Families

No Tricks, Just 33 Free ‘Treats’ for Your Family

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Looking for fun, safe activities for your little ghosts, ballerinas and Ducky Dynasty characters this Halloween season?

The County of San Diego has 33 free Halloween activities for family members of all ages in the next two weeks.

Parents and children can participate in everything from hikes and pumpkin carving to concerts, movies, crafts and traditional trick-or-treating. You can even learn about ghost hunting.

Here is a run-down of all the County-sponsored Halloween activities:

HALLOWEEN FESTIVALS

Poway Library – After the library closes the teens take over for a Halloween party. Pizza is on the menu for dinner and fancy hot chocolate for dessert with lots of treats in between. Teens will play video games and Zombie Tag among other activities. Ages 6th to 12th grade. 13137 Poway Road, Poway. Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. For more information call 858-513-2900.

Encinitas Library – A Halloween costume party for children featuring spooky fun with crafts, games and prizes. 540 Cornish Dr., Encinitas. Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. For more information call 760-753-7376.

San Marcos Library – “Octoberbash” has a Snow White theme this month. Teens decorate Halloween cupcakes and then enjoy Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Snow White and The Huntsman.” Costumes are welcomed. 2 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos. Thursday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. For more information call 760-891-3000.

Potrero Library – The library hosts its annual haunted house and carnival featuring games and food. 24883 Potrero Valley Rd., Potrero. Friday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m. For more information call 619-478-5978.

El Cajon Library – The Hallowscream party features a costume contest, games, prizes, and crafts. For kids of all ages. 201 East Douglas Ave., El Cajon. Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m. For more information call 619-588-3718.

Poway Library – Join the library and the National Charity League for their annual Family Halloween Carnival. The event features a haunted hallway, a creepy cake walk, and lots of Halloween games. 13137 Poway Road, Poway. Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m. For more information call 858-513-2900.

Poway Library – Wear your costume to the library for the Tiny Tot Monster Mash. For children under 5-years-old. 13137 Poway Road, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m. For more information call 858-813-2900.

Fallbrook Community Center – There will be trick-or-treating, games, music, costume contests and more. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Thursday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m., 341 Heald Lane, Fallbrook. For more information call 760-728-1671.

Lakeside Community Center – This is the 10th annual Halloween Festival. Bring out your whole family for plenty of fun, food and festivities. Activities include an Astro Jump, games, contests, treats and a photo booth. Ages pre-K to 6th grade. Thursday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m., 9841 Vine St., Lakeside. For more information call 619-443-9176.

Spring Valley Community Center – This is also the 10th annual Halloween Festival in Spring Valley. The child-friendly event includes games and a costume contest. Thursday, Oct. 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley. For more information call 619-479-1832.

Imperial Beach Library – Families are invited to the Library Spooktacular featuring candy, games and fun. Thursday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. 810 Imperial Beach Blvd., Imperial Beach. For more information call 619-424-6981.

HIKES/NATURE

Dos Picos County Park – The woods become dark and filled with spirits and creatures both natural and supernatural during a haunted trail hike. A ‘Spirit Guide’ will lead you on a hike of the haunted trail. Free parking is available in the picnic day-use parking lot. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd., Ramona. Saturday, Oct. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information call 760-789-2220.

San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center – The Center holds its annual Not So Scary with live animal presentations each day. You’ll learn secrets about native owls, spiders, bats and other critters that “spirit” the lagoon after sunset. 2710 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20, 1-4 p.m. For more information call 760-634-3026.

GHOST HUNTING

Alpine Library – Tweens, teens and curious people of all ages are invited to join Maritza of the San Diego Ghost Hunters to explore the rules of the paranormal and the spirit world. You’ll see pictures of spirits the group has “captured,” hear the voices of spirits and learn the do’s and don’ts of the spirit world. 2130 Arnold Way, Alpine. Thursday, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. For more information call 619-445-4221.

PUMPKIN CARVING

Santa Ysabel Preserve – Kids can carve their own pumpkin. The park will provide a pumpkin and carving instrument. Come early as supplies are limited. Meet at the Santa Ysabel East Farmer staging area. 500 Farmer Rd., Julian. Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. For more information call 760-765-4098.

Rancho San Diego Library – Join us for a free pumpkin (one per person while supplies last) to paint and take home. 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon. Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m. For more information call 619-660-5370.

