Thanks to Berkeley’s Fourth Street for sponsoring our Halloween Activities Guide this year.
Are kids so pleased with their costumes 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 welcomed. Calling all members of the PAW Patrol. October has so many opportunities for children to wear costumes and collect treats.
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
The 😱 denotes an event that is probably too scary for little ones but might work well for the older kids in the family.
Fourth Street Halloween Parade
Put on your masks and costumes and head to Delaware at Fourth Street on Halloween afternoon for an adorable tot-friendly family parade with marching live music, goody bags, giant bubbles, goofy characters, and the most fun happening before twilight.
COVID Precautions: we ask that all children and non-vaccinated adults be masked. Hand sanitizing stations will be available.
Halloween & Seasonal Events for East Bay Kids
These incredible, seasonal celebrations happen throughout October. Pick a few favorites and make reservations for more Halloween-y fun.
Boo at the Zoo (Oakland Zoo)
Fridays through Sundays from October 8 – October 31. From 10 am to 4 pm, enjoy a kid-friendly Halloween- and animal-themed event with a self-guided scavenger hunt and treats. Winners of a costume contest will receive tickets to Glowfari later this year. Families with prior reservations leave with a goody bag, those who buy at the gate may not. Website >
Halloween Jam (Children’s Fairyland)
October 22 – October 31, kids can enjoy a seasonal boo-tiful Fairyland with decked-out sets and rides before they march in a Monster Mash Parade and collect their own special surprise treat on their way out! Parades happen twice daily, after each session. The morning event starts at 9 am and the afternoon one begins at 1 pm. No costume? No problem! $15 for all people over age one. Get tickets before they sell out >
😱 Fear Overload Scream Park (San Leandro)
Various Days September 25 – November 6. Not recommended for children under 12, Fear Overload offers two over-the-top haunted house attractions at Bayfair Center. Tickets are about $20 to $30 each. Website >
Ten East Bay-ish Trunk or Treat Events >
Calendar of Kid-Friendly East Bay Halloween Events
No Events
Halloween Activities Worth the Drive for East Bay Families
Only you know whether you’ll get the joy for your journey if you go a little further afield, but here are some pretty cool ideas for families that don’t mind a bit of a drive.
Family & Friends Character Walk (Vallejo)
October 17 at 11 am or 1 pm. This adorable tot-friendly event offers photos with a unicorn pony, bounce house, costume parade, and Ballet Folklorico along with more special treats, goody bags, giveaways, and fun activities for smaller children. Reserve a spot, spaces are limited.
Goblin Jamboree (Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito)
October 23 – October 31 (closed Monday & Tuesday). Advanced tickets 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 >
Best Bay Area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes >
Pumpkin Days (CuriOdyssey)
Wednesday to Sunday, October 1 – October 31. This science playground and zoo hosts Jack-o’-lanterns, animal ambassadors, and pumpkin science to celebrate the harvest. Costumes are welcome all month. We love this place for preschoolers. Halloween activities are included with CuriOdyssey admission. Website >
Harvest Faire (Roaring Camp, Felton)
Weekends, October 9 – October 31. Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain. Pick a pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch. Have fun with Covid-safe children’s heritage activities like gold panning and a real blacksmith. Website >
Pumpkin Picking Festival (Rancho Siempre Verde, Pescadero)
October 9, 10, 16, 17. Admission to the pumpkin festival admits up to six guests (one carload) for 5 pumpkins, 3.5 hours of farm fun activities (swings, slides, tractor rides, wreath-making), one bunch of sunflowers, and a bag of farm-grown apples. Website >
Orchard Days (Filoli, Woodside)
Weekends, September 25 – October 31. 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 >
Harry Potter Halloween House (San Rafael)
Saturday & Sunday, October 30 – October 31. This residential home in San Rafael goes all out with Harry Potter character displays, magical treats, and a photo booth area. You’re invited to swing by between 6 to 9 pm to check it out. Find more info on Instagram >
😱 Fright Fest 2021 (Six Flags, Vallejo)
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from September 25 – October 31. 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 $30 per ticket plus fees. Tickets available here >
Pumpkin Patch Express Train (River Fox Train, West Sacramento)
Weekends, October 2 – October 31. This 2.5-hour family-friendly experience includes the two-hour train ride through Yolo County, trick-or-treating, crafts, and a pumpkin. Costumes are encouraged. Gem mining is available for an additional fee. Learn more >
More Things to Do With Kids in October >
😱 Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park (Pleasanton)
Thursday to Sunday, September 30 – 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 >
Horse Parties for Ages 1 to 15 (Prancing Princess Pony, Brentwood)
Saturdays, October 24, October 30. Enjoy an hour-long Halloween party with a pony ride, crafts, face painting, trick-or-treating around the ranch, and leave with a small pumpkin. $100 per child. Learn more >
Haunted Hangar (Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos)
October 23 – 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. Learn more >
Trick or Treat (Charlie’s Acres, Sonoma)
Saturday, October 30. Visit Charlie’s Acres Animal Sanctuary for an animal lover’s Halloween party that lasts about an hour. Activities include a costume parade, feed the rescued animals, close-up goat visit, and pumpkin smash. Guests leave with a goody bag. Timed tickets are $30 each. Learn more >
Tri-Valley Halloween Con (Shannon Center, Dublin)
Sunday, October 31. Halloween-themed celebration of pop culture, toys, anime, and characters. A free, family-friendly cosplay costume contest awards cash prizes. Kids under 10 are free. Learn more >
Halloween Boo-tacular (Chuck E. Cheese)
Through October 31 at participating locations. Enjoy fun games and ghoulish goodies, plus children dressed in costume can receive extra Free Game Play. There’s even a new Halloween show every night starting at 6 pm. Website >
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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