REGION — Halloween is creeping closer, and North County is ready to get into the spirit.
Haunted houses (and car washes), eerie corn mazes and costume parties promise plenty of scares, while pumpkin patches and fall festivals offer fun for the whole family.
Our city-by-city guide rounds up the season’s Halloween happenings, along with Día de los Muertos celebrations across the region.
CARLSBAD
Pumpkin Patch/Haunted Corn Maze
Beginning in October, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s pumpkin patch will be open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. One ticket includes access to the pumpkin patch, marigold and celosia flower fields, tricycle racetrack, hippity hop, block yard, free games, hay pyramid, farm learning displays, photo opportunities, and any special events happening that day.
Additional activities that are priced separately include the corn maze, tractor ride, the Jurassic Fright attraction, sheep and goats, and rabbits.
For those seeking a good scare, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s infamous Haunted Corn Maze opens Oct. 2 and runs until Oct. 31 on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m.
Haunted Carwash
New to San Diego County, the Haunted Carwash will be open for six nights this October.
The immersive, drive-through Halloween experience began in 2020 to keep the Halloween spirit alive during the pandemic and has since become a Southern California tradition, transforming car washes into a horror scene with live scare actors, elaborate sets, fog, cinematic lighting, sound and special effects.
The Haunted Carwash will open on Oct. 16 at Eco Friendly Auto Spa, 6010 Avenida Encinas, and will continue on Oct. 17, 23, 24, 29 and 30 between 6 and 9:30 p.m. Purchase tickets beginning at $33.85 here.
Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND
Legoland California Resort’s Brick or Treat is the park’s annual family-friendly Halloween celebration. The park transforms with various themes, including Monster Band Boulevard, Prehistoric Pumpkin Patch in Dino Valley, Zombie University in Fun Town, Creatures of the Kingdom at Castle Hill, and the all-new Brick or Treat Street
Upcoming Brick or Treat dates include Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, and Nov. 1. Kids’ tickets start at $39.
ENCINITAS
Haunted Hotel
Boy Scout Troop 2000 is returning to the Olivenhain Meeting Hall to transform the historic building into a haunted hotel and carnival for its 26th year. Proceeds directly support the scouts’ experiences throughout the year, including trekking and summer camp.
The Haunted Hotel and Carnival will open Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Haunted Harvest
The Heritage Ranch’s annual Haunted Harvest event returns to combine history and Halloween for two nights when its 1885 Teten House transforms into a spooky attraction from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 24. The event will include both scary and “not-so-scary” experiences so families can choose their level of frightful fun.
Along with the haunted house, the event will also feature a haunted trail, costume contest, music and dancing with DJ Jordy, farm animals, children’s art activities, carnival games, food and treats, and a beer garden.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with some activities, food and beverages available for an additional charge.
OCEANSIDE
Art After Dark
Oceanside Museum of Art is throwing its annual Art After Dark event on Oct. 24 from 7 to 11 p.m. at 704 Pier View Way with this year’s “Anatomy of the Surreal” theme inspired by David Adey’s “Sacrificial Bodies” exhibition.
The 21-and-over event opens up the museum after hours with interactive experiences, music, food, drinks and creativity.
Guests are encouraged to wear costumes and to participate in the event’s costume contest and runway show.
General admission is $85 for nonmembers and $65 for OMA members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event ticketing page.
Pumpkin and Marigold Fall Festival
The Mellano Farm Stand is ringing in the fall season with its Pumpkin and Marigold Fall Festival on Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival will include a pumpkin patch, you-pick marigolds, a corn maze and tractor rides, live music, local vendors, food trucks, seasonal treats and a kids zone with a bounce house and more.
Haunted Sunset Market
Oceanside’s Sunset Market, held every Thursday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. year-round, is transforming its Oct. 30 market into a massive Halloween festival for the whole family.
Visitors are invited to dress up, and children can trick-or-treat at participating vendors. A costume parade will take place on the main stage at 6 p.m., and contests for the most evil laugh and bloodcurdling scream begin at 8 p.m.
SOLANA BEACH
Halloween Heat
The Belly Up is hosting its annual Halloween Heat show, featuring ’80s-themed music from Bella Lux and DJ Senzø on Oct. 31. A costume contest will include cash prizes for first, second and third places.
General admission is $27 in advance and $30 on the day of the show. A reserved loft is $48.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m.
