It’s officially “spooky season” and the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department has a lineup of Halloween and other fall-themed events planned through November at recreation centers and parks in every community. The series of special events began in September and includes something for just about everyone. 

Most of these special seasonal events are free or low cost and are organized by staff at local recreation center, senior center and swimming pool locations for San Diegans to enjoy. 

Halloween events include carnivals, outdoor movies, fall festivals, pumpkin carving, haunted maze and much more. A small sample of the upcoming activities is listed below, and more can be found on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Event Calendar. Reservations are not necessary. 

•  Mira Mesa Senior Center’s Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3-9 p.m.
• Mount Hope Cemetery’s Movie in the Cemetery featuring Coco on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 5:30-8 p.m.
• Encanto Recreation Center’s Thriller Thursday on Thursday, Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m.
• Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Recreation Center’s Fall Carnival on Friday, Oct. 24, from 4-6 p.m.
• City Heights Recreation Center and Mid-City Gymnasium’s Halloween Carnival on Friday, Oct. 24, from 4:30-9 p.m.
• Montgomery-Waller Recreation Center’s Halloween Monster Bash on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-8 p.m.
• North Park Recreation Center’s Halloween Festival & Pumpkin Costume Contest (including dogs!) on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-7 p.m.
• San Carlos Recreation Center’s Halloween Fest on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-7 p.m.
• Tierrasanta Pool’s Halloween Night Swim on Friday, Oct. 24, from 6-8 p.m.
• Municipal Gym’s Balboa Park Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Cabrillo Recreation Center’s Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 3-5 p.m.
• Carmel Valley Recreation Center’s Halloween Carnival on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 4-7 p.m.
• Southcrest Recreation Center’s Halloween Carnival on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5-8 p.m.

Additionally, several sites will host events in honor of Thanksgiving next month, including Fall Coffee & Pumpkin Pie Friendsgiving Socials at Memorial Senior Center, Cathy Hopper Friendship Center, Balboa Park Senior Lounge and Park de la Cruz. A Teensgiving event is also planned at Penn Athletic Field, and much more.  

“We are excited to celebrate Halloween and the fall season at the wide variety of family-friendly events our team has put together,” said Andy Field, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. “We invite all families to get out and celebrate the season at these activities we have planned all across the City of San Diego.” 

To find an event near you, visit the event calendar which includes an extensive listing of seasonal events, as well as several other activities for community members to participate in across San Diego. Residents can also visit their local recreation center for more information.  

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department manages more than 40,000 acres of park assets, including more than 400 parks, 26 miles of shoreline, 60 recreation centers, 15 pools, 13 skate parks and plazas and three golf courses. For additional information regarding the City’s park system, visit sandiego.gov/parks-and-recreation.