As the eerie mist settles over the San Francisco Bay Area this October, magic is brewing in the air! It's that time of the year when little ghouls, witches, and wizards roam the streets in the quest for sweet treats, and our furry friends get in on the spooky action too! 🐾 Cities up and down the peninsula are conjuring up trick-or-treat events that promise not just a SPOOK-TACULAR time, but also an enchantingly safe environment for everyone—paws included!
Are you ready to embark on a Halloween adventure where fun lurks around every corner? 🌟 From haunted high-rises to the mystical trails of our local parks, we've unearthed the ultimate list of destinations. These are places where candy-filled cauldrons await your little ones, and pet-friendly potions are ready for your curious critters. Get set for a night of memorable mischief, heartwarming howls, and delightful door-to-door trick-or-treating... plus so much more!
Join us on this bewitched journey through the best spots for celebrating Halloween in style and safety. Let's unveil the mystery together! 🕯️👻
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
You're in for a frightful treat at the Hiller Aviation Museum! Come in costume and see the Hangar decked out in spooky Halloween decorations. The kids will love the “Great Pumpkin” Scavenger Hunt. Don't miss the special Halloween Kid's Carnival and Helicopter Pumpkin Drop on weekends from 10 AM to 12 PM! Museum admission includes all exhibits and the aircraft gallery, the outside Boeing 747 nose section and cockpit, the Invention Lab maker space on weekends, and free Demos on weekends at recurring times throughout the day. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the museum website.
Location: Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070
Phone: (650) 654-0200
Dates: Saturday, October 19th – Thursday, October 31st @10 AM – 5 PM
Admission: Adults $22, Seniors & Youth $14, Children under 4 admitted free. Avoid the lines by purchasing your tickets online. Museum Members are free and do not need admission tickets.
REDWOOD CITY
Halloween Spooktacular 2024
Step right up for some Cool Carnival Games, Muah-ah-ah Monster Maze, Creepy Crafts, Spooky Photo Back Drops, Mini Pumpkin Patch, Prizes & FUN!
Pre-registration is encouraged to secure your spot, however, you are welcome to drop-ins on the day of the event. Parents/guardians are free with child admission (limit 2 guests per child). No refunds after purchase. If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to give your receipt to someone else to enjoy the event!
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); purchase tickets here.
PALO ALTO
Moonlight Jack-O'-Jaunt
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 fourth 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 right here with us! 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.
For the secrets and spells of the Jack-O-Jaunt, visit the City of Palo Alto's recreation website. Ready your carving tools and let the magic begin! 🌙🕸️
Location: Lytton Plaza, 200 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: (650) 641-8947
Date: Friday, October 25th @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Admission: Free, Carve On-Site Workshop $20
LOS ALTOS
A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween
Get ready for a spellbinding experience this Halloween! Venture into the heart of downtown Los Altos for "A BOO-tiful Downtown Halloween" extravaganza. On the day of Halloween, our enchanting town transforms into a haven for young trick-or-treaters on a spirited quest. Keep your eyes peeled for stores bedecked with orange pumpkins, signaling mystic spots for sweet surprises! The bewitching hour begins at noon.
But that's not all! Wander over to Veterans Community Plaza between 12 pm and 4 pm for an afternoon brimming with Halloween Fun & Games. Dive into an array of activities, from captivating games to a magical balloon artist, and from creepy crafts to even more thrilling adventures! 🎈🕷️ Don't forget to bring your treat bag to collect all the spooky goodies.
Location: Downtown Los Altos, Main And State Streets, 88 Main St, Los Altos, CA 94022
Phone: (650) 949-5282
Date: Thursday, October 31 @ 12 pm – 4 pm
Admission: Free
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!
Location: Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Phone: (650) 941 7222
Date: Thursday, October 31 @ 3 pm - 5 pm
Admission: Free
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Monster Bash
Hold on to your broomsticks! On Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rengstorff Park in Mountain View will transform into a lively, Halloween-themed celebration as the beloved Monster Bash returns. This family-friendly fall festival invites ghosts, goblins, and ghouls of all ages to join the fun. Guests are encouraged to wear their best costumes and enjoy a jam-packed day of exciting activities, including a Treat Trail, spooky games, mesmerizing live performances, a towering stilt walker, the enchanting Lil Ghouls Corral, and an inflatable zone perfect for bouncing. Brave souls can explore the Creepy Crawly Ooey Gooey Zone, while thrill-seekers can pedal into the fun with the Bike Circus.
