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.
Haunted Houses | Family-Friendly Events | Events For Adults
San Diego Haunted Houses & Attractions
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
September 26–November 1
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.
Price: Starting at $35
Time: See the full schedule here
Address: Balboa Dr. & Juniper Rd., Bankers Hill
The Haunted Amusement Park
September 26–November 1
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.
Price: Starting at $25
Time: See the full schedule here
Address: 133 W. Main St., El Cajon
SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream
September 12–November 1
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
Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour
Open year-round
Climb aboard this ghostly trolley tour to hear bone-chilling tales of San Diego’s darker days. Stops include the Whaley House, El Campo Santo Cemetery, and other local haunts.
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.
Price: Starting at $25
Time: See the full schedule here
Address: 410 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego Halloween Events for Families
Trick-or-Treat on India Street
October 26
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
San Diego Halloween Film Fest
October 31
Cinema Under the Stars is screening short horror films from local indie filmmakers. Even if you didn’t submit your own scream-fest, it’s a great way to spend Halloween while supporting San Diego’s film scene.
Price: Starting at $31
Time: 7 p.m.
Address: 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills
Bayside Boo: Spirited Night by the Bay
October 31
Seaport Village is throwing a family-friendly bash complete with live music, dancing by the bay, and plenty of sweets.
Price: Free
Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Address: 849 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
Halgloween at the San Diego Zoo
October 3–5, 10–12, 17–19, 24–26, and 31
The San Diego Zoo lights up for Halloween this year with glowing decorations, trick-or-treat stations, and shows featuring the creepiest critters in the collection. Fun for kids, zero nightmare fuel.
Price: Free with zoo admission
Time: 5 p.m.
Address: 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
The Shout! House: Halloween Family Night
October 19
The Gaslamp’s dueling piano bar dials down the usual rowdiness for an all-ages Halloween show. Expect spooky singalongs, a costume contest, and festive food.
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
Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park
Weekends in October
Belmont Park gets decked out with live music, Sunday trick-or-treating, and free kids’ rides with an adult wristband. Bonus: the Oct. 26 Belmont BeerFest featuring 20+ local breweries.
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
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.
Price: $23
Time: 2–10 p.m.
Address: 1009 N. Harbor Dr., Downtown
31 Screams on Screens
October 1-31
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.
Address: 10733 Westview Pkwy., Mira Mesa
Time: See full schedule here
Halloween Night North Park Murder Mystery & Scavenger Hunt
October 31
Solve puzzles and track down clues in this Halloween-themed murder mystery through North Park, hosted by URBN.
Price: $17 per person
Time: 7–10 p.m.
Address: 3085 University Ave., North Park
San Diego Zombie Crawl
October 25, 31, and November 1
Downtown turns undead with this multi-night bar crawl featuring 25+ venues, themed drinks, and welcome shots.
Price: Starting at $33
Time: 6 p.m.–2 a.m.
Address: 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
Hard Rock Halloween: Cirque Nocturne
November 1
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.
Price: Starting at $69
Time: 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
Address: 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego Halloween Bar Crawl
October 31 & November 1
Grab your crew and hit Gaslamp bars like Good Night John Boy and Oxford Social Club, 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
October 19 & 26
Sip seasonal cocktails aboard a historic train car while conductors share spooky tales during this sunset ride through East County.
Price: $35+
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Address: 750 Depot St., Campo, CA 91906
PARTNER CONTENT
The Cocooning at Mothership
October 1–November 2
South Park’s space bar gets wrapped up in cobwebs and gargoyles for Halloween, with themed cocktails to match the vibe.
Address: 2310 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Time: Monday–Friday 4:30 p.m.–midnight; Saturday–Sunday 2:30 p.m.–midnight
