{510} 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 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 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.

Calendar of Kid-Friendly East Bay Halloween Events

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Halloween & Seasonal Events for East Bay Kids

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

Boo at the Zoo (Oakland Zoo)

Fridays through Sundays from October 22 – October 31. 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 >

Halloween Jam (Children’s Fairyland)

October 21 – October 30, 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. More about Fairyland Halloween Jam >

😱 Fear Overload Scream Park (San Leandro)

Various Days September 30 – 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 >

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 >

Spooktacular Lake Chabot Queen Tour (Oakland)

Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 23, and Oct 30. Narrated one-hour Lake Chabot tour with some spooky twists. $10 for adults, $6 for kids. Treat bags are available for an extra charge. Website >

Boo Bash at Hip Hop (Hayward)

October 15 and 29. Hosted at an indoor bounce house play center, kids are invited to join a night of pumpkin decorating, crafts, and play. Arrive in costume to add another layer of fun. For children ages 3-11, plus an accompanying adult. $25. Learn more >

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.

• Pleasant Hill Floating Pumpkin Patch. October 9. Once you pick your pumpkin from the pool, give it a face at the pumpkin decorating station on deck. Register by noon on October 7. $15-$18 per person.
• El Cerrito Pumpkin Splash. October 14. Enjoy hot chocolate, games, and giveaways on the pool deck, plus swim with the pumpkins. Two sessions: 3:30 pm or 5:30 pm. For families of all ages. Drop-ins are welcome but are subject to capacity limits. $11-14 per person; kids under 1 are free.
• Berkeley Floating Pumpkin Patch. October 22. Enjoy fun activities, swim time in West Campus Pool, and go home with a pumpkin of your own. Ghoulish attire is welcome on the pool deck, and proper swimming attire is required for floating. Two sessions: 1-3 pm and 4-6 pm. Advanced registration is required. $10-$12 per person.
• Point Richmond Floating Pumpkin Patch. October 22. The annual tradition continues Richmond Plunge, an indoor swimming pool in Point Richmond. Children’s admission includes a pumpkin. 1:30-3:30 pm. Children: $8 resident/$9 non-resident; Adults: $7 resident/$8.75 non-resident.
• Dublin Wave Floating Pumpkin Patch. October 22. Taking place in the Natatorium at The Wave, kids swim to choose their own pumpkin, then decorate it. Games and fun on the pool deck. Register by October 20. $20-$24 per swimmer; $2 for spectators.
• Hayward Plunge Floating Pumpkin Patch & Public Swim. October 29. There will be a floating pumpkin patch, decorating station, and giveaways for the top decorated pumpkins. Registration is required. $7 per person.
• Alameda Pumpkin Patch Pool Party. October 30. Take a dip in the floating pumpkin patch at Alameda’s Emma Hood Swim Center. Participants will enjoy crafts, games,  swim time, and a pumpkin to bring home. Choose from five time slots between 10 am and 6 pm. Registration is required and begins October 7. $13 per person.

RSVP or Tickets Needed – One Day Halloween Events

Build a Scarecrow Workshop (Oakland)

October 1. Create a life-sized scarecrow for Halloween as a family. On-site teachers will provide supplies and guidance, and families bring ideas and discarded clothes for the scarecrow. Tickets start at $50 for a group. Register in advance >

Costume Swap & Free Play (Alameda)

October 21. A favorite among parents, Swings and Wings hosts their annual Costume Swap. Drop off a costume prior to October 21 to obtain a token for 2 hours of free play. Then return to scan the costume swap collection and enjoy some free play during the event. Required some planning, but free to join and no RSVP needed. Learn more >

Teal Pumpkin Paint-a-Pot Workshop (Walnut Creek)

October 26. Get crafty in the garden at Ruth Bancroft’s Workshop Wednesdays. Children ages 2-5 can paint a teal pumpkin for halloween, which signals a home is passing out allergy-friendly treats. Aa adult guardian must remain on site during workshop. Limited space. Tickets are $7.60 for members or $9.50 for non-members. Website >

Howl-ooo-ween (Lindsay Wildlife Experience)

October 27. Dress in costume and join the ghoulishly good time at Lindsay Wildlife. Featuring the not-so-spooky animal ambassadors, a Mad Scientist, carnival-style games and more. Tickets go on sale on October 10 and range from $10-$18 each. Website >

