It’s not quite Halloween yet… but that hasn’t stopped San Diego institutions from hosting all the spooky events this weekend. Get ghostly with the dancers of the Rosin Box Project, boogie with the party ghouls in Hillcrest, or go trick-or-treating in Little Italy. But don’t worry—if your costume’s not ready, there are plenty more things to do in San Diego this weekend.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
MAKE Projects’ Spiny Tail Lobster! Dinner
October 24
This Thursday’s Spiny Tail Lobster! pop-up dinner from MAKE Projects offers four courses of Haitian-inspired cuisine, featuring some locally sourced seafood, and highlights the organization’s job readiness program and its work with Haitian immigrants. Beginning with mocktails at 6 p.m., the menu will feature Haitian-style pumpkin soup, fried green plantain, spiny lobster, and gateaux orange for dessert. Tickets are $122.84, which includes tax and gratuity.
2920 University Avenue, North Park
Rumorosa La Sala Wine Dinner with Bodegas De Santo Tomás
October 25
The Sheraton San Diego’s Baja California–style eatery Rumorosa is partnering with Bodegas De Santo Tomás, Baja’s oldest winery, for a intimate “La Sala” wine dinner this Friday night at 7 p.m. Guests can prepare their palettes for a four-course meal of Mexican food (with wine pairings), including duck prosciutto, chicharrón wellington, and tres leches tiramisu. Tickets are $121 per person for this dinner.
1380 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island
Silver Screen Soirée
October 26
Dress for the glitz of Hollywood’s Golden Age at Estancia La Jolla’s Silver Screen Soirée from 7 to 11 p.m. this Saturday. This cinematic bash invites guests to emulate the era’s biggest stars and frightening foes—meaning you can come as Katherin Hepburn or Frankenstein—in various costume categories rewarding the bold, the elegant, and the terrifying. Tickets to this 21-plus bash are $124.56 and come with a welcome beverage, two complimentary cocktails, parking, and unlimited themed food offerings. You can purchase them on Eventbrite.
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Kaytranada with Channel Tres and Lou Phelps at Gallagher Square
October 24
Fresh off the release of his latest album, Timeless, Kaytranada appears at Gallagher Square. Two featured artists from the record, rapper Channel Tres and Kaytranada’s brother and frequent collaborator Lou Phelps, are joining him on tour. Tickets start at $90 for Thursday night’s concert.
840 K Street, Downtown
Orville Peck with Nikki Lane and Emily Nenni at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
October 26
The masked stallion of country music, Orville Peck, will bring his outlaw bravado and Americana ballads to the Open Air Theatre Saturday night. The South African musician’s newest album Stampede featured 15 duets, with Peck going toe-to-toe with legendary artists like Willie Nelson, Elton John, and Allison Russell. Country artists Nikki Lane and Emily Nenni will open the show. Tickets start at $31 for this concert.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, College Area
North Park Book Fair
October 26
Verbatim Books invites the community to shop graphic novels, steamy romances, dramatic page-turners, and much more at the free North Park Book Fair this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local bookworms can comb the catalogs of local independent bookstores and comic book artists, listen to live music and poetry, test their drawing skills, and stop by author readings and book signings at this annual literary event.
North Park Way from Ray Street to Granada Avenue, North Park
Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival
October 27
Admire community ofrendas, trace tributes to loved ones at the chalk cemetery, and see the Por Siempre Car Club’s unique altar decorations at the free Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be two stages of live entertainment with a variety of folk dances, including capulli, ballet folklorico, and the Danza de los Diablos.
Pier View Way and South Tremont Streets, Oceanside
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at North Coast Repertory Theatre
October 23–November 17
In Katie Forgette’s comedic play Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, chaos ensues for the O’Sheas after the youngest member of the family receives the sex talk. Tickets for the San Diego premiere of the production at the North Coast Repertory Theatre start at $54.50. Opening night takes place this Saturday.
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach
Breathe with Me at UC San Diego
October 24–26
Artist Jeppe Hein’s community art project Breathe with Me, presented in partnership with Stuart Collection at UC San Diego, invites attendees to focus on conscious breathing and contribute to an interactive installation at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. RSVP to secure a 45-minute painting session here.
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
Ghost Light Masquerade at The Soap Factory
October 24-30
The masked dancers of The Rosin Box Project will lead audiences on an interactive adventure, guided only by a single light bulb onstage at the Ghost Light Masquerade. Tickets are $65.87 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
2995 Commercial Street, Barrio Logan
Art After Dark at Oceanside Museum of Art
October 26
After the gallery closes to the public this Saturday at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Art After Dark invites attendees to be the artwork for the night. Guests are encouraged to create unique costumes and model them in a judged runway show and costume contest. From 6 to 10 p.m., attendees at this 21-plus event can enjoy live music and dancing. Tickets start at $135, with $300 and $500 VIP options.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
Poe and His Progeny at the Villa Montezuma Museum
October 25 & 26
Hear the frightening tales of Edgar Allan Poe and other icons of gothic fiction straight from the authors themselves at Poe and His Progeny. Within the historic (and allegedly haunted) halls of the Villa Montezuma Museum, performers from Write Out Loud will recite the writers’ most notable works. There will be six spine-chilling performances this weekend at the museum. Tickets can be purchased for $30 here.
1925 K Street, Sherman Heights
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Nightmare on Normal Street
October 26
This annual haunt on the streets of Hillcrest will feature the hypnotic sounds of DJ Kinky Loops, drinks at outdoor bars, and the chance to win big money in prizes at the costume contest. Nightmare on Normal Street will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. this Saturday at Pride Flag Plaza. Tickets are $28.62 for GA and $60.48 for VIPs, who will receive two complimentary cocktails, VIP area access, and front-of-the-line perks. Purchase passes here.
Normal Street at University Avenue, Hillcrest
Mt. Carmel Tournament of Bands
October 26
Hear the booming brass, horns, and drumline as 30 high school marching bands representing San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties battle it out at Sundevil Stadium all day Saturday for the Mt. Carmel Tournament of Bands. There will be field show and parade competitions, as well as a special performance from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. Proceeds from the tournament go to music programs and the band, orchestra, and color guard at Mt. Carmel High School. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for students, seniors, and military; and free for kids ages 5 and under. Reserved seating in the center section is $25.
9550 Carmel Mountain Road, Rancho Penasquitos
Trick-or-Treat on India Street
October 27
Gather your little ones and don your costumes this Sunday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Trick-or-Treat on India Street. Several Little Italy businesses hand out treats and candy during this free, family-friendly event, and the Piazza della Famiglia will become Halloween Town for the night with a 13-foot tall Jack Skellington, pumpkin stacks, and photo ops that resemble the setting of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
523 West Date Street, Little Italy
