This November in San Diego is filled with elite events! Celebrate Día de Los Muertos and the enormous Carlsbad Village Faire, get festive by Skating by the Sea or walking through the glowing Lightscape at the Botanic Garden. Foodies can enjoy the San Diego Food & Wine Festival and craft enthusiasts can’t miss Beer Week. Without further ado – here are our top picks for this beautiful month.
1. Dia de los Muertos
Día de Los Muertos – or Day of the Dead – is a time to celebrate the lives of those who are not with us anymore. Traditions include decorating beautiful altars, bringing and enjoying favorite foods and drinks, and having Marigolds brighten up streets and cemeteries. Due to its position and history, San Diego has a strong Hispanic influence, which means there are dozens of ways to spend this special day. From community events to themed parties or educational exhibitions, click here for our favorite events this year.
2. Check out the brand new Wizard of Oz experience at Hotel del Coronado
Follow the yellow brick road at Coronado this November! The hotel is rolling out a new holiday event called “Holiday in Oz,” running from November 21, 2025, as a tribute to author, L. Frank Baum. He famously stayed at the hotel in the early 1900s, wrote three Oz books there, and even designed the iconic crown-shaped chandeliers. The festive program features a nightly “Wonder of Oz” light show set to an Oz-themed soundtrack, along with a self-guided trail that includes elaborate scenery, classic characters, and 11 specially decorated Christmas trees inspired by the Land of Oz.
3. Sip at San Diego Beer Week this November
San Diego Beer Week is taking place between November 7-16, 2025, with events being throughout the county, at participating breweries, bars, and more of your favorite spots. In addition, on November 15, you can join ‘Hike & A Pint’ – a friendly, all-levels hike through one of North County’s most scenic spots, followed by a hop over to Culture Brewing.
4. Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden invites you to experience a magical winter wonderland. This November, the space is transformed into an immersive light and sound experience. You’ll find over 20 brand-new displays, including sparkling floral canopies. It’s perfect for an unforgettable after-dark adventure, date night, or seasonal outing. As you wander around, you can also sip on seasonal treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate.
5. Skate by the Sea at Coronado in San Diego this November
You can enjoy a unique winter experience by taking a spin around the Hotel del Coronado’s famous beachfront ice rink, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. If you’re looking for an elevated adventure, reserve a Frostbite Lounge, rink-side or ocean-side, which offers plush seating, cozy fire pits, and a menu of holiday-themed drinks and bites.
6. Carlsbad Village Faire
The Carlsbad Village Street Faire brings over 100,000 visitors to town twice a year. This is the largest one-day street faire in the nation, so it’s certainly one not to miss. It features 900 arts and crafts booths, antiques, an international food court, children’s rides, and a beer garden. Be there on November 2, 2025, between 8 AM – 4 PM. Did we mention that it’s free?
7. Dinos Alive
Dinos Alive is an immersive exhibition that takes you back to the Jurassic period, where you can walk alongside over 40 life-size animated replicas of massive creatures like the T-rex, Stegosaurus, and Velociraptors. Here, these magnificent dinosaurs are displayed in their natural habitat, offering a fun and interactive way to learn about these periods. The experience also features a unique virtual aquarium where you can interact with Jurassic sea giants, and for an additional fee, kids can even become “Budding Experts” in a special interactive space. Grab your tickets here!
8. San Diego Food & Wine Festival
This food & wine festival has been voted the best in the nation – which, obviously, makes it a must-do in San Diego this November. SDFW is the only convergence festival in the country that is as diverse as it is delicious. It’s a gathering of the greatest cross-border chefs, winemakers, and creators – all together for an epic week. Dig in to tasting events, workshops, panels, film screenings, cocktail culture, and more. There’s even a Grand Fiesta! It takes place on Nov. 7-9, 2025.
9. Experience Candlelight magic in San Diego this November
Ever experienced the magic of Candlelight concerts? They bring the best of classical music, in a whimsical environment, at epic locations – such as Adams Avenue Theater, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more. November is a great month to experience these concerts, as there truly is a show for everyone: tributes to Adele, Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, and others. Choose your favorite event and grab your tickets here.
10. Gaslamp’s Annual Fall Back Festival
Get ready to literally turn back the clock at the 25th Annual Fall Back Festival in the Gaslamp Quarter on November 2, 2025. The streets around the Davis-Horton House will transform into a vibrant, bygone era, celebrating history and community spirit. This beloved San Diego tradition offers an afternoon full of interactive activities and entertainment, where you can watch a blacksmith at work, join a pie-eating contest, enjoy the Kumeyaay Drum Circle, and explore dozens of engaging attractions. It’s a free event!
11. Akimatsuri Japanese Festival
This fall, don’t miss the first-ever Akimatsuri San Diego Japanese Festival, presented by Kiku in collaboration with local Japanese nonprofits, vendors, and community groups. Join the celebration this Saturday at the Julep Venue. San Diego has long enjoyed Japanese events like Obon and cherry blossom festivals – but never a signature autumn celebration. Akimatsuri changes that, uniting culture, food, and community in a new annual fall tradition.
12. Fleet Week San Diego
Get ready to celebrate Fleet Week San Diego from October 30 to November 9, 2025, held at Broadway Pier. The city honors the largest concentration of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel in the country. This year is particularly special as it marks the 250th birthday of both the Navy and Marine Corps, giving the community a fantastic opportunity to thank these service members for their significant contributions.
13. Check out newly reopened Starlite
The iconic cocktail bar reopened last spring with a funky, modern vibe that stays true to its roots. Long-awaited by locals, it’s been packed ever since. The place is a whole vibe, as it always was. It’s just as perfect for a date night as it is for a (classy) night out with friends. Go for the photo-ops, the cocktails, the food, or for all – you won’t regret it.
14. Coronado Island Film Festival
In 2025, CIFF will celebrate 10 years of cinematic excellence, beautiful stories, industry trailblazers, agents of change, and creatives whose talent have inspired us all. This year’s theme is “Where a Century of Cinema Meets a Decade of Celebration” – it takes place on November 5-9, 2025.
15. Encinitas Holiday Street Fair
Since 1984, the Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association has put on the yearly Encinitas Holiday Street Fair. This year is no exception – get ready for unique gift shopping, live music, a beer garden, and all the holiday cheer! The Street Fair takes place on Sunday, November 23, from 9 AM. More info here!
16. Del Mar fall racing season
The Del Mar Fall Racing Season, officially known as the Bing Crosby Season, will run all throughout November. Popular events include Taste of the Turf Club on Sundays and promotions like Seniors’ Day on Fridays. It all concludes with the high-stakes FanDuel Racing Turf Festival on the final weekend, which features 7 major grass stakes races, including the Grade I Hollywood Derby and Matriarch Stakes.
17. Veteran’s Day
Spend time honoring and expressing gratitude to the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces. From ceremonies at the USS Midway Museum and the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial to parades and museum exhibits, San Diego has them all.