Even if it feels like the summer never ended, there’s still a fall spirit behind many events this week.
There’s Halloween-themed things to do in Mission Beach and San Marcos, while Ocean Beach celebrates its own brand of beach-bound Bavaria. Also, a local podcasting star celebrates a decade on the air.
Already underway in Del Mar is the Surf Del Mar Festival, a celebration of surfing culture presented by the Del Mar Historical Society that began on Thursday and runs through Sunday, featuring a surfing-related film festival on Friday as well as a special Women on Waves event on closing day. Entrance to the festival events is free, but the Society asks that visitors register on its website.
Friday, Oct. 9
Convening of the Four Directions: The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center celebrates its fourth anniversary with this inaugural fundraising event at Barrio Station (2175 Newton Ave.) from 6-10 p.m. with a live raffle, an art exhibition, silent auction and performances by members of the non-profit Tranqui Foundation, as well as Los Salvajes and Las Cafeteras from Los Angeles. Tickets cost $150 and check-in begins at 5 p.m.
Glow N Float: Plunge San Diego in Mission Beach (3115 Ocean Front Walk) once again expands into an “enchanting pumpkin wonderland” for this annual event from 5:30-8 p.m., with a glowing pumpkin patch in the pool, an aquatic obstacle course and a family-friendly costume contest to start the night off.
General admission tickets cost $40, with VIP tickets costing $65. Kids 3 and under get in for $5, with group passes ranging between $35 and $60, depending on the size of the party.
OB Oktoberfest: Meanwhile this event in the parking lot of the Ocean Beach Pier (5099 Newport Ave.) is strictly 21-and-up, with organizers promising an “expanded beachfront footprint” starting on Friday evening from 4-11:30 p.m., and then an all-day party on Saturday from noon to 11:30 p.m. that includes a Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest bikini competition during the day, followed by a “neon party” in the evening. Tickets for each day cost $81.88 including fees.
Saturday, Oct. 10
“Café con Pam” Diezvelada: Local podcasting mainstay Pam Covarrubias celebrates a decade on the air with both a live episode and a live workshop for attendees at this pajamas-required evening at The Well Community for Women (5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Suite 195) in La Mesa from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are pay what you can, with a $10 minimum.
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival: Girard Avenue in downtown La Jolla will once again be a hub for wine and beer enthusiasts on top of fans of the arts, with more than 170 artists taking part in this free two-day event, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
San Diego Coffee Fest: Caffiends will converge on Broadway Pier downtown for this two-day celebration of their favorite fix, featuring a wide variety of roasters alongside live music and some food options. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, with each day split into two three-hour sessions.
General admission ticket run $50.15 including fees to Session I (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) and $31.40 for Session II (1:30-4:30 p.m.). An all-day pass costs $73.40.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Dia De Muertos Festival: This inaugural event in Vista will be held along South Santa Fe Avenue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live musical and dance performances as well as a workshop on making sugar skulls and a contest to find the best representation of La Catrina.
Rockin’ Robin Music Fest: More than 30 musical acts will take part in this all-day fundraising event for the Robins Nest Rescue animal sanctuary, which helps rescued animals recovering from abuse or neglect through human connections. The show, at the group’s Ramona home (16603 John Henry Lane), runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General admission tickets cost $30 for adults, while VIP tickets cost $125 and include a free parking spot as well as preferred seating; kids 5 and under get in free, while those ages 6-17 pay $10 for admission.
San Marcos Harvest Fest: North City (251 North City Drive) will be the hub for more than 250 vendors as well as live musical performances and a scarecrow-building contest, with spots for 50 participants, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no charge to attend.
Thai To The World: The San Diego & Thai American Samakkee Coalition will host this celebration of Thai music, food and culture at the Liberty Station conference center (2600 Laning Road) from 1-6 p.m., with vendors, panels and performances throughout the day.
