Much is happening in La Jolla and Pacific Beach as frightful events are planned at schools and businesses for ghouls, kids – even dogs – and their parents this Halloween.

La Jolla

DOG-O-WEEN

La Jolla Loves Pets Foundation which raises funds for animal charities is working with Deckers Dog and Cat at 7928 Ivanhoe Ave. on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m. with the highlight being pet costume judging with prizes. Pet entrants will be judged on costume design, creativity, humor, originality, behavior, and charisma. There will be one grand prize for the overall winner at the end of all contests at about 11:20 a.m. Entries cannot win in more than one category. Tickets are on pre-sale at $10 per human, $15 per dog, and kids are free.

HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING

Bird Rock Community Council and Bird Rock Merchants Group are co-hosting the neighborhood’s annual Halloween window painting on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. along La Jolla Boulevard. Tape pick-up for masking purposes is available at Bird Rock Animal Hospital, 5588 La Jolla Blvd., from 9-9:30 a.m. Or, participating businesses can pre-tape their windows beforehand to let kids know where to paint. RSVP to [email protected].

CREEPY CANDY CRAWL

Formerly Pillage the Village, this renamed spooky event allows kids an enjoyable afternoon of trick-or-treating on the streets of La Jolla Village on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 3-6 p.m. Collect your candy bag for trick-or-treating at REBA, 908 Kline St. Look for balloons to find participating merchants. No registration is required. Balloons will be available at Coldwell Banker, at 930 Prospect beginning at noon on Oct. 31. For more information, visit lajollabythesea.com.

HALLOWEEN AGLOW & BIRCH AQUARIUM
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is launching Halloween Aglow, a new Halloween event that will take place Oct. 27-28 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the aquarium at 2300 Expedition Way. Modeled after Oceans at Night, the aquarium’s popular adults-only event, Halloween Aglow celebrates the wonders and mysteries of the ocean after dark in a fun family-friendly atmosphere. After the sun goes down, the aquarium will transform into a glowing nightscape featuring live music, a costume contest, and trick-or-treat stations. There will also be interactive experiences that highlight ocean phenomena that occur at night including bioluminescence.
Don’t miss skeleton divers in the Giant Kelp Forest or the opportunity to learn about some weird and wonderful research being done at Scripps Oceanography. Tickets for Halloween Aglow are $27 for members and $30 for the general public. Advanced reservations are required as the event is expected to sell out. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit aquarium.ucsd.edu.

HALLOWEEN ICE CREAM

Salt & Straw in the Westfield Mall in La Jolla has announced the return of its ice cream’s newest menu celebrating two of October’s biggest celebrations: Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. The “Scoops and Skulls” series, available now through October, features five unique flavors from co-founder and head ice cream innovator Tyler Malek, including the return of three beloved flavors along with two new ones made in partnership with Paola Briseño-González, food writer and leader of Los Angeles’ Dia de los Muertos festival.

Pacific Beach

PB LIBRARY HALLOWEEN EVENTS, THRILLER DANCE

On Oct. 21 at 10 a.m.-noon, PB Library at 4275 Cass St. is holding a Halloween Craftacular. Families can get creative while enjoying a morning of Halloween Crafting Fun. On Oct. 30 at 7 p.m, it’s Thriller Night, with a performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance on the Cass Street Plaza. Leading up to this event they are also teaching the choreography at workshops throughout October, on Monday nights and Saturday mornings. https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/thriller2023. Also, movie screenings: “Ghostbusters” (2016 remake) on Oct. 24, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Oct. 27.

PBES HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL

On Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m. at Pacific Beach Elementary – blacktop at 1234 Tourmaline St. The annual Halloween Carnival is back. Open to the community, wear your favorite costume and enjoy carnival games, a haunted hallway, cake walks, and more. Grab a bite with Leilani’s Food Truck and Nautical Bowls while you rock out with Pacific Beach’s student band Dr. Mr.

HALLOWEEN PARTY CRUISE

Calling all ghosts and ghouls. Experience nonstop fun with a spooky adults-only Halloween cruise on Mission Bay. Dress to impress for the onboard costume contest that includes prizes such as a one-night stay at the Bahia and dinner at Dockside 1953. Boarding at the Bahia Resort Hotel on Friday, Oct. 27 at 8:50 p.m., the festive party boat cruise from 9-midnight features two DJs, tarot card readings, a cash bar with drinks and snacks, and a photo booth. Info at bahiahotel.com/halloween-cruise.

HALLOWEEN SURF

On Sunday, Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. there will be a Halloween surf at Tourmaline Surf Park. Costumes are encouraged.

PAW-LOWEEN

Mavericks Beach Club at 860 Garnet Ave. is starting its Halloween festivities on Wednesday, Oct. 25 with a PAW-loween event, from 6-9 p.m. Furry friends and their humans can look forward to an adopt-a-thon and doggy Halloween costume contest. Halloween pro wrestling will take place on Friday, Oct. 27 from 6-9 p.m. in the side lot at Mavericks. Saturday, Oct. 28 is the big celebration from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Mavericks’ all-day party Dead Man’s Beach-themed party will include themed bar, drinks, multiple DJs, contortionists, circus performers, live entertainment, and more.

HALLOWEEN PAINT NIGHT

Miss B’s Coconut Club at 3704 Mission Blvd. is gearing up for Miss B’s Halloween Paint Night. Slated for Sunday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m., tickets are $35 and include any supplies you need to help your inner artist shine through. Costumes are encouraged. Sip on $7 glasses of wine and enjoy shareable Miss B’s favorites like plantain coconut shrimp, fish and chips, and jerk chicken plates.

Halloween night starting at 5 p.m., Miss B’s Coconut Club invites you and your furry friend to participate in their dog costume competition for a prize of $100 to Miss B’s Coconut Club and a T-shirt or in their best couple costume (dog and owner) for a prize of $300 to Miss B’s Coconut Club. During the event $7 mojitos and daiquiris will be available as well as food specials and swag bags for dogs.