For more 2026 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.
Trunk or Treat at Bumblebee, Newark
When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 from 4 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: Bumblebee Playspace, 35500 Dumbarton Ct., Newark
What’s great for families: Bumblebee Playspace will host a free Trunk-or-Treat event in the parking lot. Wear a costume and bring your own bucket to collect treats. Play space admission is $10 per child.
Website >
Trunk or Treat, Orinda
When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 from 4:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Where: Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda
What’s great for families: Bring the family for decorated trunks, fun crafts, games, and plenty of candy. Three 45-minute sessions are available, registration required
Website >
Trunk or Treat at Civic Park Community Center, Walnut Creek
When: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 from 3 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. Low sensory time will be offered from 3:00–4:00 pm, and the Whispering Witches Room, an indoor low sensory space in the Assembly Hall, will be available and programmed throughout the entire event.
Website >
Trick or Treat Spooktacular, Martinez
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 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 >
Community Trunk or Treat, Alameda
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 4 pm to 7 pm
Where: Coastline Christian Schools, Alameda
What’s great for families: Families can enjoy trunk-or-treating from car to car, with costumes encouraged (no gory, scary, or evil themes). The event will also have food for sale and fun fall activities.
Advanced tickets required, details here >
Concord Police Department Trunk or Treat, Concord
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 3 pm to 6 pm
Where: 1350 Galindo Street, Concord
What’s great for families: Bring the kids in their coolest or spookiest costumes and join the fun. Enjoy treats, goodie bags, food, games, and prizes.
More details here >
Trunk or Treat, Walnut Creek
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 4 pm to 6 pm
Where: 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek
What’s great for families: Get ready for candy, bounce houses, and spooky fun for the whole family.
More details here >
Hiller Aviation Museum’s Trunk or Treat, San Carlos
When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 from 5 pm – 7 pm
Where: Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Rd. San Carlos
What’s great for families: As part of the annual Halloween Haunted Hangar, families can stroll through creatively decorated cars and airplanes while collecting treats. Trunk or Treat is free to attend; Haunted Hangar admission is not included.
Website >
City Hall-o-ween, San Pablo
When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 from 4 pm – 6 pm
Where: San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave, San Pablo
What’s great for families: City departments will transform their vehicles into festive, Halloween-themed displays. Bring the whole family, collect goodies, and enjoy an afternoon of spooky fun.
Website >
Trunk or Treat at the Lake, Oakland
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 from 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Edoff Memorial Bandstand, Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave. Oakland
What’s great for families: Enjoy a festive afternoon at the lake with free Halloween fun for kids ages 0–5, including candy and treats from decorated trunks, music, games, and activities. Costumes are encouraged.
More Details >
Halloween in Hercules, Hercules
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 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.
Learn More >
Not So Creepy Commons, Moraga
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 from 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St Marys Rd, 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 Freaky Friday, movie begins at 6:30.
Website >
Zyland Trunk or Treat, Concord
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: 1776 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord
What’s great for families: Enjoy a morning filled with decorated trunks, sweet treats, and fun entertainment. ZyLand open play will also be available during the event for an additional fee.
FREE to attend >
Piedmont Ave. Elementary Carnival, Oakland
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 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 >
Grace Free Will Baptist Church Trunk or Treat, Concord
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at 4 pm
Where: Church parking lot, 2875 The Alameda, Concord
What’s great for families: Family friendly, not too scary trunk-or-treating
Details >
The Salvation Army Trunk or Treat, Concord
When: Sunday, Oct. 31, 2026 1 pm to 5 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 >
Harbor Light Church Trunk or Treat, Fremont
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 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!
