Best Things to Do With Kids in October

September 30, 2026
by Tiffany Maxwell
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We appreciate the Oakland Ballet Company for sponsoring our October list of great activities for families. Celebrate Día de los Muertos with Oakland Ballet Company’s Luna Mexicana on October 30 and November 1, and experience a vibrant performance inspired by Mexican traditions.

Boo-ya, it is October! We’re heading into the season of pumpkins, fall festivals, corn mazes, outdoor fun, and of course, Halloween. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of amazing East Bay activities for the kids in our lives.

dancer at Luna Mexicana — The Oakland Ballet perform Luna Mexicana at the Paramount Theatre | Photo: Jordan Park for Oakland Ballet

Save the Date for These Exciting Community Events

Oct.1: Musical Story Time @The Freight
Oct. 2: Movie Under the Stars: Finding Nemo
Oct. 3: Oakland Black Cowboy Parade & Festival
Oct. 3-4: Oaktoberfest in Dimond
Oct. 4: Community Music Day
Oct. 6: Try (it) Out
Oct. 9-11: San Francisco Fleet Week
Oct. 10: Big Truck Bonanza
Oct. 10-11: Latinx Heritage Celebration at Children’s Fairyland
Oct. 12: Indigenous Peoples’ Day at The Lawrence
Oct. 14: Not-So-Scary Halloween Magic Show
Oct. 15-17: Lake Merritt Autumn Lights Festival
Oct. 17: Berkeley Harvest Festival
Oct. 18: Kensington Fall Picnic
Oct. 21: Dia de los Muertos Music and Dance
Oct. 23: Halloween Movie in the Park
Oct. 24: Family Halloween Day
Oct. 25: Animal Day
Oct. 27: Free Entrance Day at National Parks
Oct. 28: Monster Mash
Oct. 30 & Nov. 1: Oakland Ballet Company’s Luna Mexicana
Oct. 31: Halloween!

Check our kid-friendly events calendar for something special every day >

Halloween Happenings

Halloween is my family’s favorite holiday. There are so many themed events from the annual Goblin Jamboree at Bay Area Discovery Museum to Fairyland’s Halloween Jam. Find places to buy or create your costume and join in the fun from parades to puppet shows. It’s truly a holiday that children and kids at heart can enjoy! See our Halloween Guide for Families >

Reserve Tickets to Oakland Ballet Company’s Luna Mexicana

Reserve your tickets for Friday, October 30, and Sunday, November 1, and celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Oakland Ballet Company’s Luna Mexicana. Experience an elaborate performance featuring exuberant dance, joyful music, colorful costumes, flowers, candles, traditional food, and, most of all, a celebration of family. Purchase Tickets >

Plus, we have found cool shows and musical performances for kids. Does your child love Thomas and Percy? If you’re interested in experiencing Christmas magic, some holiday train rides are now selling tickets.

Find more upcoming ticketed performances and events >

dia de los muertos dancer in front of a glowing ofrenda with skulls — Oakland Ballet’s Luna Mexicana | Photo: Jordan Park

It’s Time for Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patching, and Corn Mazing

If your family is all about apples, we rounded up a handful of apple orchards in the Bay Area that should have a delicious crop well into October — there are also plentiful pomegranates. And don’t forget to visit the farm for a day of pumpkin picking and strolling through the corn maze. See our guide to Bay Area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes with excellent choices for families. Remember to always confirm hours with the orchard or farm by phone or social media in advance.

girl walking in corn maze — The huge corn maze is best for kids over five and able to walk for about an hour (in Dixon) | Photo: Julie Herson

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15. There are multiple ways to celebrate the diverse Latinx communities and cultures throughout the East Bay and beyond. Look for drop-in crafting at local libraries and special shows. Find more opportunities to mark the vibrant histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx individuals in our Hispanic Heritage Month Guide >

Later in the month, there are many Dia de los Muertos events, too!

Diwali Celebrations for Children

Festive Diwali events and parties with dancing, food, and lights begin around October 17 and continue through Diwali on Sunday, November 8. Many Diwali events require a ticket >

kids doing crafts in costume — Discover *pumpkinspired*, *unboolievable* hands-on activities designed by the museum’s early education dream team at Goblin Jamboree | Photo: Bay Area Discovery Museum

Favorite Free & Cheap Happenings

Need some planning inspiration? We’ve got you covered! We gathered up our favorite free and inexpensive activities in the East Bay to serve as a go-to, weekday itinerary when you’re in a pinch.

Mondays – Dance, move, and play at the Little Dance Party
Tuesdays – Join Hikes for Tykes (first and third Tuesdays)
Wednesdays – Get your wiggles out at Rockin’ Jump
Thursdays – Learn to play instruments at Music in the Park
Fridays – Stroll through Blake Garden in Kensington
Saturdays – Get creative at MOCHA in the Library
Sundays – View a Fish Feeding at Crab Cove

Rockin’ Tots at Rockin' Jump — Rockin’ Tots for Kids Under 6. | Photo: Tiffany Maxwell

Plus, plan an outing to one of the world-class museums in the Bay Area; take advantage of free admission on certain days. Learn more about ways to get into museums for free >

Oct. 1: BAMPFA in Berkeley
Oct. 3-4: Bank of America Free Museum Days
Oct. 4: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and First Sunday at OMCA (nearly free!)
Oct. 6: Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
Oct. 6 and every Saturday: de Young Museum in San Francisco
Oct. 7: GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco
Oct. 13: San Francisco Botanical Garden

Thanks again to Oakland Ballet Company for sponsoring this month’s post. Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Oakland Ballet Company on Friday, October 30, and Sunday, November 1.