The best things to do this week in San Diego: Oct. 27-31

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Oct. 27 to Friday, Oct. 31.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Monday

Mystery Authors Panel in Carlsbad: Adventures by the Book will bring together four New York Times bestselling mystery novelists for a panel discussion moderated by Anne Burt. The writers are Christina Baker Kline, Elise Hart Kipness, John Copenhaver and Jon Bassoff. 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. Free, but pre-ordered books for signing are available for purchase online at library.carlsbadca.gov

Mitch Albom author event: The bestselling author of “Tuesdays With Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” will visit San Diego next month to discuss his latest novel, which will tell a love story about magical second chances. He’ll be interviewed onstage at Point Loma Nazarene University by Dean Nelson, founder of Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, which is co-producing the event with Warwick’s bookstore. 7 p.m. Oct. 27. Brown Chapel, PLNU, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego. $51.98-$158.49. warwicks.com/event/albom-2-2025

Haunted San Diego: The San Diego History Center will share a presentation about San Diego’s haunted history. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday. 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive, San Diego. Free. sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/68a64c5916b09128003e8d5c

Pumpkin painting and “Hocus Pocus”: After Monday Night Football ends, join Shore Club for a screening of “Hocus Pocus” and pumpkin painting. Tickets come with all supplies needed and a High Noon. 8:30 p.m. Monday. Pacific Beach Shore Club, 4343 Ocean Blvd., San Diego. $20. partiful.com

Annual In-N-Out “Cover to Cover” Reading Program: Escondido kids ages 4 to 12 are invited to participate in a reading incentive program to score a free burger. For every five books they read, participants can win a gift card for a free hamburger or cheeseburger (with a cap of 3). Register online. escondido.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=241

Lion’s Share and The Friendly collaboration: For one night, The Lion’s Share and The Friendly are collaborating for the second time for a special dinner menu. Food options are The Friendly Venison Smash Burger with butter, onions, garlic aioli and Havarti cheese; The Fish Frog Taco, is an Ensenada-inspired dish with caviar, cabbage, radishes and lemon; and the McApple Hand Pie, a chicken liver mousse. The collaboration dinner and cocktails is from Lion’s Share’s executive chef Dante Romero and The Friendly’s chef Rob Striker. 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. 629 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. 619-564-6924, lionssharesd.com

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Pumpkin Station: Festivities include a carousel, rides, giant slides, a Ferris wheel, a train jump, a petting zoo and a play center, along with a pumpkin patch from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 26 through Oct. 26 at 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar. Ticketed attractions include mechanical rides, giant slides, a jumpee activity, petting zoo and antique carousel. Tickets are $5. Free admission and parking. Visit pumpkinstation.com.

Rolling Pumpkins festival: Find a petting zoo, rides, carnival games and pumpkins here through Nov. 1 at 415 Parkway Plaza, Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For details, go to visitparkwayplaza.com.

Tuesday

“Working Girl”: La Jolla Playhouse present the world premiere of this musical featuring a score by Tony-winner Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck. It’s based on the 1988 Melanie Griffith film about a bright young secretary at a New York investment firm who takes advantage of her boss’s absence to enter the world of high finance. Opens Oct. 28 and runs through Dec. 7. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$139. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/working-girl

Hausmann Quartet presents Cinema + Sound: The string ensemble will perform Stephen Prutsman’s original live music with a screening of the classic 1920 silent film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown. Free. hausmannquartet.com/event/cinema-sound-3/

Jason Mraz: San Diego’s own Jason Mraz will perform twice this week with the Molly Miller Trio. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $88.60. thesoundsd.com

“Twilight” Trivia: Fans of the famous vampire series can test their knowledge at this fun trivia night. There will be prizes for first second and third, as well as prizes for a costume contest. 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego. Free. libertystation.com/do/twilight-trivia

Thomas Schlesser author event: Thomas Schlesser, French art history professor and founder of the director of the Hartung-Bergman Foundation in Antibes, France, will discuss his new book, “Mona’s Eyes.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. $30 for a reserved seat and book. warwicks.com/event/schlesser-2025

The Rosin Box Project’s ‘Ghost Light Masquerade’: This Halloween-themed interactive dance event features masked dancers in Victorian clothing performing as lively spirits in an open hall space that the public can wander through wearing masks. 7:30 p.m.Tuesday-Thursday. The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego. $54-$65 admission, $10 parking fee. therosinboxproject.com

Wednesday

Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour: Helen Woodward Animal Center is collaborating with Town and Country Resort for a happy hour for pups. The restaurant will have Halloween-themed cocktail flights and treats for dogs. There will be a costume contest for dongs at 6:00 p.m. and astrology and tarot readings (for dogs and adults). RSVP online. 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Monkeybar, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. Free. towncountry.com/activities/#!/e/howl-o-ween-yappy-hour-at-monkeybar-10-29

Scary movie trivia: This free trivia event based on Halloween-themed scary movies will award prizes for first and second place. Drink specials will also be available. 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Coin Haus, 8361 Allison Ave., La Mesa. Free. coinhaus.com/happenings.

