The Big Gay Picnic - Howl-O-Ween

The Big Gay Picnic returns to the Cypress Grove Picnic Area in Balboa Park on Sunday, October 11, from 11 AM to 3 PM. This one is the Howl-O-Ween edition, the group's annual Halloween special, and it's free to attend.

If you haven't been, here's the deal: The Big Gay Picnic bills itself as the biggest, gayest picnic in Southern California. It's run by the San Diego LGBTQIA+ community as a monthly free potluck in the Cypress Grove Picnic Area, and everyone is welcome. There's a particular spotlight on the city's Bear, Leather, Goth, Pup, and Furry communities, so it's a place where you can show up exactly as you are. The Howl-O-Ween edition builds on that, centering on community, creativity, and self-expression. Costumes are encouraged, but they're never required, and pets are welcome.

It's a potluck, so the food is up to the crowd. Attendees bring a sharable dish for six to eight people, or a donation by cash, Venmo, or PayPal. The organizers handle the music rather than bringing in a speaker. This edition is sponsored by Bears San Diego, who are also running a four-category costume contest with prizes that include gift cards and pieces from local artisans. If you want to enter, sign-ups are at the Bears San Diego booth.

You'll find the picnic at the Cypress Grove Picnic Area in Balboa Park, at the corner of Quince Drive and Balboa Drive in San Diego. It runs from 11 AM to 3 PM on Sunday, October 11, and it's free.