Summer might be winding down, but the fall is just heating up with events and activities across San Diego County.
Some of the longer-running annual events to expect are the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show and The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park.
There are also single-day, can’t-miss events, such as the Taste of Old Town and Oktoberfest.
Here is a list of some of the top events this fall, listed in chronological order.
Movies in the park: The fall months do not mean the summer movies in the park program is over. City and county parks are still hosting free movie showings for the community on weekends through Dec. 5. Some of the family-friendly films scheduled are “The Book of Life” on Sept. 12, “The Goonies” on Oct. 11, “Coco” on Nov. 1 and “Elf” on Dec. 5. summermoviesinthepark.com
Taste of Old Town: Ticketed guests can stop by 17 restaurants and bars to savor Mexican food and sip tequila at the Taste of Old Town. The annual event is intended to highlight Old Town’s culinary scene on a self-guided tour. Participating businesses will serve signature dishes, and for an extra fee, the public can go on a tequila tour and taste several tequilas, mezcals and cocktails. Some of the participating establishments include Cafe Coyote, Casa de Reyes, Old Town Tequila Factory and Tahona Bar. 5:45 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11. 4010 Twiggs St., San Diego and 4105 Taylor St., San Diego. $16.95-$59.95. oldtownsandiego.org/taste
Monster truck show: Bigfoot, Bone Shaker and the new Skelesaurus monster truck will all be in action at the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show. The monster trucks will perform tricks and stunts. Fans can also get access to an interactive pre-show party approximately two hours before general admission doors open, for a chance to meet monster truck drivers and see the vehicles up close. The show is also part of Bigfoot’s 50th birthday tour. Attendees can make homemade birthday signs for a chance to win prizes during the show. 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20. 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. $31-$160. hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com
Taste of Gaslamp: The Taste of Gaslamp is a self-guided culinary tour of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. It spans 16 city blocks with 20 participating restaurants. A VIP ticket offers entry to seven additional restaurants and bars. Plus, an after-party is scheduled at 5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar inside the Margaritaville Hotel. 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 20. $55-$90. gaslamp.org/tasteofgaslamp
Belmont Park’s Dipper Dash 5K: Participate or cheer on your family and friends at the third annual Belmont Park’s Dipper Dash 5K. This race takes participants along the Mission Beach Boardwalk and finishes at Belmont Park. There is also a children’s loop run for ages 10 years and under. Racers receive a chip-timed race with an official bib, a participation medal, a complementary drink ticket and a post-race brunch at Draft South Mission. The race also includes early park access and a complimentary wristband for unlimited park rides. Proceeds from the race benefit San Diego charity Team Parker For Life, which helps children with cancer, according to event organizers. Check-in starts at 6:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the children’s loop at 9 a.m. Sept. 21. Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. $44.50-$60. raceroster.com/events/2025/98382/belmont-park-5k
Pacific Islander Festival: The 31st annual Pacific Islander Festival arrives at Ski Beach for two days of cultural celebration. The event features vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, including music and dance performances, raffles and more. The festival is expected to bring 200,000 visitors, according to organizers. The event’s goal is to honor the traditions of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia through art, food, dance and music. Sept. 20 and 21. Ski Beach, 1600 Vacation Road, San Diego. pifasandiego.com
Haunted Trail: 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 is 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
The Navy’s precision flight team, the Blue Angels, fly above the crowd at the MCAS Miramar Air Show on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
MCAS Miramar Air Show: The biggest military air show in the world, according to the Marines, returns for its yearly event. The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show showcases aerial performances, military vehicles, old school aircraft, flight simulators and more. Some of the scheduled performances include the Navy’s Blue Angels and Marine Corps Marching Band. Sept. 26-28. MCAS Miramar, San Diego. Free. miramarairshow.com
Anders Dreyer #10 of San Diego FC takes a shot against Salvador Rodriguez #12 of Mazatlan FC during the second half of the Leagues Cup Phase One match at Snapdragon Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego FC: The inaugural regular season of San Diego FC ends with a fan appreciation night. The celebration will feature exclusive giveaways, added entertainment, surprise guests and more. The playoff-bound MLS club will face the San Jose Earthquakes. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. $38-$397. sandiegofc.com
Taste of College Area: The College Area Business District is bringing back the Taste of College Area for a second year. This self-guided tasting tour highlights restaurants and bars from El Cajon Boulevard and 54th Street to 73rd Street and the San Diego State University campus. Ticketed guests can get samples from participating businesses, including The Mesa Bar & Grill, SciEats, Scrimshaw Coffee and The Luau. There will also be free Old Town Trolley rides that will take guests from stop to stop, along the Taste of College Area route. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Sept. 28. $40-$45. collegeareasd.com/taste-of-college-area
Free museum days: During October, children ages 12 years and under can get free admission to over 60 museums across San Diego County. These include Comic-Con Museum, Children’s Museum of Discovery and the San Diego Natural History Museum. Kids can also get free access to county aquariums and gardens such as the Birch Aquarium, Japanese Friendship Garden and the Living Coast Discovery Center. Plus, Children can also get into the San Diego Zoo for free with an adult in October. Oct. 1-31. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree
La Mesa Oktoberfest: For three days, La Mesa turns into a German folk festival as the La Mesa Oktoberfest returns for its 52nd anniversary. The event will allow the public to sample beer and bratwurst, listen to live music and experience Bavarian entertainment. There will also be family‑friendly attractions, including a Ferris wheel and a children’s carnival. Plus, more than 100 vendors will be selling food, artwork, handmade goods and Oktoberfest novelty items. 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 3. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 4. noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 5. $8-$49. lamesaoktoberfest.org
Taste of North Park: More than 50 food samples and 15 beverage tastings are being offered at the Taste of North Park. This event gives ticketed guests a self-guided trek to experience various eateries and beverages such as kombucha, cider and craft beer. There will also be live music performances and live art installations. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4. $50-$85. explorenorthpark.com/Events/TasteofNorthPark
Taste of Oceanside: Downtown Oceanside will be the home for over 50 food and beverage tastings at the Taste of Oceanside. Ticketed guests can sample signature food menu items and drinks from Oceanside restaurants, wineries and breweries. Event tickets include a souvenir tasting cup, spork and an event map for this self-guided foodie tour. There will also free trolley service to get attendees to different parts of the event. 1:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4. $20-$75. Downtown Oceanside. mainstreetoceanside.com/taste-of-oceanside
Mash Up 2025, A Creative Industry Symposium: Creatives and industry professionals from visual arts, dance, fashion, film, music, theater and spoken word will be gathering at Mash Up 2025, A Creative Industry Symposium. The two-day conference explores “the role of the arts in fostering a more livable and inspiring future,” according to event organizers. Some of the topics that will be covered during panel discussions and workshops include the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative sector, fundraising, leadership roles and mental health. There will also be networking opportunities and portfolio reviews. Day one of the conference will take place at the Soap Factory and day two will be held virtually. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4-5. Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego. 619-829-7561, $20-$50. sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/museums/vanguard-culture
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest: Live music on two stages, food and beer and more await attendees to the 2025 Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. This two-day festival, for those 21 years and older, brings a beer garden, a bratwurst eating contest, games such as a pretzel toss, bands and DJs. Scheduled performers include Spacehall Sound Machine, Band of Gringos, BoomBox and the EMO Kids. 4 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Noon to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, 5099 Newport Ave., San Diego. $71.21-$75.47. oboktoberfest.com
Gulls home opener: San Diego’s hockey team the Gulls, are starting the 2025-2026 season with a 10th anniversary celebration. Fans in attendance will receive a Gulls jersey towel and light-up wristband when they enter the home opener game. The San Diego Gulls will face the Henderson Silver Knights. 6 p.m. Oct. 18. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego. sandiegogulls.com/games
Belmont Beer Fest: The Belmont Beer Fest is back for a second year. The event combines 20 pop-up breweries serving craft beer, games and live music. The public can purchase an unlimited pours wristband for $35. Plus, children can ride all park attractions for free with the purchase of an adult park wristband. There will also be a candy quest that children can take to trick-or-treat around Belmont Park. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 26. Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. belmontpark.com/fallfest
The field competes in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 in Del Mar, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Breeders’ Cup: One of horse racing’s premier events is returning to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The Breeders’ Cup is an annual horse racing competition over two days. Attendees can bet on the races and purchase food and drinks. There are general admission, reserved tickets and box seating viewing areas. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $80-$2,861. dmtc.com
San Diego Beer Week: Ten days of beer bliss is what San Diego Beer Week is all about. The event celebrates the San Diego craft beer industry with special pop-up gatherings, limited releases, competitions and more at participating breweries and taprooms. Nov. 7-16. sdbeer.com/sdbeerweek
Thousands of people streamed into Balboa Park Friday night for the opening of December Nights. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
December Nights: The city of San Diego’s largest two-day holiday gathering happens in Balboa Park. December Nights is a festival full of food from around the world, holiday music, lights, attractions, rides, a family zone and the infamous tree lighting ceremony at the Organ Pavilion. The public can also visit Balboa Park museums for free during December Nights. 3 to 11 p.m. Dec. 5. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 6. Balboa Park. Free. sandiego.gov/december-nights