San Diego County Halloween Events 2026 – Best Things to Do
Last updated: August 2026 — event dates and supporting information reviewed for accuracy. Note: these events update often. We highly recommend that readers consult the respective websites of attractions before visiting for the most current details.
October is approaching, and that means pumpkin patches and Halloween activities. With Halloween-related celebrations starting as early as September, our guide will help you choose from the best Halloween events in San Diego County. This year, we have a fun-filled list for you. If you’re looking for activities with the kids and family or scary adventures for the grown-ups, there are lots of options from which to choose.
With fall in the air, you’ll find many special Halloween-themed events. And certainly don’t forget to get a pumpkin or a few for your home. It’s indeed an excellent time for family fun.
The Places Where We Go brings together an especially curated list of top-rated events you can schedule. The following list is in alphabetical order by city name throughout San Diego County.
Important Note: Please visit the attractions’ websites before visiting for the latest information and specific guidelines that apply to each listed attraction. Information may change after posting on our website.
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2026 San Diego County Halloween Events at a Glance
Looking for Halloween fun in San Diego County? Here’s a quick look at some of the top Halloween events, haunted attractions, pumpkin patches, and family celebrations happening in 2026. Dates can change, so always check the official event website before visiting.
| Event | Location | 2026 Dates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Express | Campo | Oct. 24, 25 & 31 | Families & train fans |
| LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat | Carlsbad | Sept. 19–Nov. 1, select dates | Families & kids |
| Haunted Corn Maze | Carlsbad | Fri. & Sat. nights in October | Teens & adults |
| Count’s Halloween Spooktacular | Chula Vista | Sept. 12–Nov. 1, select dates | Young children & families |
| Ghost Roast | Coronado | Oct. 1–31 | Couples & families |
| Haunted Amusement Park / Scare Trail | El Cajon | Opens Sept. 25; select nights | Teens & adults |
| Halloween Aglow | La Jolla | Oct. 23–24 | Families |
| Oma’s Pumpkin Patch | Lakeside | Sept. 26–Oct. 31, Thurs.–Sat. | Families & young children |
| Haunted Trail of Balboa Park | San Diego | Sept. 25–Nov. 1, select nights | Adults & older teens |
| San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen | San Diego | Oct. 2–31, Fri.–Sun. | Families |
| SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream | San Diego | Sept. 11–Oct. 31, select nights | Adults & older teens |
| SeaWorld Spooktacular | San Diego | Sept. 11–Nov. 1, select dates | Families & kids |
| Trick-or-Treat on India Street | Little Italy | Oct. 25 | Families & free fun |
| Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch | Valley Center | Sept. 17–Oct. 31 | Families & pumpkin picking |
Halloween Events Campo
Campo – Pumpkin Express
The Pumpkin Express at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo offers a festive way to celebrate Halloween while experiencing a piece of San Diego County railroad history. Passengers can ride aboard decorated vintage railcars as the train travels through the scenic backcountry along the historic San Diego & Arizona Railway. Costumes are encouraged, making this a fun outing for families and train enthusiasts alike.
Dates: October 24, 25, and 31, 2026
Time: Trains depart from the Campo Depot at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on event days.
Location: Campo Railroad Museum – 750 Depot Street, Campo
Website: https://psrm.org/pumpkin/
Halloween Events Carlsbad
Carlsbad – Brick-or-Treat Party Nights at Legoland® California Resort
Brick-or-Treat Party Nights are the signature Halloween event at Legoland. On Saturday nights, join the Monsters who take over LEGOLAND®. Experience shows, character meet-and-greets, costume contests, treat stations, and more.
Entertainment includes:
Monster Rock Off Dance Party – Bring your monstrous moves and ghoulish grooves to this interactive dance party.
Zombie Cheer Crew – Zombie cheerleads display killer moves
Spider Lady Meet and Greet
Limited-Time Attractions – Disco Dragon Coaster
NEW 4D Movie: The Great Monster Chase – Laugh along in this 4D adventure filled with special effects as four tweens try to sneak into a monster party.
Dates: Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3–4, 10–11, 17–18, 24–25, 31; Nov. 1, 2026
Location: One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Admission: Included with Legoland day tickets, hotel packages, and select annual passes.
Website:
Legoland Brick or Treat
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Carlsbad – Haunted Corn Maze
It isn’t Halloween season if you don’t get to a pumpkin patch with family and friends. Visit the Carlsbad Strawberry Company to find your giant pumpkin. On weekends, enjoy games and food, and visit the family farm. Additionally, every Friday and Saturday night in October features the Haunted Corn Maze – it’s perfect for teenagers and adults to get a heart-thumping experience.
