El Cajon Oktoberfest Sep. 27-29 & Oct. 4-6
A family-friendly festival promoting traditional German culture, including entertainment provided by our popular band Guggenbach-Buam. Enjoy folk dances, games, and contests, vendor booths and craft stands, and Kids Zone!
Time/Place: South Mollison Avenue
Contact: www.germanclubsandiego.org
Taste of Mission Hills Oct. 2
25 participating purveyors of delicious tastes, including long established and very new arrivals.
Time/Place: 5-9pm / Various locations throughout Mission Hills
Contact: 619-559-9502 / www.missionhillsbid.com/taste
La Mesa Oktoberfest Oct. 4-6
Hundreds of exhibitors, family friendly activities, German food, music, dancing, games and of course beer. Entertainment and fun activities for kids of all ages.
Time/Place: Fri 4-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm / La Mesa Village
Contact: www.lamesaoktoberfest.org
Carlsbad Oktoberfest Oct. 5
The Carlsbad Rotary Oktoberfest, a fall tradition, will bring thousands of people to enjoy German food (and beer!), live music, and entertainment for children.
Time/Place: 12-9pm / Holiday Park
Contact: www.rotaryoktoberfest.org
Pacific BeachFest Oct. 5
A fish taco contest, surf competition, beach volleyball, craft beer, kids activities and music!
Time/Place: 8am-7pm / Pacific Beach Boardwalk
Contact: www.pacificbeachfest.org
STOCKZILLA Oct. 5-6
3,500 pounds of Catfish. Every Lake (1-7) will be stocked. You do not need a state fishing license, just a permit from the General Store. Adults $10, Jrs. & Seniors $6, and extra pole stamps $4.
Time/Place: 6am-6pm / Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Contact: 619-596-3141 / www.santeelakes.com
Taste of Rancho Santa Fe Oct. 6
More than 700 guests will enjoy a feast from Rancho Santa Fes and beyonds most celebrated restaurants, Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries, breweries and other beverage vendors!
Time/Place: 4-7pm / The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Contact: www.tasteofrsf.org
Rancho Santa Fe Oktoberfest Oct. 6
Beer, brats, polka band, auction, raffle and kids zone activities. This fundraiser will help Inspire, The Foundation for Education get one step closer to opening the new Carmel Valley Campus. $45 Adults / Under 12 FREE Admission.
Time/Place: 2-6pm / Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club
Contact: www.eventbrite.com
Taste of Coronado Oct. 10
Enjoy amazing bites prepared by our local chefs.
Time/Place: 5-9pm / Coronado Historical Association, Coronado Museum of History & Art
Contact: www.atasteofcoronado.com
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest Oct. 11-12
A two-day, eclectic, beachside festival with a variety of exciting activities, contests and entertainment.
Time/Place: Fri 3-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm / Newport Ave & Abbott St
Contact: www.oboktoberfest.com
Polish Festival Oct. 11-13
Performances by Polish folk dancers and various musical bands. Delicious polish food and the best genuine imported polish beer.
Time/Place: St. Maximilian Kolbe Polish Roman Catholic Mission: 1735 Grand
Contact: www.polishmission.org
Carmel Valley Trail 5K, 10K and 15K Oct. 12
A combination of single track and dirt service road trails through beautiful open spaces.
Time/Place: 6-10:30am / Torrey Highlands Community Park
Contact: www.enduranceraceseries.com/
Taste of North Park Oct. 12
Enjoy 50+ food tastes from some of San Diegos best restaurants and craft beer samples from 15 local brewers.
Time/Place: 11am-3pm / University Ave & 30th St
Contact: 619-294-2501 / www.northparkmainstreet.com
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Oct. 12-13
Over 150 juried artists from around the globe, 3D chalk art displays, interactive art murals, non-stop live music, family art center, roving entertainment, gourmet food court, and a wine, craft beer, and spirits garden featuring local brews, distilleries and global wineries.
Time/Place: 10am-6pm / Girard Avenue & Prospect Street
Contact: www.ljawf.com
Latin American Art Fair Oct. 12-14
Presents outdoor exhibits, painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking as well as folk art, crafts, performance and culinary arts of Latin American countries.
Time/Place: 11am-6pm / Bread & Salt: 1955 Julian Ave.
Contact: 619-752-6118 / www.latinamericanartfairsd.com
Raptor Ridge Half Marathon Oct. 13
An out-n-back course that begins with 4.5 miles of flat and fast jeep road that winds east towards the San Diego Safari Park and Raptor Ridge.
Time/Place: 7am / San Dieguito River Park, Escondido
Contact: www.dirtdevilracing.com
San Diego International Film Festival Oct. 15-20
The regions premier film event and one of the leading stops on the independent film circuit, with 200+ filmmakers gathering in San Diego to show their films every year.
Contact: 619-818-2221 / www.sdfilmfest.com
Borrego Days Desert Festival Oct. 18-20
The festival has expanded to include a car show at The Mall on Saturday. Parade beginning with a fly-over of the State Park plane and local pilots on Saturday. Enjoy the music while perusing the array of artists, retail vendors, informational booths, delicious food offerings, and tasty treats.
Time/Place: Christmas Circle Park
Contact: 760-767-5555 / www.borregodays.com
Bulls of SantAgata Charge Little Italy Oct. 19
Over 40 classic and rare Italian bulls, better known as Lamborghinis. An evening with souped up rides and musical entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Time/Place: 6-11pm / India St & W Fir St
Contact: www.littleitalysd.com
Ladies at the Lake Fall Market Oct. 19
Shop from local women in business! There will be a variety of vendors with uniquely selected items, from Health & Beauty, Clothing, Jewelry, Holiday Gifts and so much more!
