Looking for things to do in San Diego? Here are activities throughout San Diego County for the month of October 2021. Oktoberfest, San Diego Restaurant week, Good Guys car show, Halloween events, triathlon and more.
El Cajon Oktoberfest Sept. 24-26 & Oct. 1-3
Come and enjoy authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit,
potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and a
variety of German pastries. We offer a great selection of German beers and
liquors, and soft drinks and water, to enjoy with your friends and family!
Our band, the Guggenbach-Buam, joins us from Baden-Württemberg,
Germany. Vendor and craft booths, and Kids’ Zone.
Fri 4-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sum 12-9pm / 1017 S. Mollison Ave.
619-442-6637 / www.oktoberfestelcajon.com
San Diego Restaurant Week Sept. 26-Oct. 3
More than 90 participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe
dinner menus for $20, $30, $40, $50 or $60 per person and/or two-course
prix-fixe lunch menus for $10, $15, $20 or $25 per person. The participating
restaurants span across San Diego county from the South Bay to East County and
to the borders of Oceanside and Fallbrook to the north.
www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com
Gaslight Steampunk Expo Sept. 30-Oct. 3
Our theme for our 2021 event will be the 1889 Universelle Exposition du
Paris (World Fair) where Gustave Eiffel built the largest structure on the
planet as the gateway to the Champ du Mars and dedicated it to science
and the 199 workers who helped him construct this modern marvel.
See website for schedule. / San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
www.gaslightexpo.org
Goodguys Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals Oct. 1-3
Over 2,500 Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars and Trucks thru ’87.
Goodguys AutoCross – Featuring 16 car “Duel in Del Mar”. Indoor Car
Show – Street Rod d’Elegance Competition. Nitro Thunderfest Dragster
Exhibition. Burn Out Competition. Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.
Fri & Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 8am-3pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
925-838-9876 / www.good-guys.com/dmn
La Mesa Oktoberfest Oct. 1-3
Since 1973, the La Mesa Oktoberfest has been attracting Oktoberfest
revelers from across San Diego and Southern California for 3 FREE days
of festive live music, including Oompa bands, tons of top-notch German
food, and of course, steins filled to the brim with German & Craft beer!
Fri 4-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 12-8pm / La Mesa Village
www.lamesaoktoberfest.org
Pacific BeachFest Oct. 2
San Diego’s premier beach festival located in the heart of beach town:
Pacific Beach. Enjoy this free, full-day, family-friendly, music-packed event.
11am-7pm / Pacific Beach Boardwalk
858-273-3303 / www.pacificbeachfest.org
Mission Federal ArtWalk Oct. 2-3
Locals and visitors will have the opportunity to purchase artwork from
local, national, and international artists in a variety of mediums. Art guitar
auction benefiting ArtReach San Diego, a nonprofit organization aimed at
increasing equity in visual arts education in K-8 schools throughout San
Diego County by delivering free or low-cost workshops to schools that
have no other resources for art.
11am-6pm / 2210 Columbia Street, San Diego
619-615-1090 / www.artwalksandiego.org
Stockzilla Oct. 2-3
This is a mega Catfish Stock Event at Santee Lakes – 3,500lbs. of Catfish
stocked! Book your campsites NOW! You must be a registered Camper to
fish in Lakes 6 & 7.
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
619-596-3141 / www.santeelakes.com
Encinitas Oktoberfest Oct. 3
Authentic German music, the Gemütlichkeit Alpine Dancers, carnival rides,
a street craft faire featuring 200 vendors and more! The family food and
refreshment tent along with the Keepin’ It Local Craft Beer Garden will
serve authentic German food and beers from German & local San Diego
breweries. There will be a family fun zone with children’s rides, and family
oriented activities.
10am-6pm / Mountain Vista Drive and El Camino Real
www.encinitasoktoberfest.com
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest Oct. 8-9
Beer garden with live entertainment, men and women’s stein-holding
contest, balloon blow, FREE beachside all-ages stage w/ performances by
Rock and Roll San Diego Bands, Food and craft vendor area, “Brewfest”
beer tasting featuring German and local brews poured by veterans, and
Ms. & Mr. Oktoberfest.
Fri 4-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm / Newport Avenue & Abbott Street
www.oboktoberfest.com
07105160921
Taste of North Park Oct. 9
Home to culinary innovation and cutting-edge brew-masters, North Park
is a go-to San Diego destination for everything food and drink. The Taste
of North Park invites culinary enthusiasts to enjoy over 40 food tastes from
San Diego’s best restaurants. For those looking to enjoy some hops while
they walk, you can sip on the region’s best craft beer. Craft brewers offer 4
ounce samples of their best releases.
11am-3pm / 3939 Iowa Street, San Diego https://northparkmainstreet.com/taste-of-north-park-2021/
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Oct. 9-10
There is truly something for everyone to enjoy, including 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.
