Fall Fun in North County and San Diego
There’s lots of fall fun in North County and San Diego in October! Along with Oktoberfests and wine and food festivals, there are lots of great kids’ activities too. See a tractor show, go for a run or walk, get scared, watch Ultimate, see a great movie, and so much more. Keep reading for more great San Diego and North County fun events!
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
Saturdays, Sept. 17 to Oct. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 30
Our signature Halloween event is better than ever this year! Brick-or-Treat will bewitch LEGOLAND® California Resort with tons of candy, an all-new show line up, never-before-seen exclusive LEGO® characters, and more!
3m-9pm Saturdays & 2pm-8pm sunday / LEGOLAND
Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party
San Diego Restaurant Week
Sept. 25-Oct. 2
San Diego Restaurant Week, hosted by the California Restaurant Association, returns with over 100 restaurants across 30+ neighborhoods for eight days of dining. Guests can enjoy two-course lunches for $10, $15, $20, and $25 and three-course dinners for $20, $30, $40, and $50, depending on the restaurant’s price points.
www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com
Gaslight Steampunk Expo
Sept. 29-Oct. 2
A three and a half day event held annually by a group of dedicated enthusiasts and volunteers who have a passion for science fiction, the Victorian era, Maker ingenuity, and a flair for costumes. Our theme for our 2022 event will be Haunted Holidays.
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
www.gaslightexpo.org
San Diego Zoo, Safari Park & San Diego Museums: Kids Free in October
Oct. 1-31
Throughout October, youths 11 years and younger receive free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park when accompanied by an adult with a valid form of admission.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
zoo.sandiegozoo.org/kids-free
All month long, kids 12 and under receive FREE admission with a paid adult to more than 50 of San Diego County’s favorite museums, historic sites, aquariums, gardens and more. Many are even free for the whole family!
San Diego Museum Council
sandiegomuseumcouncil.org
Carlsbad Oktoberfest
Oct. 1
Real German meals from Tip Top Meats, kids and adult activities, live German music, and, of course, a Bier Garten! The Bier Garten will feature a variety of Oktoberfest beer on tap and wine.
12-8pm / Carlsbad Strawberry Company
www.rotaryoktoberfest.org
Julian Oktoberfest
Oct. 1
Enjoy live music with Oktoberfest Dancers and Singers, Bingo Hours, Sip and Paint an Icon, Children’s Activities, Silent Auction, Raffles, Great Food and a Beer Garden.
10am-7pm / Julian Town Hall and Square
www.stelizabethjulian.org/oktoberfest-2022.html
Taste of Oceanside
Oct. 1
Get ready for some FUN at MainStreet Oceanside’s 3rd Annual Taste of Oceanside.
2-5pm / Downtown Oceanside
mainstreetoceanside.com
Super Hero Obstacle Race
Oct. 2
Dress up like your favorite super hero at Carlsbad’s Super Hero Obstacle Race at Alga Norte Community Park. Parents and children run together through a super hero themed 2K obstacle course. Participants must be 4 years and older.
8-10am / Alga Norte Community Park, Carlsbad
www.carlsbadca.gov
The Scream Zone
Oct. 6-31, closed some weekdays
The Scream Zone is considered among the goriest, scariest, and screaming-est fright fests to be found in the dark corners of Southern California. We invite you to be our guests, that is, if you have the nerve!
7-11pm or 7-10pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
thescreamzone.com
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Oct. 8-9
You can expect prestigious art, regional and international wines, craft beer and spirits, and family-friendly fun!
10am-6pm / Girard Avenue and Prospect Street
858-228-6542 / www.ljawf.com
Cactus & Succulent Show and Sale
Oct. 8-9
See spectacular succulent specimens from around the world and add to your own collection at the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale, hosted by SDBG.
9am-5pm Sat. & 9am-3pm Sun. / San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas
760-436-3036 / sdbg.org
Taste of Rancho Santa Fe
Oct. 9
Features award-winning wines poured by vintners adorning the California Coast from Temecula to Sonoma and Napa and varied tastes of scrumptious bites from some of San Diego’s finest restaurants.
4-7pm / The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
858-354-9434 / www.tasteofrsf.org
Grape Day 5K
Oct. 12
Grape Day 5K is a fun run for everyone from elite runners to casual walkers. So bring the whole family including dogs and strollers out for a good time!
8am / Grape Day Park: 321 N. Broadway, Escondido
visitescondido.com
Fall Fun Festival Alta Vista Gardens
Oct. 15
Our 14th Fall Fun Festival will include the Scarecrow Contest, kids’ crafts and activities, the AVBG GrowGetters plant sale, music by Vic (guitar and song), amazing craft vendors, BBQ lunch and ice cream.
10am-3pm / Alta Vista Botanical Gardens
760-945-3954 / altavistabotanicalgardens.org
Antique Engine & Tractor Show
Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23
The Fall Antique Engine & Tractor Show has something for everyone in the family. Blacksmithing, weaving, woodworking, milling, processing and spinning demos, farming equipment, tractors, engines, antique watches and clocks, and more.
9am-4pm / Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista
760-941-1791 / www.agsem.com
Carmel Valley Trail 5K, 10K and 15K
Oct. 15
Participants will experience a combination of single track and dirt service road trails through beautiful open spaces.
6-10:30am / Torrey Highlands Community Park
www.enduranceraceseries.com
Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Plunge
Oct. 15
Bring a swim suit and join the Halloween fun at Alga Norte Aquatic Center that transforms into spooky fun with pool activities and games with prizes, and floating obstacles. The Splash Pad will also be open for the little ones.
5pm / Alga Norte Aquatic Center
442-339-2519 / www.carlsbadca.gov
Not So Scary Eco Festival
Oct. 16
Costume contest at noon. Prizes for Most Eco-friendly, Best Animal Theme, and Most Creative. Environmentally friendly craft-making. Live animal encounters: bats, reptiles, raptors. Interactive nature activities. Bounce house.
10am-1pm / San Dieguito County Park, Cardiff
760-436-3944 / thenaturecollective.org
Grand Avenue Festival
Oct. 16
Live music, food vendors, shops and crafts, art in the garden, beer and wine garden. Free for the whole family.
9am-5pm / Grand Avenue in Historic Downtown Escondido
greaterescondido.org/grand-avenue-festival
San Diego International Film Festival
Oct. 19-23
We’re putting the Fest back in Festival for the 21st Annual San Diego Film Festival! Over 100 features, documentaries and short films representing the very best in cinematic storytelling. This year also includes opening night film premiere and reception, Night of the Stars Tribute, Culinary Cinema, plus in-person parties, panels and networking events.
Multiple Locations
619-818-2221 / www.sdfilmfest.com
USA Ultimate National Championships
Oct. 20-23
The USA Ultimate National Championships represent the pinnacle of elite ultimate in North America and crowns champions in three divisions: men’s, mixed and women’s.
Surf Cup Sports Park, Del Mar
719-219-8322 / play.usaultimate.org
Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival
Oct. 23
Altars, arts and crafts, por siempre car show, a chalk cemetery and more!
10am-5pm / Downtown Oceanside
www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org
Encinitas Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Oct. 29
Celebrate life with live performances, art-making workshops, a student art exhibit, artist demos, food trucks and more.
12pm-4pm / Encinitas Community Center
www.encinitasarts.org
Enjoy fall fun in North County and San Diego! Do you have North County or San Diego events in October or any other month that you’d like included here? Just let me know, and I’ll add them for you.
Please forgive any errors or omissions and let me know if there’s anything that needs fixing. Please check with the organizations holding these events for costs, tickets, availability, changes, limitations and important details.