Halloween Family Night Out (Oakland)

October 28. Axe Oakland invites children and parents/caregivers to an evening of Halloween fun. Bring a costume and enjoy a family capoeria lesson, games, movie, pizza and snacks. $40 per child (discounts for multiples); $10 per adult. Register in advance Website >

Haunted House (Lafayette)

October 28 & 30. Enter if you dare! Lafayette Recreation is putting on a Haunted House this Halloween season. Choose from the not-so-scary or very scary options. Purchase tickets in advance online. Website >

Halloween Dance Party (Berkeley)

October 29. Come dressed in a costume and dance the (afternoon or) night away at Creations Berkeley’s Halloween Dance Party. Tickets include a food, drink, face painting, games, and halloween treats. Families with little ones can join from 3-6pm, while older kids can partake in the Glow Party feature from 6-9pm. Inquire about drop-off option for kids 6 to 12 years old. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Website >

Halloween at Chabot: Spooky Science (Oakland)

October 29. Visit Chabot Space and Science Center for a Halloween event that’s filled with spooky science and fun like making slime or seeing ghostly smoke-filled bubbles. Included with admission ($19-$24, free for kids under 2). See more >

Pumpkin Decorating (Walnut Creek)

October 29. Come decorate pumpkins, take photos and visit with the goats at Borges Ranch. Supplies provided. Registration includes a pumpkin and a goodie bag. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. $40 per registrant. Learn more >

Halloween Family Bike Ride (Pleasanton)

October 29. Put on your best costume and join this family-friendly bike ride, hosted by Bike East Bay. The ride begins at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and ends at the G&M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Livermore. This event is free, but registration is requested. See all the details >

Halloween Kids’ Night Out (Concord)

October 29. Register for this Halloween-themed kids’ night out/parents’ night out event. Children 4-12 will enjoy an evening of gymnastics, climbing, inflatables and more, while parents can enjoy time to themselves. 5:30-9 pm. $60 per child. Learn more >

Halloween at Treasures Unleashed (Hayward)

October 29. RSVP to the Halloween community event at Treasures Unleashed, a performing arts and production studio. Expect a haunted house, family activities and performances. 6-8 pm. Free, but please RSVP. Website >

Halloween Tot Parade & Carnival (Piedmont)

October 30. Kids 8 years old or younger are invited to join the Halloween Carnival and Tot Parade in Piedmont. Expect crafts, games, a walk through the spooky woods, treats, and prizes. Register in advance. $10 per child; Kids 2 and younger are free. Website >

Happy Creepy Halloween (Berkeley)

October 30. Celebrate the creepy side of Halloween at The Lawrence Hall of Science. There will be creepy, crawly creatures, flying pumpkings and a members-only pumpkin painting party. 10 am – 5 pm. Included with admission ($20 for people 3 and older; Children 2 and younger are free). Website >

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.

Goblin Jamboree (Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito)

October 22 – October 30 (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 >

Best Bay Area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes >

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

Weekends, October 16 – October 30. 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 >

Pumpkin Picking Festival (Rancho Siempre Verde, Pescadero)

Weekends, October 15 – October 30. 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. Tell ’em 510families sent you for another small pumpkin free. Website >

Orchard Days (Filoli, Woodside)

Weekends, September 24 – October 30. 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 >

Alden Lane Fall Festival (Livermore)

October 15 & 16. Join the fall festival that will get you ready for Halloween. Participate in a scarecrow building contest, make crafts, taste apple cider donuts, learn in gardening classes, purchase pumpkins, and other seasonal fun. Website >

Harvest Party @ Cornerstone Sonoma (Sonoma)

October 22. The day will include family-friendly activities, live music, train rides, games, face painting, giant bubbles, donut walk, giveaways and candy. Enjoy cider, hot chocolate, harvest cocktails & wine for adults. Don’t miss the beautiful gardens or lunch at Folktable. Tickets are $15; purchase in advance to reserve your space. Tickets >

😱 Fright Fest 2022 (Six Flags, Vallejo)

Occasional days from September 24 – 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 $40 per ticket plus fees. Tickets available here >

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. 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 >

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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