The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Oct. 10-12

by Abby Hamblin, Carlos Rico, Linda Mcintosh, Pam Kragen

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Oct. 10 to Sunday, Oct. 12.

Friday

Pace Live: ‘A Taste of Ireland  — The Irish Music and Dance Sensation’: This spirited group pays tribute to traditional and contemporary Irish dance with Celtic-themed sets and precise, enthusiastic performances. Irish songs, videos of the Emerald Isle and professional steppers from “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance” have social media reviewers writing that they would “see it again in a heartbeat.” There are two shows: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $58.80-$94.80. artcenter.org; and at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. $66.60-$98.10. sandiegotheatres.org

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. 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.

“STRANGE JOURNEY:” The Story of Rocky Horror: After a world premiere at SXSW Festival, a new documentary about the making of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will make an appearance in San Diego. 4:45 and 7 p.m. Friday. 1100 Market Street, 2nd Floor, San Diego. $13. rockyhorrordoc.com/buy-tickets

HAIM: The SoCal sisters of Haim will bring their I Quit Tour to San Diego. The Grammy-nominated group includes Alana Haim, who is also on screen right now in the film “One Battle After Another.” 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $80.25. theshell.org/performances/haim

The Taylor Party: Belly Up is hosting Taylor Swift Night. Gather with fellow fans to celebrate the singer, who just released a new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” 9 p.m. Friday. Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego. $27.30. ticketweb.com/event/the-taylor-party-taylor-swift-music-box-tickets/14506293?pl=bellyup&REFID=bupwebsite

Bates Pumpkin Patch: Hay rides, a petting zoo, a straw maze, a bounce house and slides and pony rides on weekends along with food and lots of pumpkins and gourds are all part of the festivities through Oct. 31 at Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Valley Woods Road. Fall Festival Fridays are from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24. The farm is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays with free parking and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There is free admission and $10 parking on October weekends. Activity tickets are $2.50 each. Visit batesnutfarm.biz.

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest: Live music on two stages, food and beer and more await attendees to the 2025 Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. This two-day festival, for those 21 years and older, brings a beer garden, a bratwurst eating contest, games such as a pretzel toss, bands and DJs. Scheduled performers include Spacehall Sound Machine, Band of Gringos, BoomBox and the EMO Kids. 4 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Noon to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, 5099 Newport Ave., San Diego. $15-$75.47. oboktoberfest.com

Pace Live: ‘A Taste of Ireland  — The Irish Music and Dance Sensation’: This spirited group pays tribute to traditional and contemporary Irish dance with Celtic-themed sets and precise, enthusiastic performances. Irish songs, videos of the Emerald Isle and professional steppers from “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance” have social media reviewers writing that they would “see it again in a heartbeat.” There are two shows: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $58.80-$94.80. artcenter.org; and at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. $66.60-$98.10. sandiegotheatres.org

Turnstile: There are good reasons why this Baltimore hardcore-punk quintet’s admirers include everyone from Demi Lovato and Metallica’s James Hetfield to Charli XCX and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford. Turnstile’s latest album, the audacious “Never Enough,” finds the band deftly incorporating elements of pop, rock, funk, jazz and 1980s New Wave in a way that feels liberating, not commercially calculating. They top the bill here at a four-act show that also includes Amyl & The Sniffers, Speed and Jane Remover. 7 p.m. Oct. 10. Gallagher Square at Petco Park, 840 K St., San Diego. $82.25. ticketmaster.com

Evening in Bavaria: San Rafael Parish will host its annual Oktoberfest, “An Evening in Bavaria,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at 17252 Bernardo Center Drive. The event features a German band, German food, children’s entertainment and a raffle. Admission is $20, in advance; $25 at the door and $10 for ages 6 to 18; free for children 5 and younger. Call (858) 487-4314.

Pianist Daniel Beliavsky: This concert and lecture will feature works by Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich. 7:30 p.m. Friday Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $$12-$45. 858-454-5872, ljathenaeum.org

“All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the closing weekend of Noah Diaz’s play about a trans man and his wife embarking on a parenting journey while their home is haunted by the spirits of his past. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego, La Jolla. $30-$59. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org

“Kimberly Akimbo”: Scripps Ranch Theatre presents the original play version of David Lindsay-Abaire’s bittersweet tale about a teenage girl who has a premature aging disorder that makes her an old lady at 16. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 19. Scripps Ranch Theatre at the Legler Benbough Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, Alliant International University, San Diego. $30-$52. 858-578-7728, scrippsranchtheatre.org

Redo Vintage and Makers Market: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. redomarket.com/delmar

Saturday

San Diego Botanic Garden Fall Festival: A lineup of special activities will include paper-making, bubble art, a beer and wine garden, and live music. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. $18 adults; $15 seniors, military and students; $10 youth. sdbg.org/exhibitions-public-programs/2025-fall-festival/

