Best Trick-or-Treat Spots in Silicon Valley

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 is a popular neighborhood in Sunnyvale for trick-or-treating. Located near the Ortega Park area, residents often go all out with decorations, and the neighborhood’s safe, well-lit streets make it ideal for trick-or-treaters of all ages.
• 19992 Rodrigues Ave in Cupertino is known for its impressive Halloween displays. The homeowners go all out with their decorations, creating elaborate themed setups that attract many trick-or-treaters and Halloween enthusiasts. Although it's a single house rather than an entire neighborhood, the quality of the decorations and likely generous candy offerings make it a standout destination for Halloween in the Cupertino area.
• In Cupertino, the Bubb Road neighborhood is a favorite for Halloween festivities. This area, especially around Portal Avenue and the streets branching off, sees a lot of participation, with homes decked out in Halloween decorations and plenty of families welcoming trick-or-treaters.
• Ranked as the top neighborhood for trick-or-treating in San Jose, Cambrian Park features tree-lined streets, good walkability, and low crime rates.
• Willow Glen is famous for its vibrant Halloween celebrations. Families flock here for trick-or-treating, with many homes elaborately decorated. The local merchants participate in a Trick or Treat on the Avenue event (see below). After dark, the neighborhood buzzes with trick-or-treaters visiting homes stocked with candy.
• The Rose Garden neighborhood in San Jose is a popular trick-or-treat spot, known for its historic homes and festive decorations. Families enjoy the safe, welcoming atmosphere, while the tree-lined streets and creative displays make it a memorable Halloween destination.
• Almaden Valley in San Jose offers a fantastic trick-or-treat experience with spacious, family-friendly neighborhoods and well-decorated homes. The tree-lined streets and low traffic enhance safety, making it a great spot for kids to enjoy Halloween.
• Almond Grove, especially along Tait Avenue in Los Gatos, is a top spot for trick-or-treating. The area is closed to traffic, ensuring safety for families. Homes are elaborately decorated, attracting up to 1,000 trick-or-treaters on Halloween night!
• The Willows neighborhood in Menlo Park, particularly along Pope Street, is a popular spot for trick-or-treating. Residents go all out with elaborate Halloween decorations. The community spirit is strong, with neighbors generously handing out candy, making it an ideal location for families with younger children.
• Addison Avenue near Addison Elementary in Palo Alto is a vibrant spot for trick-or-treating. It's an annual tradition to join the nearby Steve Jobs Halloween Block Party on October 31. The event features food, games, and music, creating a festive atmosphere. Friendly residents generously hand out candy, making it a safe and enjoyable location for families.

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

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Get ready for some Halloween fun at the Hiller Aviation Museum! Come dressed in your favorite costume and explore the gallery, which will be decked out with spooky Halloween decorations. Don't miss the "Great Pumpkin" Scavenger Hunt, perfect for all ages! On weekends from 10am to 2pm, enjoy special activities for kids, including the Halloween Kids' Carnival and Haunted Hangar Festival, featuring the Helicopter Pumpkin Drop! Kids can also enjoy exciting events like aircraft checkouts, cockpit exploration, and hands-on fun like building gliders and helicopters.

Skip the lines by purchasing your tickets online. Museum members enjoy free entry and do not need admission tickets.

REDWOOD CITY

Halloween Spooktacular 2024

Head to the Red Morton Community Center for a Halloween celebration packed with excitement! Enjoy thrilling carnival games, navigate the spine-chilling Muah-ah-ah Monster Maze, get creative with creepy crafts, strike a pose at the spooky photo backdrops, explore the mini pumpkin patch, and win fun prizes! Don’t miss out on the fun!

This event is suitable for kids up to age 10.

• Location: Red Morton Community Center,1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061
• Phone: (650) 780-7311
• Date: Saturday, October 19th @ 12pm – 3pm
• Admission: $10 per child (includes up to two grown-ups); pre-registration is encouraged.

PALO ALTO

Moonlight Jack-O'-Jaunt

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Calling all crafty spirits and whimsical witches! This Halloween season, under the mysterious moonlit sky, the City of Palo Alto summons you to partake in the spellbinding spectacle of the fifth annual Jack-O-Jaunt! Let your masterfully carved jack-o'-lanterns cast their ghostly glow across Lytton Plaza.

No room in your haunted house for carving? Fear not! Enroll in their Carve On-Site workshop (3 pm - 5:30 pm at Lytton Plaza), and unleash your creativity! But be warned, spaces are as elusive as a witch's whisper, so pre-registration is a must.

Prepare for a parade of pumpkins, as the community’s eyes will be the judge, voting for the scariest, cutest, and most ingenious creations. Winners of each category will receive a $75 gift card to a Palo Alto business of their choosing.

