Things to Do in San Diego This Week: October 20–26, 2026

Things to Do in San Diego This Week: October 20–26, 2026 | Nancy’s Vacation Rentals

Nancy’s Vacation Rentals · San Diego Local Guide · Draft — not published

Things to Do in San Diego This Week: October 20–26, 2026

Your guide to the coming weekend: festivals, concerts, Halloween fun, food and free local experiences.

Picture a San Diego weekend where you can start with an old-fashioned train ride through the mountains, wander a neighborhood filled with Día de los Muertos altars, take the kids trick-or-treating beside the ocean, and finish the night watching a pirate movie on an aircraft carrier. That is not an imaginary itinerary. It is what the county has lined up for October 20–26, 2026.

October is one of the most enjoyable times to explore beyond the beach. This week brings free community festivals, live concerts, seasonal food, museum deals and family Halloween activities. We have focused on confirmed dates and useful visitor details, with links to organizers so you can check availability before you go.

Tuesday, October 20 — Start with a story worth remembering

Sherman Heights Día de los Muertos: Walk Among the Ofrendas

Oct. 20–23, 2–6 p.m. • 2258 Island Ave., Sherman Heights • FREE

A neighborhood tradition dating to 1994 invites visitors to see community-built ofrendas honoring loved ones. Rather than a spooky attraction, this is a thoughtful celebration of remembrance, family and culture. The self-guided displays are open Tuesday through Friday this week; some separately advertised workshops are already full, so plan on the free altar visit.

Check official event details and tickets →

Wednesday, October 21 — Local flavor and live music

Little Italy Mercato: Shop Like a Local

Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. • Piazza della Famiglia / West Date Street • FREE to browse

Start with coffee, browse seasonal produce, fresh flowers, baked goods and locally made foods, then make an easy lunch of your market finds. It is a relaxed, genuinely local way to experience the neighborhood without committing to a big-ticket attraction.

Check official event details and tickets →

Weezer at Viejas Arena

Wednesday, 7 p.m. • Viejas Arena at SDSU • TICKETED

For guests who would rather spend their Wednesday night singing along than sightseeing, Weezer brings The Gathering tour to San Diego. Check the ticket seller for remaining seats and current prices.

Check official event details and tickets →

Thursday, October 22 — A taste of the coast

Chef’s Table: California Spiny Lobster

Thursday, Oct. 22 • Cannonball at Belmont Park, Mission Beach • TICKETED; time/price to confirm

Here is an especially San Diego dinner idea: a chef-led, multi-course celebration of local spiny lobster in collaboration with Tuna Harbor Dockside Market and local fishermen. The first dinner in this seasonal series is a memorable choice for food-focused travelers. Confirm the seating time, menu and ticket price before booking.

Check official event details and tickets →

Juanes Live in San Diego

Thursday, 8 p.m. • Petco Park • TICKETED

Make a downtown evening of dinner and the Colombian rock star’s North American tour stop. The show is listed for Thursday night; seating and prices vary.

Check official event details and tickets →

Friday, October 23 — The weekend begins

Halloween Aglow at Birch Aquarium

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23–24, 6–8:30 p.m. • 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla • TICKETED

The ocean gets a Halloween twist with underwater pumpkin carving, hands-on science, music, costumes and trick-or-treating. This is one of the strongest family picks for the weekend because it combines a special night at the aquarium with experiences children cannot find at an ordinary candy trail. Advertised admission is $59.95 for adults and $49.95 for children ages 3–12; confirm live ticket availability.

Check official event details and tickets →

Rigoletto Opens at San Diego Opera

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. • San Diego Civic Theatre • TICKETED

Not every October outing needs pumpkins. Verdi’s Rigoletto offers a dramatic night of live opera, beautiful music and a classic downtown theater experience. The opera also advertises a free pre-performance talk for ticket holders. Note the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m., not in the evening.

Check official event details and tickets →

HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo

Friday–Sunday, Oct. 23–25, from 5 p.m. • Balboa Park • INCLUDED with zoo admission

The Zoo adds glow-themed entertainment, performances and seasonal surprises to its evenings. Families can combine a daytime wildlife visit with Halloween festivities after dark. October Kids Free rules may help with admission, but check the Zoo’s specific conditions.

Check official event details and tickets →

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular

Friday–Sunday, Oct. 23–25 • Mission Bay • INCLUDED with park admission

SeaWorld’s daytime, family-friendly Halloween celebration features candy stations, a pumpkin patch, festive characters and a new Baby Shark Halloween Show. It is designed for younger guests; check current park admission offers and show times before choosing a day.

Check official event details and tickets →

Saturday, October 24 — Festival day, from East County to the bay

Santee Lakes Spooktacular

Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. • Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve • PARK/ADMISSION TERMS TO CONFIRM

For younger children, this outdoor celebration features trunk-or-treating, games, inflatables and seasonal fun. The organizer confirms the 2026 date and time; check current parking and entry charges before leaving.

Check official event details and tickets →

Festival Mictlan: Celebration of the Underworld

Saturday, 2–7 p.m. • Liberty Station Central Promenade, 2641 Truxtun Rd. • FREE

This community-centered Día de los Muertos gathering celebrates Mexica traditions through art, music and collective remembrance. It is an opportunity to experience a living cultural tradition rather than simply another Halloween costume event.

Check official event details and tickets →

Fort Cross Julian Autumn Jubilee

Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. • 4425 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel • $10–$40 advertised

Trade the coast for apple-country atmosphere: hayrides, cider pressing, crafts, a pumpkin patch, farm animals and old-fashioned outdoor activities. This is a worthwhile day trip, particularly for families who want a full fall experience instead of a quick photo stop.

