Things to do in Encinitas and beyond: A variety of Halloween events

23rd Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat event in Encinitas

The Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association will present its 23rd Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat on Friday, Oct. 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thousands of costumed trick-or-treaters and other revelers will stroll through South Coast Hwy 101, from Encinitas Blvd. to K Street. Many downtown Encinitas businesses stay open late to welcome trick-or-treaters with candy.

Kids also enjoy Halloween-themed activities and games in The Lumberyard Courtyard, courtesy of the 101 Artists Colony, plus dancing to the live music of Bucket Ruckus. There will also be a pumpkin display in front of the SRF Books & Gifts shop along the sidewalk. Families can enjoy free kids’ crafts and free parking at the new Pacific View Arts Center community center.For more information visit www.encinitas101.com. This event is made possible by presenting sponsor Lazy Acres Market (www.lazyacres.com), according to a news release.

Haunted Hotel Olivenhain

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.

Del Mar 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., 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.

Scream Zone closed

The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is closed this year and is slated to reopen in 2026. The event website says head to Balboa Park to get your screams at The Haunted Trail. Visit thescreamzone.com.

Haunted Corn Maze

The Carlsbad Strawberry Company is once the site of a haunted corn maze this fall. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is also part of this Haunted Corn Maze, which turns the strawberry fields into a terrifying labyrinth.

The Haunted Corn Maze is recommended for teenagers and adults. Also, 50% of the proceeds from the corn maze go to the foundation, according to the Carlsbad Strawberry Company. 7 to 10 p.m. Every Friday and Saturday from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. $40-$60. aguahedionda.org/haunted-corn-maze

Halloween Spooktacular

There will be trick-or-treating in costumes, carnival-style games, spooky characters and music from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Children receive a bag to collect candy, while supplies last. Admission is free. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com/events.

Jurassic Fright at Pumpkin Patch

Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in Oct. 3 through Oct. 31 at 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. There’s a haunted corn maze, marigold fields, bounceland, Jurassic Fright, a tractor ride and sheep, goats and rabbits. Admission is $15; free for kids 3 and younger plus fees for activities. Visit carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin.

Brick-or-Treat

LEGOLAND California holds its Brick-or-Treat Monster Party on weekends in October with entertainment, dance parties, live music, costumed entertainers and trick-or-treating. The party is included with park admission. As part of its Halloween season celebration, there will be costumed characters, décor and seasonal treats daily through Oct. 31. Visit legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/halloween.

Spooktacular Halloween at plaza

Halloween-themed kids crafts, a DJ spinning spooky tunes, face painting, balloon twisting and trick-or-treating will all be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at in the courtyard next to La Costa Roasting at Plaza Paseo Real, 6941- 6985 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. Visit plazapaseoreal.com/events/plaza-paseo-real-halloween-spooktacular-2025.

Halloween Aglow at Birch Aquarium

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. 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.

HalGLOWeen

The San Diego Zoo hosts a Halloween-themed family extravaganza with entertainment, food, dance parties and interactive festivities starting at 5 p.m. weekends in October. Highlights include Boo Crew, Spider’s W.E.B., Python Path, Spooky Spectacles, a Boolahoops dance party, featured creatures and Dr. Zoolittle’s Tricks & Treats among other attractions. Visit zoo.sandiegozoo.org/halgloween.

Haunts of Balboa Park

One of San Diego’s largest Halloween experiences is at Balboa Park. The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park gives visitors two different experiences. The eXperiment Maze presents 3,500 square feet of twists and turns through various spooky encounters with childhood fairy tales remixed in Halloween-themed costumes such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

The Haunted Trail takes visitors outdoors through a path with dense fog and several haunting installations with zombies, a ghoul bus, a graveyard filled with ghosts, chainsaw maniacs and more. Sept. 26 through Nov. 1. Balboa Drive and Juniper Road, San Diego. $34.99-$49.99. hauntedtrail.net

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream

Back for the fifth time is SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream. This Halloween activation modifies the theme park into a haunted playground with eight scare zones. Guests can expect to see spooky creatures, a graveyard, a carnival of chaos and five haunted houses. There will also be music and live entertainment stages, themed bars and speakeasies. Plus, certain amusement park rides will be open. Select nights now through Nov. 1. $44.99-$144.99. seaworld.com/san-diego/events/howl-o-scream

Trunk or Treat at car museum

The San Diego Automotive Museum puts on its annual Trunk or Treat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at 2080 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park. Children collect candy from the museum’s collection of classic and exotic cars on the museum floor. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free for children under 12 and for parents accompanying their children in costumes. Visit sdautomuseum.org.