What’s Happening in San Diego This Weekend : October 9–11, 2026

# What’s Happening in San Diego This Weekend: October 9–11, 2026 October in San Diego is one of those times when summer doesn’t seem quite ready to leave — but fall festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations and Halloween events are already in full swing. If you're visiting San Diego this weekend, October 9–11, there’s plenty happening from La Jolla to Ocean Beach and Balboa Park. Here are some of our favorite events to check out. ## 🎨 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival **Saturday & Sunday, October 10–11 | 10 AM–6 PM** **Girard Avenue, La Jolla** **Admission: FREE** One of San Diego’s best fall events returns to downtown La Jolla. The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival brings together more than **170 artists from across the United States and Mexico**, with painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, mixed media and more. There’s also live entertainment, food, a family area and a Wine & Beer Garden featuring dozens of wineries, breweries and distilleries. Even better, proceeds help support programs at La Jolla public schools. 🐾 Pets are welcome, too. **Nancy's Pick:** Make a day of it. Explore the festival, walk down to La Jolla Cove and stay for sunset over the Pacific. ## 🍺 OB Oktoberfest **Friday, October 9 | 4–11:30 PM** **Saturday, October 10 | Noon–11:30 PM** **Ocean Beach Pier Parking Lot** **21+** Oktoberfest — Ocean Beach style. The annual OB Oktoberfest takes over the beachfront next to the Ocean Beach Pier for two days of live music, DJs, beer, contests and classic OB craziness. This year's celebration has a Y2K throwback theme and includes two entertainment stages, stein-holding competitions, pretzel tosses, a brat-eating contest and Saturday's Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest competition. And unlike most Oktoberfests, this one happens with the **Pacific Ocean as the backdrop**. ## 🐶 Day of the Dog – Ocean Beach **Sunday, October 11 | Noon–4 PM** **Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach** **FREE** If you're traveling with your dog, this may be the event of the weekend. Ocean Beach's Day of the Dog turns Voltaire Street into a giant canine carnival. Expect dog costume contests, breed races, a doggie haunted house, foam party, pet exhibitors, photo booths and even an **80-foot dog pool party complete with DJ and cabanas**. There's also a Dogue Fashion Show and dog pie-eating contests. Yes, really. And considering how dog-friendly Ocean Beach already is, it's hard to imagine a more appropriate neighborhood for it. ## ✨ HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo **Friday–Sunday | Beginning at 5 PM** **San Diego Zoo – Balboa Park** The San Diego Zoo kicks off its annual HalGLOWeen celebration this weekend. After dark, the Zoo transforms with glowing entertainment, music and Halloween activities throughout the park. Look for the Skeleton Band, neon pumpkin singers known as the Glow-Go's, acrobatic performers, wildlife encounters, interactive games, Día de los Muertos mariachi musicians and plenty of illuminated surprises. HalGLOWeen is **included with regular Zoo admission or membership**. It's a particularly fun way to experience the Zoo after the daytime crowds begin thinning out. ## 🎃 Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park **Saturday & Sunday** **San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Escondido** The Safari Park launches its Autumn Festival this weekend with wildlife, live entertainment and fall-themed activities. Families can explore an autumn maze, meet roaming scarecrow performers, listen to country and bluegrass musicians and stay into the evening for the colorful Reflections lantern ceremony. There are also seasonal food and drink specials throughout the park. The festival is included with Safari Park admission. ## 🎆 Tierrasanta Oktoberfest & Fireworks **Saturday, October 10** **Activities approximately 4:30–8 PM** **Fireworks at 8:15 PM** For something much more neighborhood-oriented than OB Oktoberfest, head to Tierrasanta. The community's annual Oktoberfest includes dinner, music, games and a beer-and-wine garden before finishing the evening with a **fireworks show at 8:15 PM**. This is the family-friendly Oktoberfest option of the weekend and serves as a community fundraiser. ## 🌱 North Park Vegan Food Popup **Saturday, October 10 | Noon–4 PM** **North Park Mini Park** **FREE** San Diego's popular Vegan Food Popup returns to North Park with more than **60 vendors** offering plant-based food, drinks and eco-friendly products. Admission is free and the event is family-friendly. Even if you're not vegan, this is a fun excuse to explore North Park's restaurants, breweries, boutiques and surrounding neighborhoods afterward. ## 🎨 Barrio Art Crawl **Saturday, October 10 | Noon–5 PM** **Mercado del Barrio – Barrio Logan** **FREE** Spend Saturday afternoon exploring one of San Diego's most culturally distinctive neighborhoods. The Barrio Art Crawl brings art, music, vendors and community events to Mercado del Barrio and the surrounding Barrio Logan neighborhood. While you're there, take some time to explore nearby Chicano Park and its famous collection of murals. ## 👻 The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park **Saturday evening | Beginning around 6:30 PM** **Balboa Park** Once the sun goes down, Balboa Park gets considerably less peaceful. The Haunted Trail sends visitors through a dark outdoor trail filled with elaborate horror scenes, characters and scares. Unlike a traditional haunted house, much of the experience takes place outside among the trees of Balboa Park — which makes the setting part of the fun. Probably not the best choice for small children. ## 🛍️ Gaslamp Artisan Market **Saturday, October 10 | 10 AM–4 PM** **Fifth Avenue – Gaslamp Quarter** Looking for something more relaxed? Stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter's outdoor Artisan Market, featuring local artists and vendors selling handmade goods, jewelry, clothing and artwork. Pair it with brunch downtown, a walk along the Embarcadero or a visit to Seaport Village. ## 🎭 Catch a Show at The Old Globe For an evening in Balboa Park, the world-premiere musical **Begin Again** is currently playing at The Old Globe through October 18. Inspired by John Carney's Academy Award-nominated film, the production features an original score from Grammy Award-winning band Train. Dinner in the park followed by a show makes for a completely different San Diego night than the beach festivals happening elsewhere around town. --- # 🌴 Nancy's Weekend Picks If we had to narrow everything down: **Best Overall Event:** La Jolla Art & Wine Festival **Best Party:** OB Oktoberfest **Best With Kids:** HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo **Best With Your Dog:** Day of the Dog in Ocean Beach **Best Date Day:** La Jolla Art & Wine Festival + sunset at La Jolla Cove **Best Local Neighborhood Event:** Tierrasanta Oktoberfest & Fireworks **Best Halloween Experience:** Haunted Trail of Balboa Park And remember — one of the best parts about October in San Diego is that you can spend the morning at a fall festival and still finish your day watching the sunset on the beach. That's fall, San Diego style. **Changing the way you vacation.**