competitions, learn how to play tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, and stop by the TwitchCon’s Saturday night block party in Gaslamp. Three-day tickets are $249, single-day passes start at $159, and the block party add-on is $125.
111 West Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
Mission Bayfest
October 17–19
Catch a vibe listening to Sublime, Rebelution, OB natives Slightly Stoopid, and several other all-star reggae acts at Mission Bayfest. Across three coastal days at Mariner’s Point Park, fans can groove to their favorite island jams; catch local talent like Aaron Wolf, Vana Liya and Doah’s Daydream; and shop a host of food, apparel, and accessories in the vendor village. The final batch of single-day GA tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are on sale for $119, along with three-day passes for $339.
3119 Mariners Way, Mission Bay
Reneé Rapp at Cal Coast Open Air Theatre at SDSU
October 18
On October 18, Reneé Rapp brings her “Bite Me” energy to Cal Coast Open Air Theatre at SDSU with a show kicking off at 8 pm. She’s a theatrical powerhouse turned pop songwriting force—from Mean Girls and Broadway acclaim to charting her own path with her sophomore album. Don’t sleep on tickets (doors open at 7 p.m.) and come for a night that mixes Broadway drama with rock-pop attitude.
Taste of the Book Fair
October 18
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2025 North Park Book Fair will not be happening. But bookworms have no need to worry, because Verbatim Books has organized a free Taste of the Book Fair pop-up, allowing literary lovers to still enjoy a piece of the beloved festival (including limited-edition 2025 North Park Book Fair t-shirts and totes). This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., explore more than 30 literary vendors across North Park, with authors at Bivouac Adventure Lounge, artists and crafters at Verbatim Books, and booksellers and zine-makers convening in the Bargain Center parking lot.
North Park
Native American Heritage Festival
October 18
This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Native Youth Foundation is commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day with its inaugural Native American Heritage Festival at Grape Day Park. The community festivities will include live hip-hop performances, bird singing groups, powwow dancers, Indigenous cuisine from food trucks and vendors, and an assortment of art and craft booths. This free event will also feature the chance to learn and observe beading, weaving, and basketry and conclude with a Native youth fashion show.
321 North Broadway, Escondido
Bella Vita Fest
October 18–19
ArtWalk San Diego’s free Bella Vita Fest is a celebration of the good life, as well as Italian culture, cuisine, and artistry, all in time for Italian Heritage Month. This Saturday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), taste the neighborhood’s best pizza slices, peruse the Wine Alley, and admire the street creations of over 40 chalk artists. Attendees can also see cooking demonstrations and demos from local chefs. Single-day wine sampling tickets for five ($25) and twelve ($55) tastings, as well as tasting passes for Sunday’s pizza slice-off competition ($25), can be purchased here.
550 West Date Street, Little Italy
Radenko Milak
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
& Juliet at Civic Theatre
October 14–19
& Juliet turns the tragic final moments of Romeo & Juliet into a second chance for love. As they quarrel over the best way for Juliet’s story to go, William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway wind up inserting themselves into the ever-changing narrative. This jukebox musical is soundtracked entirely by songs written or co-written by super producer Max Martin, including turn-of-the-century pop classics like “I Want It That Way” and “Oops!… I Did It Again.” Tickets start at $52, with nightly shows Tuesday through Sunday and two weekend matinee performances at the Civic Theatre.
1100 Third Avenue, Gaslamp
Radenko Milak: Four Seasons Interrupted at Madison Gallery
October 15–December 15
Within the paintings of Radenko Milak’s Four Seasons Interrupted, the Bosnian artist documents irregular weather overlaps in New York City brought on by the shifting environment and offers a stark reminder of our new normal. Four Seasons Interrupted will have an opening reception on Saturday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Madison Gallery.
320 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
Evil Dead The Musical at Tenth Avenue Arts Center
October 17–26
As Tenth Avenue Arts Center’s “Terror at The Tenth” creeps into mid-October, The Casual Company’s beloved production of Evil Dead The Musical is back for year 12. Based on Sam Raimi’s horror comedy franchise, this musical follows a friend group’s ill-fated night at a cursed cabin. There will be performances of Evil Dead The Musical Friday through Sunday at 8 p.m. this week and next. General tickets (18+) are $42 while seats in the splatter zone—where the first three rows of the audience may get sprayed with “zombie fluids” and fake blood—are $47.
930 Tenth Avenue, East Village
Poe & More Poe at Villa Montezuma Museum
October 17–November 1
Write Out Loud’s six-night tribute to the legendary writer who penned essential stories like The Raven and The Cask of Amontillado kicks off Friday at the Villa Montezuma Museum. See Poe & More Poe at three all-ages performances per night (6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.) on Fridays and Saturdays through November 1. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or by calling (619) 297-8953.
1925 K Street, Sherman Heights
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
FilmOut San Diego October Double Feature
October 15
See the dark side of the Big Apple with FilmOut San Diego’s October Double Feature of The Warriors and Escape From New York this Wednesday from 7 to 11 p.m. at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas. The Warriors follows a Coney Island street gang who must traverse the gritty underworld of NYC to get back home after being framed for murder. In the sci-fi classic Escape From New York—newly restored in 4K—the President of the United States is taken hostage on the futuristic prison island of Manhattan, and renegade Snake Plissken is given 24 hours to save the Commander-in-Chief or die trying. Tickets are $18 per person.
7548 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley
San Diego Wave FC vs. Chicago Stars FC at Snapdragon Stadium
October 18
After picking up a clutch road victory over the Utah Royals last weekend, Wave FC are on the doorstep of a well-deserved postseason return. This Saturday at 7 p.m., the Wave will host the Chicago Stars for their final home match of the regular season. To celebrate Fan Appreciation Night, the first 10,000 fans into Snapdragon Stadium will receive a Wave-themed long-sleeve hockey shirt. Plus, as part of Kids Free Month, children ages 12 and under will receive a free ticket with a paid adult ticket to the match. Tickets start at $22.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
The Links at Petco Park
October 18–26
Tee off on the nine-hole Haunted Golf Trail at The Links at Petco Park. Golfers can play as a foursome alongside a caddy, take a load off in the clubhouse, and shop Links gear as part of this interactive experience at the ballpark. Kids ages 10 and under are permitted to bring one iron club; otherwise, Callaway clubs will be provided. Reserve a time to play as part of the Preferred ($124) or Premium Experience ($279). If you just want to see the action and explore the clubhouse, spectator tickets are available for $31.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