Wicked Spooky Tea Party: Fairmont Grand Del Mar is hosting several family-friendly Halloween events to entertain the public every Saturday and Sunday in October. From noon to 3:30 p.m., the Wicked Spooky Tea Party takes place. The event offers Halloween-inspired drinks, treats and savory foods, along with an arts and crafts workshop. It costs $125 per adult and $65 per child. On Oct. 25, Fairmont Grand Del Mar will host three events, including a Halloween trail, a trick-or-treat walk and a Halloween party with a DJ, at a cost of $50 for adults and $30 for children. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego. granddelmar.com

San Diego Serbian Festival: San Diegans can experience Serbian culture, food and music at this annual festival. There will also be artisans and exhibits with imports from the Balkans, jewelry, traditional clothing and more. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church compound, 3025 Denver St., San Diego. $5. Free for kids and military and first responders. sdserbianfestival.com

Butterfield Trails County Park Open House: Learn about a proposed park through a lineup of activities: land acknowledgement at 9 a.m., tree planting at 9:15 a.m. and a birds of prey interactive activity at 10:15 a.m. A guided walk will take place at 11 a.m. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. 27765 Valley Center Road, Valley Center. sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/participate/calendar.html

Ladies at the Lake Fall Market: This event brings together over 100 local businesses and vendors selling plants, art, holiday gifts, pottery, crafts and more. There will also be adult beverages and coffee. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. Free. $7 for parking. santeelakes.com

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest: Live music on two stages, food, beer and more await attendees at the 2025 Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. This two-day festival, for those 21 years and older, brings a beer garden, a bratwurst-eating contest, games such as a pretzel toss, bands and DJs together. Scheduled performers include Spacehall Sound Machine, Band of Gringos, BoomBox and the EMO Kids. 4 to 11:30 p.m. Friday. Noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, 5099 Newport Ave., San Diego. $15-$75.47. oboktoberfest.com

San Diego Coffee Festival: Coffee aficionados can indulge in caffeinated drinks from over 25 brewers and shops at the San Diego Coffee Festival this weekend. The two-day event allows the public to taste coffee from various local shops and bean growers from outside San Diego. There will also be teas and food to sample. Plus, there will be live entertainment, roasters and exhibitors. The event will be hosted at the Broadway Pier. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 1000 N Harbor Drive, San Diego. $31.36. sandiegocoffeefest.com

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J. Lohr wine dinner: The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is hosting a wine dinner to help raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The hotel is partnering with J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines for a special multi-course dinner. The menu includes vanilla-poached lobster paired with a chardonnay, buttermilk-fried quail, pan-seared duck breast with a pinot noir, slow-roasted buffalo tenderloin with a cabernet sauvignon and a caramel mousse for dessert. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday. 333 West Harbor Drive, San Diego. event.marriott.com/sandt-marriott-marquis-san-diego-marina

Rancho Bernardo Festival: Rancho Bernardo’s Webb Park is home to the Rancho Bernardo Festival. This year’s event will have over 35 local breweries, wineries and distilleries; live music by Par Avion and The Rubber Band and various food vendors such as Duffs Doggz, Tony’s Pepperoni Pizzeria and Mama V’s Lumpia. General admission tickets include limitless two-ounce pours of beer and wine, food for purchase, free parking and live music performances. VIP tickets include everything in general admission plus one hour earlier entrance, a VIP area to lounge, preferred parking and complimentary food. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. 11666 Avena Place, San Diego. $10-$90. ranchobeernardofestival.com

Oktoberfest hosted by veterans: The Coronado Veterans of Foreign Wars group hosts an Oktoberfest with German food, music and beer from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 11 at VFW Post 2422 at 557 Orange Ave. Highlights include live music by The Beer Mugs, a stein holding competition, potato salad contest (drop off by 3 p.m.) and best dressed contest. Food includes Pork Jager schnitzel, grilled bratwurst, sauerkraut, mashed potato souffle and butter cookies with cinnamon apple chutney. Entry donation is $10; food plate is $20 and $5 for beer. VFW bar will be open. Tickets sold at the door. Proceeds benefit the Coronado Marine Corps League Detachment. Visit vfwpost2422.org/index.html

Dia de Muertos: This family-friendly event will include traditional altars, food for purchase, arts and crafts and live entertainment. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Guajome Adobe, 2210 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista. $5 for ages 13+, $2 for ages 4-12, free for kids 3 and under. sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/participate/calendar.html

Haunted Trail Hikes at Oakoasis: Anyone brave enough to hike in the dark is invited to try this outing. The lighter hike will start at 6 p.m. followed by the dark hike. The hikes will be followed by a star party. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Oakoasis County Preserve, 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside. Free. sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/participate/calendar.html

Sunday

North City Harvest Fest: The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce is hosting a street festival to celebrate local talent and entrepreneurs. The North City Harvest Fest will highlight more than 200 artisans and crafters, live music on two stages, food vendors, family-friendly attractions and interactive play areas. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 250 North City Drive, San Marcos. Free. chamber.sanmarcoschamber.com

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Andre Hobbs

Andre Hobbs

San Diego Broker | Military Veteran | License ID: 01485241

+1(619) 349-5151

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