DEL MAR
Pumpkin Station
The Del Mar Pumpkin Station returns to the Del Mar Golf Center at 15555 Jimmy Durante Boulevard with free parking and admission for guests. The pumpkin station includes a pumpkin patch and several attractions that require tickets, including mechanical rides, train rides, giant slides, petting zoos and more.
The pumpkin station is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 31.
VISTA
Fright Night
Fright Night in Vista returns on Oct. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Vista. The event includes a haunted house at the Avo Playhouse, trick-or-treating at the various vendor booths along Main Street, and a costume contest beginning at 5:30 p.m. for ages 5 and younger, 6 p.m. for 6 and up plus families, and 6:30 p.m. for pets.
SAN MARCOS
Halloween Spooktacular
Halloween Spooktacular is returning to the Williams Barn at Walnut Grove Park, 1950 Sycamore Drive, for its second year on Oct. 3 and 4 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The family-friendly event includes a free dance party, costume parade and crafts. Other activities include games for treats and prizes, inflatables for $1 per activity, food and drinks for purchase, and more. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in a costume.
Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch
Tom’s Adventures is returning with its pumpkin patch throughout the fall season, then transitioning to Christmas trees after Halloween. The pumpkin patch opens at the beginning of October and will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 1360 Discovery Street.
ESCONDIDO
The Escondido Madhouse
For nearly three decades, this award-winning free haunted house has transformed a family home at 10275 Spruce Woodland Parkway in the Hidden Meadows neighborhood into one of the region’s most notable neighborhood haunted homes.
This year marks the 27th year – and possibly last, according to Kelly Lynn, one of the attraction’s creators, who announced the news in a TikTok video.
The Escondido Madhouse opens on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 from dusk to 11 p.m.
Boo Bash
Boo Bash, a pop-up pumpkin patch and family fall festival, has officially opened at the Mershops North County Mall in the parking lot in front of Red Robin and across from BJ’s Restaurants.
According to its website, Boo Bash offers various attractions, games, food, and photo opportunities.
For hours, visit https://boobashescondido.com/hours.
FALLBROOK
Harvest Faire
The Fallbrook Harvest Faire celebrates the wonders of autumn with this family-friendly event along Main Avenue on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival includes vendors selling handmade crafts and treats, tractors, vintage trucks and cars, pony rides, pumpkin contests, a costume contest, a pie-baking contest, a pumpkin patch and scarecrows on display. Adults can also enjoy live music and drinks in the beer garden.
VALLEY CENTER
Bates Nut Farm
San Diego families have been making the trip up to Bates Nut Farm’s Pumpkin Patch since 1963.
Visitors can grab a wheelbarrow to pick a “Big Mac” pumpkin straight from the field, explore the farm’s specialty pumpkins, or choose smaller options perfect for carving.
The farm also offers tractor hayrides and a straw maze. Other daily activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, a corn pit and an inflatable bounce house, with additional activities including face painting, rock climbing, a mechanical bull and more on the weekends.
Bates Nut Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends in October. Fridays, including Oct. 9, 16 and 23, are open until 6:30 p.m.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENTS
Fall in San Diego County wouldn’t be complete without celebrating those who have passed on at the various Día de los Muertos events throughout the region.
Vista: The city’s inaugural event will be held all day along South Santa Fe Avenue on Oct. 11 with altars, live performances, food and more.
Solana Beach: Celebrating Day of the Dead while honoring the ancestral legacy of La Colonia de Eden Gardens, the annual event will be held on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Avenue. This year’s theme pays tribute to the veterans of La Colonia de Eden Gardens.
Oceanside: Oceanside’s 25th annual celebration will take over the corner of Pier View Way and Coast Highway at the Civic Center Plaza on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring altars, a lowrider and classic car show, vendors and more.
Encinitas: The 13th annual event on Oct. 25 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Avenue, will feature dancers, Mariachi bands, sugar skull painting, a community altar and more.
Carlsbad: The historic Leo Carrillo Ranch will host Carlsbad’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fallbrook: From Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, the Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery will host a Día de los Muertos celebration from 12 to 6 p.m. each day, with dancing, music, classic car displays and more throughout the weekend.
Escondido: The California Center for the Arts will hold its Día de Muertos celebration on Nov. 1 from 4 to 9 p.m. The event encourages participation in the Catrina contest, where visitors can dress up in their best Catrina or Catrín attire. La Calavera Catrina, or La Catrina, is a major symbol of Día de los Muertos.
