Halloween Events for East Bay Kids

Thanks to Berkeley’s Fourth Street for sponsoring our Halloween Activities Guide this year.

Are kids so pleased with their costumes that they want to wear them more than once? Here is a round-up of Halloween activities and outings where Jedi Knights and Cleopatra will be more than welcome. October has so many opportunities for children to wear costumes and collect treats before October 31!

East Bay Halloween Events | “Worth the Drive” Seasonal Activities | Calendar of Kid-Friendly Halloween Events | Pumpkin Patches | Trunk-or-Treat Events | Dia de Los Muertos Activities

Fourth Street Trick or Treat and Halloween Fest

Put on your masks and costumes and head to Delaware at Fourth Street on Halloween afternoon for an adorable tot-friendly family event with merchant trick-or-treating, a magic show, wandering costumed characters, face painters, scary hair styling, an art booth, live music by PJay Smik Smak & the Cliffnottes, a bubble show, and the most fun happening before twilight. Lots more details >
Friday, 10/31 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Calendar of Kid-Friendly East Bay Halloween Events

Halloween Events for East Bay Kids

These special celebrations happen throughout October. Pick a few favorites and make plans for more Halloween-y fun.

10+ East Bay-ish Trunk or Treat Events >

Kids Boo Fest or 😱 Fright Fest (Six Flags, Vallejo)

Select days from September 20 – November 2, 2025. Older kids can try out the haunted attractions, tricked-out rides, creepy shows, and scare zones after 6 pm and younger children can enjoy scare-free candy and characters by day at Boo Fest. Ticket prices vary by day. Tickets available here >

😱 Fear Overload Scream Park (Newark)

Various Days September 20 – November 2, 2025. Not recommended for children under 12, Fear Overload offers two over-the-top haunted house attractions at Bayfair Center. Tickets start at $25 to $36 and increase closer to the event. Website >

Ghost House (The Chadbourne Carriage House, Fremont)

October 11-30, 2025. This is a non profit organization who puts on fantastic family fun with lots of games and activities + prizes and a spooky haunted house. For younger audiences, visit on October 18 for special lights-on tours, a children’s costume parade, caramel apples, and games.  Learn more>

Unhaunted House & Carnival Dino-ween (Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Hayward)

October 17-18, 2025. Dress up as your favorite dinosaur (or brave explorer) and step into a night full of games, crafts, and dino-sized surprises. The Unhaunted House & Carnival Dino-ween is a spooktacular all-ages adventure. $8 per person, children under 3 are free. Purchase tickets >

Haunted Train Ride (Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont)

October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26, 2025, A spooky, not scary, train ride that goes through the park after dark is designed for kids (who will not be scared of costumes and dark).  Buy tickets in advance >

Goblin Jamboree (Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito)

October 18-19, 24-26, 2025. Advanced tickets for Goblin Jamboree are required for a day of spooky-but-not-scary delights and the usual hands-on play museum goodness. $30 per person, members $25. Reserve your spot >

Floating Pumpkin Patches

In a fun way to take advantage of our mild East Bay climate, local swimming pools are transformed into pumpkin patches. Swim and splash your way to selecting a floating pumpkin that you can take home. Young children may need to be accompanied by a registered adult. Get the list of swimming pool pumpkin events >

Spooky Astronomy (Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland)

October 24, 2025. Chabot is serving up an evening of cosmic chills and family thrills. Enjoy frightfully fun activities, from science demos and creepy crafts to pumpkin carving and a not-so-scary storytime.  Reserve Tickets >

Halloween Jam (Children’s Fairyland, Oakland)

October 24-26, 2025. Kids can enjoy a seasonal boo-tiful Fairyland with decked-out festive sets and mad-science experiments. The event starts at 10 am and runs until 4 pm. No costume? No problem! $18-$21 admission. (Free for Members) More about Fairyland Halloween Jam >

Boo at the Zoo (Oakland)

October 24-26, 2025. Enjoy the Boo at the Zoo costume contest for one weekend only and collect a special edition trading card. Regular zoo admission rates apply. Members do not need reservations. All others can reserve a ticket online. Learn More about Boo at the Zoo >

BAD Halloween Bout (Richmond Memorial Auditorium, Richmond)

October 25, 2025. Join Bay Area Roller Derby to cheer on the Oakland Outlaws and San Francisco Rolling Dead in a spooky Halloween bout. Tickets >

Animal Day (Berkeley)

October 26, 2025. Celebrate the animals at UC Botanic Garden (and dress up like one, too!). Families will enjoy visiting with live animals, crafts, tours and interactive displays. Included with garden admission ($8-$18); children 4 and under are free. More details >

Halloween Train (Dublin to Oakland)

October 28, 2025. BART invites families to climb aboard a festively decorated Halloween Train filled with fun activities as it travels from Dublin/Pleasanton Station to BART PD’s annual Trunk or Treat at Lake Merritt Station. Space is limited and registration is required for this special Halloween event train. All ages are welcome. More details >

Halloween Jam: Mad Magic (Children’s Fairyland, Oakland)