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‘Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground’: Tony Award-winning actor John Rubinstein — he was Broadway’s Pippin in 1980 — will reprise the title role in this solo play by Richard Hellesen that premiered off Broadway in 2023 and has been touring ever since. New York critics described Rubinstein as “compelling” and “affable” as former U.S. president and retired Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower reflecting on his World War II and presidential experiences and his declining popularity in the polls. Peter Ellenstein directs. Through Nov. 16. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

Susan Orlean author event: Longtime New Yorker writer Susan Orlean will discuss her new book “Joyride.” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. $32 for a reserved seat and book. warwicks.com/event/orlean-2025

Harry Potter Trivia: Drink special themed drinks while you compete against fellow wizarding friends at Duck Dive. Participants must call the restaurant after purchasing a ticket to confirm their seat: 858-273-3825. 8 p.m. Wednesday. 4650 Mission Blvd., San Diego. $7.18. eventbrite.com/e/harry-potter-trivia-trivia-at-the-duck-dive-tickets-1698701003429?aff=PR

Winyl Club Anniversary Market: This Halloween-themed market is for ages 21 and older. There will be food and drinks, vendors and music. 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. EVE, 975 Waterfront Place, Suit 400, San Diego. Free.

Alisa Weilerstein presents “Fragments 4 – Labyrinth”: The world-renowned cellist presents the fourth installment of this series for solo cello, featuring new works woven together with Bckh’s Fourth Cello Suite. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.  Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., Downtown. $29-$79. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org

“Arms and the Man”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents George Bernard Shaw’s “Anti-Romantic Comedy in Three Acts” about a war-weary solder finding refuge in the home of a sympathetic young woman. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 16. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $49-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

Thursday

Vamp to the Future Halloween Party: This event is billed as a mix of “The Lost Boys” and “Back to the Future.” Jeff Daniel Phillips, Jessie T. Usher, The Flux Capacitors and Marie Avgeropoulos are among the featured lineup. Expected live music, celebrity gueses, themed drinks and other activities. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., San Diego. winklepickerentertainment.com

Teen Horror Film Fest: Teens from ages 13 to 17 are invited to watch PG-13 horror movies and eat pizza and candy. 3:45 to 5:45 Thursday. Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista. Free.  sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/68a5f77c69d27551e18cc043

‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’: Christopher Durang’s absurdist 2013 comedy, inspired by the plays of Anton Chekhov, is about the unhappy reunion of three dysfunctional American siblings. It will inaugurate the Dottie Studio Theater, a black-box theater at Cygnet’s just-opened Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, affectionately known as The Joan, at Liberty Station. Anthony Methvin directs. Through Nov. 9. Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. cygnettheatre.org

Jill G. Hall author event: One of the mysteries of the Point Loma neighborhood is the subject of the new book, “‘On a Sundown Sea: A Novel of Madame Tingley and the Origins of Lomaland.” Author Jill G. Hall will discuss and sign the book. RSVP online. 4:30 p.m. Thursday. La Playa Books, 1026 Rosecrans St., San Diego.  laplayabooks.com/event/2025-10-30/jill-g-hall-sundown-sea

Friday

Howl-O-Ween Happy Hour: A pet costume contest will take place on Halloween. Participants and diners at the restaurant can enter a chance to win a stay at the La Jolla Shores Hotel. There will be a canine menu and free wag bags while supplies last. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. La Jolla Shores Hotel, ljshoreshotel.com/the-shores-restaurant/

Nightmare on Normal Street: This neighborhood dance party and costume contest will also feature outdoor bars and vendors. Organizers say the costume contest will come with more than $3,500 in prizes from local businesses 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. University Ave between Herbert Street and Centre Street. $34.24. events.com/r/en_US/tickets/nightmare-on-normal-st-san-diego-november-1003268

‘Pagliacci’: Last produced by San Diego Opera in 2015, Ruggero Leoncavallo’s 1892 verismo opera will open the company’s all-classics 2025-26 season next month. It’s about a violent love triangle in an Italian commedia dell’arte theater company (“pagliacci” is the Italian word for clowns). The opera is most famous for the character Canio’s weeping tenor aria “Vesti la giubba” (“Put on the costume”), which he does before taking his revenge. Tenor Jonathan Burton will play Canio in this production. Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego. sdopera.org

Halloween Aglow: Birch Aquarium will host trick-or-treating, live music and games from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla. Scuba divers will transform the aquarium into an underwater pumpkin patch with their underwater pumpkin carving skills. Visitors will also have access to the new Living Seas exhibit. This is a family-friendly event and ocean-themed costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $40-$45; discount for members; free for children 2 and younger. Visit aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/halloween-aglow.

