North County and San Diego Events for October
North County and San Diego events in October bring lots of fall fun! Along with Oktoberfests, a zombie crawl, The Scream Zone 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 events!
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
Select Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16 to Oct. 29
Our signature Halloween event is better than ever this year! Brick-or-Treat will bewitch LEGOLAND® California Resort with tons of candy, no-so-scary new shows, and silly monster LEGO® characters!
LEGOLAND
Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party
San Diego Restaurant Week
Sept. 24-Oct. 1
Over 100 participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe dinner menus starting at just $20 for casual dining all the way to exquisite 5-star meals. Tickets are not necessary, but reservations are recommended!
www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com
Super Hero Obstacle Race
Oct. 1
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
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
The Scream Zone
Oct. 5-31, 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
Carlsbad Oktoberfest
Oct. 7
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 an assortment of beers, a variety of Oktoberfest beer on tap and wine.
12-8pm / Carlsbad Strawberry Company
www.rotaryoktoberfest.org
Julian Oktoberfest
Oct. 7
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-6pm / St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church
www.stelizabethjulian.org
Taste of Oceanside
Oct. 7
Get ready for some FUN at MainStreet Oceanside’s 4th Annual Taste of Oceanside.
1:30-5pm / Downtown Oceanside
mainstreetoceanside.com
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Oct. 7-8
Showcasing 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.lajollaartandwinefestival.com
Nature Collective Fall Festival
Oct. 8
Join us for our nature-themed Fall Festival and discover that creepy crawly creatures are not as frightening as they seem! There are costume contests at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm with prizes for the most environmentally friendly costumes. We’ll also have eco-friendly craft-making, live animal encounters featuring bats, reptiles, and raptors, interactive nature activities and a bounce house. Activities available in English and Spanish.
10am-1pm / San Dieguito County Park, Cardiff
760-436-3944 / thenaturecollective.org
Taste of Rancho Santa Fe
Oct. 8
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
San Diego Botanic Garden Fall Festival
Oct. 12-November
Fall is in the air! Enjoy our seasonal display of pumpkins in Hamilton Children’s Garden from October 12 through November. We’ll have a special Fall Festival Family Day on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring the whole family to create fun fall crafts, dance to the music of Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters and more!
San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas
760-436-3036 / sdbg.org
Alta Vista Gardens Fall Fun Festival
Oct. 14
Our 15th 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 and a BBQ lunch.
10am-3pm / Alta Vista Botanical Gardens
760-945-3954 / altavistabotanicalgardens.org
Carmel Valley Trail 5K, 10K and 15K
Oct. 14
A San Diego event for 10 years, this is San Diego’s only trail race through beautiful Gonzales Canyon Open Space. 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
Pumpkin Plunge
Oct. 14
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.
5-8pm / Alga Norte Aquatic Center
442-339-2519 / www.carlsbadca.gov
Grand Avenue Festival
Oct. 15
This year’s festival includes live music, food vendors, shops and crafts, art in the garden, beer and wine garden. Shop from hundreds of vendors including unique hand-crafted gifts and imports, and international cuisine. A free San Diego event for the whole family.
9am-5pm / Grand Avenue in Historic Downtown Escondido
760-207-6321 / greaterescondido.org/grand-avenue-festival
San Diego International Film Festival
Oct. 18-22
Festival events include an opening night film premiere and reception, night of the stars tribute, culinary cinema, studio premieres, curated features, documentaries and shorts from independent filmmakers around the world as well as parties, food, drinks, panels and networking events.
Multiple Locations
619-430-4898 / www.sdfilmfest.com
USA Ultimate National Championships
Oct. 19-22
The top 16 teams in men’s, mixed, and women’s divisions from across the United States and Canada will compete for the USA Ultimate Championship.
Surf Cup Sports Park, Del Mar
719-219-8322 / tct.usaultimate.org
Rancho BEERnardo Festival
Oct. 21
General admission includes unlimited 2-ounce pours, local wines, food for purchase, free parking, and music. VIP admission allows you to enter ONE HOUR earlier than regular admission, exclusive access to VIP area, preferred parking and complimentary food. 21+ event.
2-5pm / Webb Park
ranchobeernardofestival.com
Antique Engine & Tractor Show
Oct. 21,22,28,29
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
Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival
Oct. 22
Altars, arts and crafts, por siempre car show, a chalk cemetery and more!
10am-5pm / Downtown Oceanside
www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org
San Diego Zombie Crawl
Oct. 27,28 & 31
You are invited to step inside Zombie Land with Barbie and Ken and discover the thrills and perils of living among the UNDEAD in the Ghoulish Gaslamp. SDZC offers progressive pre-planned routes (self-guided, which means you are free to roam) + FREE admission to only the TOP bars along the famous 5th Avenue. 21+ event.
6pm-2am / Gaslamp Quarter
www.facebook.com/SanDiegoZombieCrawl
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 North County and San Diego events in October! 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 me for 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.