Free Balboa Park Halloween Family Day Offers Tons Of Spooky-Good Fun

Enjoy a culturally-inspired kickoff to your Halloween festivities at the region’s largest free Halloween carnival. More than 30 participating cultural attractions, community groups, and sponsors present free craft projects for kids, Day of the Dead-themed displays and activities, costume contests, carnival games with prizes, face painting, and live dance entertainment.

Free Balboa Park Halloween Family Day Offers Tons Of Spooky-Good Fun

Participating museums also offer free admission to children 12 and under with paying adult, and more than a dozen gourmet food trucks will be serving up a variety of edible treats.

The Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway will be overflowing with free hands-on activities for kids, while select museums offer additional Halloween-themed activities inside their buildings.

Among the day’s highlights

Mini-carnival games for prizes courtesy of the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department

A giant Day of the Dead altar set up by La Vista Memorial Park and Cemetery

A haunted lantern craft at the Japanese Friendship Garden booth

A rooftop pumpkin drop experiment in front of the San Diego Air & Space Museum

A “Thriller” flash mob dance in the Plaza de Panama that anyone can learn and participate in.

Free Balboa Park Halloween Family Day Offers Tons Of Spooky-Good Fun

Now in its 11th year, the annual Halloween Family Day is co-presented by the City of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation and the Balboa Park Conservancy.

See you there!

Share This Event
Event Details
The Latest
Wild Weekend: Amazonia at San Diego Zoo for Earth Day
There are interactive experiences and fun for the whole family as you join us to celebrate Earth Day and Wild Weekend: Amazonia at the San...
top concerts in san diego this week
Here are the top concerts in San Diego this week! Catch Kevin Hart and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias for laughs, or dance the night away with...
Nason's Beer Hall
The Dish is your source for the latest menu updates, new cocktail programs, happy hours, and special offers from San Diego’s best restaurants and bars!...
Spring Soirée at Spa Alila
Spring is the perfect time to refresh not just your closet, but your skin too! Now is the time to join Spa Alila for an...
La Valencia Spring Tea
Welcome spring with La Valencia’s award-winning tea service at the Mediterranean Room! Enjoy seatings between 11 AM and 3 PM and indulge in a variety...
Springtime Carnival at WNDR Museum
From sky-high stilt walkers to vibrant art and music, WNDR Museum is embracing the springtime season with two exciting events to enjoy this month: Springtime...
Event Details
Upcoming Events
Frontwave Arena
September 17, 2024
8:00 pm
Prepare for a pop concert-style spectacle showcasing the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Simone Biles and an exceptional squad of select dancers, embodying a...
San Diego Padres
July 13, 2024
10:00 am
  • East Village San Diego
The East Village Association invites the community to join them in celebrating the 12th Annual East Village Block Party! Taking place on J Street from...
California Wine Festival Carlsbad
June 28, 2024
6:30 pm
  • Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
The California Wine Festival, a nationally recognized event series, is proud to announce its return in 2024 to celebrate over 20 years of bringing attention...
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
May 10, 2024
3:00 pm
  • Embarcadero Marina Park North
  • Seaport Village
Great news, music lovers….the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival is charting a highly anticipated comeback! Following successful collaborations with the Port of San Diego and...
21st annual Gator By The Bay Festival
May 9, 2024
6:00 pm
  • Spanish Landing Park
The largest and most authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou is set to return to Spanish Landing Park from May...
Event Search: