For more 2024 Halloween happenings, please check out our Halloween activities guide.
My midwestern parent friends made fun of me for not knowing about Trunk or Treat traditions. They accused me of living in a California bubble. In case you’re living in the same bubble — and if you’re reading 510Families.com, I’ll assume that you might be, too — here’s a quick explanation of Trunk or Treat and some local places where you can find one.
Trunk or Treat events take place in community parking lots
Participants in Trunk or Treat events are often part of a community organization such as a church, school, or recreation center. The folks who are giving out candy decorate their trunks (Get it? Trunk-or-Treating?!) with extra points for matching costumes. Young children walk around from car to car and trick or treat, just like at a house, but interact with more candy-givers in a short amount of time because the cars are all gathered in a parking lot.
Trunk-or-treating is a clever solution to traditional trick-or-treating in communities where houses are surrounded by land or on long driveways such that it would take the stamina of a long-distance runner to visit more than a few houses in one evening by foot.
Trunk or Treat events in the East Bay
Many schools and churches host trunk-or-treat events for their smaller communities. We tried really hard to only list those open to the public. Please be respectful of any of these events you attend for the first time. Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out our round-up of family-friendly Halloween events in the East Bay!
Pro tip: Assume that the ones after dark are for older kids and teens. When in doubt, check with the organizer.
City Hall-o-ween, San Pablo
When: Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4 pm – 6 pm
Where: San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave, San Pablo
What’s great for families: Kids can enjoy arts and crafts while picking up some treats.
Website >
Trunk or Treat at Civic Park Community Center, Walnut Creek
When: Friday, Oct. 25 from 2 pm – 6 pm
Where: Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
What’s great for families: Little ones are invited to walk down a candy lane of decorated trunks. Non-sweets include entertainment booths, glitter art, face painting, and a bounce house. Free, and no RSVP is needed, but please bring your own treat bag.
Website >
Halloween in Hercules, Hercules
When: Friday, Oct. 25 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Hercules Community Swim Center, 2001 Refugio Valley Rd, Hercules
What’s great for families: Costumed kiddos can walk from car to car to collect candy and families can register for the pumpkin carving contest. There’s a prize for the most Fab-BOO-lous decorated car. Free and no RSVP needed.
Website >
Not So Haunted Hacienda, Moraga
When: Friday, Oct. 25 from 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: The Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga
What’s great for families: Bring your blankets and costumes to this (not so) spooky experience for all ages. Enjoy your trunk or treat goodies while watching Disney’s “The Haunted Mansion”, movie begins at 6:30.
Website >
Trunk or Treat Extravaganza, El Cerrito
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Lineage, 5395 Potrero Ave, El Cerrito
What’s great for families: Free trunk or treat with a best decorated car contest.
Website >
Piedmont Ave. Elementary Carnival, Oakland
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Piedmont Avenue Elementary School Playground, Oakland
What’s great for families: Free entry for trick or trunk. Purchase tickets for haunted hallway, giant inflatables, and carnival games.
FREE to attend, details here >
Trick or Treat Spooktacular, Martinez
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Downtown Martinez
What’s great for families: Visit creatively themed and decorated car trunks, enjoy kids activities and game booths, while collecting treats from the business that line downtown Martinez.
FREE to attend, details here >
Library Trunk or Treat, Hayward
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: 888 C Street, Hayward
What’s great for families: Kids can trick or treat, play games, and climb a 28-foot rock wall.
FREE to attend, details here >
Promise Fest 2024 Trunk or Treat, Hayward
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Heritage Plaza, Downtown Hayward
What’s great for families: Live music, games, cultural performances, and of course lots of treats.
FREE to attend, details here >
The Salvation Army Trunk or Treat, Concord
When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: 3950 Clayton Rd, Concord
What’s great for families: There will be carnival games, bounce house, face painting, and of course trick or treating.
FREE , more details here >
First Church Berkeley UCC Trunk or Treat, Berkeley
When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 4 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Church parking lot and play yard, 2330 Durant Avenue, Berkeley
What’s great for families: Costume contest, plenty-o-treats, and delicious mac-n-cheese snack.
FREE , more details here >
BART Police Annual Trunk or Treat, Berkeley
When: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4 pm to 7 pm
Where: North Berkeley BART Station, 1750 Sacramento Street, Berkeley
What’s great for families: Games, prizes, pumpkin decorating, music.
FREE to attend, details here >
Grace Free Will Baptist Church Trunk or Treat, Concord
When: Thursday, Oct. 31 at 5:30 pm
Where: Church parking lot, 2875 The Alameda, Concord
What’s great for families: Family friendly, not too scary trunk-or-treating
Details >
Harbor Light Church Trunk or Treat, Fremont
When: Thursday, Oct. 31 at 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: Enter the 1st driveway, 4760 Thornton Avenue, Fremont
What’s great for families: Kids can dress up in their favorite (not scary) costume and enjoy jump houses, games, and of course collecting tons of candy at the trunk-or-treat.
Website >
Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out our round-up of family-friendly Halloween events in the East Bay!
