Your Guide to a Fun, Frightful San Diego Halloween
BooOOOoOooo! Halloween in San Diego is a truly spook-tacular time to visit. There’s a whole host of haunted happenings taking place in and around town, and you definitely won’t want to miss your chance to get in on a frightfully good time.
Here’s your ghoulish guide to all the grisly goings-on.
Undersea Nightmares (10/1 – 10/31, 6 miles)
Birch Aquarium at Scripps has gone supremely spooky this Halloween. The Haunted Aquarium Remix event is happening all month long, and features spooky decorations, Halloween-themed areas, and the “creeps of the deep” — interactive exhibits where kids can learn about some of the ocean’s weirder residents like Sea Spiders and angler fish. Costumes are encouraged.
Take a Ghost Tour (multiple dates, locations)
By many accounts, San Diego is considered one of the most haunted cities in the country. Of course, if you go looking for restless spirits yourself, you may come up empty. Thankfully, San Diego is home to many ghost tour companies, ready to take you on a spooky spin through some of the city’s most sinister spots. Each is a combination of area history and paranormal investigation, guaranteeing a ghoulish good time for all.
Brushes n’ Lushes (10/24, 11 miles)
This “paint and sip” event gives aspiring artists a chance to create a Halloween-themed painting while also enjoying some drinkable vintner’s art. Participants will head to the legendarily lively Gaslamp Quarter, grab a glass of their favorite wine, and follow along with master painter Darrin Fuller to create a mantle-worthy masterpiece to take home with them. All experience levels are welcome, and all materials will be provided.
A Motorized Monstrosity (Multiple Dates, 16 miles)
Join a spooky “scare-a-van” at the safe, and socially-distanced Drive-Thru Scream Zone: Road Kill. The Del Mar Fairgrounds will be terrifyingly transformed into a nerve-wracking road trip straight from your nightmares. Scenes from classic horror movies will be recreated for your entertainment, complete with live performers, Hollywood-style effects, and lots of scary fun. All you need to do is buckle up, and take the ride in your car, safe and sound. Or…ARE you?
Princess Pumpkin Party (multiple dates, 36 miles)
Looking for a little magic? Welcome to a “not-so-scary” afternoon kids’ event where your little fantasy fan can paint her own pumpkin in bright colors and then listen to a story from a real live singing princess. Treats and souvenirs will be provided, and the custom-painted pumpkin is hers to keep.
Freaky Flicks Festival (10/8 – 10/10, 45 miles)
A classic scary movie is a great way to send shivers down your spine. The Moonlight Amphitheatre will be transformed into a spooky cinema the weekend of October 8th-10th, showing some classics of horror on the big screen. So If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing classics like “Poltergeist,” “Hocus Pocus” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” in the larger-than-life settings they were intended to be seen in, then don’t miss out! Limited tickets are available, so don’t wait.