The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular 2026 at Sesame Place San Diego

Name: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular 2026 at Sesame Place San Diego
Start: 9/12/2026 10:00:00 AM
End: 11/1/2026 5:00:00 PM
Location: Sesame Place San Diego

Sesame Place San Diego

2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91911

Chula Vista

Date:

Sep 12, 2026 to Nov 01, 2026

Hours:

10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays

Cost:

Included with Park Admission; Starting at $49.99 / person

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular 2026 at Sesame Place San Diego is a family-friendly, ‘not-too-scary’ event which includes music, shows, trick-or-treating & more!

By Kristina Cappetta

Last Updated on
Sep 18, 2026

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Halloween at Sesame Place

Ticket Information

Attractions & Experiences

Bundle & Save

Activities & Contests

Getting There & Parking

Tips Before You Go

Highlights

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Things to Do

Getting There

Tips

A Whirlwind of 'Not-Too-Spooky Fun' at Sesame Place San Diego

If you're looking for an entertaining, family-friendly Halloween event that's perfect for younger kids, I may have just the event for you!

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular 2026 at Sesame Place San Diego in Chula Vista will transform the park into the "not-too-spooky" place to celebrate the season, perfect for the little ones in your family!

From Halloween-themed shows to dance parties and scavenger hunts, there's silly Halloween fun designed for young kids that can still be a lot of fun for kids of all ages.

When is The Count's Halloween Spooktacular 2026 at Sesame Place San Diego?

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular will run from September 12th to November 1st, 2026.

Sesame Place is open on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October. During September, it will be open from 10:00am to 6:00pm. In October, it will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm, except on Halloween, when it will be open until 6:00pm.

On the last day of the event for the season, November 1st, the park will close at 4:00pm.

Is the Event for Little Kids Only?

No! While the event is family-friendly and fun for little children, it can also be a lot of fun for adults, although the little ones will likely enjoy it the most!

I will say that older kids and teens may want a bit more 'fright factor' at events like Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego or The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park.

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The Count's Halloween Spooktacular Ticket Information

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place is an awesome family-friendly event that's included with the price of admission. Let's dive into the details!

How Much Are Tickets to the Event?

You'll have a few ticket options for the event.

Single-Day Ticket: Starts at $61.99 (purchase for select dates)
Fall Any-Day Ticket: $49.99 - Valid for any day before 11/1/26
FREE Kids Single-Day Ticket: $94.99 (free child for each adult ticket purchase) - Valid for any day before 11/1/26
Two-Day, Two-Park Ticket (admission to Sesame Place and SeaWorld San Diego): Starts at $99.99

All single-day tickets are only valid on the specific day(s) they are purchased for, unless they are 'any-day' tickets. Children under 3 can enter the park for free.

Take Advantage of the Kids Free October Program

Sesame Place and The Count's Halloween Spooktacular 2026 are part of San Diego's annual Kids Free October program.

When you buy one adult one-day admission to Sesame Place, you'll get a FREE ticket for kids ages 3 to 9 years old. The ticket will be valid through Halloween, making it perfect for this event.

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Spooktacular Attractions and Experiences

Trick-or-treating around the park, games, and plenty of family photo opportunities make this one of our favorite Halloween events for families with kids, especially the little ones!

So, grab your costumes (yes - costumes are encouraged!) and get ready to explore this friendly Spooktacular.

Sesame Street Meets Halloween: Rides and Attractions

Sesame Street's rides and water slides will be open during this special event, so you can still ride your favorites while enjoying Halloween in the park.

Then say cheese as you check out one of the Sesame Street Character Photo Opportunities like Photos With Elmo & Friends. Who will your favorite characters be dressed as?

Trick-or-Treat Time!

This year's Trick-or-Treating event is another fun activity I think your kids will love. It will require purchasing a reusable tote bag, which you can find at Hooper's Store, Sesame Souvenirs, and some merchandise carts.

Once your kids have their bags, they can collect goodies as they trick-or-treat their way through Sesame Place's attractions and Halloween events.

Bundle and SAVE!

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What Attractions are Included with a Go City San Diego Pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

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Tricks, Treats, and Furry Friends: Interactive Activities, Contests & More

From scavenger hunts to costume parades and more, the Count won't disappoint with this year's Halloween Spooktacular.

The Scavenger Hunts

You know how the Count feels about counting!

You can grab an activity sheet for the "Sesame Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt" and count the scarecrows as you go through the park. Then don't forget to turn in your sheet for a Halloween Surprise!

You can also search for the "not-too-spooky" ghosts throughout the park in the "Spot the Ghost Scavenger Hunt". There will be prizes for finding ghosts, so don't forget to collect your prizes when you're done.

The Costume Parade and Contest

If you're like me, then you love a good costume contest.