Time/Place: 9am-2pm / Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Contact: 619-258-4759 / www.santeelakes.com
Villains in the Village! Oct. 19
Over 20 nefarious characters and uncanny activities will torment and trick thrill seekers of all ages.
Time/Place: 4-9pm / Third Avenue, Chula Vista
Contact: 619-422-1982 / www.thirdavenuevillage.com
La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary Dia de los Muertos Oct. 19
Food, music, artwalk, costumes, entertainment, artists and the always-popular altar contest and runway fashion show Catrina Contest.
Time/Place: 2-10pm / 3191 Orange Street, National City
Contact: 619-475-7770 / www.lavistamemorialpark.com
EastLake Cycle & 5K Run and Technology & Innovation Fair Oct. 19
Provides kids the opportunity to meet with STEM/STEAM professionals and engage with activities and resources that will connect them to their future careers.
Time/Place: 6:30am-12pm / EastLake Middle School
Contact: www.eefkids.org
San Diego Triathlon Challenge Oct. 20
Join 200 physically challenged athletes, 550 able-bodied athletes, celebrities, and sports legends as they complete a 1 mile ocean swim, 44 mile bike and 10 mile run on one of the most breathtaking courses in the country.
Time/Place: 6am-4pm / La Jolla Cove
Contact: www.challengedathletes.org
SaltDog Classic Oct. 20
Music, fun, craft beverage, and local businesses coming together to bring north county San Diego to life. This year we are happy to support Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
Time/Place: 11am-5pm / 425 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas
Contact: www.saltdogclassic.com
Escondido Grand Avenue Festival Oct. 20
Live entertainment, over 400 vendors, childrens rides and activities, and food from around the world to the downtown tree-lined streets of Escondido.
Time/Place: 9am-5pm / Between Center City Pkwy and Ivy
Contact: 760-839-4777 / www.visitescondido.com
YMCA of San Diego County Tour de Cove Oct. 20
A fun and sweat-drenching 4.5 hour stationary cycling marathon with 100 riders and over 50 challenged athletes.
Time/Place: 9am-1:30pm / Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Contact: 858-866-0959 / www.challengedathletes.org
Celebrate the Craft Oct. 20
The finest food artisans demonstrating, discussing, and tasting their way through the vast array of premium food and wine products available.
Time/Place: 11:30am-3pm / The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Contact: 858-453-4420 / www.lodgetorreypines.com
Trick-or-Treat on India Street Oct. 25
Bring their little monsters out in costume attire to this fun Halloween event to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating, as Little Italy businesses along historic India St open their doors.
Time/Place: 5:30-7:30pm / Piazza della Famiglia
Contact: www.littleitalysd.com
HauntFest on Main Oct. 25
An exciting family friendly event with a pumpkin patch, costume contest, kidz zone, rides, entertainment and more!
Time/Place: 5-10pm / Downtown El Cajon
Contact: www.hauntfest.org
North Park Day of the Dead Festival Oct. 26
Bringing together an array of Mexican-themed artisanal crafter purveyors from throughout the US, popular food trucks with a regional foodie-following, and a select choice of beer, mezcal, and tequila vendors in our spirit cantina.
Time/Place: 11am-5pm / North Park, San Diego
Contact: www.
WCKD Village Oct. 26
San Diegos premier Halloween festival. Four radical concert stages featuring an eclectic lineup of hip-hop, open format, EDM and deep house. Play life-size interactive games and navigate around stilt walkers and fire-breathers.
Time/Place: 6pm-Midnight / East Village, Downtown San Diego
Contact: www.wckdvillage.com
Bubble RUN San Diego Oct. 26
Clad in white t-shirts, adults, kids and strollers run, walk, dance and play across 3 miles of absolute fun! Then, at each kilometer, participants will run through the Foam Bogs where there is enough colored foam to cover you from head to toe!
Time/Place: 8am / NICU Amphitheatre, Chula Vista
Contact: www.bubblerun.com
Balboa Park Halloween Family Day Oct. 26
Dozens of free craft projects for kids, Day of the Dead-themed displays and activities, costume contests and parades, carnival games with prizes, live entertainment, and food trucks.
Time/Place: 11am-4pm / Balboa Park
Contact: 619-239-0512 / www.balboaparkconservancy.org/
City Heights Dia de los Muertos Oct. 26
People of all cultures will come together for community altars, face painting, mask making, and prizes for the best catrina and catrin contest, plus dancing, singing and music.
Time/Place: 11am-6pm / Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park
Contact: www.facebook.com/
San Diego Mac n Cheese Fest Oct. 26
The restaurants are selected from the regions top culinary talent and attendees can pair them alongside a collection of local craft beers, wines and other delicious beverages.
Time/Place: 11am-2pm / San Diego County Waterfront Park
Contact: 800-316-8559 / www.sandiegomacncheese.com
Row for the Cure, Susan G Komen Oct. 27
Draws participants from various forms of watercraft including rowing, canoeing, outrigger canoeing, dragon boats, kayaking and SUPing.
Time/Place: 7am-12pm / Ski Beach, San Diego
Contact: 858-573-2760 / www.komensandiego.org/row
Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Oct. 27
Free family-friendly event with entertainment, carnival rides, altar displays and a classic car show!
Time/Place: 10am-4pm / Mission San Luis Rey
Contact: 760-757-3651 / www.mslrdiadelosmuertos.com