Frightfully Fun Spots to Trick-or-Treat in Silicon Valley

Nancy Dinshaw
October 11, 2025
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As October unfolds, Halloween magic fills the Bay Area air, bringing a special thrill for kids, families, and even our furry friends! 🐾 Communities across the peninsula are ready with family-friendly, candy-filled neighborhoods, where trick-or-treaters can enjoy a safe, festive evening.

Here are some top neighborhoods for trick-or-treating this season. Each neighborhood offers something unique, and these areas consistently receive praise from locals and visitors for their Halloween celebration efforts.

  • Birdland – Sunnyvale: Located near Ortega Park, Birdland is one of Sunnyvale’s most beloved Halloween destinations. Residents go all out with festive decorations, transforming the neighborhood into a family-friendly Halloween wonderland. Its safe, well-lit streets make it perfect for trick-or-treaters of all ages.
  • Rodrigues Avenue – Cupertino: This single house at 19992 Rodrigues Avenue is legendary in Cupertino for its over-the-top Halloween displays. Each year, the homeowners create an elaborate themed setup that draws families and Halloween enthusiasts from across the South Bay. It’s not a full neighborhood—but the experience alone makes it a must-see stop for serious trick-or-treaters.
  • Bubb Road Area – Cupertino: The Bubb Road neighborhood, particularly around Portal Avenue and nearby side streets, is another Cupertino favorite. Nearly every house joins in the fun, with porches glowing, pumpkins carved, and candy bowls full. It’s a great mix of festive energy and family-friendly charm.
  • Cambrian Park – San Jose: Cambrian Park is consistently ranked among San Jose’s top trick-or-treating neighborhoods. Tree-lined streets, low traffic, and a close-knit community vibe make it ideal for families. Many homes go all-out with decorations, ensuring kids leave with both a full candy bag and plenty of Halloween memories.
  • Willow Glen – San Jose: Willow Glen is Halloween central in San Jose. By day, families enjoy the Trick or Treat on the Avenue event along Lincoln Avenue; by night, nearby residential streets come alive with costumed crowds, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, and decked-out porches. It’s festive, walkable, and one of the best Halloween scenes in the Bay.
  • Naglee Park – San Jose: Near downtown San Jose, Naglee Park blends historic charm with high Halloween spirit. The neighborhood is known for creative decorations, friendly residents, and a steady stream of trick-or-treaters. Expect an old-fashioned, community feel where every house seems to join in on the fun.
  • Rose Garden – San Jose: The Rose Garden neighborhood is another local favorite, with stately historic homes dressed in spooky finery. Families love its broad, tree-lined streets and welcoming vibe, making it a safe and scenic spot for Halloween night.
  • Almaden Valley – San Jose: In Almaden Valley, wide streets, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a community focus make for a great trick-or-treating experience. Many homes are beautifully decorated, and the area’s relaxed pace makes it a hit for younger kids.
  • Old Mountain View – Mountain View: Old Mountain View offers a walkable, small-town vibe with plenty of festive spirit. Twinkly lights, creative costumes, and pumpkin-lit porches line the streets, while nearby Castro Street provides a perfect post–candy run dinner stop.
  • Almond Grove – Los Gatos: Along Tait Avenue, Almond Grove turns into a pedestrian-only Halloween paradise. Streets close to traffic, ensuring safety for families, and homes are transformed with elaborate decorations that attract up to 1,000 visitors on Halloween night.
  • The Willows – Menlo Park: The Willows, especially around Pope Street, is one of the Peninsula’s most spirited neighborhoods. Residents deck out their homes and greet trick-or-treaters with plenty of candy and smiles. It’s a warm, community-oriented experience that families return to year after year.
  • Addison Avenue – Palo Alto: Near Addison Elementary, this neighborhood is known for its friendly residents and generous candy handouts. It’s an excellent choice for families with younger children looking for a safe, welcoming, and festive place to celebrate.
  • Southgate – Palo Alto: Located near Stanford, Southgate is a hidden gem for Halloween fun. Its cozy, well-connected streets fill with families and students alike, blending classic neighborhood warmth with Palo Alto’s spirited creativity. Expect imaginative costumes and front yards that channel serious Halloween energy.

