Hello, October! It’s a fantastic month to enjoy our beautiful San Diego. Fall colors are showing up, pumpkin patches are opening everywhere, Halloween scary (and family-friendly) events are taking over the city, and Oktoberfest celebrations bring so much joy. From festivals and museums to concerts and new restaurants, here’s what you can’t miss this October in San Diego.
One of this month’s can’t-miss festivals, La Mesa Oktoberfest, runs between October 2 – 4, with free general admission. The best part are the dog-centric attractions, including the popular Dackeldorf Dachshund Village and races. Biergarten entry is $8 at the door and VIP Hofbräuhaus passes range from $10–$49.
Take advantage of Kids Free month in San Diego
It’s a great time for family activities! This is a massive city-wide tradition where kids 12 and under receive free admission (with a paid adult) to over 70 museums. Venues include the USS Midway Museum, Fleet Science Center, and the Comic-Con Museum. You’ll also find “Kids Free” deals at the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND.
The DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ transforms the Del Mar Fairgrounds into a giant open-air aerial experience featuring 1,200 synchronized drones, live music, LED wristbands, and themed food and merchandise. The 2-night event kicks off at 7 PM and runs about 60 minutes. Grab your tickets below!
The 3rd Annual San Diego Coffee Festival returns to Broadway Pier on October 10–11, bringing local coffee roasters, unlimited tastings, live music, tea vendors, and food trucks. Sessions are split into morning and afternoon blocks, so the ultimate experience. More info below!
For an easy October day trip from San Diego, head to Julian Farm and Orchard’s Harvest Fest, running weekends from September 4 through November 15, 2026. Expect a large pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hayrides, delicious cider, and seasonal activities. U-Pick apples and guided orchard tours (early–mid October) require advance booking and a farm-provided bag.
Don’t miss the extraordinary San Diego–Tijuana International Jazz Festival
The third annual San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival arrives with an electrifying new lineup October 1 – 4, 2026! The festival is explicitly binational, with events in San Diego, Tijuana and Escondido. The opening party at Quartyard is free with RSVP and features Jungle Fire and Colectivo Fronterizo. The October 3 marquee program in Escondido includes Danilo Pérez, Mingus Dynasty and Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band.
Catch a fantastic show
There are so many incredible concerts taking place in San Diego this October – truly something for everyone! Here are our favorite upcoming events:
- Empire of the Sun on October 7 at Petco Park
- Sombr on October 13 at Pechanga Arena
- Weezer on October 21 at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl
- DICE concerts – check them out here.
SUP Pups is hosting “Corgis & Cauldrons: A Halloween Paddle Social” on Saturday, October 3, 2026, departing from Liberty Station. Participants gather at 5 PM and the group launches at 5:30 PM for a beginner-friendly sunset paddle!
Board rentals are available and advance registration is required at SUPpups.com; dogs and dog-free paddlers are welcome and – of course – a costume contest will be held. Super fun!
Eat, sip, shop and stroll through North Park! Taste of North Park returns on Saturday, October 3, featuring over 50 food tastes and 15 craft beverage sips across the neighborhood. The street festival includes live music, local art, indie boutiques, and flexible ticket packages (food-only and food-and-drink options).
If you’re looking for an October outing that still feels distinctly San Diego, Belmont Park transforms into Beachside Fall Fest on weekends all throughout October. Expect retro displays, seasonal entertainment, rides, themed food and family-friendly Halloween activities. Highlights include free trick-or-treating Sundays in October and a Trunk-or-Treat car show on October 26.
It’s spooky season time – and besides, many other cool titles are coming out this October: The Social Reckoning, Verity, Sense and Sensibility, and others. Tap the button below to see what’s playing and grab your tickets!
Try your luck at SD’s most hard-to-get pizza! AJ Miller runs an exclusive pop-up pizzeria out of his Ocean Beach apartment, making just 15 pies a week that typically sell out in about 30 seconds. Orders are announced via text and pickups are scheduled on Fridays between 2 PM and 10 PM. Read below for more info!
Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s annual Pumpkin Season runs through early November and offers giant pumpkins, flower fields, hay pyramid, farm games, a corn maze, tractor rides, and animal interactions. Friday and Saturday nights in October feature a Haunted Corn Maze and the Jurassic Fright immersive Halloween adventure.
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest returns to the corner of Newport and the beach on October 9–10 with neon Y2K vibes, craft beer, live music, contests, and seaside festivities. The 21+ festival features general admission, VIP options, and fundraising for local Ocean Beach organizations.
Night of Poe is a 90-minute immersive theatrical experience at the Encore Event Center in San Diego. It brings Edgar Allan Poe’s stories to life with live storytelling, original songs by Danny Elfman, and 4 complimentary themed cocktails. The show runs with select performances on October 16 and October 17, 2026. Grab your tickets below!
Experience Mission Bayfest this October in San Diego
Don’t miss this massive 3-day music festival at Mariner’s Point Park right on the water! The lineup is stacked with rock and reggae, featuring headliners like The Offspring, Rebelution, Kolohe Kai, The Interrupters, Common Kings, and more. Tier 4 tickets are on sale now for $140.
Scary and nostalgic? A millennial gem! SeaWorld San Diego is debuting a haunted house called “I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch,” with movie-accurate sets, immersive scare zones, themed bars, live entertainment, and dark roller-coaster rides.
