262 free things to do and get in San Diego and around the San Diego area, including 52 kids & family, 51 entertainment, 46 attractions.
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Tue, Oct 27, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cabrillo National MonumentCentral San Diego
Point Loma views, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and tide pools, free on Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, a National Park Service fee-free day. Normally $20 per vehicle. Open 9am–5pm.
Verified Oct 21 · National Park Service
Catch: Fee-free entry is for U.S. citizens and residents
Tue, Oct 27, 6:00 PM
Wilson Middle SchoolCentral San Diego
The Old Globe's free touring Macbeth, a professional production in your neighborhood. Walk in, no ticket or reservation needed.
Verified Oct 22 · The Old Globe
No catch
Tue–Sun 10am–6pm
San Diego Humane Society, San Diego CampusCentral San Diego
San Diego Humane Society's Community Pet Pantry gives a free bag of dog or cat food, plus other supplies as available, to pet families who need a little extra help. Anyone can visit; no appointment needed.
Verified Oct 22 · sdhumane.org
No catch
1st–4th Tuesdays; museums rotate by week of the month
Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Free museum admission in Balboa Park for San Diego residents and active military. Different museums are free on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of each month (for example Fleet Science Center and the Natural History Museum on the 1st). On a 5th Tuesday regular prices apply.
Verified Oct 21 · Balboa Park
Catch: San Diego city/county residents and active military + dependents only; bring photo ID showing your address · Special exhibitions and films may cost extra
Tuesdays 6–8pm through Nov 24
Golden Hill Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
Golden Hill Steppers: a free dance class for adults at the Golden Hill Recreation Center, Tuesdays 6–8pm through Nov 24. Questions: 619-235-1138.
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
Catch: Ages 18–80 · Register on SDRecConnect (code 135008)
Mon–Fri 10am–8pm
The San Diego LGBT Community Center (Welcome Desk)Central San Diego
The San Diego LGBT Community Center gives out free bags of ready-to-eat food at its Welcome Desk on weekdays, while supplies last. All community members are welcome.
Verified Oct 22 · thecentersd.org
No catch
Wed, Oct 28, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Southcrest Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
Music, face painting, crafts and a costume contest on a weeknight before Halloween.
Verified Oct 22 · City of San Diego
No catch
Wed, Oct 28, 6:00 PM
Lemon Grove Academy Middle School (Roberto Alvarez Auditorium)East County
The Old Globe's free touring Macbeth, a professional production in your neighborhood. Walk in, no ticket or reservation needed.
Verified Oct 22 · The Old Globe
No catch
Tue–Sun, 10am–4pm
Coronado Museum of History and ArtSouth Bay
Coronado Historical Association's museum on Orange Avenue, with galleries on the island's history. Museum admission is free. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Verified Oct 22 · coronadohistory.org
No catch
Wed–Sun, 12–4pm
Museum of History and Culture La JollaLa Jolla & North Coastal
La Jolla's history museum on Prospect Street. Admission is free, donations welcome. Current exhibition: The Scientific Art of Historic Preservation (through January 31, 2027). Galleries are open Wednesday to Sunday, 12–4pm.
Verified Oct 22 · mhclajolla.org
No catch
Wed, Sat & Sun 9:30–11am (8:30–10am in July–Aug)
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor CenterEast County
Volunteer naturalists lead free walks from the Mission Trails Visitor Center, plus walks from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground entry on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 8:30am. No reservations.
Verified Oct 22 · Mission Trails Regional Park
No catch
Mon–Sat 11am–12:30pm; Sun 9:30–11:30am
Father Joe's Villages, courtyard on 15th StCentral San Diego
Father Joe's Villages' Franklin Antonio Public Lunch Program serves free warm, nutritious meals to the public 365 days a year, in the courtyard on 15th Street. Before your first meal, you can pick up an orange badge at the San Diego Day Center or the Joan Kroc Center front desk.
Verified Oct 22 · my.neighbor.org
No catch
Fri, Oct 30, 7:30 PM
The Rady Shell at Jacobs ParkCentral San Diego
"Sound of Two Cities": Rafael Payare conducts the San Diego Symphony and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal in a free, non-ticketed community concert on the bay. Bring a blanket or low-back chair for the lawn; a limited number of chairs go first come, first served. The RSVP form doesn't reserve a seat.
Verified Oct 22 · theshell.org
No catch
Fri, Oct 30, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Historic Downtown Vista, Main StreetNorth County Inland
Come in costume and trick-or-treat at booths along Main Street in historic downtown Vista. Vista firefighters and sheriff's deputies hand out candy and show off their trucks and patrol cars, and most local shops give out candy too. The haunted house at the Avo Theater is a separate ticketed attraction.