But the Halloween fun doesn’t stop there. From spooky dance parties and pet parades to eerie parks and haunted houses, we’ve rounded up the best activities to celebrate Halloween in style. Dive into our guide for top trick-or-treat neighborhoods and thrilling events, and let’s make this a Halloween to remember!

For more Halloween fun, check my blogs Spookiest Haunted Attractions in Silicon Valley and Best Pumpkin Patches in Silicon Valley!

SAN CARLOS

Halloween Haunted Hangar

Celebrate Halloween with high-flying fun at the Hiller Aviation Museum! Dress in costume and explore the museum’s gallery—transformed with festive decorations for the season. Take part in the Great Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, open to all ages, and enjoy weekend-only attractions like the Haunted Hangar Festival and Helicopter Pumpkin Drop, where pumpkins meet a dramatic airborne finale!

Kids can also dive into aviation-themed activities, from cockpit exploration and aircraft checkouts to hands-on building stations for paper helicopters and gliders.

Skip the line by purchasing tickets online. Museum members receive free admission and do not need to reserve tickets in advance.

REDWOOD CITY

Halloween Spooktacular 2025

Head to the Red Morton Community Center for a Halloween celebration packed with excitement! Enjoy thrilling carnival games, wind your way through the Muah-ah-ah Monster Maze, get creative with creepy crafts, and snap spooky photos at themed backdrops. Little ones can visit the mini pumpkin patch and win fun prizes throughout the afternoon.

This family-friendly event is designed for kids up to age 10.

PALO ALTO

Moonlight Jack-O'-Jaunt

Calling all crafty spirits and whimsical witches! This Halloween season, under the moonlit Palo Alto sky, the City invites you to join the fifth annual Jack-O-Jaunt — a spellbinding display of glowing jack-o’-lanterns at Lytton Plaza.

Let your carved creations light up the night! Bring your own pumpkin masterpiece, or sign up for the Carve On-Site Workshop (3 PM – 5:30 PM at Lytton Plaza) to sculpt one on the spot. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

As dusk falls, stroll through the glowing gallery and vote for your favorites — from the scariest to the cutest to the most creative. Winners in each category will receive a $75 gift card to a Palo Alto business of their choice.

Ready your carving tools and let the pumpkin magic begin!

LOS ALTOS

A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween

Join the trick-or-treating fun in the heart of Downtown Los Altos! Little ghosts and goblins are invited to trick-or-treat at participating stores displaying an orange pumpkin sign in their windows.

🎃 Trick-or-Treating begins at 12 PM along Main and State Streets.
🎲 Games & Activities continue from 2 PM – 4 PM at Veterans Community Plaza, featuring a balloon artist, crafts, and spooky fun for kids of all ages.

Children are encouraged to bring their own treat bags and come in costume to enjoy all the festivities!

LOS GATOS

2025 Halloween Kid and Pet PAWlooza

Join the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce for the annual Halloween Kid & Pet PAWlooza, a fun-filled afternoon of family-friendly festivities in Downtown Los Gatos! Bring your little ones and four-legged friends—both in costume—for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, games, photo ops, and community fun at Town Plaza Park. Costumes are encouraged for all—kids, pets, and parents alike!

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Monster Bash

Hold on to your broomsticks! Rengstorff Park will transform into a spooky fun zone for all ages as Monster Bash returns to Mountain View.

Community members are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy a fall festival packed with activities — including a treat trail, spooky games, live performances, stilt walkers, inflatables, a creepy-crawly ooey-gooey zone, the Lil’ Ghouls Corral, and even a bike circus!

This free event is open to the public. Limited parking is available at the Mountain View Community Center and Senior Center, so walking or biking is encouraged.

CUPERTINO

Monster Mash

Get ready for a fang-tastic evening at Cupertino’s annual Monster Mash! This outdoor celebration is packed with Halloween fun for the whole family, featuring trick-or-treating, games, spooky crafts, and pumpkin decorating stations for kids.

Costumes are encouraged, and pre-registration is required for everyone attending. The event runs rain or shine, so come dressed for the weather and ready for a night of frights and delights!

