Some things-to-do in San Diego are always free so check out my top 5 list. Others free events come and go so this monthly helps.
Do you have a free event you’d like listed? Please let me know, and although I can’t guarantee your event will be listed, I’ll do my best to include as many as I can. ~~Sheri McGregor
Here October’s latest. Monthly lists always grow, so check back often. Access monthly free things to do posts from the Monthly Free To-Do page.
All month long:
Kids get in free to 25 San Diego area museums with an adult. See details, get the coupon, and discover what museums.
Kids 11 and under get in free at the San Diego Zoo and the Zoo Safari Park (with an adult who pays for a ticket).
October 1
10am – 6pm: Old Town San Diego Art Festival. Get a glimpse of art in many forms: jewelry, paintings, and more. Food and live music also on display for your ears and your taste buds. Wine tasting in an on-site pavilion. Find out more about this free and fun event on San Diego Street this weekend.
7:30 p.m. at UCSD, National Geographic Explorers presentation. Two explorers with stories to tell from adventures at Earth’s highest heights and lowest depths will talk about their National Geographic adventures at this free public event. Find out more so you can attend.
October 2, 2011
Final day of the Miramar Air Show. Free admission for blanket seating, but preferred spectator tickets are also available. 9a.m. to 4p.m.
10am – 6pm: Old Town San Diego Art Festival. Get a glimpse of art in many forms: jewelry, paintings, and more. Food and live music also on display for your ears and your taste buds. Wine tasting in an on-site pavilion. Find out more about this free and fun event on San Diego Street this weekend.
La Mesa (October 2): From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday October 2. This three-day Oktoberfest event wraps up on Sunday, October 2, but that doesn’t meant the carnival rides, music and food are any less authentic or fun. Oktoberfest in La Mesa Village.
Julian: Between noon and 4p.m., historical reenactment group, Doves and Desperados, brings old-time Julian to present-day. Characters roam the streets, and put on historical comedy skits at 1p.m., 2p.m., and 3p.m. Read more about the hysterical historical fun.
October 4, 2011
Free lecture: Among Giants: History of Whaling in San Diego at the San Diego History Center with “Flip” Nicklin, National Geographic’s “whale guy.” 6p.m. to 7:30p.m. This event is free, and does require a reservation by calling 619 232-6203, ext. 129
October 7, 2011
Ocean Beach (October 7 and 8): Friday, October 7 from 4 to 10p.m. this Ocean Beach Pier Oktoberfest kicks off with a Battle of the Bands plus food and beer. Admission is free to the fest with lots of contests (Sausage Toss!), but the beer costs. Find out more about the Ocean Beach Oktoberfest.
October 8, 2011
Balboa Park. San Diego Art Mart in Balboa Park. Free to browse and enjoy.
Ocean Beach (October 8): Saturday, October 8, the final day of this Oktoberfest celebration starts at 11a.m. and goes till 10p.m. Admission is free to the fest with lots of contests (Sausage Toss!), but the beer costs. Find out more about the Ocean Beach Oktoberfest.
Julian 16th Annual Oktoberfest: 11a.m. to 4p.m. First day. Also runs Sunday.
San Diego Financial Planning Day – Saturday, October 8, 2011, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at Joe & Vi Jacobs Center. Find out more and Register online for this free event.
October 9, 2011
Balboa Park. San Diego Art Mart in Balboa Park. Free to browse and enjoy.
Julian’s 16th Annual Oktoberfest: 11a.m. to 4p.m. (second/last day)
Julian: Between noon and 4p.m., historical reenactment group, Doves and Desperados, brings old-time Julian to present-day. Characters roam the streets, and put on historical comedy skits at 1p.m., 2p.m., and 3p.m. Read more about the hysterical historical fun.
October 15, 2011
Block Party at the New Children’s Museum! 10am to 4pm. Free admission to the party and museum. Explore the Trash! exhibit, participate in raffles, games, arts, crafts. A true block party with lots of free fun.
Chula Vista centennial: Noon to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista. Celebrate the city’s Free shuttle service from Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road. Fee parking is also available (across from the training center and at New Hope Church, 2720 Olympic Parkway). Get more information by calling: (619) 585-5690 .
October 16, 2011
Block Party at the New Children’s Museum! 10am to 4pm. This day is Hispanic community Day with special activities and free admission sponsored by Target Stores.
Julian: Between noon and 4p.m., historical reenactment group, Doves and Desperados, brings old-time Julian to present-day. Characters roam the streets, and put on historical comedy skits at 1p.m., 2p.m., and 3p.m. Read more about the hysterical historical fun.
October 20, 2011
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego offers free admission from 5pm to 7pm on the third Thursday of each month.
October 22, 2011
Balboa Park. San Diego Art Mart in Balboa Park. Free to browse and enjoy.
Family Expo. It’s all about family, October 22 at the San Diego concourse. Bring the kids, bring the dads, bring the moms, and grandmas and gramps…. It’s a free family event that showcases the best of the best for families. Find out more about the San Diego Family Expo, October 22, 2011.
October 23, 2011
Balboa Park. San Diego Art Mart in Balboa Park.Free to browse and enjoy.
Julian: Between noon and 4p.m., historical reenactment group, Doves and Desperados, brings old-time Julian to present-day. Characters roam the streets, and put on historical comedy skits at 1p.m., 2p.m., and 3p.m. Read more about the hysterical historical fun.
October24, 2011
Free concert in La Jolla. Sarah Skuster on the oboe and Andrea Overturf on the English horn. Noon at 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla.
October 30, 2011
Julian: Between noon and 4p.m., historical reenactment group, Doves and Desperados, brings old-time Julian to present-day. Characters roam the streets, and put on historical comedy skits at 1p.m., 2p.m., and 3p.m. Read more about the hysterical historical fun.