Verified Oct 22 · downtownvista.org
No catch
Fri–Sun, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wieghorst MuseumEast County
A small Western art and heritage museum in downtown El Cajon, free to visit on weekends.
Verified Oct 22 · wieghorstmuseum.org
No catch
Fri, Oct 30, 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Basic Needs Center, Malk Hall, UC San DiegoLa Jolla & North Coastal
Free shelf-stable food and seasonal produce from the Hub Basic Needs Center. Students, staff and San Diego community members are all welcome.
Verified Oct 22 · UC San Diego
No catch
Fri, Oct 30, 7:00 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
ORGAN-ISM, a band with an organ, plays a Halloween tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, on the giant outdoor Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park.
Verified Oct 22 · Spreckels Organ Society
No catch
Fridays at 1pm
St. Paul's CathedralCentral San Diego
A free recital on the cathedral's landmark organ every Friday at 1pm, with a different organist each week.
Verified Oct 21 · stpaulcathedral.org
No catch
Thu, Oct 29, 5:00 PM
Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, UC San DiegoLa Jolla & North Coastal
New compositions get their world premiere at UC San Diego's Conrad Prebys Concert Hall.
Verified Oct 21 · UC San Diego Music
Catch: Free RSVP required at music.ucsd.edu/tickets
Thu, Oct 29, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
North Park Recreation CenterCentral San Diego
A free Halloween party with a costume contest, carnival games, jumpers, a game truck and a magic show.
Verified Oct 21 · City of San Diego
No catch
Mon, Nov 2, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Athenaeum Music & Arts LibraryLa Jolla & North Coastal
Violinist Julia Pautz and pianist Tina Chong play a free one-hour mini-concert at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. No tickets or reservations needed; seating is limited and first come, first served. Donations welcome.
Verified Oct 22 · ljathenaeum.org
No catch
Tue, Nov 3 · check hours
San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Free admission at San Diego Natural History Museum on its Residents Free Tuesday, for San Diego city and county residents and active military.
Verified Oct 22 · Balboa Park
Catch: San Diego city/county residents and active military + dependents only; bring photo ID showing your address · Films not included
Tue, Nov 3 · check hours
Fleet Science Center, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Free admission at Fleet Science Center on its Residents Free Tuesday, for San Diego city and county residents and active military.
Verified Oct 22 · Balboa Park
Catch: San Diego city/county residents and active military + dependents only; bring photo ID showing your address · Films not included
Tue, Nov 3, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Imperial Beach Library (Teen Room)South Bay
Feeding San Diego hands out free non-perishable food. No registration needed.
Verified Oct 22 · San Diego County Library
Catch: One package per family, while supplies last
Ongoing
Federal recreation sites (e.g. Cabrillo National Monument) or Recreation.govCountywide
Current military and dependents get a free annual America the Beautiful pass; veterans and Gold Star families get a free lifetime pass. Covers entrance fees at federal sites like Cabrillo National Monument.
Verified Oct 21 · National Park Service
Catch: Military, dependents, veterans or Gold Star families only · Show photo ID with the pass · Federal sites only, not state or city parks
Ongoing
San Diego County Library (Discover & Go)Countywide
San Diego County Library cardholders can reserve free day passes to the San Diego Zoo, the New Children's Museum, Museum of Us, San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego County Fair, SDSU Athletics, Skateworld and more.
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego County Library
Catch: San Diego County Library card required (numbers start 01535) · Up to 2 reservations at a time; book up to 3 months ahead · Some attractions allow one pass per year; each sets how many people a pass admits · Photo ID must match the name on the pass
Ongoing
San Diego Zoo, Balboa ParkCentral San Diego
Active-duty service members get complimentary admission to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. Bring your valid active-duty CAC card.
Verified Oct 22 · zoo.sandiegozoo.org
Catch: Active-duty military only, with a valid CAC card · Covers the service member only, not family
Ongoing
USS Midway MuseumCentral San Diego
Active-duty military with valid ID, reservists and kids 3 and under get into the USS Midway Museum free. Veterans pay a discounted $26.
Verified Oct 21 · USS Midway Museum
Catch: Active duty, reservists or kids 3 and under only; others in your group pay · Free guests get tickets at the booth on the day
Thu–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–5pm; free for all 2nd Sundays and 3rd Thursdays
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La JollaLa Jolla & North Coastal
MCASD La Jolla is free for everyone every second Sunday and third Thursday of the month. It's free every day for visitors 25 and under, military, SNAP/EBT cardholders and visitors with disabilities.
Verified Oct 22 · Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Catch: Others pay $25 outside the free days
Ongoing; hours vary by site
Multiple locations countywide
Free food distributions across the county, given to everyone without charge. Enter your zip code in the Find Food map to see distributions near you.
Verified Oct 21 · Feeding San Diego
No catch
