La Paloma calls itself "Encinitas' original hometown theatre and San Diego's oldest. Since 1928." Every October it turns into a horror house. Here is the 2026 run, straight from its own showtimes page, with the dates that have already passed taken off each morning.
Tonight: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror.
The October horror run
- Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror: Tue Oct 13 · 8pm
- The Shining: Thu Oct 15 · 8pm
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Fri Oct 16, Sun Oct 18, Mon Oct 19 · Fri 8pm · Sun 7:30pm · Mon 8pm
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Fri Oct 16, Fri Oct 23, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 · Fridays 10:30pm ($15) · Halloween 9pm and midnight ($18)
- The Lost Boys: Sat Oct 17, Sun Oct 18, Wed Oct 21 · Sat 8pm · Sun 5:15pm · Wed 8pm
- Psycho: Thu Oct 22, Sun Oct 25, Mon Oct 26 · Thu 8pm · Sun 5pm · Mon 8pm
- Carrie (50th anniversary): Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, Sat Oct 31 · Fri & Sat 8pm · Sun 7:30pm · Halloween 6pm
- Young Frankenstein: Wed Oct 28, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 · Wed 8pm · Fri 5:20pm · Sat 3:40pm
- Halloween (1978): Thu Oct 29, Fri Oct 30 · Thu 8pm · Fri 7:45pm
Separate admission for each film. From La Paloma's showtimes, read October 13, 2026; check it before you go, since special shows can change.
Rocky Horror at La Paloma
The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays Friday nights October 16, 23 and 30 at 10:30pm ($15, a special engagement), and on Halloween, Saturday October 31, at 9pm and midnight ($18) with the live shadow cast Crazed Imaginations, per La Paloma.
Tickets, cash and the box office
- $12 general admission, all seats; special engagements and premieres are priced differently.
- The box office takes cash only. It opens about 15 minutes before each show.
- Advance tickets are online with a service fee, and aren't needed for most shows. No refunds on advance tickets; La Paloma says they may be honored on another show, subject to conditions. Some premieres and special events are online presale only.
- Where: 471 S Coast Highway 101, at the corner of 101 and D Street, downtown Encinitas. Phone 760-436-SHOW (760-436-7469).
Getting there
Driving: where to park in Encinitas. By train: Coaster times from Encinitas. Walking around downtown after: everything else Halloween in North County.
Since 1928
La Paloma opened on February 11, 1928, with the film "The Cohens and Kellys in Paris." It was one of the first theatres to show "talkies," and it was built with a pipe organ for the silent era and a stage for the vaudeville acts that came before the films. Musicians who have played it include Loreena McKennitt, Nickel Creek, Ralph Stanley, Jerry Garcia and Eddie Vedder, per La Paloma's history.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · every 2027 Medicare plan · is my medication recalled? · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25. Your parent lives here and you don't? The Parent Check-In Plan, $25 a month.
Questions people ask
What's playing at La Paloma for Halloween 2026?
An October horror run: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror (Oct 13); The Shining (Oct 15); The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Oct 16); The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Oct 16); The Lost Boys (Oct 17); Psycho (Oct 22); Carrie (50th anniversary) (Oct 23); Young Frankenstein (Oct 28). Check La Paloma's showtimes before you go.
When is Rocky Horror at La Paloma in Encinitas?
Fridays October 16, 23 and 30 at 10:30pm ($15), and Halloween night, October 31, at 9pm and midnight ($18) with the live shadow cast Crazed Imaginations.
How much are tickets at La Paloma Theatre, and do they take cards?
General admission is $12 for all seats. The box office is cash only; advance tickets are online with a service fee and are non-refundable.
How old is La Paloma Theatre?
It opened on February 11, 1928, and calls itself San Diego's oldest theatre.
Know someone who needs this?
Got a question about this? Ask PJ a question. A real person in Solana Beach texts you back.
Something changed here? Text PJ the fix: if it changes this page, you get $5. How it works.
Spotted something new around town? Text it in. What do you want to see here? Ask PJ for a page. No login, a real person reads it.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.