With the last few weeks of summer in San Diego including a major heat wave, cooler temperatures and fall activities could not be more welcome.

From autumn-inspired beer to trick-or-treating, there are events for all ages and interest this fall in San Diego County.

Check out this list and get ready to get spooky.

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Oktoberfest and Family Fall Festival: This event will include German food and drinks, live music and a variety of activities for kids and adults. There will be a German costume contest, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, kid zone and corn maze. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Carlsbad Strawberry Company. 1050 Cannon Road. Tickets range from $5 to $55. rotaryoktoberfest.org

Brick-Or-Treat: On weekends this fall, LEGOLAND will offer special shows, new LEGO character sightings and other activities at its Brick-Or-Treat events. Unique to Saturdays, a “Monster Party” will take place with monster characters taking over the park. There will also be trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and limited-time attractions. Now running: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 29. LEGOLAND, One Legoland Drive. Tickets and more information can be found at legoland.com/california/

Día de los Muertos: Chula Vista will celebrate loved ones who have passed with entertainment, food and altars to honor families with a free event along Third Avenue. Dress in full Catrína attire or other cultural outfits and bring a copy of a photo of a loved one to post on a public display at the corner of Third Avenue and Davidson Street. A ticketed event called La Ofrenda will offer samples and discounts from local businesses and a free treats and sweets area will offer goodies to kids from participating business. 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. thirdavenuevillage.com/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular: For several weeks this fall, Sesame Place will be transformed for Halloween. There will be an interactive scavenger hunt, games, photo opportunities, trick-or-treating around the park and special Halloween-themed shows. On Oct. 30, a costume contest will take place at the Sesame Street Theater for children at noon and families at 1 p.m. Sign up online. Now running through Oct. 30. 2052 Entertainment Circle. Park admission starts at $59.99. sesameplace.com

Oktoberfest: You can celebrate Oktoberfest for two weekends this fall in El Cajon. It all begins with the crowning of the 2022 Oktoberfest Queen on Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. This Oktoberfest includes live music from a band from Germany called Guggenbach Buam as well as German food, beers, a raffle trip to Germany and other entertainment. Sept. 30-Oct.2 and Oct. 7-9. 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. German American Societies of San Diego, 1017 South Mollison Ave. Tickets range from $5 to $44. germanclubsandiego.org

Scarecrow Days: This drive-by viewing of scarecrows runs through Oct. 31. New attractions include “Wizard of Oz” characters, Pillow Fight Kids and Ring Around The Rosy along with the Field of Silent People and the Pumpkin Heads. Scarecrow Fall Fun Kids Zone at the Fallbrook Main Avenue Farmers Market is on Saturdays through Oct 15. Viewing directory is at fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.

Oktoberfest: Enjoy live music, bingo, a beer garden, activities for children, food, dancing and more at this Oktoberfest event. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Town Square and Town Hall. 2123 Main Street. stelizabethjulian.org/oktoberfest-2022

La Mesa Oktoberfest: Enjoy live music, German food and beer at this Munich-inspired festival. Get a biergarten pass for $5 and bring your kids for free. There will also be games including beer stein races, a keg haul and tug-o-war. A “Craft Faire” will feature local artisans and vendors and the “German Kinder Karneval” will feature a Ferris wheel, inflatables, a scavenger hunt and more. All pets are welcome. 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 30. 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 2. Free. LaMesaOktoberfest.org

Día de los Muertos: This celebration will include everything from face painting to mariachi bands to the Callejeros de Encinitas Car Club. Check out art-making workshops, student exhibits and more. A community “ofrenda” remembrance altar will be on display indoors and visitors are invited to bring a photograph to share to honor a loved one. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Free. encinitasarts.org/programs/encinitas-dia-de-los-muertos-celebration

Encinitas Oktoberfest: Enjoy German food and refreshments, live Bavarian music and dance troupes, carnival rides, exhibits and more at this Oktoberfest. It will include 175 vendors, and attracts attendees from all over San Diego County. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Sept. 25. Located on Mountain Vista Drive off El Camino Real between Wandering Road and Rambling Road, this festival spans one-third of a mile along Mountain Vista Drive. Free. encinitasoktoberfest.com

Ghost Town Spooktacular: This Haunted Ghost Town will feature a 25-minute spine-chilling tours of the pranks and secrets of the departed. Family-friendly “less spine-tingling” tours are 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and “horrifyingly frightening tours” are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. led by student actors from Ovation Theatre. Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 28-30. Heritage Ranch. 450 Quail Gardens Drive. Tickets are $20; $10 for kids age 10 and under. SDHeritage.org

Día de los Muertos Festival: See altars honoring local families or apply to submit and create your own at the festival. Chalk cemeteries will be available throughout the area for memorializing loved ones. There will be kids activities including a bookmobile, arts and crafts, live music and dancers and plenty of food and activity vendors. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Downtown Oceanside at the corner of Pier View Way and South Tremont Street. Free. friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org