Get the kids dressed up (adults too) to compete in the annual "Halloween Costume Contest". Prizes will be awarded for best child costume and best family theme.

Of course, no celebration is complete without a parade - and this one may be our favorite!

Everyone is invited to show off their costume at the Halloween Costume Parade, which will begin in Abby's Garden. From there guests will make their way through the Sesame Street Neighborhood in all their costumed glory.

And at the end of the parade, participants will receive a special gift for participating. It will be silly fun and lots of laughs for young kids.

Take in a Show & Listen to a Story

This year's treats will also include a theater show, dance party, story time, and so much more!

"Countdown to Halloween" will follow the Count as he learns the importance of friendship - with both new and old friends - during his favorite night of the year.

Halloween DJ Party

The Halloween DJ Party will let you and the kids Monster Mash through Halloween songs for everyone!

All-New Monster Mayhem Game Show

2026 will welcome in an all-new interactive game show at the Sesame Street Theater as the Sesame Street friends try their hand at some Halloween games like Monster Pumpkin Toss and the Monster Matching Game.

The show will be full of audience participation and surely offer a lot of laughs and memorable moments!

Storytime

"Halloween Storytime" is always the perfect chance to wind down, relax, and enjoy a non-scary Halloween tale. You'll also be able to stay after the story for a hug and photo with your favorite furry friends.

The Halloween Cavalcade

The "Sesame Street Halloween Cavalcade" will once again bring the block party to San Diego! From themed floats to music and plenty of dancing with your favorite Sesame Street characters, this Cavalcade will surely be silly fun for the whole family.

More Things to Explore

Belmont Park Ride and Play Pass

Discounts Available

Learn More

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Discounts Available

Learn More

The World Famous San Diego Zoo

Discounts Available

Learn More

Visit SeaWorld San Diego

Discounts Available

Learn More

Parking and Transportation Tips

Sesame Place is located in the southern part of San Diego in the Chula Vista neighborhood at '2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista'.

As someone that's been down that way a number of times, let me help you with directions and information you'll want to know about parking as well!

Directions

You can get to the park via I-5, I-15, or I-8. You'll want to exit onto Interstate 805 South, then follow the Main St. exit toward Auto Park Drive.

From there, head straight onto Heritage Road and turn right at Entertainment Circle, which will lead to the park entrance!

Parking

Since paid parking is required at the park, I would buy it online before you go to save time. Below are the parking prices you can expect during the 2026 event.

General Parking (Car): Starting at $35
Up-Close Parking (Car): Starting at $50
RV, Campers, Bus General Parking: Starting at $52 (must be purchased at the park)
Motorcycle General Parking: Starting at $30 (must be purchased at the park)

Silver, Gold and Platinum Season Pass holders can enjoy free parking!

Is There Accessible Parking?

Yes, accessible parking spaces are available directly in front of the main entrance. The cost is $30.

Are There Public Transportation Options?

Yes, but it depends where you are starting your journey. Honestly, public transportation from Downtown San Diego to Sesame Place is not the quickest option, but it could work.

From downtown, you'll want to first take the San Diego Trolley from the Civic Center to Palomar Street on the blue line and then MTS Bus from the Palomar Street Transit Center to Brandywine Ave. and Main Street. Where you'll be just over 2 miles away. You could grab a San Diego rideshare from there and be dropped off at the front gate!

Sesame Place San Diego Visitors Tips & My Final Thoughts

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular is a family-friendly, not-so-scary seasonal event I think families with young kids can really enjoy.

With that in mind, how about a few more tips to make sure you're ready for the festive fun!

Get the App

I highly recommend downloading the Sesame Place mobile app before going to the park. It has all the information you need, including maps and event times, so you can plan your day ahead of time and not miss any special events.

Wear a Costume & Grab a Trick-or-Treat Bag

Don't forget your costume! If you're planning to join the costume parade or contest, have it ready in advance. Costumes aren't required to attend, though.

Pick up your Trick-or-Treat Reusable Bag! You'll need to purchase one to take advantage of Trick-or-Treating around the park.

Two Perfect Hotels to Pair with the Event

My favorite for families in Chula Vista hotels near Sesame Place are the Hampton Inn Chula Vista Eastlake and The Rambler Hotel, both 10 miles or less from the property.

The Hampton Inn Chula Vista Eastlake offers clean spacious rooms, a complimentary continental breakfast buffet, and an outdoor pool. I find this property very good for families.

I also personally LOVE The Rambler Hotel. The property has an outdoor pool, fire pits, an arcade, and comfortable family-friendly rooms.

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More Seasonal Event Suggestions

If you have a couple of days in town, make sure to check out our list of San Diego's best Halloween events for kids and teens.

That article covers everything from Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego, which is perfect for teens, to HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo, an all-age event that's perfect for kids of all ages…plus a bunch more seasonal events you won't want to miss!