Looking for places where giggles mix with ghouls and candy flows as freely as the coastal breeze? Del Mar, California, packs the ultimate punch for family-friendly Halloween fun. This beachy town transforms into a playground of costumes, creative character encounters, and candy-hauling adventures all without sending parents searching for their coffee. Here’s the scoop on the brightest, silliest, and spookiest kids’ Halloween events, plus some grown-up-approved thrills.
Halloween at Del Mar Highlands Town Center: Trick-or-Treat Trails With Character
When October 31 arrives, Del Mar Highlands Town Center becomes the epicenter of sweet celebrations. From 4 to 6 PM, over 40 participating shops hand out treats and surprises, turning the mall into a colorful candy trail for costumed kids. Grab a free trick-or-treat map, help your little monsters scoop up candy, and wander through five interactive Meet & Greet Zones. This isn’t just knocking on shop doors; it’s an adventure map to magic.
- Spidey’s Web Zone at the Pop Jet Fountain: Train with web-slingers and strike superhero poses. Even grown-ups have a hard time resisting the urge to join in!
- Sky Deck Pirate’s Cove: Board a haunted pirate ship, listen to the captain’s tales, and collect gold coins straight from his treasure chest.
- Sorceress’ Sanctuary near Rite Aid: Meet a spell-casting sorceress for magical photo ops and maybe a mysterious potion or two.
- The Enchanted Realm near Cinépolis: Step into a snow globe wonderland with an enchanting pair ready to dazzle.
- The Creepy Corner near Jimbo’s: Hang out with a quirky ghoul in black for dance lessons that are equal parts eerie and hilarious.
Costumes are highly encouraged, pirates, superheroes, wizards, and the occasional dinosaur all welcome. There’s even a sing-along Hullabaloo in the morning for kids who want to get their groove on extra early before the trick-or-treat trail opens. Be sure to RSVP ahead via Eventbrite. Why? Not just for fun, the RSVP puts you in the running for 4 tickets to Cinepolis, just for showing up in your spookiest best.
Live Entertainment and Creative Photo Ops
Don’t let your camera take the day off. Snap funky photos at the Harvest at the Highlands Wall near Rite Aid or settle into the Sky Deck Harvest Chair and channel your inner pumpkin king. The autumn decor at the Highlands brings out everyone’s goofy side and makes for some legendary photos your family will laugh at for years.
To round out the fun, enjoy live music throughout the plaza. The vibe is upbeat, not too loud, and designed for parents and kids to dance away any leftover Halloween jitters. For those eager to extend the party, check out the shops for themed menu items and surprises, from Halloween-inspired ice cream flavors to playful kids’ sensory kits.
More Spooky Stops: Events Beyond the Highlands
If you’re serious about Halloween, keep your eyes peeled for other family-friendly gatherings in town.
- Del Mar Halloween Bash at L’Auberge Del Mar (October 31, 7–11 PM): While this event is best for older kids and adults, it adds a high-style twist, complete with DJs, themed drinks, and a costume contest. Don’t be surprised if some pint-sized partygoers steal the spotlight.
For thrill-seeking families, the greater Del Mar area also boasts haunted houses (check local listings for age suitability), spook walks, and pop-up scare spots that keep the Halloween spirit alive well beyond sunset.
Safe, Festive & Free—Why Del Mar Is a Halloween Hotspot
Every parent knows the art of balancing safe tricks with maximum treats. In Del Mar, traffic is managed, decorations are spectacular, and local shops go out of their way to create a safe, inviting space for families to roam. You’ll see everything from elaborate pirate ships to shimmering snow globes, and yes, free candy from shopkeepers who know how to keep little ones happy.
Parking at the Highlands is free during community events, so save those coins for extra popcorn and witch hats. Most gatherings are designed to be stress-free, spacious, and easy to navigate, even with strollers and eager grandparents in tow.
Del Mar’s Halloween celebrations are genuinely family-focused, with enough variety to keep everyone entertained. Kids leave with loaded buckets, grown-ups get their share of laughs, and the memories last way longer than your leftover chocolate bars. Costumes, characters, music, and magic, year after year, Del Mar delivers a Halloween that gives parents plenty of reasons to join in.
Sources: eventbrite.com, kmcoastal.com, californiahauntedhouses.com, delmarhighlandstowncenter.com, hiddensandiego.com, granddelmar.com, thescreamzone.com
Header Image Source: Craig Adderley