  • Location: Quinlan Community Center, 10185 North Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA
  • Phone: (408) 777-3120
  • Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 5 pm - 8 pm
  • Admission: Early registration (by Oct 19): $17 (residents) / $21 (non-residents). Late registration (after Oct 19): $22 (residents) / $26 (non-residents). Each registration includes one child (2+) and two accompanying adults. All children must be registered and accompanied by an adult.

CAMPBELL

Creepy Crawly Halloween Trick-or-Treat

Downtown Campbell once again welcomes kids, pets, and families for its beloved Creepy Crawly Halloween, a two-hour costume-filled celebration that transforms the downtown streets into a festive Halloween scene.

Expect trick-or-treating at local businesses, costume fun, candy giveaways, and a community party atmosphere that brings out hundreds of families and friendly ghouls.

Due to the event’s popularity, crowds can be large and candy supplies may run low, so plan ahead—especially for younger children or pets who may prefer less bustle.

SUNNYVALE

Sunnyvale Halloween Pet Parade

Embrace the Halloween spirit with your furry friends at the Sunnyvale Pet Parade! Stroll through Downtown Sunnyvale’s Murphy Avenue in a festive display of costumes where both pets and their humans steal the spotlight.

Enter your pet in the costume or talent contests to show off their spooky style or special tricks—there are prizes for creativity, cuteness, and showmanship! It’s a day filled with family fun, music, food, and paws-itively adorable moments.

Everyone’s encouraged to join the fun — dress up your kids, pets, or even a favorite stuffed animal and be part of the parade!

Registration is free and open to the public, but required for participation (especially for the parade, costume contest and talent show)

SANTA CLARA

Children's SpooktaClara Halloween Party

Santa Clara’s favorite Halloween party is back at Central Park! Bring the kids for a festive afternoon filled with trick-or-treating, carnival games, pumpkin walk, crafts, music, sponsor giveaways, and more.

This free community event is open to children ages 10 and under and is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Halloween Picnic in the Park

Celebrate Halloween with a fun-filled day at City Plaza Park! This family-friendly event features spooky crafts, games, treats, and activities for all ages to enjoy.

Kick things off with a special Storytime hosted by Mission Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. — perfect for little ghouls and goblins. Costumes are encouraged, so bring your festive spirit (and a picnic lunch!) for a full day of fun in the park.

SAN JOSE

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo — Green Halloween

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo puts an eco-friendly spin on Halloween fun with its annual Green Halloween celebration. This family-friendly event blends festive activities with a focus on sustainability — perfect for little ghosts and goblins who love animals and the planet.

The main event takes place Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring two costume parades, a Creepy Crawly Critter Show at 12:45 p.m., and hands-on crafts that promote creativity and conservation. Kids can make reusable treat bags, decorate nature-inspired art, and learn about the zoo’s animal residents as they enjoy Halloween enrichment activities throughout the park.

Visitors who come in costume between October 18 and 31 receive $3 off general admission, making it a fun and affordable way to celebrate all month long.

Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival

Join the Halloween fun at Santana Row for its annual Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Fest! Revel in the festive spirit with live music, engage in creative pumpkin decorating, and embark on an exciting trick-or-treating adventure along The Row. The fun doesn't stop there — with stilt walkers, balloon artists, and an array of surprises, it's a magical day not to be missed! Don your most imaginative costumes and bring along your Trick-or-Treat bags for a day brimming with Halloween fun and memories to cherish.

Trick-or-Treat Along Lincoln Avenue

Downtown Willow Glen once again invites families to enjoy its beloved Trick-or-Treat the Avenue celebration! Local shops and restaurants along Lincoln Avenue — from Minnesota Ave to Willow St — will open their doors to young trick-or-treaters for a safe, family-friendly Halloween afternoon.

👻 Toddlers: 11 AM – 12:30 PM
🎒 School-Age Kids: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Participating businesses will hand out candy and treats, while Books for Treats, a beloved Willow Glen tradition, gives out children’s books instead of candy.

As evening falls, stroll through the nearby residential streets to see spookily decorated homes and meet friendly neighbors handing out plenty of candy.

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