Things to Do for Halloween in San Diego

Looking to spend your Halloween in sunny San Diego? Check out our list of a few top San Diego things to do to make your Halloween festive and fun. Many of these activities are family-friendly and showcase some of the best highlights of the San Diego area. Ideal for locals and tourists alike, these attractions are guaranteed to be fun for you and your family to explore!

Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego

Weekends in October

Who wouldn’t want to celebrate Halloween with everyone’s favorite water park? This year, SeaWorld San Diego is going to be filled with silly, spooky fun. It’s a perfect attraction for kids of all ages! Enjoy sea-themed Halloween activities (think scary fish) and funny costumed characters. Come in your own costume and take the kids trick-or-treating throughout the park. This event is included with park admission. Getting In: Admission to SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular (and general admission to SeaWorld San Diego) is included with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go San Diego® Cards.

“Boomont Park” Fall Festival & Haunt

Belmont Park Friday-Sunday + Halloween, October

Hosted by the oceanside amusement park Belmont Park for the third year in a row, the “Boomont Park” Fall Festival and Haunt is a local favorite. There’s everything from a haunted house and a pumpkin patch to a scary roller coaster and zombie laser tag (yes, you read that last part right). You’ll enjoy an entire day of festive fun at this event! Be creative with your costumes, and you might just win the costume contest! Getting In: Admission to the Boomont Park Fall Festival is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego® Card. Select activities are free, however. General admission to Belmont Park rides is included with the Go San Diego® Card.

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California

“Brick-or-Treat” is the kind of family event that only LEGOLAND California could invent. With ten different LEGO-themed treat stations to visit, a costume contest for children 12 and under, and fireworks each night at 9 pm, this practically qualifies as a Halloween extravaganza. Visitors will also get to experience festive musical performances and other themed entertainment like a LEGO vampire, a dance party with the “Witchettes,” and the talented circus-like “Boo Crew.” Getting In: Admission to Brick-or-Treat events (and general admission to LEGOLAND California) is included the Go San Diego® Card.

Haunted Aquarium: Spooky Science!

Birch Aquarium

Visit the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and learn all about the spooky, slimy, icky creatures of the deep – including what they’re calling the Frankensquid! Enjoy other fun activities and crafts, plus a family-friendly costume competition. A great kids event! Getting In: Admission to the Haunted Aquarium events at the Birch Aquarium is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego® Card. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the attraction website. General admission to the Birch Aquarium is included with the Go San Diego® Card.

“Spirited Fun” at the Whaley House

Whaley House October

This October, there are tons of great activities going on at this historic local home in honor of Halloween. From ghost tours of local haunted spots to screenings of silent horror films, there’s plenty of fun to go around. On Halloween itself, you’ll also be able to enjoy evening admission to the Whaley House, where you’ll be treated to spooky mood lighting, period music, and more eerie effects. Getting In: Admission to Halloween events at the Whaley House is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego® Card. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website. General admission to the Whaley House is included with the Go San Diego® Card.

Halloween Family Day

Balboa Park

Come to the best place in San Diego to celebrate Halloween – the cultural center that is Balboa Park! Over 20 participating museums are offering activities, crafts, snacks, and events for kids to enjoy, starting at 11 am. There are costume contests for kids and dogs, a photobooth, live animals from the San Diego Zoo, and much more. It’s a must-see event for the whole family, and is the perfect kid-friendly way to spend the day. Getting In: Admission to Balboa Park Family Day outdoor activities is free; museum admission is separately priced. The Go San Diego® Card will cover admission to many of the participating museums. For more information about this event and to see participating institutions, please visit the event website.

Dia de Los Muertos

Old Town San Diego

There's no Halloween without the Dia de Los Muertos in San Diego. Head to Old Town for a chance to participate in one of the city's most cherished cultural traditions. See how this celebration of lost family and friends truly showcases Mexican heritage and traditions. Expect many family-friendly activities, such as craft projects, and great food and drink. Getting In: Admission to the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in San Diego is free.

Gaslamp Quarter Fallback Festival

410 Island Avenue

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is another festive place to visit this Halloween season. Combine a celebration of San Diego's gold-mining history with a fun fall festival and you've got a great afternoon in the making. You'll get to enjoy a number of fall-themed family activities, like a hayride and gold-panning, as well as live entertainment all day. This is a great kid-friendly event with zero scariness. Getting In: Admission to the Fall Back Festival is free.

Save on Admission

So when you’re trying to find family-friendly events this Halloween season, think of San Diego as your go-to destination. Remember to save on admission to your favorite attractions with the all-inclusive Go San Diego® Card. Many of these special events are included with your pass!