SAN DIEGO–The region’s largest free Halloween carnival celebrates its 10th year of providing families a fun, safe, and culturally inspired kickoff to their Halloween activities.
The Balboa Park Halloween Family Day on October 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., features dozens of free craft projects for kids, Day of the Dead-themed displays and activities, costume contests and parades, carnival games with prizes, live entertainment, and food trucks. Participating museums also offer free admission to children 12 and under with paying adult.
More than two dozen participating museums, cultural attractions, and community partners will present free hands-on activities for kids in the Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway, while select museums offer additional Halloween-themed activities inside their buildings, there are plenty of family activities for everybody to have a fantastic day.
Among the day’s highlights are a free performance by the San Diego Children’s Choir (all in costume); Day of the Dead altar, face-painting, and crafts presented by the Mexican Consulate; mini-carnival games for prizes courtesy of the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department; a doggie costume contest in the Spanish Village Art Center; a rooftop pumpkin drop experiment at the San Diego Air and Space Museum; “Thriller” flash mob dance in the Plaza de Panama; and the Fab Trailers photo booth.
For a complete listing of all scheduled activities, visit http://www.balboaparkconservancy.org/family-day/. Adults can receive best-value museum admission when purchasing the Balboa Park Explorer One-Day, Multi-Day, or Annual Pass.
Visitors arriving by car should park in the Inspiration Point parking lot at the corner of Park Blvd. and President’s Way and ride the free tram, which runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., into the park.
Families can also take advantage of MTS Family Weekends, which allows two children 12 and under per each paying adult to ride the bus and trolley for free on Saturdays and Sundays. To plan your trip, visit sdmts.com.
