San Diego

It's Back: Downtown San Diego's Halloween Monster Bash

The annual downtown Halloween street party goes down from 6 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 29

It’s going to get wild – and a little spooky – in downtown San Diego this month as costumed revelers take over the streets for the annual Halloween block party known as β€œMonster Bash.”

The 16th annual Halloween block party for adults goes down from 6 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 29, spanning more than eight city blocks from the Gaslamp Quarter to the East Village. The wild and spooky shindig is billed as one of the biggest Halloween events in California, and typicall draws a large costumed crowd to the streets of downtown.

This year, the 21+ street bash will boast five stages featuring nearly two dozen DJs, including special VIP guest Too $hort, who will be hosting a special after party at Fluxx nightclub for Monster Bash attendees with VIP tickets.

Once again, the notorious Monster Bash Costume Contest will be a major highlight of the event. The winner takes home a grand-prize of $5,000 in cash. The contest starts at 11 p.m. sharp at the Dos Equis Masquerade Stage at 7th and J streets. Those who wish to enter must pre-register at the costume contest booth inside Monster Bash by 10 p.m.

General admission tickets to Monster Bash cost $65 per person this year, while VIP passes cost $120 per person at the door.

Ticketholders will get access to drink and food specials at more than 20 participating eateries and bars in the downtown area, including some places offering $2 to $5 drink deals.

Anticipating large crowds after a sold out event last Halloween, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will run expanded, late-night trolley service departing from downtown during Monster Bash. MTS will increase the number of late-night trains running on the Blue, Orange and Green lines that travel directly into downtown San Diego.

To get to Monster Bash without having to worry about driving and parking, MTS says revelers in South Bay, Chula Vista or National City can take the northbound UC San Diego Blue Line to 5th Avenue, while those who live in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Encanto and other parts of East San Diego can take the westbound Orange Line to 5th Avenue. From SDSU, Qualcomm Stadium, Mission Valley and Old Town, attendees can ride the westbound Green Line to the Gaslamp Quarter Station.

The main entrance to Monster Bash is at 8th Avenue and Market Street, and both the 5th Avenue and Gaslamp Quarter trolley stations are located about seven blocks away.

For the full line-up of DJs, entertainment, and participating restaurants at San Diego's 2016 Monster Bash, visit the event website.

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