News Summary
San Diego is vibrant this week with a variety of cultural events and Halloween celebrations for all interests. Highlights include music concerts, author discussions, culinary experiences, and community festivities, ensuring entertainment for both locals and visitors. Key events feature the Athenaeum Chamber Concert Series, the 40th anniversary screening of ‘The Last Dragon,’ a culinary wine festival, and Halloween-themed activities. This week’s schedule presents an engaging opportunity for entertainment and cultural enrichment throughout the city.
San Diego is buzzing with various exciting events and celebrations this week, with something for everyone, from music and literary discussions to culinary experiences and Halloween festivities. The city offers a mix of cultural activities and seasonal events that promise to engage the community and visitors alike.
Athenaeum Chamber Concert Series
The week kicks off with the Athenaeum Chamber Concert Series, featuring Colombian-born cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia and pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion. Attendees can enjoy a repertoire that includes French sonatas and Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne. This concert will take place on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, located at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Tickets are priced between $16-$63, and inquiries can be made at 858-454-5872 or via the Athenaeum’s website.
40th Anniversary of “The Last Dragon”
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Berry Gordy’s cult classic “The Last Dragon” is returning to theaters for a limited engagement. Showtimes will be available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at various local theaters, including locations at AMC Mission Valley and Cinepolis. Fans can find tickets and specific showtimes at iconicreleasing.com/events/the-last-dragon.
Lukas Gage Author Event
Lukas Gage will discuss his new book “I Wrote This For Attention” at a special author event on Monday at 7 p.m. This event will be held at the IPJ Theatre at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, located at 5555 Marian Way, San Diego. Tickets are available for $35.01, which includes a book and reserved seating, with more details available at warwicks.com/event/gage-2025.
O’wineside Baja Wine Festival
A culinary experience awaits at the O’wineside Baja Wine Festival featuring over 80 Mexican wines paired with food prepared by Chef Roberto Alcocer, including caviar and oysters. This event will take place on Tuesday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Valle Restaurant, located at 222 North Pacific St., Oceanside. Tickets can be purchased for $110.50 at valleoceanside.com/special-events.
Día de los Muertos Festivities
The annual Día de los Muertos celebration in Sherman Heights will encompass ofrenda tours, music, food, arts and crafts, and games, from October 14 through November 2. Notable events include ¡JOVENES! on October 22 and the candlelight procession on November 2. More information can be found at shermanheightscc.org/ddlm.
Author Events and Workshops
This week also features several notable author events, including science reporter Jon Cohen discussing his book “Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics” on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the San Diego Central Library, located at 330 Park Blvd., San Diego. RSVP is required, with details available at libraryfoundationsd.org/events/cohen.
Additionally, a Sugar Skull Crafting Workshop on October 22 at 2 p.m. at Gloria McClellan Senior Center allows attendees to create colorful sugar skulls in honor of loved ones. Space is limited, so registration at the center’s front desk is necessary.
Dinos Alive Exhibition
The interactive Dinos Alive Exhibition, featuring more than 40 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, begins on Wednesday and runs until November 29. The exhibit, which includes a virtual aquarium and educational stations, is located at 1210 West Morena Blvd., San Diego. Tickets are priced between $22.90-$38.90.
San Diego Gulls Home Game
The San Diego Gulls will face off against the Colorado Eagles at home on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be hosted at Pechanga Arena, San Diego, with tickets starting at $19.45.
Halloween-themed Events
A variety of Halloween-themed events are also planned this week, including The Rosin Box Project’s interactive dance event “Ghost Light Masquerade” from October 22-25. Additionally, the North Coast Repertory Theatre will present “Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground” from October 22 to November 16.
Free outdoor Halloween festivities at La Costa Canyon High School on October 23 include games, the play “Sleepy Hollow,” and a haunted lobby, while the San Diego Environmental Film Festival featuring climate-focused films will take place from October 22-23.
Concerts and Festivals
On Thursday, Yellowcard will perform with A Day To Remember at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square at 6:15 p.m., while Twenty One Pilots will take the stage at 8 p.m. at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Tickets for both events range from $67.20-$68.70.
Furthermore, Talib Kweli will perform at The Holding Company at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, with tickets priced at $35 in advance or $45 at the door.
MasterChef All-Stars Live!
Food enthusiasts can look forward to MasterChef All-Stars Live! on Friday at 8 p.m. at Harrah’s Casino, with tickets available for $27.60.
Haunted Events and Activities
Other haunted events include the Haunted Hoedown at Heritage Ranch on October 24-25 and Fright Night in Vista on October 24. The USS Midway will also host a Halloween Bash with a screening of “The Goonies” on October 24.
Halloween parties and themed decorations will be set up in multiple venues from October 24-31, offering specialty menus and drinks throughout the week.
As this week’s schedule demonstrates, San Diego is poised to deliver an impressive array of activities, making it the perfect destination for individuals and families seeking entertainment and cultural enrichment.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Magazine: October 2025 Events
- NBC San Diego: Weekend Events
- San Diego Union Tribune: Weekend Guide
- La Jolla Mom: San Diego in October
- Modern Luxury: October Events
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego events October 2025
- Google Scholar: San Diego cultural events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Google News: San Diego October events
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
