Día de los Muertos Ofrenda: Honoring Athletes

Open through November 9 
Mingei International Museum 

To honor Día de los Muertos, the Mingei collaborated with Sherman Heights Community Center and local artists Lidia Martinez and Francisco Soto to create an altar honoring athletes across a range of sports, including baseball, boxing, football, and soccer. Through flowers, color, and traditional Día de los Muertos symbolism, the installation celebrates the passions and legacies of athletes, creating a space for remembrance, reflection, and community.

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HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
October 3–31
Activities Start at 5 PM 

The glittering, glimmering, and glowing annual Halloween extravaganza is back! Every weekend in October, enjoy family fun after dark at this light-up-the-night spectacular. This year’s celebration is full of eerie-sistible entertainment, interactive festivities, and lots of spooky surprises! Plus, we’re celebrating Kids Free all October long so come early and stay late.

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Miniature Mixed-Media Sculpture Workshop

Saturday Oct. 3
Saturday, Oct. 10
Saturday, Oct. 17
Saturday, Oct. 24
Saturday, Oct. 31
Saturday, Nov. 7
1 PM - 4 PM
Village Arts Center, Studio 40

Create an original small-scale sculpture using air-dry clay, found objects, and mixed-media materials. First-time students will learn how to develop and sketch an idea, build an armature, sculpt their piece, and add details, while returning students can learn finishing techniques such as sanding and painting before beginning new themed projects or progressing to larger or more complex sculptures.

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Add Your Flower to SDHC's Community Ofrenda

Friday, Oct. 9 - Sunday, Nov. 1
San Diego History Center

Craft a colorful paper flower to add to the Día de los Muertos ofrenda at the San Diego History Center as we honor loved ones and celebrate the traditions that keep their memories alive. Entry to this event is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. 

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Trunk or Treat

Saturday, Oct. 24
10 AM - 1 PM
San Diego Automotive Museum

Grab the costumes and bring the whole family for a fun-filled Halloween morning at the Museum! Explore themed spots throughout the Museum where kids can collect candy and enjoy some festive fun surrounded by cool bikes and cars! FREE ENTRY for Kids 12 and under, and for the parents accompanying costumed children. Entry to this event is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. 

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Toy Story 5 Movie Night

Saturday, October 24
7 PM
San Diego Air & Space Museum

Bring the whole family to movie night! Dress up as your favorite Toy Story character and compete in our costume contest. Follow the scavenger hunt trail for a prize. Fill your bag at candy stations all over the Museum. Then grab a free lemonade, pick up $1 popcorn at the concession stand, and get cozy for the 7 PM show. Bring your own comfy chairs and blankets, and we’ll have some folding chairs available too.

Make it an all-day adventure Our galleries are open right up to showtime! Come early to explore real aircraft and spacecraft, then come back for the movie or stay all evening. Movie night is the perfect excuse for a full day at the Museum. Movie showing is free with museum admission. It’s Kids Free Month! Every paid adult admission includes 2 free kids admissions, so bring the whole crew. Entry to this event is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass and SDASM Membership. 

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Halloween Spectacular

Saturday, Oct. 24
7 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion

Spreckels Organ Society artistic director Raúl Prieto Ramírez presents thrilling organ solos and a concert version of The Phantom of the Opera with soprano Caroline Nelms and tenor Cole Tornberg. This concert is free and open to the public. 

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11th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration and Exhibit Opening Reception

Friday, Oct. 30
6 PM - 9 PM
Centro Cultural de la Raza

Centro Cultural de la Raza and Danza Coatlicue present an evening of music, altars, and café as we celebrate the opening of the exhibition "Solo Dejaremos Flores" and to honor our loved ones who have passed on and those who remain forever in our hearts. Exhibit on view through Nov 6.

