15 things to do in San Diego this Halloween weekend
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Downtown Chula Vista's Día de los Muertos is happening Sunday. Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Chula Vista Association
It's a spooky Halloween weekend, and there are events galore.
The big picture: Beyond trick-or-treating, there are Halloween parties, Día de los Muertos celebrations and a free waterfront concert.
🎻 Sound of Two Cities: Hear the San Diego Symphony and Montréal Symphony share the stage under Rafael Payare at the Rady Shell Friday at 7:30pm. Admission is free.
🦴 Secret Society of Adultologists: Explore five floors of science activities, DJs and bars at the Nat's 21-and-up Halloween party in Balboa Park Friday, 6-11pm. Tickets are $55, or $45 for members.
🎬 "Coco" movie night: Bring a blanket for an outdoor screening at Carnitas' Snack Shack on the Embarcadero Friday around 6pm, with food and drink specials starting at 5pm. Admission is free.
🪩 FIC Studio (Spooky) Sessions: Dance through the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla Friday, 5-10pm, with a Thriller listening room, DJs, live music and a costume contest. The all-ages event costs $40.
🩰 San Diego Ballet's Día de los Muertos: Catch mariachi-backed ballet and "Mambomania" at the San Diego Museum of Art's Copley Auditorium Friday and Saturday at 8pm. General admission is $55.
🏓 USA Pickleball National Championships: Catch junior, collegiate, wheelchair and senior players competing at Barnes Tennis Center starting Saturday, with play beginning around 8am. General admission is free, but spectators need a ticket for each day.
💀 Día de los Muertos in Old Town: Explore altars, make paper flowers and papel picado, and enjoy live entertainment at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm.
🎃 Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival: Meet animal ambassadors, trick-or-treat, make crafts and explore a mini pumpkin patch at Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe Saturday, 9am-1pm.
🐶 "The Nightmare Before Christmas" at Rooftop Cinema Club: Bring the kids and your dog to a family-friendly "Wooftop" screening in Little Italy Saturday at 1pm.
🎭 Spooky Shakespeare: Watch actors perform eerie scenes from Macbeth, Hamlet and other plays inside the San Diego Museum of Art Saturday at 1pm and 2:30pm. The hour-long performances are included with museum admission.
🍬 Halloween in La Mesa Village: Take the kids trick-or-treating at downtown businesses and look for costumed stilt walkers along La Mesa Boulevard and nearby streets Saturday, 4-6pm.
🍭 WonkyWeen at Music Box: A Willy Wonka-inspired Halloween dance party takes over the Little Italy venue Saturday at 9pm. Ages 21 and up; candy- and Wonka-themed costumes are encouraged.
🕰️ Fall Back Festival: Step into an Old West-themed street fair with games, dancing and family activities outside the Gaslamp Museum at 410 Island Ave. Sunday, noon-4pm. Admission is free, with some additional activities available through a paid ticket.
🌼 Downtown Chula Vista Día de los Muertos: Explore altars, a car show, live music, dance performances and an artisan market around Third Avenue and Memorial Park Sunday, 3-7:30pm. The celebration is free, and you can bring a photo of a loved one for the community altar.
📺 "The Ring" in Concert: Keep the scares going with a big-screen showing of the horror film while the San Diego Symphony performs Hans Zimmer's score live at Jacobs Music Center Sunday at 6pm.