San Diego goes big on Día de los Muertos this weekend, with Old Town leading the way. Add a free two-orchestra concert at the Rady Shell, a haunted trail in Balboa Park, a glow-in-the-dark night at the Zoo and trick-or-treat from Carlsbad to Encinitas, and you've got a full weekend.
Plans change, especially around Halloween, so check the organizer’s link before you head out.
Friday, Oct 30
Sound of Two Cities: A Free Community Concert
- When: Fri Oct 30, 7:30 PM
- Where: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego
- Cost: Free (non-ticketed; RSVP encouraged)
- Info: www.theshell.org
The San Diego Symphony and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal share one stage under conductor Rafael Payare. A limited number of chairs are first-come, first-served, so bring a blanket or low-back chair.
The B-52s & Devo
- When: Fri Oct 30; gates 5:30 PM, show 7:30 PM
- Where: North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista
- Cost: Ticketed
- Info: www.northislandcreditunionamp.com
A new-wave double bill. Heavy traffic is expected, so arrive early or rideshare. Ticket price: confirm on the official site.
Secret Society of Adultologists (21+)
- When: Fri Oct 30, 6–11 PM
- Where: San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park
- Cost: $55 ($45 members); VIP $100 ($85 members)
- Info: www.sdnhm.org
An after-hours Halloween party among the exhibits. Bring ID; costumes can’t cover your face.
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
- When: Fri Oct 30, 6:30–11:55 PM; Sat Oct 31, 6:30–11:55 PM; Sun Nov 1, 6:30–11 PM
- Where: Balboa Park
- Cost: From $34.99; Fast Pass $49.99; VIP $99.99
- Info: hauntedtrail.net
A mile-long scare trail plus the eXperiment Maze.
Saturday–Sunday
Old Town Día de los Muertos (our pick)
- When: Sat Oct 31, 10 AM–7 PM; Sun Nov 1, 10 AM–5 PM; candlelit procession Mon Nov 2, 6 PM
- Where: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and San Diego Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Info: www.oldtownsandiego.org
More than 40 altars and a weekend mercado on San Diego Ave. and Harney St.; State Park activities run 10 AM–5 PM both days. Free parking at the Caltrans lot (4050 Taylor St) after 5 p.m. weekdays and all day Sat–Sun; check the official site for details.
San Diego Zombie Crawl (21+)
- When: Fri–Sat Oct 30–31, 6 PM–2 AM
- Where: Check-in at American Junkie, 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
- Cost: Confirm on the official site
- Info: gaslamp.org
Entry to 25-plus venues, welcome shots and drink deals downtown. Ticket price: confirm on the official site.
San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen
- When: Fri–Sat Oct 30–31, activities from 5 PM (most run to about 9 PM)
- Where: San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park
- Cost: Admission price not listed
- Info: zoo.sandiegozoo.org
A light-up-the-night evening with a skeleton band, stilt-walking scarecrows, an acrobatic spider and glowing reptiles. Admission price: confirm on the official site.
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat
- When: Sat–Sun Oct 31–Nov 1; Halloween fun from 3 PM to park close
- Where: LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
- Cost: Included with park admission
- Info: www.legoland.com
Candy stations and costumes around the park. The final weekend of the season. Park closing time: confirm on the official site.
Halloween in the Village
- When: Sat Oct 31, 11 AM–3 PM
- Where: Carlsbad Village; costume contest at Village Faire Shopping Center, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr.
- Cost: No admission listed
- Info: www.carlsbad-village.com
Village-wide trick-or-treating at shops marked with a candy corn icon. Costume contest sign-ups at 11:30 AM, judging noon–1 PM. Crafts and games at the Boys & Girls Club.
Encinitas Safe Trick-or-Treat
- When: Sat Oct 31, 5–8 PM
- Where: Downtown Encinitas along South Coast Highway 101
- Cost: No admission listed (free arts activities at Pacific View)
- Info: www.encinitas101.com
Downtown shops and restaurants stay open late, with live music in The Lumberyard Courtyard. Pacific View Arts Center offers free parking for the evening.
UB40: The Unstoppable Tour
- When: Sat Oct 31; doors 7 PM, show 8 PM
- Where: Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, 5500 Campanile Dr. (SDSU)
- Cost: From $35
- Info: www.sdsuamphitheater.com
Reggae favorites like “Red Red Wine” and “Kingston Town” on Halloween night.
Have a SD event we should know about? Send it our way, and have a happy (and safe) Halloween.