The day all Halloween lovers have been waiting a whole year for, the costume stores are picked clean, and every bar in town just added “spooky” to its drink names. It’s that glorious time of year when San Diego swaps beach vibes for bat wings, and nobody’s judging if you’ve been in costume since Wednesday. The energy’s unhinged, the streets are crawling with ghouls, and we’re so here for it.

Before you dive into the chaos, don’t forget — it’s your last chance to hit up our Halloween Film Fest Giveaway! Horror flicks, jump scares, free tickets… yeah, it’s a no-brainer.

JUST ANNOUNCED

• The Antlers are bringing their hauntingly beautiful heartbreak anthems back to San Diego on 1/30 at Casbah. It’s been years since Hospice wrecked us all in the best way, and rumor has it they’re working new material into the set.

• Emo’s not dead – it’s headlining. On 3/23, Hawthorne Heights, letlive, and Creeper crash the House of Blues with a triple-stack lineup of screamo, theatrics, and full-volume catharsis.

• The Rich Mafia Tour 2026 touches down 2/7 with Aleman and Gera MX at The Observatory. If you don’t know them yet, it’s time to catch up – this is Mexico’s rap royalty, and they’re about to turn San Diego into a block party.

• Cold Cave brings their icy, romantic synthscapes to Music Box Feb 20 with support from Rosa Anschutz and Buzz Kull. This is the rare kind of bill where every opener deserves headliner energy.

• Plus, other just-announced shows from Miguel, Jean Dawson, 5 SOS, B Side Players, Offset, and more!

FREE FUN FRIDAY

Before you vanish into the night, though, check out our Free Events Guide. It's loaded with the best stuff happening around town that won’t drain your wallet – live music, outdoor hangs, random magic that only San Diego pulls off.

We’re not saying it’ll fix your Sunday scaries… but it might.

• Graveyard Festival. Today @ Lane Field Park.

• Nautical Nightmares: Rooftop Halloween Party. Today @ Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp.

• Fresh Veggies Micro Brass. Today @ Lou Lou’s Jungle Room.

• Old Town Día De Los Muertos Festival. Tomorrow - Sunday @ Old Town State Park.

• Carlsbad Village Faire. Sunday @ ​Carlsbad Village.

• 25th Annual Fall Back Festival. Sunday @ Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House.

THIS HALLOWEEN

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LOCALS ONLY

• Make it through the Haunted Maze, and your reward is spooky drinks and scary-good food! Open through 11/2, The Haunted Hideout is the ultimate Halloween hangout—perfect for a date with your boo or a night out with your ghoulfriends.

• Pixar’s Coco hits different when you’re surrounded by papel picado and flickering candles. Old Town’s Día de Los Muertos Fest is screening it for free in the park — bring your own blanket, tissues, and heart.

FEATURED

This newsletter is cursed. Good luck. 🎃