Halloween is near and these small thrills will enchant your little goblins just enough, but not too much. We’ve found 8 scare-free events for your mini ghouls to enjoy the lighter side of Halloween fun. From a haunted aquarium and a not-too-terrifying scare zone to a pumpkin express train ride, read on for where to conjure up a shockingly good time.
Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California
Walkthrough the scary Brick-or-Treat to find rides open late and candy to fill up your bags. Party all night with live music, four daily costume contest parades around Miniland USA and frighteningly delicious seasonal food and drinks. Create freaky Frankenbricks in the Lab to bring your LEGO Monsters to life. Be sure and check out SeaLife Aquarium’s live creatures and underwater pumpkin carving.
New this year is a spook-filled adventure as you uncover clues hidden around the park to help find a missing party guest and unlock an exclusive 2021 Brick-or-Treat pop badge. You’ll also enter the first-ever Scare Zone that will take you through ancient Egypt, a rainforest, an ice cave and a jail cell with not-too-terrifying actors to make it a squeal-worthy time.
WHEN: every Saturday in October 2-30
Event activities start at 3 pm and continue after dark until 8 pm.
(This is a special event, but your regular admission is included with it. Passholders can buy this as an add-on.)
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad
760-786-0034
Online: Event details
Haunted Birch Aquarium
Enjoy close encounters from the depths of the ocean and search for unusual underwater creatures rarely ever seen in the daytime. Discover a sea of glowing monsters (big and small), get sticky with slime, show off your costume and boo-gie down to live music, all while having a monstrously good time.
WHEN: three dates only – Oct. 22, 23, and 24 from 6-9 pm
(This is an after-hours event and separate advanced purchased tickets are required.)
Note: October is “Kids-Free” month in San Diego and Birch Aquarium participates, check their website for details. The haunted aquarium is a separate event that is not included in the general admission for “kids-free month”.
Birch Aquarium
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla
858-534-3474
Online: Event details
Not So Scary Fall Festival
Costumes are encouraged at this Family Day where kids can discover that creepy crawly creatures are not-so-scary after all. Learn about the hoots and the howls at this annual nature-themed Halloween festival. Enjoy hands-on interactive activities from craft-making to animal encounters. This is presented by the Nature Collective + San Diego County Parks Rangers.
WHEN: Oct. 17, 2021 from 10 am-1 pm
(Must reserve your space online ahead of time for this FREE event.)
San Dieguito County Park
1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Del Mar
760-436-3944
Online: Event details
Halloween at Hotel Del
This landmark hotel in Coronado that’s rumored to be haunted has some beachside fun this season. Carve pumpkins on the beach with all of the supplies provided for you. Try to sign up for the same day when they have an outdoor Halloween movie on the beach or add on a s’mores Ghost Roast to your agenda.
WHEN: select dates Oct. 1-30
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave., Coronado
619-435-6611
Online: Event details.
Belmont Park Fall Fest
Belmont Park returns with its annual beachside Fall Fest in Oct. and Nov. (formerly known as ‘Boomont Park,”). Fall Fest will offer their same festive-themed rides and will add a hay maze, pumpkin patch, seasonal Halloween treats, costume contests, FREE trick-or-treating (starts at 6:30pm), kid’s activities and live music.
WHEN: every Friday-Sunday in October and November, + Oct. 31
Note: October is “Kids-Free” month in San Diego and Belmont Park participates, check their website for details.
Belmont Park
3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
858-488-1549
Online: Event details
SeaWorld Spooktacular
Kids will love all the fun thrills here like the Halloween dance party, costume parade and the trick-or-treating trail. Costumes are encouraged as you’ll meet mermaids along the way, run through hay mazes, look for pumpkins and catch the sweet Sesame Street Halloween show. If you go during the weekday when no “Spooktacular” events are happening, it’s still fun to walk around and see all the Halloween decorations, especially those leading into the underwater shark cave.
WHEN: weekends from Sept. 18 – Oct. 31
(Trick-or-Treating is only from 11 am-5 pm on Sat and Sun.)
Note: October is “Kids-Free” month in San Diego and SeaWorld participates, check their website for details. This event is included in general admission.
Deal: You’ll want to return for the rest of the year’s festivities so consider buying a Fun Card that will get you in for all of 2022, plus you’ll get the rest of 2021 for Free.
SeaWorld
500 Sea World Dr., Mission Bay
619-222-4732
Online: Event details.
San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen
For a wild night out, head to HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo! Light up the night with live DJ dance parties, glow-in-the-dark hula hoops, puppets, acrobats, costumed characters, Dr. Zoolittle and tempting fang-tastic food specials.
WHEN: Friday-Sunday evenings Oct. 1-31, from 5-9 pm
Note: October is “Kids-Free” month in San Diego and the San Diego Zoo participates, check their website for details. This event is included in general admission.
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr., Balboa Park
619-231-1515
Online: Event details.
—Bonnie Taylor & Beth Shea
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