Poway Library –Teens can carve their own pumpkin using our tools and patterns, all supplies provided. Registration is required. All 6th-12th graders welcome to attend. 13137 Poway Road, Poway. Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. For more information call 858-513-2900.

Lakeside Library – Celebrate Teen Read Week and Halloween by making jack-o’-lanterns and s’mores. 9839 Vine St., Lakeside. Wednesday, Oct. 30 3:30 p.m. For more information call 619-443-1811.

CONCERTS

Valley Center Library – A special, spooky Halloween concert for the whole family performed by the Valley Center Symphony with conductor Matthew Owensby. 29200 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. For more information call 760-749-1305.

Santee Library – by for an afternoon of music and laughter with Clint Perry and the Boo Hoo Crew. Wear your fabulous Halloween attire and join in the fun. 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd, #17, Santee. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 3:30 p.m. For more information call 619-448-1863.

MOVIES

Ramona Library – Halloween classic movie marathon, 1275 Main St., Ramona. Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m. For more information call 760-788-5270.

Santee Library – Teen Tuesday celebrates the holiday with a Halloween-themed movie. Meet with other teens for crafts, games and a movie while enjoying snacks. 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., #17, Santee. Tuesday, Oct. 29, 3:30 p.m. For more information call 619-448-1863.

CRAFTS

Julian Library – Local artist Mary Morgan shows kids how to make great trick-or-treat bags in time for Halloween. 1850 Highway 78, Julian. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2:30 p.m. For more information call 760-765-0370.

Santa Ysabel Preserve – Kids can give new life to paper tubes as “Scary Eyes.” Join park staff as we learn to recycle “trash” into fun crafts. Meet at the Santa Ysabel East Farmer staging area. 500 Farmer Rd., Julian. Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. For more information call 760-765-4098.

Fletcher Hills Library – It’s a Halloween edition of “Crafternoon.” Stop by and make a Jack-o-Lantern out of a jar for your Halloween night. 576 Garfield Ave., El Cajon. Thursday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. For more information call 619-466-1132.

STORY TIMES

Rancho San Diego Library – Not-too-spooky stories plus a bag of goodies for the kiddies at Halloween preschool story time. Come dressed up! 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon. Tuesday, Oct. 29, 11:15 a.m. For more information call 619-660-5370.

Vista Library – Slightly creepy stories to get you in the mood for Halloween with Madam Linda, 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 3:30 p.m. For more information call 760-643-5100.

TEEN LOCK-IN

Fallbrook Library – The library belongs to the teens after hours. Costume contest, spooky stories, Walking Dead Attack Survival training, creepy snacks and more. Advance sign-up is necessary and parental permission required. 124 Mission Road, Fallbrook. Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. For more information call 760-731-4650.

TRICK-OR-TREATING

Encinitas Library – all day Thursday, Oct. 31. Library is open 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. 540 Cornish Dr., Encinitas. For more information call 760-753-7376.

Ramona Library – Trick or Treat on Main Street event. 1275 Main St., Ramona. Thursday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m. For more information call 760-788-5270.

Vista Library – 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista. Thursday, Oct. 31. 4:30 p.m. For more information call 760-643-5100.

Santee Library – all day Thursday, Oct. 31. Library is open 9:30 am. – 8 p.m. 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd, #17, Santee. For more information call 619-448-1863.

Lakeside Library – all day Thursday, Oct. 31. Library is open 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. 9839 Vine St., Lakeside. For more information call 619-443-1811.

The County is also hosting free or low-cost events celebrating Dia de los Muertos:

Ramona Library – Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) with traditional sugar skull decorating. 1275 Main St, Ramona. Friday, Oct. 25, 3 p.m. For more information call 760-788-5270.

Rancho Guajome Adobe – Dia de los Muertos is a vibrant family festival. A widely celebrated 3,000-year-old Mexican tradition, the festival features altars of remembrance built by community members, with symbolic offerings on display throughout the adobe ranch house. Outside, there will be traditional dancing and live music and kids can take part in the hands- on actives including ghost making and adobe brick making. $1 for adults and children over 4; free for children 3 and under. 2210 North Santa Fe Ave, Vista. Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information call 760-724-4082.

Fallbrook Library – Sugar skull decorating with Danny Martinez. 124 S. Mission Rd., Fallbrook. Saturday, Oct. 26. 2 p.m. For more information call 760-731-4650.

Tom Christensen is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact