{510} Halloween Guide for East Bay Kids

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!

Halloween Events in Berkeley

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, face painters, scary hair styling, art booth, live music, a bubble show, and the most fun happening before twilight.
Tuesday, 10/31 from 3-5 pm

Halloween Events for East Bay Kids

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

Boo at the Zoo (Oakland Zoo)

From October 1 – October 29. From 10 am to 4 pm, enjoy a kid-friendly Halloween- and animal-themed event at Boo at the Zoo with a self-guided scavenger hunt and treats. Winners of a costume contest will receive tickets to Glowfari later this year. Website to buy advance tickets >

Boo Fest at Six Flags (Vallejo)

From September 23-October 29, head to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for Boo Fest, a family-friendly Halloween event held on mostly weekend dates. This parkwide event is the daytime alternative to the after-hours jump-scare experience of Fright Fest.
Learn more >

Chabot’s Spooky Pumpkin Pontoons (Castro Valley)

From September 30-October 31, you can rent an 8-person boat to tour around Lake Chabot. This Halloween-themed package includes two hours on the seasonally decorated boat, coffee, hot chocolate and rice krispie treats, and a kids’ activity pack.
Learn more >

Fright Fest 2022 (Six Flags, Vallejo)

Occasional days from September 23 – October 29. Haunted attractions, tricked-out rides, creepy shows, and scare zones make this event better for big kids, tweens, and teens who want to be thrilled. No costumes are allowed for guests so that you know the zombies sneaking up on you are professionals. About $40 per ticket plus fees. Tickets available here >

Goblin Jamboree (Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito)

October 21 – October 29 (closed Monday & Tuesday). Advanced tickets for Goblin Jamboree are required for a 2.5-hour time slot of spooky-but-not-scary delights and the usual hands-on play museum goodness. $25 per person, members $20. Reserve your spot >

Haunted Train Ride (Ardenwood Historic Farm)

October 20-22 and October 27-29, 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 >

Halloween Jam (Children’s Fairyland)

October 20-22 and October 27-29, kids can enjoy a seasonal boo-tiful Fairyland with decked-out sets and rides with a scavenger hunt and crafts. The event starts at 10 am and runs until 4 pm. No costume? No problem! $18 for all people over age one. ($9 for Members) More about Fairyland Halloween Jam >

Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley)

October 29. Visitors wearing a costume can get free tickets to 3D films or Planetarium shows. Meet creepy crawly critters in the Animal Discovery Zone, and learn to make pumpkins fly through a catapult activity. Members can decorate their own glow-in-the-dark pumpkins in the Member Lounge. $20 for non-members over 3 Website >

Lindsay Wildlife Experience Howl-ooo-ween 2023 (Walnut Creek)

October 26. Crafts, activities, games, and face-painting as well as the animal visits we all love at Lindsay Wildlife. $20 for non-members, $15 for members, $13.50 per person when purchasing family tickets for 4 or more. Website >

Tilden Merry-Go-Round Halloween Party (Berkeley)

October 22 and 29. Event includes a buffet breakfast and unlimited rides during the time period, from 8.30 am to 10.30 am. Experience also offers a candy hunt, an animated Halloween movie playing, and character visits $55 for adults, $35 for children, $5 for infants. Website >

Fear Overload Scream Park (San Leandro)

Various Days September 23 – November 5. Not recommended for children under 12, Fear Overload offers two over-the-top haunted house attractions at Bayfair Center. Tickets are about $20 to $33 each. Website >

10+ East Bay-ish Trunk or Treat Events >

Halloween Tot Parade & Carnival (Piedmont)

October 29. Children 2 to 8 are invited to register in advance to pick up a wristband that will allow them to march in the costume parade and do all the games and activities that follow.  $10 per child over 2. Under 2 free. More details >

Teen Haunted House (Alameda)

October 27-29. Get ready to scream as you enter this haunted house run completely created and proudly presented by Alameda teens. Recommended for children 5 and older. $5-$7 per person. Website >

Boo-tacular @ Chuck E. Cheese (multiple)

All October. Come to Chuck E. Cheese in costume and enjoy extra game play with promo code, candy drops, and some slimy thematic food items. Nearby locations in Hayward, Newark, Concord, and Pinole. More details >

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 >

Families swim in floating pumpkin patch in pool for halloween
Swim with the pumpkins at a floating pumpkin patch | Photo: Maureen Burke

Calendar of Kid-Friendly East Bay Halloween Events

No Events Found

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 >

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

Weekends, October 14 – October 29. Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain. Dress up for Halloween with favorites, Thomas and Percy, for a 20-minute ride with entertainment, crafts, and photo opps. Pick a pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch. Website >

Orchard Days (Filoli, Woodside)

Weekends, September 23 – October 29. Orchard Days at Filoli is when this large scenic estate and garden celebrates the autumn harvest. Weave through apple trees and grapevines (but no picking, please!), listen to music, sip cider, and enjoy the 7-acre grounds. There’s lots of room to run for children, and Filoli makes a terrific mixed-age outing with grandparents. Website >

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

Through October 31. Join the Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area for games, building, and a fun monster hunt. Ideal for the LEGO lover in your family. Website >

Pumpkin Patch Express Train (River Fox Train, West Sacramento)

Weekends throughout October. This 2-hour family-friendly experience includes a one-hour train ride through Yolo County plus a one-hour “festival” of trick-or-treating, crafts, and a pumpkin. Costumes are encouraged. Gem mining is available for an additional fee. Learn more >

Haunted Hangar (Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos)

October 22 – October 31. 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 kids’ carnival at which you can paint the outside of an aircraft! Learn more >

More Things to Do With Kids in October >

Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park (Pleasanton)

Thursday to Sunday, September 29 – October 31. This haunted theme park is too scary for sensitive young ones but might delight your teens. It runs at night using 6 acres of the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Enter through Gate 8. Tickets available here >

costume collage
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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