October 31, 2025, Celebrate Halloween at Fairyland with Halloween Jam: Mad Magic from 12–7 p.m. Enjoy trick-or-treating, mad science STEM activities, live performances, and the Mad Science Fairy Fun House. $25 general admission. ($20 for Members) Tickets >

Live Oak Halloween Bash (Berkeley)

October 31, 2025, Kick off Halloween morning with a party full of treats, tricks, and spooky fun! Come in costume for creepy crafts, sweet snacks, a thrilling treasure hunt, and prizes for everyone. Free event, registration required.  Register by Friday, October 30 >

Lake Chabot’s Spooky Pontoon Boat Rides (Castro Valley)

October 1-31, 2025. Rent an entire festively decorated spooky pontoon boat for your group for two hours with beverages and a goody bag. Thematic toys, treats, and food are available for extra. $239-$269 for a party of up to 8. Website >

Costumes & Critters (Berkeley)

November 1, 2025. Join Lawrence Hall of Science for a Halloween extravaganza with costume fun, hands-on science activities, a spooky scavenger hunt, and creepy crawly critters. Website >

Halloween Carnival (Piedmont)

Families have long caught the spooky spirit at Piedmont’s Halloween Spooktacular Carnival & Parade, featuring a costume parade (starting at 11 AM), trick-or-treating in Piedmont Park, face painting, storytime, and family-friendly games—perfect for kids ages 2–8. Stay tuned for details as we hope this festive tradition returns in 2025.

Find more Halloween Activities on the {510} Families Calendar >>

Halloween Activities Worth the Drive for East Bay Families

Only you know whether you’ll get the joy from your journey if you go a little further afield, but here are some cool ideas for families that don’t mind a bit of a drive.

Best Bay Area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes >

Brick-or-Treat (LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Milpitas)

September 25 – October 31, 2025. Join the Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area for games, building, potion experiments, a 4D Movie called The Great Monster Chase, and a fun monster hunt. Ideal for the LEGO lover in your family. Website >

Great Big Boo (Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy)

September 25 – November 2, 2025. Perfect for young families, Gilroy Gardens offers a not-too-spooky park glowing with Halloween decorations. Trick-or-treat along the BOO Trail, enjoy special live performances, and try seasonal treats like apple pumpkin funnel cake. Website >

Nightfall (Filoli, Woodside)

October 3 – November 10, 2025. In the evenings Filoli transforms into a mysterious world full of glowing mushrooms, roaming slugs, spooky scarecrows, and shifting shadows. Website >

Thomas & Percy’s Halloween Party (Roaring Camp, Felton)

Weekends, October 4 – 26, 2025. Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain. Dress up for Halloween with favorites, Thomas and Percy, for a 25-minute ride with entertainment, crafts, and photo ops. Includes a small pumpkin and a costume contest. Website >

Haunted Hangar (Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos)

October 17 – 27, 2025. Come in costume and explore the spookily decorated airplane hangar at the Hiller Aviation Museum (included with museum admission fees) while you tackle the Great Pumpkin scavenger hunt. On weekends, there are special kids’ activities like a helicopter pumpkin drop and a kids’ carnival at which you can paint the outside of an aircraft! Learn more >

SuperNatural (Cal Academy, San Francisco)

October 24, 2025. Head to Cal Academy for a STEM-filled night filled with mad scientists, silent disco dancing, and live animal demonstrations. Dress in your spookiest getup and trick-or-treat at stations throughout the museum. $45-$60 per person. Purchase tickets >

Mare Island Halloween Block Party (Vallejo)

October 25, 4-8 pm, 2025. Trick-or-treat down Officers Row, paint pumpkins, dance to spooky beats, or enjoy treats from local food trucks. Four-legged friends are also invited to participate in the dog howloween costume contest. This is a free event, but organizers would appreciate an RSVP. More info >

Boo at the Zoo (San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco)

October 25 – 26, 2025. Bring the whole family for a spooktacular Halloween celebration at the SF Zoo from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM. Enjoy music, crafts, bubbles, and plenty of candy, and don’t forget to wear your best costume for a day of festive fun. Learn more >

The Haunt, An Artistically-Twisted Haunted House (YBCA, San Francisco)

October 25 – November 1, 2025. The Haunt, is an artist-made haunted house that’s spooky, campy, and full of DIY magic. Afternoon shows are family-friendly and “kid-scary,” while evening shows are recommended for ages 13 and up. Purchase Tickets>

Howl-ooo-ween (Lindsay Wildlife Experience, Walnut Creek)

October 28, 2025. Families are invited to dress up to meet the wildlife center’s not-so-spooky animal ambassadors. There will also be spooktacular crafts, games, a Mad Scientist and face painting. Purchase tickets >

Urban Air Halloween Party (Urban Air, Concord)

October 29, 2025. Urban Air Concord Halloween Party with a costume catwalk contest, candy buckets on the climbing wall, spooky music and movies, plus a free slice of pizza and an ICEE for anyone in costume. Learn more >

More Things to Do With Kids in October >
Inspiring Halloween costumes | Photo: Fourth Street

This Halloween Guide for Bay Area Kids was sponsored by the Fourth Street Shopping District in Berkeley, one of our favorite Halloween destinations for families.

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