Visit MountainView.gov/MonsterBash for more information.
Location: 201 S Rengstorff Ave. Mountain View, California 94040
Phone: (408) 777-3120
Date: Saturday, October 26th @ 10 am - 2 pm
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Limited parking is available at the Mountain View Community Center and Senior Center. Walking or biking to the event is encouraged.
CAMPBELL
Thrill the World Zombie Crawl
Each Halloween, Downtown Campbell falls under a spell, summoning a legion of dancing zombies who "Thriller" their way through the streets. Orchestrated by San Jose's Adira Dance and Costume, these undead performers deliver Michael Jackson's iconic routine 6 to 8 times in one eerie evening.
To witness the spectacle, secure an outdoor spot or simply follow the echoes of "Thriller" on the haunted avenues. Stay tuned for more spine-chilling details!
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
Gather all the tiny ghouls, goblins, and caped crusaders, both two-legged and four-legged, for a spine-tingling escapade of trick-or-treating in the haunted district known for its frightfully delightful fun!
Downtown Campbell transforms into a spectral showcase during the annual Creepy Crawly Halloween event, unleashing a two-hour costume supernova upon its historic streets. While candy and other treats are a sweet draw, the true spirit of this event lies in the community-wide costume extravaganza that takes over the town, offering more than just sugary bonuses to its attendees.
Though the shadows of disappointment may loom with the absence of a costume contest this year, a thrilling surprise lurks around the corner. You don't want to miss the "Thrill the World" zombies who will be performing the iconic Thriller Dance throughout the eerie evening.
Location: Downtown Campbell, E Campbell Ave and N 1st Street, Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 866-1991
Date: Sunday, October 27th @ 4pm - 6pm
Admission: Free
SUNNYVALE
Sunnyvale Halloween Pet Parade and Faire
🎃🐾 Embrace the Halloween spirit with your furry friends at the Sunnyvale Pet Parade! March through downtown Sunnyvale in a festive display of costumes, with decked-out pets and pet parents stealing the spotlight. But that's not all! Showcase your pet's unique charm in our costume and talent contests. Whether flaunting a spooky costume or performing an astonishing trick, your pet could be the star of the show! It's a day of family fun, unforgettable memories, and paws-itively delightful surprises! 🐶👻
Location: Downtown Sunnyvale (Murphy Ave), Sunnyvale, CA
Phone: (408) 220-5407
Date: Sunday, October 27 @ 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: Free | Register your pet here.
SANTA CLARA
Children's Halloween Party
Get ready for a thrill-filled day at Santa Clara's Central Park as it transforms into the ultimate Halloween extravaganza! Immerse yourself in an enchanting world featuring spellbinding carnival games and a mystical pumpkin walk. Dare to explore the “Trick-or-Treat Row,” where surprises await around every corner!
Leap into fun in the bouncy inflatable jumpers, perfect for little witches and wizards burning off some magic. Unleash your creativity in a realm of arts and crafts, crafting memories (and masterpieces!) to take home. Don't miss this mesmerizing mix of Halloween delights—it's sure to bewitch the whole family! 🕸️👻✨
Location: Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd. Santa Clara, CA
Phone: (408) 615-3140
Date: Saturday, October 26th @ 12 pm – 3 pm
Admission: Free
SAN JOSE
Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival
Get ready for a spooktacular extravaganza at Santana Row's annual Halloween Family Fest, returning this year on Tuesday, October 29th, from 10 AM to noon! 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. 🎃👻
Kids eat free on Tuesdays.
Location: Santana Row, 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA
Phone: (408) 551 4611
Date: Tuesday, October 29th @ 10 am-noon
Admission: Free
Trick-or-Treat Along Lincoln Avenue
Trick or Treating along Lincoln Avenue is a long-standing community tradition, and it's back this year. On Halloween, shops along Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen will open up their businesses to trick-or-treating toddlers and babies in strollers from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, and school-age kids in costume from 3 PM to 4:30 PM. 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.
Also enjoy Halloween-themed arts and crafts, live DJs, airbrush face painting, special Halloween characters, and more!
Location: Willow Glen Downtown, Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: (408) 298-2100
Date: Thursday, October 31 @ 11 am - 12:30 pm (toddlers) 3 pm - 4:30 pm (school-age kids)
Admission: Free