The beaches and bays of San Diego have no shortage of fun – and scary – things to do for Halloween. The unconventional celebration of things going bump in the night is observed in several countries on Oct. 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs and all the faithful departed. Many Halloween traditions likely originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain. DIAMOND HAUNTED HOUSE
For a second year, a group of Kate Sessions Elementary families are hosting one of the hottest spots on Halloween night. Rob Christ always thought his (accidentally) black painted house looked a little creepy and decided to take advantage. “We got together with a bunch of our family and friends, including many kids that attend Kate Sessions Elementary, and decided to build a haunted maze for the kids and adults in the neighborhood. Our kids all love the idea and have been very helpful in building scenes and crafts to go in the maze,” Christ said. The Diamond Haunted House is located at 2176 Diamond St. and will run from 6-10 p.m. on Halloween. This all-ages haunted house is free, but donations will be accepted and given to Kate Sessions Elementary. PRE-HALLOWEEN PUB CRAWL
Come in costume to the Pacific Beach pre-Halloween pub crawl on Oct. 25 and receive drink and food discounts and entry at over 10 different bars and nightclubs. Pub crawl check-in is from 6 to 9 p.m. inside Moonshine Beach at 1165 Garnet Ave. Tickets are $30 each. Pub crawl tickets provide: a crawl map, drink, and food discounts at 10-plus bars and eateries, free bar and night club entry, free welcome shot tickets at select venues, and free entry to official Halloween pub crawl after-party.
Participating bars and nightclubs include Baja Beach Cafe, Bubs At The Beach, Barrel Republic, Cabo Cantina, Duck Dive, Tap Room, The Local, Moonshine Beach, Tacos Mimi, Square Pizza, Open Bar, PB Cantina, Tavern at the Beach, The Dog, Waterbar, and 710 Beach Club. HALLOWEEN CRUISE ON MISSION BAY
Celebrate Halloween Oct. 31 with a spooky party cruise on Mission Bay, with multiple floors of drink specials, live DJs, and lighted dance floors, accompanied by stunning views of the bay. The William D. Evans sternwheeler boat cruise boards at 8:30 p.m. at the Bahia Resort Hotel, 998 W. Mission Bay Drive. Come in costume and experience the festive cruise until it docks at midnight. Complimentary public parking is available at Ventura Cove. BELMONT PARK’S FALL FEST
Fall Fest takes place Friday through Sunday in October, from 5 p.m. to close, with a Halloween night party on Thursday, Oct. 31. Formerly known as BOOmont Park, Fall Fest allows guests to participate in month-long free trick-or-treating starting at 6:30 p.m. with thousands of treats distributed park-wide.
On Saturdays in October at 5:30 p.m. (5 p.m. sign-ups), park guests can participate in two free costume contests, with a chance to win big prizes in the open costume contest, as well as the new themed category costume contest with weekly dress-up themes. A family must have two costumed members, with one under 14 years old, to participate in an in-park costume contest.
Other activities include a hay maze and encounters with roaming characters. On Thursday, Oct. 31, Draft South Mission at 3105 Ocean Front Walk will hold a 21-plus Halloween costume contest with a $500 cash prize. SEAWORLD’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
Get in the spooky spirit and catch live shows like Clyde & Seamore’s Big Halloween Bash and the return of the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, which takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. through Oct. 27.
Highlighted by two performances including trick-or-treating, and dressing in costume, this neighborhood Halloween parade features favorite friends including Elmo, Count von Count, Bert, Ernie, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Rosita, Big Bird, and Telly. Enjoy Halloween activities and trick-or-treat for candy and goodies throughout the colorfully decorated park from 2:30 p.m. to close.
