29 Things to Do in San Diego This Week · October 1–4, 2026

Free Events

SDTJ Jazz Festival: Opening Jazz Party

The San Diego–Tijuana International Jazz Festival kicks off with a free night at Quartyard featuring the Binational Youth Ensemble, Colectivo Fronterizo with Fémina Fatal, and Jungle Fire.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 5:00 PM · Quartyard, East Village

SD Networking Events October 2026 Business Networking Mixer

Monthly business networking mixer bringing San Diego's professional community together for connections and conversation.

Thursday, October 8, 2026 4:00 PM · San Diego

San Diego Chess & Social — North Park Thursday Night

San Diego's largest 21+ chess and board game club hosts a new weekly Thursday social at 619 Spirits North Park, free for members and $13 drop-in.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 6:30 PM · 619 Spirits North Park, San Diego

Festivals & Special Events

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream

SeaWorld San Diego's largest-ever Halloween event returns with six haunted houses, eight scare zones, hidden speakeasies, roaming creatures, and sinister live entertainment on select nights through October 31.

Friday, October 2, 2026 · SeaWorld San Diego

Figure 8 Market Halloween Night Market

Halloween vintage and art market on Adams Avenue with 50+ vendors, a live DJ set, costume shopping, and free admission.

Friday, October 2, 2026 5:00 PM · 3366 Adams Avenue, San Diego

Discover Ukraine: A Heritage Celebration 2026

A free cultural festival at Liberty Station celebrating Ukrainian heritage with performances, food, and community activities.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 12:00 PM · Ingram Plaza, Liberty Station

Holistic Healing Expo — San Diego

Two-day holistic wellness expo at the Handlery Hotel featuring vendors, workshops, and practitioners across health, healing, and wellbeing.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 10:00 AM · Handlery Hotel San Diego, Mission Valley

Arts & Culture

FILIPIÑANA — Final Screening at Digital Gym Cinema

Final chance to see Rafael Manuel's acclaimed Filipino-American film FILIPIÑANA on the big screen at Digital Gym Cinema.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 5:30 PM · Digital Gym Cinema, San Diego

Oh, Mary! — San Diego

The hit Broadway comedy Oh, Mary! comes to San Diego Civic Theatre for a limited run.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:00 PM · San Diego Civic Theatre

First Friday at Arts District Liberty Station

Monthly First Friday opens dozens of galleries, artist studios, and creative spaces across Liberty Station's Arts District, including a San Diego Watercolor Society international exhibition opening reception.

Friday, October 2, 2026 4:00 PM · Liberty Station Arts District

Le Patin Libre | Melt

ArtPower presents the Canadian ice dance duo Le Patin Libre in their post-apocalyptic performance Melt, a darkly comedic and deeply human skating show.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 · ArtPower at UC San Diego

Music & Nightlife

House Music Fridays at AC Lounge

Weekly deep house night at the Air Conditioned Lounge with resident DJ Matthew Brian and weekly guest DJs spinning deep sexy house music.

Friday, October 2, 2026 9:00 PM · Air Conditioned Lounge, 4673 30th Street, San Diego

Hudson Westbrook at Frontwave Arena

Hudson Westbrook performs live at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · Frontwave Arena, Oceanside

Halloween R&B & Soul Night at Mixed Grounds

Free all-ages R&B and soul live music night with performances by Chai Sinclair, Leshai Band, and Therealainjo, plus tacos and tattoo vendors — costumes encouraged.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 6:00 PM · Mixed Grounds, North Park

Punch Brothers at ArtPower

Grammy-winning string band Punch Brothers bring their American Routes tour to UC San Diego's ArtPower stage for a must-see chamber-meets-bluegrass performance.

Thursday, October 8, 2026 · ArtPower at UC San Diego

Parrotfish Band w/ Analog Dog & Trash Day at Soda Bar

Parrotfish Band headlines Soda Bar with support from Analog Dog and Trash Day for a lively Sunday night show.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 · Soda Bar, San Diego

Food & Drink

Chef's Dinner: The Study of Apple at The Kitchen at MCASD

A special chef's dinner event at The Kitchen at MCASD exploring apple as the culinary subject of the evening.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · The Kitchen at MCASD, La Jolla

Tom Ham's Lighthouse 55th Anniversary Party

San Diego waterfront landmark Tom Ham's Lighthouse celebrates its 55th anniversary with a public anniversary party.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · Tom Ham's Lighthouse, San Diego

Oktoberfest at PB AleHouse

Pacific Beach AleHouse hosts Oktoberfest in the Beer Garden with German beers, food specials, German tunes, games, and a stein-holding contest.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 12:00 PM · Pacific Beach AleHouse, Pacific Beach

Outdoors & Active

Sunset Pier Walks at Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium educators lead exclusive walks onto the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier — normally closed to the public — for hands-on science including plankton, squid dissection, and shark science.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla

Sunday Hike at San Dieguito County Park

Free ranger-led hike through the sage brush and chaparral of San Dieguito County Park, meeting at the butterfly garden in the lower park.

Sunday, October 4, 2026 4:00 PM · San Dieguito County Park, 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar

Sports

Oceanside Shock vs. Fresno Falcons — Home Opener

The Oceanside Shock kick off their FPHL home season against the Fresno Falcons at Frontwave Arena.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Frontwave Arena, Oceanside

San Diego Gulls vs. Henderson Silver Knights

The San Diego Gulls open their home AHL season against the Henderson Silver Knights at Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 6:00 PM · Pechanga Arena San Diego

San Diego Rebellion Women's Football Open Tryouts — National Tryout Day

The San Diego Rebellion Women's Football team holds open tryouts for their 2027 season at Mission Bay High School, with check-in at 6:30 PM and tryout from 7–8:30 PM.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 6:30 PM · Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave, San Diego

San Diego FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC

San Diego FC hosts Houston Dynamo FC at Snapdragon Stadium in an MLS home match presented by Dexcom.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 7:30 PM · Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

Date Night

Majestic Midweek Salsa & Bachata Night

Majesty in Motion hosts a midweek salsa and bachata social at Above Ash with a beginner lesson at 7 PM followed by social dancing until 11 PM with DJ Molyon.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7:00 PM · Above Ash (Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown), 401 W Ash St, San Diego

Tides & Tunes Singles Event — Tidepooling + Live Music

A singles mixer combining a 60-minute guided tidepooling experience in La Jolla followed by drinks and live music at Oasis under the Sun.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 · La Jolla / Oasis under the Sun

Family-Friendly

University Heights Movie in the Park — Halloween Edition

University Heights' fall community Movie in the Park features a community-chosen Halloween film, a Thriller dance lesson, baking competition, face painting, and concessions under the stars.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · University Heights, San Diego

Lakeside Halloween Festival

Free family-friendly Halloween festival at Lakeside Community Center with a Hawktober presentation followed by spooky festivities from 4–7 PM.

Friday, October 9, 2026 4:00 PM · Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St, Lakeside