Free things to do this weekend in and around San Diego

San Diego's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, October 2, 2026 to Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Scroll down for full, detailed list of free weekend activities.

• Día de los Muertos | Let’s Craft Together! - San Diego Craft Collective - Truxtun Road, San Diego, Friday, October 2, 2026, 4-7pm
• FREE fall and holiday mini photo sessions with Shoott! - San Diego - Plaza de Panama Fountain, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101, October 2-4, 2026, See link for times
• La Mesa Oktoberfest: Oct 2-4, 2026 - La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa, October 2-4, 2026, See Website
• Pumpkin Patch - Summers Past Farms - Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021, October 2-3, 2026, Hours Vary
• Haunted Corn Maze - Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation - Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008, October 2-3, 2026, 7:00 PM
• Scripps Research Discovery Day - Scripps Research - Scripps Research Auditorium, Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00am-2:00pm
• Fall Fest: FREE Family Fun Day – Mission Valley's Community Market - Nese Kids Care - Nese Kids Care, Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9:00 AM