Date: Every Friday and Saturday in October 2026
Time: 7 pm – 10 pm
Location: 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Additional cost for special attractions
Website: https://www.aguahedionda.org/haunted-corn-maze
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Halloween Events Chula Vista
Chula Vista – The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place
Put on your Halloween costume and come to celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place! The park is transformed into a family-friendly Halloween haven. The littles can enjoy trick-or-treating around the park, Halloween-themed shows and parades, an interactive Sesame Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, and unique photo opportunities with everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume!
Dates: September 12 – November 1, 2026 (on select dates)
Location: 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Website: https://sesameplace.com/san-diego/events/halloween-spooktacular/
Halloween Events Coronado
Coronado – Ghost Roast
The Ghost Roast at the historic Hotel del Coronado offers a wonderfully atmospheric way to celebrate Halloween beside the Pacific.
Guests gather around a private beach bonfire to roast s’mores and share ghost stories, adding a spooky seasonal twist to one of The Del’s signature beachfront experiences.
With the Victorian hotel’s long history and famous tales of resident ghost Kate Morgan providing the perfect backdrop, Ghost Roast is an especially appealing Halloween experience for couples, families, or small groups looking for something festive without the scares of a traditional haunted attraction. Reservations are required for the private bonfires.
Dates: Nightly, October 1–31, 2026.
Location: Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118
Website: https://www.hoteldel.com/experience/fall/
Halloween Events El Cajon
El Cajon – Haunted Amusement Park / Scare Trail
The Haunted Amusement Park in El Cajon transforms the abandoned grounds of the former Marshal Scotty’s Playland into a mile-long outdoor Scare Trail filled with creepy characters, dark passageways, and remnants of the old amusement park.
Visitors make their way through attractions such as the CarnEvil, Haunted Manor, Freak Show Maze, Spider Cave, Graveyard, Slaughter House, Zombie Land, and 3D Black Light Bumper Cars, with scare actors and eerie scenes appearing throughout the trail.
This is one of San Diego County’s more intense Halloween attractions and is best suited to teens and adults who enjoy a good scare; the attraction warns that the trail includes blackout areas, strobe lights, fog, loud noises, uneven pathways, and other startling effects.
Dates: Opening night September 25, 2026; additional 2026 operating dates are available through the attraction’s ticket calendar.
Location: 14011 Ridge Hill Road, El Cajon, CA 92021.
Website: https://www.scaretrail.com/
Halloween Events La Jolla
La Jolla – Halloween Aglow
Halloween Aglow brings a family-friendly Halloween celebration to Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, combining seasonal fun with the aquarium’s fascinating marine life.
Held each October, the after-dark event features live music, trick-or-treat stations, a costume contest, glowing decorations, and opportunities to explore the aquarium in a festive nighttime atmosphere. It’s a particularly fun option for families looking for a Halloween experience that is more playful than scary, while adding an educational ocean-themed twist to the holiday.
The aquarium also has Oceans at Night: Halloween, a 21+ event Oct. 22.
Dates: Oct. 23–24, 2026
Location: Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA
Time: 6 PM –8:30 PM
Halloween Events Lakeside
Lakeside – Oma’s Pumpkin Patch
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch at Oma’s Family Farm in Lakeside offers a classic fall farm experience with plenty for families to enjoy. The seasonal event features a pumpkin patch along with kid-friendly attractions such as a jumping pillow, giant slides, a corn crib, a trike track, playgrounds, duck races, a petting zoo, and more.
Visitors can also browse the farm gift shop, pick up seasonal treats at the OmaGoodness Café, and take a tractor-pulled wagon ride around the farm for an additional fee. With pumpkins, farm animals, activities, and plenty of fall photo opportunities, Oma’s makes a particularly good Halloween-season outing for families visiting San Diego County.
Dates: Sept. 26–Oct. 31, 2026 – Thurs.–Sat., 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Location: 14950 El Monte Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040
Website: https://www.omasfamilyfarm.com/pumpkin-patch/
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Halloween Events San Diego
San Diego – Family Fun Fest Halloween
San Diego Family Fun Fest: Halloween offers a lively, family-friendly celebration filled with seasonal activities for children and parents alike. Held at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, the free event features Halloween-themed entertainment, games, activities, and opportunities for kids to dress up and enjoy a festive morning in a safe, community-focused setting. It’s a good option for families looking for a low-cost Halloween outing that is fun rather than frightening, especially for younger children.
Date: October 4, 2026
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Admission: Free
Location: Salvation Army Kroc Center Corner Zone, 6845 University Ave, San Diego, CA
San Diego – The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
It’s a one-of-a-kind haunt experience and has been called one of the top haunted attractions in the United States. Experience two haunts in one.
The 3,500-square-foot eXperiment Maze features a mile-long, terrifying outdoor trail. Be on guard as you move through twisted pines and gnarled oaks.
