Dance Party and Costume Competition Returns For Halloween Kick-Off Party Weekend! 

Hillcrest’s haunted Halloween dance party and costume competition is back! Nightmare on Normal will take over the Pride Flag Plaza at Normal and University on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 5 - 11 pm! With late night live entertainment, costume competitions (including a special pet contest for your furry, fuzzy, and feathery companions) outdoor bars, and the best people watching in all of San Diego - this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Nightmare on Normal Street will feature a massive costume competition with over $2,000 in prizes, a gigantic dance party, a VIP area, vendors, and a monstrous bar! Dust off your brooms and bring out your best costume and cosplay!

Ticket Info

Guests can choose from a general admission ticket or VIP ticket. The event is open to all ages. Must be over 21 with ID to purchase alcohol.

GA ticket: Haunt the streets of Hillcrest during your nightmare on Normal. This ticket gets you into the event with full access to the dance party, vendors, bars, and any performances or activations. Your ticket include your entry into the costume competition (before to register at the sign up tent just inside the gate).

VIP Info: Eat, drink and be scary with our VIP pass, which includes access to our 21+ only VIP area, two complimentary cocktails, front-of-the-line access to get into the event, VIP only bar, and private restrooms.

Attendees must present a valid ID upon entry for VIP or to consume alcoholic beverages. Failure to produce identification may result in refusal of entry to the VIP area. All sales are final.

2023 Entertainment Schedule

Nightmare on Normal is San Diego's massive costume competition and dance party! Our host for the evening is none other than Strawberry Corncakes. She is known for her fun, upbeat numbers but also known as the ballad diva of San Diego. She performs at almost every bar in town while spreading self acceptance and respect for one another.

We're excited to announce that we'll have beats provided by two of Hillcrest's favorites~ DJ Breezus (5pm through 7pm) and DJ Kinky Loops (7pm through 11pm). Our DJs will be accompanied by sexy dancers, brought to you by Rich's Nightclub, in spooky costumes to help you dance the night away!  

Jazzlene East Coast and Queen Billanna will be hosting pop up performances throughout the night so be prepared for surprises!

2023 Costume Competition

Hillcrest’s best costume competition features $2,000 value in prizes and with three heats, you can be sure that you won’t miss out! Strawberry Corncakes is returning to Nightmare on Normal Street this year to host our massive costume competition! She is a fantastic personality that that will shake your bones and send chills up your spine! (the good kind)!     

When you arrive at the event, the costume competition sign-up is right inside the gate. Check-in there to register for the costume competition. Sign-up on the spot for one of the heats based on your plans for the  night! The heats fill up quick!

• Pet competition* is at 6:30 pm

• Heat 1: 9 pm// Heat 2: 9:30 pm// Heat 3: 10 pm

• Final at 10:30 pm

When your heat get’s close (5 minutes out), head to the east side of the stage and be ready to strut your stuff on the catwalk! In between heats, dance the night away with our DJ and dancers from Rich's nightclub! Early arrival is suggested so you can be the first to impress the judges and the crowd. PUNCTUALITY IS EVERYTHING. When it’s your time to be called, walk down the runway and show everyone what you got and be fierce.

* The pet competition will occur independently from the main competition and the pet winner will be announced after the voting process. 

Judging will take place through an elimination process. The judges will select three winners from each round to move on to the finals. The top finalist from each heat will compete for the grand prize. There will be second and third place winners who will also be awarded prizes.

Visit our Boo-tique makers and delicious food vendors

While Nightmare on Normal Street is an amazing costume competition and dance party~ there are wonderful and creative vendors too. Check out a sweet sample of our vendors at this year's event.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor please email Natalie at natalie@hillcrestbia.org

Neighborhood Supporters

There are so many Hillcrest businesses participating in Nightmare on Normal this year and we’re excited to showcase them all. These businesses are supporting the event through donations, financial support, or participation at the event!

Sponsors:

Entertainment Sponsors:

Bar Sponsors

Community Sponsors:

Event opportunities:

Vendors: Nightmare on Normal Street accepts a limited number of food or crafter vendors. Community sponsors should also apply. Reach out to natalie@hillcrestbia.org if you’re interested.

Business Promotion: Hillcrest businesses can participate by making a donation to the prize pool. Fill out this form to participate.

Volunteering: We need volunteers for our costume competition registration booth at Nightmare on Normal Street. This event is Hillcrest's Halloween kick-off and it includes a dance party, costume competition, drag performances, and boo-tique vendors. This all-ages block parties is one of the longest running festivals in the City!

We're looking for help this Saturday (10/28) from 4:45pm through 10pm. Volunteers can come in costume (or black). They'll get a free ticket to enjoy the last hour of the event along with a drink and food voucher. If you're interested in this opportunity please reach out to info@hillcrestbia.org for details.

Media:

2023: Press Release
2022: Press Release