October typically hits a weather sweet spot — not too hot and not too cold — making it the perfect time to squeeze in some can’t-miss events in California.

October is known for Halloween, but it’s also a great time for harvest festivals, public awareness walks and Oktoberfest celebrations.

Before you know it, the winter holidays will overtake your calendar. Be sure to schedule date night, family day or even “you” time before October slips away.

To help you fill out your calendar, we’ve rounded up 15 can’t-miss events from around Southern California.

25th Anniversary Hike

  • Date: Oct. 17
  • Location: Downtown El Cajon
  • Details: The city’s block party includes a haunted maze, a family outdoor movie, costume contests, a family outdoor movie, live entertainment and rides.

Haunted Masquerade Ball

  • Date: Oct. 25
  • Location: Fazeli Cellars Winery, Temecula
  • Details: The ball will feature dancing, a DJ, food and a full bar. Costumes and masquerade-style masks are recommended but not required.

Howl-O-Sprint 5K and Kids Run

  • Date: Oct. 19
  • Location: SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego
  • Details: The Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run will take participants on a 3.1-mile course throughout the park. The course will weave through different animal and marine life exhibits while also featuring Halloween surprises, themed photo moments and spooky characters along the route. There will also be a Kids 1K Run.

Indian Food Festival of Los Angeles

  • Date: Oct. 4
  • Location: beTRUE Studios, Los Angeles
  • Details: The first annual festival will offer food vendors, live cooking demonstrations, DJs, henna and more.

La Jolla Art and Wine Festival

  • Date: Oct. 11-12
  • Location: Girard Avenue, San Diego
  • Details: This family-friendly weekend features more than 170 juried artists from across the U.S. and Mexico, as well as a ticketed wine and beer garden with over 35 wineries, local breweries and craft distilleries.

La Mesa Oktoberfest

  • Date: Oct. 3-5
  • Location: La Mesa Village, La Mesa
  • Details: This three-day event will transform La Mesa into a lively Bavarian village complete with three biergartens, live music, games, and a kid-friendly zone with bounce houses and play areas.

Pacific Airshow

  • Date: Oct. 3-5
  • Location: Huntington Beach
  • Details: This family-friendly event merges awe-inspiring feats of aviation with patriotism, the thrill of sports, entertainment, art, technology and more, according to event organizers.

PetCon LA

  • Date: Oct. 4-5
  • Location: Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, Los Angeles
  • Details: The event will feature celebrity pet meet-and-greets, adoptable pets, expert panels, a pet costume contest and more.

Scaredown in Downtown

  • Date: Oct. 4
  • Location: Downtown Torrance
  • Details: A free event that will feature a haunted house, a scavenger hunt, a trunk or treat and a vampire club car show.

Storm Halloween Festival and Marketplace

  • Dates: Oct. 24-26
  • Location: Diamond/Storm Stadium, Lake Elsinore
  • Details: The festival will offer games, inflatables, rides, food trucks, live entertainment and shopping.

Walk for Independence

  • Date: Oct. 11
  • Location: TeWinkle Park, Costa Mesa
  • Details: This pet-friendly community walk brings people together to celebrate health, inclusion and community spirit. Proceeds benefit Project Independence, a nonprofit that supports adults with developmental disabilities in Orange County.

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!