San Diego’s 2026 Halloween season runs from mid-September through November 1, anchored by SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream and the Haunted Trail of Balboa Park, with LEGOLAND covering the family end. This guide covers the multi-day, ticketed events in San Diego County, sorted by opening date. Single-day events and home haunts are not listed. For the full statewide list, see our Haunted Houses in California guide.
San Diego Haunts at a Glance
| Event | Location | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Howl-O-Scream San Diego | SeaWorld San Diego | Sept 11 – Oct 31 |
| LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat | LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad | Sept 19 – Nov 1 |
| The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park | Balboa Park, San Diego | Sept 25 – Nov 1 |
| The Haunted Car Wash | San Diego venue TBA | Oct 2 – Oct 31 |
Howl-O-Scream San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego has confirmed Howl-O-Scream will return on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 11 – Oct 31 |
| Location | SeaWorld San Diego |
| Lineup | 6 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, 3 vile vignettes, 1 show, 11 bars and speakeasies |
| Tickets | From $41.99 single night (details) |
| New for 2026 | Area 64: MOTHERSHIP house with an 80-foot facade, three all-new scare zones |
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat
LEGOLAND California’s Brick-or-Treat returns for the 2026 Halloween season on 12 select dates from September 19 through November 1.
| Dates | 12 select dates, Sept 19 – Nov 1 |
| Location | LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad |
| Tickets | Included with park admission on event dates (details) |
| New for 2026 | The event carries over from 2025 essentially unchanged |
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park returns to Marston Point for its 27th year on select nights from September 25 through November 1.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 25 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Marston Point, Balboa Park, San Diego |
| Lineup | Mile-long trail, the 3,500-square-foot eXperiment Maze, and the free Dark Carnival scare zone |
| Tickets | From $34.99 timed GA, $49.99 Fast Pass (details) |
| New for 2026 | The free-entry Dark Carnival returns for its second year, expanded |
The Haunted Car Wash
The Haunted Car Wash returns for its sixth season this October, expanding to four Southern California regions, including a San Diego location to be announced.
| Dates | Oct 2 – Oct 31 |
| Location | San Diego venue TBA |
| Tickets | $25 per vehicle (details) |
| New for 2026 | First San Diego location in the event’s six-year history |
San Diego Haunt FAQ
What is the scariest haunted house in San Diego?
Howl-O-Scream is San Diego’s only major theme park haunt event and carries the biggest lineup, while the Haunted Trail’s outdoor trail through Balboa Park’s oak grove is the county’s longest-running professional haunt.
Are there family-friendly Halloween events in San Diego?
Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND is built for young kids and included with admission, and the Haunted Trail’s Dark Carnival scare zone is free to enter.
