Oceanside Spooktacular Trunk or Treat

October 26, 2024, 2-5 p.m.

Mance Buchannon Park
425 College Blvd.
Oceanside, CA
Free, ci.oceanside.ca.us

Local organizations, clubs, businesses, individuals, and families host decorated trunks in the parking lot at Mance Buchanon Park, while kids trick-or-treat at each trunk. This event also features a craft booth, inflatables, and kids group games!  Celebrate Oceanside's car culture and Halloween in one day at this Spooktacular event! 

Awards are given to the car participants for:

Best Trunk Overall
Most Creative / Original
Funniest
Spookiest

The event is produced by the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Oceanside, California.

Heritage Park Halloween Movie Night 

October 18, 2024, 5-9 p.m. | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire starts around 6:30 p.m.

Heritage Park & Museum
220 Peyri Road
Oceanside, CA
$7, ci.oceanside.ca.us - registration is required
Under age 3 years free

Here's family-friendly Halloween fun in which kids can trick-or-treat around the historic buildings of Heritage Park before a movie on the lawn. There's mini pumpkin decorating and crafts for the little ones before the move, which starts around 6:30 p.m.  All ages are invited to dress up for this event.

 

Oceanside Day of the Dead

October 22, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Downtown Oceanside
Pier View Way at North Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA
Free admission, friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org

facebook.com/porsiempre.carclub for car registration

2023 Entertainment

• Rubios
• Ballet Folklorico de Fallbroo
• Herencia Mexicana Folklorico
• Danza de los Diablos
• Mariachi Internacional San Diego
• Ballet Folklorico Aztlan
• Banda Herencia Mixteca

Catrina Court Contest 2 p.m. - There's some tough competition that you won't believe in this event which seeks to honor the dead through people dressed and their faces painted as living skeletons. Catrina or La Calavera Catrina was conceived by an artist in 1910. Jose Guadalupe Posada's satirical lithograph referred to a catrin, a well-dressed, high society person depicted as a skeleton wearing a stylish hat. Contestants have their faces painted in white and black mostly to appear as skeletons, while their clothing can be quite fanciful. There are 5 contest categories: King, Queen, Prince, Princess and Couple

Chalk Cemetery - grab some chalk or bring your own and create a memorial to loved one(s) in designated locations. It's not only a great way to show your love and honor the departed, but it also is a sharing experience as you browse the many chalk memorials. Free chalk till supplies are gone.

Car Altars - The trunks or back of cars (usually) offer altars to the dead and dearly departed. They're artistic, unique, fascinating, clever, creative and sometimes somber, depending.

brief history:

• 2006-2008 The festival was held Downtown
• 2009-2019 this event was moved from Downtown Oceanside to Mission San Luis Rey    
• 2018 Friends of Oceanside Dia de Los Muertos was developed to operate the event that was both culturally significant to the community and beloved by attendees
• 2021 to celebrate the 20th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival  hosted by Friends of Oceanside Dia de los Muertos the festival returns to Downtown Oceanside

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.