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Secret Society of Adultologists: A 21+ Halloween Party

Friday, Oct. 30
6 PM
San Diego Natural History Museum

This Halloween weekend, journey through life and death across five floors of the Museum — from decomposition and fossilization to pollination, harvest, and the afterlife. Wicked fun awaits: pop-up science, bars on every level, and DJs that'll make you boo-gie the night away. Spooky bites and spirited drinks available for purchase.

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Bark at the Moon!

Friday, Oct. 30
7:00 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion

A free Halloween concert paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness. With ORGAN-ISM, a band with organ!

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San Diego Ballet: Día de los Muertos

Friday, Oct. 30 – Saturday, Oct. 31
8 PM
The San Diego Museum of Art

Audiences will be swept away by the evocative and romantic “Qué Bonito Amor” set to a rapturous score of mariachi music and “Mambomania,” one of artistic director Javier Velasco’s sizzling signature works.

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Trains and Treats Family Day

Saturday, Oct. 31 – Sunday, Nov. 1
11 AM - 4 PM
San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Put on your costume and celebrate the spooky season with frighteningly fun activities for the whole family including Halloween-themed arts and crafts, games, and of course, candy! Entry to this event is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. 

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San Diego Shakespeare Society at SDMA: Spooky Shakespeare

Saturday, Oct. 31
1 PM - 2:30 PM
The San Diego Museum of Art

Celebrate Halloween with the San Diego Shakespeare Society as actors present spine-chilling performances that connect to works of art from across The San Diego Museum of Art’s collection. Enjoy scenes from works such as Richard III, Hamlet, Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Entry to this event is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. 

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Tea Talks: Yokai: Unveiling Japanese Ghosts and Monsters

Saturday, Oct. 31
2:30 PM- 4 PM
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

An afternoon of strange and scary tales from old Japan. Through these stories we will encounter spirits, ghosts, monsters, and everything else that goes bump in the night! Tea will be served to calm your nerves and warm your bones as you meet some of the most fantastical characters from Japanese folklore that you’ve ever seen.

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Yokai Masquerade

Saturday, Oct. 31
6 PM - 10 PM
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

When the garden sleeps, the spirits wake. You have been summoned to a night when the boundary between the mortal world and the spirit realm collapses entirely. The yokai do not hide on Halloween. They celebrate. And this year, they have invited you.

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AXIS Performing Arts Series: Día de los Muertos Celebration

Sunday, November 1
11 AM - 1:30 PM
The Old Globe's outdoor plaza

AXIS is a free, outdoor, multi-generational program that celebrates the cultural diversity of San Diego by inviting local artists and craftspeople to share their cultural traditions and heritage. This event is a festive opportunity to learn the history of this Mexican holiday as we celebrate and honor our ancestors. Featuring live music, dance performances, a new play, arts & crafts, and more!

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Día de los Muertos at SDMA

Sunday, November 1
11 AM - 4 PM
The San Diego Museum of Art

Enjoy live performances, family-friendly art-making activities, and a special Día de los Muertos ofrenda created by visiting artist Betsabeé Romero in collaboration with local San Diego students, all in the Balboa Park Plaza de Panama in front of The San Diego Museum of Art and free to the community.

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The Taco Party

Sunday, November 1
Noon–4:00 p.m.
The San Diego Museum of Art May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden

Join SDMA for The Taco Party, a lively gathering featuring unlimited street-style tacos, refreshing beverages, music, and a festive atmosphere, all in the Museum’s sculpture court and garden. Designed as a fun and welcoming celebration for all ages, The Taco Party brings together great food, community, and the joyful spirit of Día de los Muertos.

The Taco Party is part of Día de los Muertos at SDMA, a day of community highlighting a special ofrenda created by the community and designed by this season’s Visiting Artist Betsabeé Romero.

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Pressed Flower Candle Workshop

Monday, November 2
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Centro Cultural de la Raza

Veladoras Luz de Luna leads a hands-on workshop celebrating the beauty and traditions of Dia de los Muertos. Learn about the symbolism of flowers and create a beautiful floral decorated pillar candle. Afterward, join us as we walk together in procession. First come, first served. Only 20 spots available.