PoeFest: Write Out Loud presents a festival of fully-staged short stories and poetry, featuring literary legends like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley. The performances will take place at the Villa Montezuma where visitors can explore the mansion through interactive experiences. Oct. 14-16, Oct. 21-23, Oct. 27-30. Times vary. 1925 K St., San Diego. $30. writeoutloudsd.com/poefest

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest: Family friendly and adult activities are available at this event, including a beer garden, live music and giveaways. 4:20 p.m. to 11p.m. Oct. 7. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 8. In Ocean Beach where Newport Avenue meets the pier. $10. oboktoberfest.com

Halloween at the Station: Liberty Station will host a family-friendly Halloween celebration with crafts, live music, a costume contest and other activities. All ages and pets are invited to attend, and many of the area businesses will be open for trick-or-treating. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. North Promenade at Liberty Station. 2848 Dewey Road. Free. https://libertystation.com/events/halloween-at-the-station

City Heights Day of the Dead Celebration: This 25th annual event will include community altars, mask-making and other free entertainment. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 3795 Fairmount Ave. Free. facebook.com/cityheightsdiadelosmuertos

Secret Society: This event, for ages 21 and above, features hands-on science, crafts, music, rooftop views, craft beers, cocktails and more. Make sure to wear your costume for this nocturnal event. 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. San Diego Natural History Museum. 1788 El Prado. Tickets are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Learn more at sdnat.org/events

Fall Fest at Belmont Park: Belmont Park will transform into a fall experience with special food, games and drinks. There will be a daily pumpkin patch, free trick-or-treating every Sunday in October and live music and a beer garden on Friday nights. Kids can participate in a pumpkin plunge at the Plunge Pool on select dates and race at the go-kart track throughout October. During regular park hours through Oct. 31. Belmont Park. 3146 Mission Blvd. Go to belmontpark.com/fallfest for tickets and more information.

Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero: Throughout October, Rooftop Cinema Club will be showing movies representing everything from the slightly spooky to the deeply horrifying. The lineup includes “The Ring,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “The Addams Family,” “The Blair Witch Project,” “Halloween” and “Hocus Pocus.” Times and dates vary. Manchester Grand Hyatt. 1 Market Place. 4th Floor Sport Terrace, Harbor Tower. Standard tickets range from $17.50–$25. rooftopcinemaclub.com/san-diego

SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream and Spooktacular: Through Oct. 31, SeaWorld will host a separate- ticket nighttime Halloween event. It will feature scare zones, haunted houses, a live performance show and a variety of spooky food and drink options. This event is intended for a mature audience and tickets range from $39.99 to $114.99. Event days and times vary throughout the season. Info at seaworld.com/san-diego/events/howl-o-scream/tickets. For a less frightening fun, SeaWorld’s Spooktacular will take place on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31 with candy, costumes, trick-or-treating, a hay maze and more. These family activities are included with regular park admission. 500 SeaWorld Drive. seaworld.com/san-diego

Eppig’s Oktoberfest on the Harbor: Put on your best Bavarian attire and enjoy a stein-holding contest, fresh “Festbier,” food trucks and more. Today through Sunday. Eppig’s Point Loma Waterfront Biergarten. 2817 Dickens St. ppigbrewing.com/upcoming-events-1

San Diego Symphony Día de los Muertos celebration: The San Diego Symphony will present an evening celebrating Latinx music and culture. The performance lineup includes the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos and skilled dancers of Grupo Folclórico Chiquina Palafox and festive food, drinks and activities will take place on site. 6 p.m. Oct. 30. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way. $20 to $75. theshell.org/performances/d%C3%ADa-de-los-muertos-celebration

Boo Bash: “The queerest free Halloween party for youth and families” will take place during a block party-style event in Hillcrest. There will be games, a costume contest, a drag show and trick-or-treating. This inaugural event is a collaboration between TransFamily Support Services and Fabulous Hillcrest. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. 1500 University Ave., San Diego. Free. transfamilysos.org/boobash

North Park Oktoberfest Beer Crawl: Several North Park taprooms are teaming up for an Oktoberfest event with drink specials and a punch card that, when completed, allows the beer drinkers to enter a raffle for a $600 prize package. Second Chance Beer, Original 40 Brewing, Rouleur Brewing and Mike Hess Brewing are participating and punch cards will be distributed at each location. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22.

Halloween Family Fun: This trick-or-treat event will include everything from kid-friendly crafts and goodies to a display of fire engines and squad cars. 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27. In the parking lot of the Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive. Free. cityofvista.com/residents/trick-or-treat

Scarecrow Contest at Fall Fest: This free event includes a scarecrow contest, pumpkin painting, kids’ crafts and activities, a plant sale, music, craft vendors and food vendors including the Amigos de Vista Lions BBQ. Scarecrows for the contest must be made at home. Register and pick up scarecrow supplies at the Children’s Garden from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 or Oct. 15. A deposit of $10 covers the scarecrow’s armature (sticks), a head, stuffing and clothing. The $5 will be returned when the completed scarecrow is brought back to the Gardens. Bring the scarecrow to the Gardens for judging 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14, or 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 15. Homemade scarecrows (created with your own supplies) can also be registered for the contest for $5 on those days. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive. altavistabotanicalgardens.org.

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