October Calendar of Events
Chargers Home Games
10/14: vs. Indianapolis Colts
10/2-6: San Diego Film Festival
Locations: ArcLight Cinemas, La Jolla; Reading Cinemas, Gaslamp
Admission: $60-$350
Info: sdfilmfest.com
Watch more than 100 films from 55 countries, hobnob with filmmakers at slick parties and catch a glimpse of legendary producer/director/screenwriter Judd Apatow and other Hollywood celebs as the 12th San Diego Film Festival takes over the city’s screens and scenes. (See story, here.)
10/4-5: Miramar Air Show
Location: Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar
Admission: $90-$125
Info: miramarairshow.com
See fighter jets flying in formation, the Shockwave Jet Truck rocketing down the runway, and an incredible fireworks display that erupts into the “Great Wall of Fire” at this annual show of military force and piloting prowess that draws a crowd of 700,000 to Miramar.
10/4-6: La Mesa Oktoberfest
Location: La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa
Admission: Free
Info: lamesachamber.net
If seeing East County denizens wearing lederhosen, drinking beer and eating bratwurst is your thing, join the 200,000 people heading to La Mesa for this annual event.
10/4-6: El Cajon Oktoberfest
Location: South Mollison Ave., El Cajon
Admission: Free
Info: oktoberfestelcajon.com
See above calendar entry, make it 12,000 people and add ox-on-thespit (which is food?) and a few more minutes of driving on Interstate 8.
10/5: Pacific BeachFest
Location: PB boardwalk, between Diamond St. and Thomas Ave.
Admission: Festival is free; $35 to run
Info: pacificbeachfest.org
Enjoy a day of fun in the sun with beach volleyball tournaments, a fish taco challenge, a Blue Moon beer garden (with live music and DJs) and San Diego’s only 5K that actually takes place on the beach.
10/5: Taste of North Park
Location: Restaurants throughout North Park
Admission: $35
Info: tastenorthpark.com
Sample entrées, desserts and drinks at the more than 40 eateries participating in this self-guided culinary walking tour of North Park.
10/5: Del Mar Mud Run
Location: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar
Admission: $65
Info: delmarmudrun.com
Get dirty for a cause (the Challenged Athletes Foundation) at this annual military-style 5K obstacle course through the mud.
10/5-6: Julian Apple Days Festival
Location: Menghini Winery, Julian
Admission: $5
Info: julianappledays.com
Enjoy a slice of hard-core Americana at this annual celebration of Julian’s award-winning fruit, where live music, gold-panning demonstrations, antique tractors and apple pie abound.
10/5-6: Old Town Art Festival
Location: San Diego Ave., Old Town
Admission: Free
Info: oldtownartfestival.com
Stroll the streets of Old Town as more than 150 local artists display their work during this annual outdoor exhibition of art, food and fashion.
10/6: Del Mar Village Taste & Art Stroll
Location: Downtown Del Mar
Admission: Free art stroll; $25-$30 taste tickets
Info: taste.delmarmainstreet.com
Restaurateurs and artists collaborate in showcasing their masterpieces so attendees can get a taste of Del Mar’s art and food scenes.
10/6: Mission Bay Triathlon
Location: Ski Beach, Mission Beach
Admission: $100-$175
Info: kozevents.com
Run, bike and swim around Mission Bay, the birthplace of the triathlon in 1974.
10/9: San Diego Music Awards
Location: Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island
Admission: $35
Info: sandiegomusicawards.com
See San Diego natives Sara Watkins, Tristan Prettyman and more perform live in concert at this annual awards ceremony recognizing and celebrating the local music scene. Proceeds benefit the Guitars for Schools program.
10/11-12: World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre
Location: California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Admission: $25-$40
Info: comedypet.com
Gregory Popovich and his slew of rescued dogs, cats, birds and mice perform acrobatic stunts during this circus-like show.
10/11-12: O.B. Oktoberfest
Location: Newport Ave. and Abbot St., Ocean Beach
Admission: Free
Info: oboktoberfest.com
Bidding farewell to any shred of dignity their lederhosen leave intact, thousands of honorary Germans will fill up their steins and shout “Auf Wiedersehen!” while competing in a Sausage Toss contest.
10/12-13: La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Location: Girard Ave., La Jolla
Admission: Free
Info: ljawf.com
Shop for art, drink beer and wine, and check out roving circus performers at this annual event benefitting La Jolla school programs.
10/13: 19th Annual Little Italy FESTA
Location: India St., Little Italy
Admission: Free
Info: littleitalyfestasd.com
The West Coast’s largest Italian American festival lures 120,000 people to the streets of Little Italy for Italian cuisine, music and arts.
10/13: Fifth Avenue Auto Showcase
Location: Fifth Ave., Gaslamp
Admission: Free
Info: gaslamp.org
Fifth Avenue transforms into an autolover’s paradise lined with classic cars, motorcycles, the latest Ferraris and everything in between.
10/16: A Taste of Coronado
Location: Various Coronado Restaurants
Admission: $35-$40
Info: atasteofcoronado.com
Catch a complimentary trolley ride to taste your way through this selfguided tour of Coronado restaurants.
10/19: Exhibit Ambush Phase 2
Location: Broadway Pier, Downtown
Admission: $40
Info: ambushevents.com
Fashion designers, artists and DJs collaborate to ambush the senses and benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego.
10/22: America’s Got Talent Live
Location: San Diego Civic Theatre
Admission: $50-$60
Info: sandiegotheatres.org
The singers, artists and entertainers from NBC’s hit show perform their Howard Stern-approved acts live.