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 the 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 | Candy Buyback programs | Día de Los Muertos Activities

Fourth Street Trick-or-Treat and Halloween Fest

Saturday, 10/31 from 3 – 5 pm. 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. More details >

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 >

Tricks and Treats (Six Flags, Vallejo)

Select days from September 19 – November 1, 2026. Six Flags has revamped its Halloween festivities with a new daytime event designed especially for younger children. Little ones can enjoy a scare-free trick-or-treat trail, costume contest, and festive dance party. Ticket prices vary by day. Read More >

😱 The USS Haunted Hornet (Alameda)

Various Days September 24 – November 1, 2026. Not recommended for children under 13, Step aboard the USS Hornet, where the ship has been overtaken by the madness of the Devil’s Sea. Navigate the eerie corridors and prepare for a spooky adventure aboard this historic, and perhaps haunted, aircraft carrier. Website >

😱 Fear Overload Scream Park (Newark)

Various Days September 25 – November 7, 2026. Not recommended for children under 12, Fear Overload offers two over-the-top haunted house attractions at Bayfair Center. Tickets start at $27 to $39 and increase closer to the event. Website >

Ghost House (The Chadbourne Carriage House, Fremont)

October 10-30, 2026. 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 17 for special lights-on tours, a children’s costume parade, caramel apples, and games.  Learn more>

Haunted Train Ride (Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont)

October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, 2026, 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 >

Boo at the Zoo (Oakland)

Saturdays and Sundays, October 17 – November 1, 2026. Enjoy the Boo at the Zoo costume contest 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 >

Pumpkins, Ghosts & Giggles (Castro Valley)

October 23, 2026. Get ready for a not-so-spooky celebration designed especially for preschool-aged kids, filled with pumpkins and friendly ghosts. Kids can explore the magic of Halloween through hands-on activities, creative crafts, and silly games. Purchase Tickets >

BAD Halloween Bout (Richmond Memorial Auditorium, Richmond)

October 24, 2026. Join Bay Area Roller Derby to cheer on the Oakland Outlaws and San Francisco Rolling Dead in a spooky Halloween bout. Tickets >

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 >

Animal Day (Berkeley)

October 25, 2026. 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 >

Spooky Astronomy (Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland)

October 31, 2026. 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 >

Mad Magic (Children’s Fairyland, Oakland)

October 31, 2026. Celebrate Halloween at Fairyland with Mad Magic from 12–7 p.m. Enjoy trick-or-treating, mad science STEM activities, live performances, and the Mad Science Fairy Fun House. $28 admission. (Free for Members) More about Fairyland Mad Magic >

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 2026.

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

Halloween Events Worth the Drive

The Great Big BOO! (Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy)

September 25 – November 1, 2026. Kids of all ages can enjoy Halloween fun that’s silly and just spooky enough for the whole family, with live musical shows, Halloween-themed rides, and trick-or-treating along the BOO Trail. Website >

Goblin Jamboree (Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito)

Weekend in October 2026. Advanced tickets for Goblin Jamboree are recommended for a day of spooky-but-not-scary delights and the usual hands-on play museum goodness. $30 per person, members $5. Reserve your spot >

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

October 1-31, 2026. Build your way through Halloween with spooky creative workshops in the Glow Zone, hands-on building activities, and catch a showing of The Great Monster Chase 4D. Purchase Tickets >

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

October 1-31, 2026. 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 >

Pumpkins After Dark Pleasanton (Castro Valley)

October 2-31, 2026. Stay up late for this all-ages nighttime outdoor Halloween festival, featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins transformed into spectacular large-scale art installations. Website >

SuperNatural (California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco)

October 24, 2026. Stay up late at Cal Academy for spooky, science-inspired fun. Shake your bones at a silent disco in Steinhart Aquarium, stop by trick-or-treat stations, and watch live animal demonstrations. Buy Tickets >

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

October 27, 2026. 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 >

Halloween Glow Party (Urban Air, Concord)

October 28, 2026. Halloween fun at Urban Air Concord with a costume catwalk contest, candy buckets on the climbing wall, and spooky music. Learn More >

The Haunt (YBCA, San Francisco)

October 29–31, 2026. An artist-made haunted house that’s spooky, campy, and full of DIY magic. A family-friendly early show is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at 5 p.m. Evening shows are recommended for ages 13 and up. Purchase Tickets >

Boo at the Zoo (San Francisco)

October 31, 2026. Halloween Day at the San Francisco Zoo includes a costume parade, animal pumpkin activities, a DJ dance party, and candy. Purchase Tickets >

Word for WordPlay Presents: Spooky Fam Jam! (San Francisco)

October 31, 2026. Gather the family for spooky storytelling that will delight kids and adults alike. Enjoy fun tales, games, and plenty of Halloween excitement for all ages. Free tickets with RSVP >

More Things to Do With Kids in October >

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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