# Free things to do with kids in San Diego this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in San Diego this week: we found 20 free outings, including Día de los Muertos in Old Town, Halloween Family Storytime (Casa de Oro Library, Spring Valley) and Spooky Storytime with Hooray Miss Marae (La Mesa Library), plus three library programs. Seven free days and events are coming up, including one museum or zoo free day, each with its date. And three places never charge admission.

- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- 20 free outings this week; 7 free days and events coming up; 3 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Día de los Muertos in Old Town** at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Old Town. When: Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31340 (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Resident Free Tuesday at Fleet and The Nat** at Fleet Science Center and The Nat, Balboa Park. When: Tue Nov 3. Price: Free for San Diego city and county residents with photo ID. Official page: https://balboapark.org/resident-free-days/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Liberty Station Holiday Tree Lighting** at Liberty Station, North Promenade and Vesper Venue, 2640 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106. When: Nov 27, 2026. Time: 5–9pm. Price: Free. The 88-foot Norfolk pine lights up, with live entertainment, firetruck rides and a showing of The Grinch. Official page: https://libertystation.com/events/salute-the-season/holiday-tree-lighting (checked 2026-10-26)
- **December Nights** at Balboa Park, El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. When: Dec 4–5, 2026. Time: Fri 4–10pm; Sat noon–10pm. Price: Free. Balboa Park’s free holiday festival with lights, music and food. Official page: https://www.sandiego.gov/december-nights (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Starlight Parade & Festival** at Third Avenue, downtown Chula Vista, 847 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91911. When: Dec 5, 2026. Time: See the parade site for times. Price: Free. Chula Vista's evening holiday parade down Third Avenue, run by the city. Official page: https://www.starlightparade.com/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **San Diego Bay Parade of Lights** at San Diego Bay, from Shelter Island, Viewing along the Embarcadero and at Coronado Landing, San Diego, CA. When: Sundays, Dec 13 and 20, 2026. Time: 5:30pm. Price: Free. Lit-up boats sail from Shelter Island past the Embarcadero. Bring a blanket and get there early for a spot. Official page: https://sdparadeoflights.org/parade-schedule-route/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Noon Year Eve at Coronado Public Library** at Coronado Public Library, Winn Room, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. Crafts, snacks and dance parties, with a balloon drop at noon sharp. Official page: https://coronado.librarycalendar.com/event/noon-year-eve-47363 (checked 2026-10-30)

