Howloween

Howloween is the yearly Halloween furry mini-con run by Triton Tails, the university-recognized furry club at UC San Diego. In 2026 it filled the Price Center, the main student union building on campus, for twelve hours with an artist alley, panels, gaming, dance and costume contests and a closing rave. The organizers say it is open to everyone, whether or not you are a UCSD student or a furry. The 2026 edition, "Cinema Screams", was set for Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 11 AM to 11 PM, and the 2027 date has not been announced yet.

What to Expect

Howloween works like a compact one-day convention. The 2026 venue map spread it over two floors of Price Center: a theater for performances, movie showings, the costume contest and Floor Wars, college rooms for panels and workshops, a game room with tabletop and console play plus a tournament, an artist lounge with art supplies, and a headless lounge with private changing areas for fursuiters. A group photo and fursuit parade was in the afternoon schedule.

In 2026 the Vendor Fair was set for the East Ballroom from 1 PM to 9 PM, with 36 numbered tables on the vendor list, many shared by two artists. From 6 PM the West Ballroom was to turn into a five-hour rave with house, techno, garage and dubstep sets, closed by DJ Hushpuppy, a UC San Diego graduate who was one of the 2026 special guests alongside fursuit maker Doodle Drawz and artist Benji Maru.

The organizers moved most activities indoors for 2026, so that rain would not stop the main program. Food comes from the Price Center food court, and several outlets list attendee discounts on the event's food page.

How to Get Tickets

Registration is sold on the Howloween registration page and on site, and 2027 prices have not been published yet. In 2026 there were four badge types. A UCSD ticket cost $14.99 and needed a valid UCSD email plus campus ID at check-in, a General ticket cost $24.99, a Sponsor ticket cost $84.99 and added guest meet-and-greet access, free food and a hoodie preorder, and a Minor ticket cost $14.99. The attendee policy says General badges cost more at the door than in advance, and accepts card or cash on site.

Bring government photo ID, because the registered legal name has to match it at check-in. Anyone under 18 on the event day gets a Minor badge and wristband and must stay with a parent or guardian who holds their own ticket. Minor badges do not give access to the rave or to mature programming. Badge sharing is banned, and for 2026 full refunds closed on September 12.

How to Get There

Price Center sits in the middle of the UC San Diego campus at 9500 Gilman Drive in La Jolla. The UC San Diego Central Campus stop on the Blue Line trolley is a short walk away, and MTS Super Loop routes 201 and 202 and routes 30, 41 and 921 also serve the campus. Visitors coming by Amtrak or the Coaster can change to the Blue Line at Old Town or Santa Fe Depot.

Drivers should try the Gilman Parking Structure first. Visitors buy a V permit through the Parkmobile app in zone 4752, which the organizers say caps at $9 for the day, and V permits can only use V, S and B spaces. Students have cheaper day permits, and the event's parking page explains which one fits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a UCSD student to go to Howloween?

No. Anyone can go: the organizers open the event to everyone, including furries, cosplayers and people with no UCSD connection. In 2026 non-students bought the General, Sponsor or Minor ticket, while the cheaper UCSD ticket needed a UCSD email and campus ID.

Can minors attend Howloween?

Yes, with a Minor ticket and a parent or guardian who holds their own ticket and stays with them all day. Minor badges do not include the evening rave or mature programming, and the organizers say extra forms may need to be signed at check-in.

Is there somewhere to change into a fursuit?

Yes. The venue map lists a headless lounge with private changing areas and water for fursuiters and cosplayers.

When is the next Howloween?

The 2027 date has not been announced yet. The last two editions fell in October, on October 18, 2025 and October 11, 2026, and the Howloween site and the Triton Tails Bluesky are where the club announces each one.

When does the Howloween rave start?

In 2026 the rave was set to start at 6 PM in the West Ballroom and run until 11 PM. It was open to UCSD, General and Sponsor badge holders.

Can I get a refund for Howloween?

For 2026, full refunds were available until September 12 by email from the address on the badge. After that date refunds were case by case, and no refund or rollover requests were granted from October 4, 2026.