San Diego Weekend Guide: Oct. 25-27 – Pre-Halloween Edition

Home stretch to Halloween, peeps. It falls next Thursday so the fun begins in earnest this San Diego weekend, whether you’ve got a costume ready or not (Hint: Raygun and Beetlejuice are biggies for 2024).

Trunk or Treat on Seacoast in Imperial Beach features a bike parade, a costume contest for children and youth ages 2-17 and and trick-or-treating. The parade begins at 5 p.m. Friday at Sports Park heading west on Caspian Way.

The ocean is full of mysteries, even a sea monster or two. That’s makes Halloween Aglow a perfect fit for Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. The night includes trick-or-treating around the aquarium, arcade games and live music from Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters. Entry is $40 for adults and $35 for children. Those 2 and under are free, but reservations are necessary. The after-hours show starts at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Nothing like a little spooky music to send a chill creeping up your spine. The spine tinglers coming up:

• Morricone Youth performs their original re-score of the cult classic Night of the Living Dead along with the film at the San Diego Museum of Art with special guest Montalban Quintet. Admission for the show, at 7 p.m. Friday, is $30.
• Candlelight Open Air offers a slate of Halloween-themed music culled from classical, pop music and movie themes at two venues – Mt. Helix Park amphitheater, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Adams Avenue Theater, at 6:15 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission in East County starts at $55, and in Normal Heights, $36.

Santee Lakes host its second annual Spooktacular and Trunk-or-Treat at 10 a.m. Saturday with games, face painting, food trucks, a giant inflatable pumpkin, donut walk and meet and greet with Jack Skellington and Sally of The Nightmare Before Christmas fame. Head to Lakes 1 and 2. Entry is free but parking is $10.

Vegan Food Popup offers up the Boo! By the Bay Halloween Carnival featuring more than 60 food and other vendors, games and a costume contest at Ski Beach Park on Mission Bay. Also, there’s a zombie dance class, followed, naturally, by a zombie dance. Can you say “Thriller,” anyone? Begins at noon Saturday.

The Epic Music Festival begins at Waterfront Park with Mariana Bo, Marie Vaunt, Tidy Boys, Jon Bishop, Brainrack, Clawz and more. Gates open at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $50, with discounts for groups of four or 10.

Could Freddy Krueger show up in Hillcrest? Donning the trademark striped pullover is a (maybe too) perfect fit for Nightmare on Normal Street, which takes over the Pride Flag Plaza at Normal and University Avenue. Hit the dance party or bar, and take in a variety of performances and activations. And the right costume is a big deal with serious prizes at stake. Tickets for the event, at 5 p.m. Saturday, start at $25.

All For Logan embarks on its second annual Dia de Muertos celebration, with the theme, “Barrio Magico,” at noon Sunday in the Barrio Logan Cultural District on Logan Avenue. The free event features live music and DJs, altars, workshops and art.

The Little Italy Association hosts the community Trick-or-Treat on India Street with businesses handing out treats from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Want more Nightmare Before Christmas? The Piazza della Famiglia will be the temporary home to a 13-foot Jack Skellington and jumbo pumpkin stacks. Head to India between Cedar and Grape streets.