Next, experience the Haunted Trail. Climb onto the Ghoul Bus, where a cloister of Nuns share the scary ride with you. Beware the chainsaw-wielding zombie rodeo clowns around the corner as they look to bring you into their slaughterhouse.
This event is geared toward adults who can brave the chills and thrills.
Dates: September 25–November 1, 2026, on select nights
Closed most Mondays and Tuesdays.
Location: The Haunted Trail is located at the corner of Balboa Dr & Juniper in Balboa Park
https://hauntedtrail.net/
San Diego – San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen
The San Diego Zoo hosts HalGLOWeen on Fridays through Sundays in October. This light-up-the-night Halloween-themed extravaganza features entertainment, dance parties, musical performances, and food specials. The interactive festivities are a fun event for the family.
Check the San Diego Zoo Website for updated details on this year’s event
Dates: October 2–31, 2026 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Activities start at 5 pm
Location: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/halgloween
San Diego – Scream Diego
Scream Diego is San Diego’s Halloween and horror convention, bringing together fans of scary movies, spooky collectibles, cosplay, and all things macabre for a full day of entertainment.
The 2026 event will feature horror-themed vendors and artists, short horror films, panel discussions, performances, tabletop games, cosplay, and special guests, followed in the evening by the return of the Monster Prom. This year’s theme is “Zombies Zombies Zombies,” making Scream Diego a fun choice for horror fans who prefer convention-style entertainment over a traditional haunted attraction.
Date: October 17, 2026
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego–Mission Valley
Website:
https://screamdiego.com/
San Diego – Howl-O-Scream
SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream transforms the park after dark with haunted houses, immersive scare zones, roaming creatures, live entertainment, themed food and drinks, and nighttime coaster rides. Designed for guests who enjoy a more intense Halloween experience, the event combines elaborate scares with the energy of a late-night theme park celebration.
Dates: September 11 – October 31, 2026 (select nights)
Location: Sea World – 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
Website: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/howl-o-scream/
San Diego – Spooktacular
SeaWorld San Diego’s Spooktacular offers engaging family fun with activities like trick-or-treating along a decorated trail, a Halloween dance party, and a pumpkin scavenger hunt. This event invites all guests to dress up, though those 13 and older cannot wear costume masks or hoods. Park dress code and face painting rules apply.
Dates: September 11 – November 1, 2026 (select dates)
Location: Sea World – 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
Website: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/halloween-spooktacular/
San Diego – Trick or Treat on India Street
Trick-or-Treat on India Street brings a festive, family-friendly Halloween celebration to San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Kids are encouraged to dress in costume and make their way among participating Little Italy businesses collecting candy and treats, while the neighborhood and Piazza della Famiglia take on a spooky seasonal atmosphere with photo opportunities and Halloween decorations.
The event offers families an urban twist on traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating and is a particularly good free Halloween option for visitors staying in or near downtown San Diego.
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 3:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Piazza della Famiglia / India Street, Little Italy, San Diego, CA 92101. The event extends along participating businesses on and around India Street.
Website: https://www.littleitalysd.com/events/trick-or-treat-on-india-street
San Diego – Zombie Crawl
The San Diego Zombie Crawl turns the Gaslamp Quarter into a massive adults-only Halloween party, with costumed revelers making their way among some of downtown San Diego’s most popular bars and nightclubs. A single “hunting permit” provides access to participating venues along with perks such as welcome shots, food and drink specials, DJs, dancing, and Halloween entertainment.
The self-guided format lets participants move through the Gaslamp at their own pace, making this a lively choice for adults looking for nightlife rather than a traditional haunted attraction. The event is 21 and over.
Dates: October 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown San Diego, CA 92101.
Check-in begins at American Junkie, 628 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: https://gaslamp.org/news/events/san-diego-zombie-crawl/
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Halloween Events Valley Center
Valley Center – Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch
Join in celebrating pumpkin season at the historic farm in North County San Diego’s Valley Center, CA! Create Fall Family Traditions here at Bates Nut Farm! Admission is free, and weekday parking is free.
Dates: September 17 – October 31, 2026
Location: 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, CA
Website: Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch
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Top Haunted Tours in San Diego
San Diego – Haunted Ghost Tour
During this small-group ghost tour, your entertaining guide will take you through five locations. Listen to spine-tingling stories about San Diego’s history and infamous residents. You’ll learn why San Diego is one of the West’s most haunted cities.
Book tickets here for the San Diego Ghost Tour
Bookmark our San Diego County Halloween Events Guide
San Diego County offers many things to do between September and October to keep you in the Halloween spirit. We hope you’ve found this San Diego County Halloween Events directory helpful and wish you a wonderful holiday season. Thanks for visiting our website.
We hope to see you at the places where we go.
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