With two weeks to go until Halloween, there’s still spooky-themed events rolling in. But of note this weekend is an array of things to do north of the 5/805 merge.
On the calendar this week we’ve got events stretching from Bonsall to Borrego Springs to local fun in Santee and Vista, and a unique cultural celebration in San Marcos.
Friday, Oct. 16
Out At The Museum: San Diego Pride presents this first-time event at the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla (700 Prospect St.) from 6-10 p.m. celebrating “where queer art, culture, and community take center stage,” with a theme of “Be The Muse.” Visitors are asked to dress to inspire or be inspired, accordingly.
Tickets cost $30, including fees; you also have the option of buying “pay it forward” tickets for someone who might not be able to attend otherwise. Funds raised for the event will go directly to the Art of Pride program.
Poefest: The literary group Write Out Loud kicks off a slate of performances of “hauntingly creepy stories” from Edgar Allan Poe at the Villa Montezuma Museum in Golden Hill (1925 K St.) on Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween night.
Tickets for each performance cost $35, and there will be three performances per night: 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Bella Vita Fest: The people behind ArtWalk San Diego are presenting this free event celebrating Italian Heritage Month at Piazza della Famiglia in Little Italy (555 West Date St.) starting at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
While there’s no cost to attend, visitors can buy a chance to sample from more than 10 Italian wines sourced from across the country. Tickets range from $25 for a 5-wine taste ticket to a $55 ticket covering 12 tastings.
Boo! At The Zoo: Wild Wonders animal refuge in Bonsall (5712 Vía Montellano) is opening up to 20 spots for this special one-hour event on Saturday, as well as Oct. 24, 25 and Halloween night from 6-7 p.m. This “immersive after-dark wildlife experience” will feature nocturnal animals, with special candy stations and photo opportunities as well as flashlights for navigating the area.
Tickets cost $25 for kids up to 12, and $45 for visitors 12 and older.
Borrego Days Desert Festival: Borrego Springs’ fall tradition returns for its 60th year on Saturday and Sunday at Christmas Circle Community Park (700 Palm Canyon Drive), with no charge to attend both days.
Besides the festival and car show, the event kicks off at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday and will include a parade down Palm Canyon Drive and music throughout the day. The festival closes at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Brews and Bites Festival Fundraiser: This event for ages 21 and up is a fundraiser for the Santee Teen Center and the Recreation Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to seniors, kids and teens seeking help taking part in Santee’s recreation programs. The party runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) with tickets costing $81, including fees for general admission, $75 for seniors and military and $38.50 for designated driver passes, which include free non-alcoholic drinks during the night.
Chicana Art Festival: The Vista Art Foundation and Elevated760 present a spotlight for the work of Chicanas, Latinas and indigenous women with this event in downtown Vista from 1-6 p.m., with live music and mural painting as well as a lowrider showcase and interactive art experiences. It’s free to attend, but organizers are asking visitors to RSVP.
Pom-Poms, Papel Picado & Dia De Los Muertos: The Front Gallery in San Ysidro (147 W. San Ysidro Blvd.) invites you to take part in this free crafting event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to make decorations and help the space prepare its own Dia De Los Muertos installation.
San Diego Zine Fest: This free event at The WOO in Barrio Logan (2212 Main St.) enters its 14th year of celebrating DIY culture in both Southern California and Baja California, with more than 100 vendors on site both Saturday and Sunday as well as food and beverage vendors and live screen printing.
Scream Diego: San Diego’s very own horror con returns for its third year at the Doubletree by Hilton Mission Valley (7450 Hazard Center Drive) on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an array of guests including Vincent M. Ward from “The Walking Dead,” as well as spooky vendors and artists, panels throughout the day and a “Monster Prom” party after the doors close to the public.
Tickets cost $28.52 the day of, including fees, but an $81 VIP ticket includes not just an event T-shirt and signed poster, but preferred seating at Scream San Diego panels and screenings.
Taste of City Heights: More than 20 eateries within a 1.5-mile stretch of University Avenue will take part in this showcase of the neighborhood’s culinary offerings from 2-5 p.m. Your $65 ticket will allow you to grab a sample from participating restaurants during the event; a $103 VIP ticket, including fees, allows you to take part in a special reception. Proceeds benefit the City Heights Community Development Corporation.
University Heights Fall Festival: The event is moving this year to Park Boulevard and Trolley Barn Park (1943 Adams Ave.); the festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. with live music starting at 1 p.m., local food outlets, artisans and a beer garden. Entry to the festival is free, but there will also be carnival games, which require buying a ticket.
Sunday, Oct. 18
COCIO Guelaguetza Festival: This celebration of the arts and culture from Oaxaca state in Mexico returns for its 26th year at the baseball field at Palomar College in San Marcos (1140 W Mission Road) from noon to 5 p.m. The event will feature live dance performances and traditional Oaxacan food vendors on hand, as well as a raffle with the grand prize being Triqui textile art worth $600. Admission costs $5.