Ready your carving tools and let the magic begin!

LOS ALTOS

A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween

Join the fun on Thursday, October 31st, for A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween in Downtown Los Altos. This Trick-or-Treating event invites children to explore stores displaying an orange pumpkin sign in the window. Trick-or-treating begins at noon, followed by Halloween fun and games at Veterans Community Plaza from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Children are encouraged to bring their own treat bags and enjoy a variety of activities, including fun games, a balloon artist, creepy crafts, and more!

LOS ALTOS HILLS

Trick or Treat at Town Hall

Open to trick-or-treaters of all ages, this event presents a thrilling opportunity for children to don their most creative Halloween costumes and embark on a festive trick-or-treating adventure through the Town Hall offices. Participants might even encounter a few of their elected officials along the way! Spooky!

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Monster Bash

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Hold on to your broomsticks! Mountain View’s Rengstorff Park will transform into a spooky fun zone for all ages with the return of Monster Bash. Community members are invited to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy a fall festival packed with activities, including a treat trail, spooky games, enchanting performances, stilt walkers, inflatables, a creepy crawly ooey gooey zone, the Lil Ghouls Corral, a bike circus, and more.

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 to the event is encouraged.

CAMPBELL

Thrill the World Zombie Crawl

Each Halloween, a spooky curse descends on Downtown Campbell, bringing with it a horde of dancing zombies performing the iconic "Thriller" dance as they shuffle from one end of downtown to the other. Organized by Adira Dance and Costume in San Jose, this annual event features multiple performances of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance at various stops throughout the evening.

The group will perform the dance 6 to 8 times during the event, with the first stop at Opa's shortly after 7:00 pm. From there, they will make their way toward the railroad tracks, loop back down the street to Aqui’s, and wrap up the night just before 9:00 pm at El Guapo's.

To catch the performance, grab an outdoor table at one of the restaurants or hang out on the street and keep an eye out for the undead!

• Location: Downtown Campbell, E Campbell Ave and N 1st Street, Campbell, CA 95008
• Phone: (408) 866-1991
• Date: Saturday, October 26th @ 7pm - 9pm
• Admission: Free

Creepy Crawly Halloween Trick-or-Treat 2024

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Gather all the little ghouls, goblins, and caped crusaders—both two-legged and four-legged—for a spine-tingling adventure of trick-or-treating in Downtown Campbell’s haunted district, known for its frightfully fun atmosphere!

Each year, the historic streets of Downtown Campbell transform into a spooky spectacle for the Creepy Crawly Halloween event, a two-hour costume extravaganza. While candy and treats are a tempting draw, the real excitement comes from the lively, community-wide costume celebration that takes over the town.

Though there won’t be a costume contest this year, there’s still plenty of excitement to look forward to. Keep an eye out for the Thrill the World zombies performing the iconic Thriller dance throughout the evening—you won’t want to miss them!

SUNNYVALE

Sunnyvale Halloween Pet Parade

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Embrace the Halloween spirit with your furry friends at the Sunnyvale Pet Parade! Stroll through downtown Sunnyvale in a festive display of costumes, where both pets and their owners steal the show. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Enter your pet in our costume and talent contests to showcase their unique charm. Whether they’re rocking a spooky outfit or showing off an impressive trick, your pet could be the star of the event!

It’s a day full of family fun, unforgettable memories, and paws-itively delightful surprises! The city encourages everyone to join in the fun—dress up your kids, pets, yourself, or even a favorite stuffed animal. All are welcome!

SANTA CLARA

Children's Halloween Party

Prepare for a day of thrills at Santa Clara's Central Park as it transforms into the ultimate Halloween extravaganza! Step into a magical world filled with spellbinding carnival games and a captivating pumpkin walk. Brave the "Trick-or-Treat Row," where surprises lurk around every corner!

Kids can jump into the fun with bouncy inflatable jumpers, perfect for little witches and wizards to burn off some energy. Unleash your creativity with spooky arts and crafts, creating fun keepsakes to take home. Don’t miss this enchanting mix of Halloween fun—it’s sure to bewitch the entire family!

SAN JOSE

Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival

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Santana Row is excited to host its annual Halloween Family Fest, offering a day of festive fun for the whole family. 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 invites families to their annual Trick-or-Treat the Avenue event! Local participating businesses along Lincoln Avenue, from Minnesota Ave to Willow St, will be handing out candy and other treats. Willow Glen's Books for Treats organization will be giving kids’ books instead of candy this Halloween.

In the evening, head to the streets off the main street where you will find houses decked in spooky decorations, and find neighbors handing out plenty of candy.