10am-6pm / Girard Avenue and Prospect Street www.ljawf.com
XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon Oct. 10
In 1974, the first Mission Bay Triathlon was as a run-bike-swim-run event on
Fiesta Island by the San Diego Track Club. This is an ON Road Triathlon.
Bonita Cove Park: 1100 W Mission Bay Dr. www.missionbaytriathlon.com
Ladies at the Lake Fall Market Oct. 16
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! Food trucks will be available!
10am-3pm / East County Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
619-258-4759 / www.santeelakes.com
SoCal Taco Fest Oct. 23
25 of the best taco restaurants in Southern California, a lineup of national
and local music acts headlined this year by multi-platinum recording artist
Flo Rida, live Lucha Libre wrestling by the Baja Stars, Chihuahua races and
beauty pageant supported by Soapy Joe’s Car Wash, the Del Real Foods
Culinary Stage, and the popular Corralejo Margarita Cantina with a live DJ
and custom-crafted margaritas.
11am-10pm / SD County Waterfront Park: 1600 Pacific Hwy
www.socaltacofest.co
Villains in the Village Oct. 23
Over 20 nefarious characters and uncanny activities will torment and
trick thrill seekers of all ages. Ticket holders can creep along footpaths
of frightful fun that include besmirched beasts, eye popping illusions, and
everything unnerving in between. Capture your best sneer at spooky selfie
spots, grab a bite (but don’t get bitten) at local eats, and sip on tastes of
adult potions.
4-9pm / Third Ave from E Street to G Street, Chula Vista
619-422-1982 / Villains in the Village – Chula Vista
EOS Fitness Tour De Cove Oct. 24
Rocket into orbit with the 4.5 hour stationary cyclethon led by your favorite
San Diego instructors. Join CAF and EOS Fitness to help change lives
through sport for people with permanent physical challenges. There will
be over 100 stationary bikes on the lawn overlooking Mission Bay at the
center of the CAF Community Weekend. Participate in the four and a half
hour ride as an individual or share a bike as part of a 3-person relay team.
Mission Bay, San Diego https://www.challengedathletes.org/communitychallenge/San Diego
Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival Oct. 24
Altars, arts & crafts, por siempre car show, a chalk cemetery and more!
Downtown Oceanside
www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org
Aspen Medical Products SDTriathlon Challenge Oct. 24
Your fundraising efforts will support challenged athletes with grants for
adaptive sports equipment, coaching, and competition expenses. Event
Options: Full tri, swim, bike, run only or select multiple segments. Individual
and relay team options.
Mission Bay, San Diego
www.challengedathletes.org/events/sdtc
San Diego Zombie Crawl Oct. 28-31
3 days of costume insanity, DJ, live music, dining and entertainment! Your
ticket includes a self-guided party hop to downtown San Diego’s favorite
haunts (all within walking distance from each other), an Opening Party
at American Junkie, Free Cover to Participating Bars, Welcome Shots,
Extended Happy Hour and more treats!
6pm-12am / American Junkie: 628 5th Ave., San Diego
619-944-8900 / www.sandiegozombiecrawl.com
Trick-or-Treat on India Street Oct. 29
Families are encouraged to bring their little monsters out in costume attire
to this fun and safe Halloween event to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating,
as Little Italy businesses along historic India Street open their doors to give
out candy and Halloween treats.
5:30-7:30pm / Piazza della Famiglia, Little Italy www.littleitalysd.com
HauntFest on Main Oct. 29
The event features live music on two stages featuring: Costume Contests
on the Main St. Stage; an expanded Carnival Rides and Games; Car Show;
Candy Challenge Activities; Kidz Zone, Face Painting; performances by
TNT Dancers, Arts In Motion Crew & Jr. Crew, and St. Madeleine Sophie’s
Center Pumpkin Patch; Craft and Game booths; LED Rock Wall; Inflatables
for kids; With a surprise feature of Movies In The Park.
4-9pm / Downtown El Cajon www.hauntfest.org
Nightmare on Normal Street Oct. 29
This year’s event benefits the San Diego LGBT Community Center
and Fabulous Hillcrest. With late night live entertainment, costume
competitions (including a special pet contest for your furry, fuzzy, and
feathery companions) outdoor bars, and the best people watching in all of
San Diego. This event is 21+.
5-11pm / Normal Street at University Avenue
619-299-3330 / www.fabuloushillcrest.com
Lions Tigers & Bears Spooky Campover Oct. 29-30
Camp out in the countryside and sleep under the stars with the sanctuary
animals at Lions Tigers & Bears. This spooky overnight event includes
campfire songs, pumpkin carving, and a Halloween costume contest. Enjoy
the fun of the animal trivia challenge (read our website for clues to the
answers), make s’mores by the campfire, and sip hot cocoa at our big cat
and wildlife sanctuary in San Diego.
3pm-10am / 24402 Martin Way, Alpine
619-659-8078 opt. 4 / www.lionstigersandbears.org
City Heights Dia de los Muertos Oct. 3
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.
11am-7pm / Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park
www.facebook.com/CityHeightsDiaDeLosMuertos