‘Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground’: Tony Award-winning actor John Rubinstein — he was Broadway’s Pippin in 1980 — will reprise the title role in this solo play by Richard Hellesen that premiered off Broadway in 2023 and has been touring ever since. New York critics described Rubinstein as “compelling” and “affable” as former U.S. president and retired Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower reflecting on his World War II and presidential experiences and his declining popularity in the polls. Peter Ellenstein directs. Through Nov. 16. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

Spooky campout: The annual Spooky Camp-o-Ween is back from Oct. 24-26 at Lake Jennings, 10108 Bass Road, Lakeside. Check in Friday and pick up creepy crafts, then listen to and tell spooky stories around the campfire. There will be campground trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt and a campsite decorating contest. Bring your costumes. Camping fees apply. This weekend is for registered campers only and campsites fill up fast. Reserve a campsite at (619) 390-1623. Visit lakejennings.org.

‘Rent’: Two San Diego County theater companies, New Village and Diversionary, unexpectedly got the rights to produce Jonathan Larson’s “La boheme”-inspired musical set in 1990s AIDS-plagued New York. So rather than cancel, they’re co-producing and cross-promoting each others’ very different productions. New Village’s more traditional version will run this fall. Diversionary’s staging next spring will visually reimagine the tragic tale. Oct. 31 through Dec. 24 at New Village, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. newvillagearts.org; 

Howl-O-Ween tours at wolf center: The California Wolf Center, a nonprofit working on the recovery of wolves in the wild, will host its annual Howl-O-Ween tour at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the conservation facility, Tall Pine and K Q Ranch roads in Julian. Visitors can make Halloween-themed items like pumpkin-spiced meatballs to share with the center’s ambassador wolves during their tour, in a fun, spooky setting. Costumes are welcome. Tours is $65; free for kids 4 and younger. Advance reservations are required. Visit californiawolfcenter.org/tours.

Nautical Nightmares: This Halloween rooftop party will take place in a transformed nautical pirate escape. There will be live music, tarot card readings, themed cocktails and a costume contest. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday. Margaritaville Hotel San Diego’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, 616 J St., San Diego. Free. margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-hotel-san-diego/live-entertainment/coming-soon-halloween-party

Free treats: Village Walk at Eastlake hosts kids ages 12 and younger dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult at a free trick-or-treat event from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31. Bring a bag to collect your treats or pick up a free treat bag and a coupon booklet at the Halloween table near Mission Federal. Then stop by participating businesses with a bright orange pumpkin in their windows. Village Walk at EastLake is on EastLake Parkway and Miller Drive. Visit shopvillagewalk.com/special-events.

Mainstreet Goes Ghostly: Witches and ghosts will be wandering throughout Coronado’s central downtown from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 31 and merchants are set to welcome trick-or-treaters for the Mainstreet Goes Ghostly event hosted by Coronado Mainstreet. Visit coronadomainstreet.org/mainstreetgoesghostly.

Trick-or-treating downtown Encinitas: The free annual Safe Trick or Treat will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Many downtown businesses will have goodies for kids. Costumed trick-or-treaters can stroll South Coast Highway 101, from Encinitas Boulevard to K Street. There will be Halloween-themed activities and games for kids along with entertainment. Visit encinitas101.com.

Haunted Ghost Town: Festivities include haunted house and haunted trail (scary and not-so scary versions), carnival games, food, treats  and costume contest and farm animals along with beer garden, pumpkin decorating contest, music and dancing. The Haunted Hoedown is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at The Heritage Ranch, 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Entry is $10; $5 for kids. Visit https://www.olivenhainfarms.com/service-page/haunted-hoedown?referral=service_list_widget

Haunted Hotel: The historic grounds of the Olivenhain Meeting Hall will be transformed into a Haunted Hotel Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 at 423 Rancho Santa Fe Road in Encinitas. There will be spooky scenes ranging from a Haunted Swamp, Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory and a Witches’ Lair to a Candy Mystery Trail. Actors are Scouts, ages 11 to 17. There will be games at the carnival and refreshment to purchase. Tickets are $8; cash and credit are accepted at the door. The event is a fundraiser for Scout Troop 2000. For questions, email troop2kcommunityoutreach@gmail.com.

Pumpkin picking in Fallbrook: Pick a pumpkin from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays Sept. 26 through Nov. 2 at The Vineyard, 1924 E. Mission Road. Weekday specials and special events on weekends, including beer, wine, food trucks and live music. Visit fallbrookpumpkinpatch.com.

Trunk or Treat on Seacoast: The city holds its “Spooktacular” trick-or-treating event for kids from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24 on Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach. Visit imperialbeachca.gov/625/spooktacular-trunk-or-treat.