## Free this week

- **Día de los Muertos in Old Town** at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego Ave. and Twiggs St., Old Town, San Diego, CA 92110. When: Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1. Time: 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Old Town’s yearly Día de los Muertos with a community altar. Kids can make paper flowers and papel picado for free on Saturday and Sunday, and there’s a bilingual story time at 2:30 both days. The Catrina contest on Sunday at 2 starts with the kids. Rain is likely Sunday morning and should clear after noon, so the afternoon is the better time to go. Official page: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31340 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Halloween Family Storytime (Casa de Oro Library, Spring Valley)** at Casa de Oro Library, 9610 Campo Road, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Time: 10:30–11:15am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Halloween stories and songs. It’s aimed at ages 3 to 5, but the whole family is welcome. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6ac024e19dbc2b002c8be24d (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Spooky Storytime with Hooray Miss Marae (La Mesa Library)** at La Mesa Library, 8074 Allison Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. Miss Marae brings her ukulele for spooky sing-along songs and movement for kids of all ages. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/69fa6927caf93436005a04f4 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Trick or Treat at the Library (Solana Beach Library)** at Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Wear your costume and trick-or-treat at the library any time during the day. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6ab6aa3cca248a0029186442 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Luminary Haunted House Craft (Cardiff Library)** at Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library, 2081 Newcastle Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 3:30–4:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. Color and build a haunted house luminary to take home. No sign-up, but supplies are limited, so get there on time. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a89e29f69166f088b940e5d (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Dance Party Storytime (Poway Library)** at Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Storytime songs to dance along to, aimed at toddlers 18 months to 3. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/695825884a9fd98b7f75429d (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Halloween Storytime (Imperial Beach Library)** at Imperial Beach Library, 810 Imperial Beach Boulevard, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. A Saturday story time with Halloween songs and stories, then a craft and play time. Best for ages 1 to 3. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6aac2e008cf597003f949008 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Star Wars Halloween Spooktacular (4S Ranch Library)** at 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive, San Diego, CA 92127. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 1–2:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 4–12. Come in a Star Wars or Halloween costume for a creature scavenger hunt, Star Wars trivia, treats and prizes. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6acd10b1e06996003a83042e (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Día de los Muertos (Poway Library)** at Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064. When: Sun Nov 1. Time: 2–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Music, dance and crafts for Día de los Muertos. Free. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/68d59652fe1db36a65427517 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Carlsbad Village Street Faire** at Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008. When: Sun Nov 1. Time: 8am–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. The big fall street fair fills Carlsbad Village with vendors, food and children's rides. Free shuttles run from The Shoppes at Carlsbad and the Poinsettia COASTER station. Rain is likely Sunday morning, so after about noon is the drier bet. Official page: https://www.carlsbad.org/carlsbad-village-street-faire/ (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Día de Muertos Festival at the California Center for the Arts** at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025. When: Sun Nov 1. Time: 4–9pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. The 31st annual festival has Día de Muertos crafts, face painting, food trucks and quinceañera dress shows at 5, 6 and 7pm. The museum is free from 4 to 9pm. Official page: https://artcenter.org/event/31st-annual-dia-de-los-muertos-festival/ (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Encinitas Safe Trick-or-Treat** at Downtown Encinitas, 101 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 5–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Downtown shops along Coast Highway 101 hand out candy, with live music in the Lumberyard Courtyard and free family art activities at Pacific View Arts Center. Official page: https://www.encinitas101.com/events/encinitas-safe-trick-or-treat-2026 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Inclusive Art Club at Escondido Public Library** at Escondido Public Library, 239 S Kalmia St, Escondido, CA 92025. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 3:30–4:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. Stories, songs and an art project inspired by a picture book. It's set up for kids of all ages and abilities. Official page: https://escondido.librarycalendar.com/event/inclusive-art-club-702 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Baby Lapsit at Escondido Public Library** at Escondido Public Library, 239 S Kalmia St, Escondido, CA 92025. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lap-sized storytime with rhymes and songs for babies and their grown-ups. Official page: https://escondido.librarycalendar.com/event/baby-lapsit-280 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Pumpkin Patch Storytime at Oceanside Public Library** at Oceanside Public Library, Civic Center Library, 330 North Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054. Time: Tue 10:30am (Mission Branch); Thu 10:30–11:15am (Civic Center). Price: Free. Ages: 2–5. A Halloween storytime for toddlers and preschoolers. Costumes are encouraged. It runs Tuesday at the Mission Branch (3861 Mission Ave) and Thursday in the Civic Center Library's Children's Storycorner. Official page: https://oceansidepl.librarycalendar.com/event/toddler-preschool-storytime-43412 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Toddler Circle Time at El Cajon Library** at El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas, El Cajon, CA 92020. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–3. Songs, rhymes and play time for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a750fe3e700090faa68e6c1 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Toddler Time sensory play at Cardiff Library** at Cardiff Library, 2081 Newcastle Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. Open sensory play with play-doh, blocks, sensory sand and shakers for toddlers and preschoolers. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a594440fa641fe01af3b1d7 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Julian Library** at Julian Library, 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036. Time: 2:30–4:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–17. Drop in and decorate a mini pumpkin for a chance at a prize. Kids 11 and under and teens are judged separately on Oct 30, and pumpkins go home after judging. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6abecc6da85a2c00337c753e (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Family Play Time at Del Mar Library** at Del Mar Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Little ones play with educational toys while caregivers get to know each other. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/691f703a0d45944c9e679e87 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Toddlers & Tunes at 4S Ranch Library** at 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive, San Diego, CA 92127. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–4. One story, then an hour of moving to music with egg shakers, scarves, bells and bean bags. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a907effaafa6100295f968a (checked 2026-10-29)

## Always free

- **San Diego County Library**, Branches across the county. County branches run free baby, toddler and family story times most weekdays, from Imperial Beach up to Fallbrook. Official page: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events (checked 2026-10-26)
- **December Nights**, Balboa Park. Free holiday festival Dec 4–5. Official page: https://www.sandiego.gov/december-nights (checked 2026-10-26)
- **San Diego Bay Parade of Lights**, Embarcadero. Free boat parade Dec 13 and 20. Official page: https://sdparadeoflights.org/parade-schedule-route/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Free library storytimes

- **San Diego County Library**: Most weekdays. Free baby, toddler and family story times at branches across the county. Calendar: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Escondido Public Library**: Toddler Tales on Tuesdays and Baby Lapsit on Fridays, 10:30am. Weekly baby and toddler story times in North County. Calendar: https://escondido.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in San Diego this weekend?
This week we found 20 free outings for ages 0–6, including Día de los Muertos in Old Town, Halloween Family Storytime (Casa de Oro Library, Spring Valley), Spooky Storytime with Hooray Miss Marae (La Mesa Library) and Trick or Treat at the Library (Solana Beach Library). See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in San Diego?
Día de los Muertos in Old Town: Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1. Resident Free Tuesday at Fleet and The Nat: Tue Nov 3. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in San Diego?
Liberty Station Holiday Tree Lighting, December Nights, Starlight Parade & Festival, San Diego Bay Parade of Lights and Noon Year Eve at Coronado Public Library are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in San Diego?
San Diego County Library, December Nights and San Diego Bay Parade of Lights don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Are library storytimes free in San Diego?
Yes. San Diego County Library and Escondido Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).