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, fall, 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!
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
Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
Oct. 2-7
Unique culinary experiences featuring an all-star lineup of culinary talent, curated wine experiences from top-notch producers, walkaround tasting adventures, immersive lifestyle events, and more! Benefits Feeding San Diego.
Various locations throughout San Diego
delmar.wine
Carlsbad Oktoberfest
Oct. 5
A San Diego event for 42 years with live German music and food, a pumpkin patch, costume contest, corn maze, and, of course, a Bier Garten! Lots of fun for all ages.
12-8pm / Carlsbad Strawberry Company, 1050 Cannon Rd
www.rotaryoktoberfest.org
Taste of Oceanside
Oct. 5
Enjoy Oceanside’s beloved culinary event and explore downtown Oceanside on foot or on the free Taste Trolley to taste and sip your way through Oceanside’s exciting food and brew scene.
1:30-5pm / Downtown Oceanside
mainstreetoceanside.com
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 5 to Oct. 27
Our signature Halloween event is back! Brick-or-Treat will bewitch LEGOLAND® California Resort with family-friendly fun, tons of candy, not-so-scary live shows, and silly monster LEGO characters!
LEGOLAND
Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party
Stagecoach Sunday
Oct. 6
Live music, BBQ lunch, kids’ corral, beer/wine garden, auction and raffle, live animal exhibits, stagecoach rides and more.
11am-3pm / Palomares House & Park, 1815 S. Stagecoach Ln, Fallbrook
www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org
Super Hero Obstacle Race
Oct. 6
kids
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
Alta Vista Gardens Fall Fun Festival
Oct. 12
A San Diego event for 16 years, the 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. 12
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 / Solana Ranch Park, 13605 Pacific Highlands Ranch, San Diego
www.enduranceraceseries.com
Nature Collective’s Fall Festival
Oct. 13
Join us for our nature-themed Fall Festival and discover that creepy crawly creatures aren’t as spooky as they seem! We’ll have costume contests, eco-friendly craft-making, live animal encounters featuring bats, reptiles, and raptors and interactive nature activities. Let’s have a blast while caring for our planet!
10am-1pm / San Dieguito County Park, 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Del Mar
760-436-3944 / thenaturecollective.org
San Diego International Film Festival
Oct. 16-20
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
619-818-2221 / www.sdfilmfest.com
Solana Beach Dia de los Muertos
Oct. 19
This free family-friendly community event offers Live performances, classic car show, kids’ activities, more than 40 altars, authentic Mexican American food and beverages, vendor booths, and more.
10am-5pm / La Colonia Park
858-720-2453 / www.cityofsolanabeach.org
Pumpkin Plunge
Oct. 19
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
Rancho BEERnardo Festival
Oct. 19
More than 35 local breweries, wineries, and distilleries, live music, and food vendors. 21+ event.
2-5pm / Webb Park
ranchobeernardofestival.com
Antique Engine & Tractor Show
Oct. 19-20,26-27
The Fall Antique Engine & Tractor Show is perfect for all ages. There are kids’ activities, crafts, and games all centered around Western-themed fun. Marvel at the fascinating collection of vintage engines and tractors on display, set against the perfect backdrop of our museum. Step back in time with the Old Town Temecula Gunfighters as they bring the Wild West to life with thrilling reenactments. Test your cowboy skills and learn to lasso like a pro, or take a trip to our Jailhouse Speakeasy for a taste of old-time fun.
9am-4pm / Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista
760-941-1791 / www.agsem.com
Fallbrook Harvest Faire
Oct. 20
Crafts, food and treats, tractors, vintage trucks and cars, military vehicles, pony rides, pumpkin contests, costume contest, pie baking contest, pumpkin patch, and scarecrows.
9am-4pm / Main Avenue, downtown
www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
Horse Heritage Festival
Oct. 20
Saddle up your horse or lace up your sneakers and enter the Ride and Stride to benefit Walnut Grove Horse Park. The 3-mile trail ride begins at 8:30. Costume prizes for 2-legged and 4 legged registrants. Support the only public equestrian arena in North San Diego County.
8:30am-2pm / Walnut Grove Park, San Marcos
keepitequestrian.org
Grand Avenue Festival
Oct. 20
This year’s festival includes live music, food vendors, shops and crafts, art in the garden, beer and wine garden. A free San Diego event for the whole family.
9am-5pm / Grand Avenue in Historic Downtown Escondido
760-745-2125 / escondidochamber.org/grand-avenue-festival
USA Ultimate National Championships
Oct. 24-27
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
San Diego Zombie Crawl
Oct. 25,26 & 31
The Joose is Loose! Secure your tix to SD’s #1 Halloween Bash. 21+ event.
6pm-2am / Gaslamp Quarter
www.facebook.com/SanDiegoZombieCrawl
Fallbrook Halloween Festival
Oct. 26
Food, games, arts and crafts, costume contest, and other fun activities.
4:30-7:30pm / Fallbrook Community Center
760-728-1671 / www.sdparks.org
Trek ‘n’ Treat
Oct. 26
Put on your Halloween costume and come help us raise funds and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! 1 and 3-mile walkathons. Prizes for best costumes and largest donations!
9-11am / Oceanside Harbor Beach
(760) 729-3866 / www.eventbrite.com
Once Upon a Hallowe’en
Oct. 26
Test your bravery in the haunted house, try your skills at haunted carnival games, and ride aboard the Poway Midland Railroad. Not recommended for children under 5 years old.
4:30-8:30pm / Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd
poway.org
Encinitas Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Oct. 27
Celebrate life with live performances, art-making workshops, a student art exhibit, artist demos, food trucks and more.
12pm-4pm / Mira Costa College, San Elijo Campus
www.encinitasarts.org
Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival
Oct. 27
Altars, arts and crafts, por siempre car show, a chalk cemetery and more!
10am-5pm / Downtown Oceanside
www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.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.