October 2018 – San Diego Events

Kids Free in October at San Diego Zoo      Oct 1 – Oct 31
Throughout October, kids receive free admission to the San Diego Zoo! Let your wild ones meet ours.
Time/Place: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM / San Diego Zoo
Contact: San Diego Zoo

The Great Annual Pumpkin Festival        Oct 1 – Oct 31
Come join the Celebration! The Great Annual Pumpkin Festival!  Check out amazing 6 foot hay maze – an adventure for both kids and adults alike.
Time/Place: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Children’s Nature Retreat
Contact: Pumpkin Festival

San Diego Italian Film Festival feStivale      Oct 1 – Oct 14
The San Diego Italian Film Festival showcases the best of new Italian film with a series of premieres ranging from dramas and comedies to documentaries.
Time/Place: 7:00 PM / Museum of Photographic Arts
Contact: Italian Film Festival

Savage House     Oct 4 – Oct 31
A new twist on the haunted house experience by creating a themed haunt that will have you immersed in a storyline fit for a horror film, from beginning to end.
Time/Place: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Westfield Mission Valley
Contact: Savage House

Friday Night Liberty      Oct 5
Friday Night Liberty is a monthly art event featuring open studios, galleries, and free performances. Stroll the beautiful campus of NTC and meet artists.
Time/Place: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM / ARTS DISTRICT
Contact: Friday Night Liberty

Pacific BeachFest      Oct 6
Pacific BeachFest has something for everyone including a fish taco contest, surf competition, beach volleyball, craft beer, kids activities and music!
Time/Place: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Pacific Beach Boardwalk
Contact: Pacific BeachFest

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival      Oct 6 – Oct 7
The free La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th, combines the best parts of the chic coastal town of La Jolla for a weekend of fine art, delectable wines, craft beers, scrumptious food, and live music.
Time/Place: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, La Jolla
Contact: Art & Wine Festival

Back to the Land      Oct 6
The Good Food Community Fair is slow food urban San Diego’s largest annual event, bringing together the people and organizations desiring a good, clean & fair food system.
Time/Place: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM / World Beat Center
Contact: Back to the Land

Carlsbad Oktoberfest      Oct 6
Learn about the unexpected wonders of nature that are right under our noses—in our own backyards.
Time/Place: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Holiday Park – Chestnut Avenue
Contact: Carlsbad Oktoberfest

San Diego International Film Festival      Oct 10 – Oct 14
The San Diego International Film Festival is the region’s premier film event and one of the leading stops on the independent festival circuit.
Time/Place: refer to website
Contact: SD International Film Festival

Del Mar International Horse Show      Oct 10 – Oct 28
The Del Mar International Horse Show attracts Olympic veterans and world-class athletes, competing head to head for a spot in the World Cup Finals!
Time/Place:  Del Mar Fairgrounds
Contact: Del Mar Horse Show

Taste of Coronado      Oct 10
Take a culinary trip around the world sampling from our local bistros. Meander along Orange Avenue or take a ride on the complimentary trolley. This will be a night to remember so come and bring your friends!
Time/Place: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM / Coronado Historical Association
Contact: Taste of Coronado

Annual Polish Festival      Oct 12 – Oct 14
The annual Polish Festival in San Diego is a wonderful cultural celebration in Pacific Beach all about Polish culture, traditions and cuisine.
Time/Place: 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM / 1735 Grand Avenue, San Diego
Contact: Polish Festival

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest      Oct 12 – Oct 13
The Ocean Beach Oktoberfest is a two-day, eclectic, beachside festival with a variety of exciting activities, contests and entertainment.
Time/Place: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Foot of Ocean Beach Pier
Contact: Ocean Beach Oktoberfest

Taste of North Park      Oct 13
In one afternoon, Taste of North Park invites you to enjoy 50+ food tastes from some of San Diego’s best restaurants and craft beer samples from 15 local brewers.
Time/Place: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / University Ave & 30th St.
Contact: Taste of North Park

Borrego Days Desert Festival      Oct 19 – Oct 21
Borrego Days Desert Festival is filled to the brim with inspiring art, entertainment, delicious food and drink, and so much more!
Time/Place: Christmas Circle Community Par
Contact: Borrego Days Festival

HauntFest on Main      Oct 19
HauntFest on Main is an exciting family friendly event in Downtown El Cajon with a pumpkin patch, costume contest, kidz zone, rides, entertainment and more!
Time/Place: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Downtown El Cajon
Contact: Hauntfest

Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge      Oct 21
The San Diego Triathlon Challenge has raised the funds that have allowed 9,500+ challenged athletes around the world to make it to the starting line.
Time/Place: 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact: Triathlon Challenge

Escondido Grand Avenue Festival      Oct 21
Since 1989, the Escondido Grand Avenue Festival has brought live entertainment, over 400 vendors, children’s rides and activities, and food from around the world to the downtown tree-lined streets of Escondido.
Time/Place: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Grand Avenue, between Center City Pkwy and Ivy
Contact: Escondido Grand Ave. Festival

San Diego Pre-Halloween Pub Crawl      Oct 26
Show your wristband at over 10 different bars and nightclubs for free entry and exclusive drink specials including free welcome shots at select venues and free entry to the official Halloween pub crawl after party.
Time/Place: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Contact: SD Pre-Halloween Pub Crawl

Trick-or-Treat on India Street      Oct 26
This fun and safe Halloween event makes it possible for urban families to enjoy authentic trick-or-treating fun as Little Italy businesses along historic India Street open their doors to give out candy and Halloween treats.
Time/Place: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM / 523 W Date St., San Diego
Contact: Treats on India Street

San Diego Pet Con      Oct 27
The San Diego Pet Con is a woofing, chirping and meowing good time for the whole family! Four-legged friends can receive “spa treatments” from local groomers, sample delicious treats and try on the latest in furry fashions!
Time/Place: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Del Mar Fairgrounds
Contact: SD Pet Con

Day of the Dead Festival-North Park      Oct 27
Learn about the unexpected wonders of nature that are right under our noses—in our own backyards.
Time/Place: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM / 3803 Ray St., San Diego
Contact: Day of the Dead Festival

Balboa Park Halloween Family Day      Oct 27
San Diego’s Balboa Park and its museums are treating families to a free Halloween Family Day with a spooky array of hands-on activities and other free goodies.
Time/Place: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Balboa Park
Contact: Balboa Park Halloween

Trick or Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run      Oct 28
The fifth annual Trick or Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run promises spooktacular fun for the whole family. Costumes encouraged! Prizes will be awarded for race winners as well as best costumes.
Time/Place: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM / Morley Field
Contact: Trick or Treak 5k