Alternatives to Halloween in San Diego: Fun, Faith-Based Ways to Celebrate October 31st
Looking for alternatives to Halloween in San Diego? It’s kind of hard to escape all of the skeletons and tombstones, and for many Christian families, Halloween can be a challenging time of year. The holiday’s historical connections to pagan traditions and its focus on the eerie or macabre might not align with your values.
Writing for Southern California’s Grace to You website, Travis Allen says, “There’s nothing inherently evil about candy, costumes, or trick-or-treating… Ultimately, Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God.”
Still, many Christinas will adopt a “No Participation” policy due to Halloween’s origins in pagan rituals, particularly the Celtic festival of Samhain, which focused on death, spirits, and occult practices. The holiday’s association with dark themes and superstitions can conflict with Christian beliefs, which emphasize light and life in Christ. Instead, many Christians seek alternatives that align with their faith, avoiding participation in activities that may glorify fear, death, or the occult
If you’re looking for meaningful, family-friendly, and faith-based alternatives to the typical San Diego Halloween celebrations, October 31st doesn’t have to be a night of discomfort. Here are some modern, engaging, and uplifting alternatives to Halloween in San Diego that allow you to enjoy the evening while staying true to your faith.
San Diego Halloween Alternative #1: Attend a Harvest Festival or Reformation Festival at Church
A popular and enjoyable alternative to Halloween is participating in or organizing a church-based harvest or reformation festival. These events are designed to celebrate God’s provision during the fall season, offering a wholesome and faith-filled way to come together as a community. Many churches host festivals that feature pumpkin decorating, games, food booths, hayrides, and live music. Families can enjoy these fun, fall-themed activities in a safe environment without the dark elements associated with Halloween.If your church doesn’t already have one planned, you could team up with fellow church goers to create a small event. One example is the Fall Festival at Lighthouse BIble Church in Sorrento Valley.
San Diego Halloween Alternative #2: Family Movie or Game Night
October 31st offers a perfect opportunity for a cozy evening indoors with loved ones. Consider creating a family tradition where everyone takes part in a movie marathon or game night. Rather than watching Halloween-themed or scary films, choose uplifting family-friendly movies with positive messages. Alternatively, you can make it a game night by playing board games, trivia, or Bible charades. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and bond over some friendly competition. Don’t forget to prepare some fall-themed snacks—like pumpkin muffins or apple cider—to make the evening feel festive and special.
San Diego Halloween Alternative #3: Go Out for a Fall-Themed Day
Why not spend October 31st enjoying the beautiful autumn season that God has created? Take advantage of the crisp air and vibrant colors by planning an outdoor adventure. San Diego offers numerous fall-friendly activities that don’t involve Halloween at all. You could head to a local farm or pumpkin patch, such as Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch, or go apple picking in nearby Julian, a small mountain town known for its scenic apple orchards and delicious pies. These activities not only provide a fun way to spend the day but also offer a reminder of the blessings of the harvest season. End the day with a family bonfire, sharing stories, roasting marshmallows, and perhaps taking some time for prayer and reflection on the beauty of God’s creation.
San Diego Halloween Alternative #4: Volunteer Together
One of the most fulfilling alternatives to Halloween is spending time helping others. Many organizations and churches offer opportunities to volunteer on October 31st. Whether it’s serving at a soup kitchen, organizing a clothing drive, or creating care packages for the homeless, spending the day giving back to those in need aligns perfectly with Christian values. Volunteering as a family teaches children the importance of compassion and selflessness, turning the focus away from candy and costumes and towards something with a lasting impact. Consider making this an annual tradition—each year choosing a different way to serve your community.
San Diego Halloween Alternative #5: Host a ‘Light Party’
Instead of focusing on the darkness often associated with Halloween, you can host a Light Party. These events are growing in popularity among Christian communities as a way to celebrate Jesus, the light of the world. Your Light Party could include singing praise songs, scripture readings, and testimonies from people in your congregation. It’s a fun and faith-filled alternative to Halloween, with the added bonus of being an opportunity for evangelism. You could invite neighbors, friends, or family who might not typically attend church to join in the celebration.
San Diego Halloween Alternative #6: Attend a Fall Concert or Festival
For those in San Diego, October 31st is packed with alternative events. The San Diego Symphony is hosting a concert featuring the romantic works of Schoenberg and Brahms, a sophisticated and non-Halloween event perfect for those who want a cultural experience. Alternatively, you could attend a fall festival like the Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you can celebrate the beauty of wildlife and fall-themed attractions without a Halloween focus.
Conclusion
Circling back to Travis Allen’s article on the Grace to You website, regardless of what you plan to do in according with your conscience, “Christians should respond to Halloween with gospel compassion.” If you opt not to participate, you may find this provides you with opportunities to share the gospel to those who ask. Don’t participate in “Hell House” evangelism to try to shock and scare people into a conversion. And if you hand out candy to the neighborhood kids, don’t be stingy! Allenwrites, “Cheap gimmickry is unfitting for Christ’s ambassadors.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Alternatives to Halloween
What can Christians do instead of Halloween?
Christians can do quite a lot of different activities instead of Halloween, if they so choose. As discussed in this article, they can attend a harvest festival or reformation festival at church; have a movie or game night with family and friends; go hiking; go to the beach; volunteer somewhere; host a “light party;” or attend a concert.
What can you do if you don’t celebrate Halloween?
There are plenty of things to do if you don’t celebrate Halloween. Many churches put on a harvest festival or reformation festival, and these are usually open to the community. You can have a movie or game night with your family. In San Diego, we have plenty of outdoor recreational activities, and the weather on Halloween is usually quite lovely. You can also volunteer or attend a concert.
Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
This is a question with quite a lot of debate. Dr. John Piper, founder of Desiring God and chancellor Bethlehem College and Seminary, answers the question quite lovingly here.
Is Halloween a sin?
If you’d like a Biblical perspective of Halloween, the Desiring God website has a wonderful selection of blog articles here.
P.S. If you find yourself still reading this article and you have no idea why someone might not want to celebrate Halloween, here is the gospel message in a nutshell.
Media credit: Photos licensed from Adobe.
