San Diego's weekend brings festivals and frights
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Little Italy trick-or-treating. Photo: Courtesy of Paul Nestor
We made it to the weekend! Now make some plans.
The big picture: From Halloween fun to cultural festivals and live music, there's plenty to do.
🎃 Halloween Aglow: Watch divers carve pumpkins underwater, trick-or-treat through the aquarium and explore slime science at Birch Aquarium Friday and Saturday, 6–8:30pm.
🎭 Rigoletto: San Diego Opera brings Verdi's tale of betrayal and revenge to the Civic Theatre downtown Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm, with English and Spanish translations projected above the stage.
🧘 Strength in the City Festival: Sample more than 20 fitness and wellness classes, including yoga, Pilates and dance at Waterfront Park Saturday, 9am–2pm. Admission is free for kids under 16.
📚 Sign and Sell Indie Author Book Fair: Find your next spooky read and meet local science fiction, horror and paranormal authors at the Chula Vista Masonic Center Saturday, 10am–4pm. Free admission.
🎨 Sip, Soar & Celebrate San Diego: Help color a community mural, play carnival games and enjoy ice cream floats at this free block party at Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama Saturday, noon–4pm.
🐶 Boards & Barks: Play chess, UNO, Catan and more at Pure Pawsh in North Park Saturday, 5–9pm, with all ticket sales benefiting the San Diego Humane Society. Dogs are welcome, but neither a pup nor chess experience is required.
🎃 Pumpkin Bash: Watch rescued big cats and bears tear into treat-stuffed pumpkins at Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine Saturday at 10am. Nonmember admission is $60 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, with lower prices for members.
🎶 Freestyle Explosion: Sing along with Stevie B, The Cover Girls, Trinere, Johnny O and more at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside Saturday at 7:30pm.
🖼️ Art After Dark: Put your Halloween costume to an early test at Oceanside Museum of Art's surrealism-inspired party, featuring music, drinks and a costume competition Saturday, 7–11pm. Ages 21 and up.
⚽ San Diego FC and San Diego Wave: Pick your match at Snapdragon Stadium as SDFC hosts Seattle for Fan Appreciation Night Saturday at 7:30pm, followed by the Wave against Boston Legacy Sunday at 4pm.
💀 Oceanside Día de los Muertos Festival: Explore altars, a lowrider car show, live entertainment and children's crafts in downtown Oceanside near the Civic Center Sunday, 10am–4pm. Free admission.
👻 Trick-or-Treat on India Street: Collect candy from Little Italy businesses, enter a costume contest and snap a photo with a 13-foot Jack Skellington Sunday, 3:30–7:30pm. Admission is free.
🏮 Kiku Matsuri: Celebrate Japanese culture with food vendors, taiko drumming, dancing and children's activities at Hangar 858 in Kearny Mesa Sunday, 11am–6pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 13–18 and free for kids 12 and under and adults 65 and older.
🍖 R&B and Ribs: Pair barbecue from Barrel Man with an afternoon of DJs at Quartyard in East Village Sunday, 3–8pm. Ages 21 and up.