Check official event details and tickets →

Pumpkin Express: A Vintage Train Ride in Campo

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24–25 • 750 Depot St., Campo • $18.95–$50 advertised

Climb aboard decorated vintage railway cars for a seasonal trip through San Diego’s backcountry. Costumes are encouraged, and the restored railcars are part of the charm. Check the ticketing page for departure times and seat classes before making the drive.

Check official event details and tickets →

Fright Deck on the USS Midway

Saturday; boarding opens 6 p.m., closes 7:30 p.m. • USS Midway flight deck • TICKETED

A costume party and outdoor screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on an aircraft carrier? That is an only-in-San-Diego kind of evening. Expect a DJ, costume contest and harbor skyline views. Buy online in advance; the film is rated PG-13, and the published boarding cutoff is not the movie’s ending time.

Check official event details and tickets →

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24–25 • Carlsbad • INCLUDED with valid event-date park admission

LEGO monster characters, candy stations, costume contests and the new Brick or Treat Street make this a strong choice for younger children. The Halloween program is included with qualifying dated tickets; annual-pass restrictions vary by tier.

Check official event details and tickets →

Sunday, October 25 — Six very different ways to spend one day

Gather on Grand: Escondido Street Festival

Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. • Grand Avenue, downtown Escondido • FREE

A full day of local makers, live music, food and art fills historic Grand Avenue. Look for Art in the Garden, browse handmade goods and sample the flavors of North County. This is a good pick for visitors who enjoy wandering a lively neighborhood rather than following a fixed itinerary.

Check official event details and tickets →

Oceanside Día de los Muertos Festival

Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. • Pier View Way and South Tremont St., downtown Oceanside • FREE

The 25th annual festival brings together altars, art, music, family activities and a participatory chalk cemetery where guests can honor loved ones. Downtown parking will be limited; the organizer recommends public transportation when possible.

Check official event details and tickets →

Halloween at the Station

Sunday, noon–4 p.m. • Ingram Plaza, Liberty Station • FREE

This Point Loma favorite brings together trick-or-treating, an all-ages costume contest, a DJ, crafts, inflatable obstacles and a Hollywood car show. Families can also bring nonperishable food donations for a drive supporting military families and veterans.

Check official event details and tickets →

Trick-or-Treat on India Street

Sunday, 3:30–7:30 p.m. • India Street, Little Italy • FREE

Little Italy turns its pedestrian-friendly blocks into a costume-filled neighborhood celebration. Participating businesses offer treats, while Piazza della Famiglia features a giant Jack Skellington, fall vendors and photo opportunities. Pick up an event map at the piazza.

Check official event details and tickets →

Belmont Park’s Beachside Trick-or-Treating and Car Show

Sunday, trick-or-treating starts 5 p.m. • 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach • FREE candy activity; rides extra

If your family is staying near Mission Beach, this may be the easiest outing of the week. Belmont Park’s complimentary Sunday candy trail pairs with its Oct. 25 Trunk or Treat car show featuring classic cars and live music. Arrive before 5 p.m. for the candy festivities.

Check official event details and tickets →

Gorillaz: The Mountain Tour

Sunday, 7:30 p.m. • Pechanga Arena, Midway District • TICKETED

For an entirely different finale, Gorillaz bring their visually ambitious live show to the arena with Little Simz and Deltron 3030. Doors are listed for 6:30 p.m.; ticket prices depend on available seating.

Check official event details and tickets →

Monday, October 26 — One more night out

Blessing Offor at House of Blues

Monday, 7 p.m. • Voodoo Room at House of Blues San Diego • TICKETED

Extend the trip with an intimate live-music evening rather than treating Monday as a travel-only day. Blessing Offor’s Heart So Real Tour Part 2 is listed for the Voodoo Room; check the promoter for current ticket inventory.

Check official event details and tickets →

One more October deal: Kids Free San Diego

Throughout October, more than 70 participating museums and cultural attractions offer free admission to qualifying children, generally ages 12 and younger, with a paid adult. Many require a downloadable coupon and exclude bundled sightseeing passes. The exact age and redemption rules differ by venue. Check participating museums and download coupons before you leave.

Practical tips before you go

Build your day around geography. Campo and Santa Ysabel are East County trips; Escondido and Oceanside are North County; Little Italy, the Midway and Liberty Station fit better into a central/coastal itinerary. Trying to fit all of them into one day means more driving than exploring.

Choose the right kind of Halloween. Zoo, aquarium, LEGOLAND and neighborhood trick-or-treat events are aimed at families. The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park is a different experience entirely: its organizers warn of intense scares and do not recommend it for children under 10. Check Haunted Trail tickets and restrictions if you prefer a grown-up fright night.

Free does not always mean zero cost. Parking, food, activities and adult admissions can still add up. The San Diego Museum Council’s Kids Free offers usually require a full-price adult admission and a coupon.

Verify before traveling. Event schedules, weather closures, ticket inventory and prices can change. All times in this guide are Pacific; check the linked organizer page on the day of your visit.

Find your San Diego home base

At Nancy’s Vacation Rentals, we believe a memorable San Diego vacation is about more than the view from your rental. It is the neighborhood farmers market you stumble into, the festival you had never heard of, and the local experience your family talks about on the trip home. Whether you are staying near Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla or exploring farther afield, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your week.

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Editorial draft prepared October 20, 2026. Not published. Event prices and schedules subject to change.