5 big San Diego weekend events: Mission Bayfest, Borrego Days at 60 and more

Five very different ways to spend the third weekend of October in San Diego: a three-day beach music festival on Mission Bay, a film festival marking 25 years, a desert tradition turning 60, a neighborhood fall festival that funds a local elementary school and a Halloween horror convention.

Every date, time and price below comes straight from each event’s organizer and was checked against news listings. Where an organizer hasn’t posted a detail, we say so instead of guessing.

Weather heads-up: The National Weather Service has a heat advisory for San Diego County’s coast until 8 p.m. Saturday, plus high wind warnings for the inland valleys until 8 p.m. Saturday and the mountains through Saturday night. Pack water and sun protection for outdoor events, secure hats and umbrellas, and if you’re driving over the mountains to Borrego Springs on Saturday, allow extra time, especially in a high-profile vehicle. Check AlertSanDiego.org for updates.

This weekend on the map

1Mission Bayfest, Mission Beach

2026 festival poster. Courtesy of Mission Bayfest.

This three-day music festival takes over Mariner’s Point Park, with open lawns and views of Mission Bay all around. Expect large crowds. Headliners this year are Rebelution, Kolohe Kai and The Offspring, with Steel Pulse, SOJA, The Interrupters, Goldfinger, Common Kings and The Expendables also on the bill.

A little history: Mission Bayfest comes from the same production team that created San Diego Bayfest.

Tips if you’re going

• Park free and shuttle in. The festival lists free parking at the Hospitality Point dirt lot (across from 1840 Quivira Way) with a free shuttle. Rideshare drop-off is 3119 Mariners Way.
• Or skip the car. MTS Route 8 runs from Old Town to Mission Boulevard and West Mission Bay Drive, and there’s a lit bike corral in the Bonita Cove East lot.
• Bring a card. The festival’s FAQ calls it a cashless event; see organizer for payment details.
• Pack light and legal. A small or medium backpack, sunscreen, a blanket and an empty refillable bottle (under 24 oz., no glass) are OK. Chairs, umbrellas, coolers, outside food and drinks, pets and drones are not. The FAQ limits in-and-out access to room key card holders; see organizer for details.
• It’s rain or shine, and all ticket sales are final.

2San Diego International Film Festival, La Jolla/UTC

Courtesy of the San Diego International Film Festival.

The festival’s closing weekend brings independent features, documentaries, shorts and studio premieres, many with filmmaker Q&As and panels. Saturday night moves the party to the Belly Up in Solana Beach for “25 Years After Dark,” and Sunday’s Culinary Cinema pairs a food-themed screening with chef tastings, wine and cocktails.

A little history: 2026 is the festival’s 25th year. It’s produced by the nonprofit San Diego Film Foundation. Saturday’s After Dark party helps fund the foundation’s education work, including a free classroom film library for teachers.

Tips if you’re going

• Reserve first. A pass gets you access, but you still need to reserve each film in your festival account. Seats are subject to availability.
• Be seated 10 minutes early. After that, the festival can release your seat to the Rush Line.
• Sold out? Try the Rush Line. Leftover seats go first-come, first-served once reserved guests are in.
• Need help? The festival box office is in the AMC 14 lobby. No refunds are given.

3Borrego Days Desert Festival, Borrego Springs

Courtesy of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce.

If you want a road trip, this is it. The desert town’s big fall weekend opens Saturday morning with a multi-plane flyover and a parade down Palm Canyon Drive (this year’s theme: “Reach for the Stars”), then settles into two days of free entertainment, a car show, a kids zone, food trucks, vendor booths and a beer garden at Christmas Circle.

A little history: 2026 marks the 60th Borrego Days. It’s produced by the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Tips if you’re going

• Leave early for the parade. The flyover is at 8:50 a.m. and Borrego Springs is a long drive from most of the county. Bring chairs for the parade route; the organizer encourages it.
• Showing a car? The Shine & Show car show is free to enter. Cars must park between 8 and 9:30 a.m.; awards are at 12:30 p.m.
• Saturday’s music lineup: DJ Lobe and DJ Poowman, PHT & the Honky Tonk Nights, then Nacho Bustillos & Band. Sunday brings Mariachi Estrella and performers from the Borrego Academy of Music and Art.
• Plan for desert sun. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

4University Heights Fall Festival, University Heights

A past University Heights Fall Festival. Christina Anne Photography, courtesy of the University Heights Fall Festival.

A neighborhood festival with live music, food trucks, craft beer, a pumpkin patch, local makers, lawn games and kids’ activities. Some activities (face painting, carnival games, photobooth) are ticketed.

A little history: It’s an annual tradition put on by the nonprofit Friends of Alice Birney Elementary and the University Heights Garden Club. Proceeds support the 530-plus students at Alice Birney Elementary, a Title I public school.

Tips if you’re going

• Take the No. 11 bus, which the organizer says drops you in front of the festival, or ride your bike. The organizer says parking in the neighborhood is free; come early to find a spot.
• Buy activity tickets early. Early-bird pricing is available on the festival site.
• Bring a blanket and a reusable water bottle. There are no lockers or storage on site.
• Pick your pumpkin here. Pumpkin-patch purchases support the students at Alice Birney Elementary.

5Scream Diego, Mission Valley

2026 event flyer. Courtesy of Scream Diego.

Two weeks before Halloween, San Diego’s Halloween and horror convention fills a Mission Valley hotel with horror-themed panels in two rooms, vendors and artists, short horror film screenings and a costume contest. The evening wraps with a Monster Prom dance party.

A little history: Scream Diego is produced by Silk Road Productions, the team behind San Diego Anime Con, and returns this year at a new venue.

Tips if you’re going

• Take the trolley. The organizer says the venue is across the street from the Hazard Center station on the Green Line.
• Driving? The organizer points to free on-site parking at Hazard Center.
• Bring your costume, check your props. Anything that could pass for a weapon goes through Prop Check, and many replica weapons aren’t allowed. Review the policy before you go.
• Keep your wristband on. It’s checked at every entrance. No pets.

Planning more weekends out? See free Halloween events around San Diego, catch up on last weekend’s picks or browse more things to do in SD SCENE.