Get your fright on in Oakland with our ultimate Halloween happening handbook. Our handbook: essential for resident wraiths and otherworldly observers.
Popular Events: Venture into the eerie atmosphere of the Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park, where suspenseful mazes and immersive experiences await thrill-seekers. Featuring whimsical frights for the younger crowd, the Halloween Jam at Children’s Fairyland offers family-friendly fun with enchanting decorations and seasonal activities. And don’t forget, Fright Fest at Six Flags promises heart-pounding rides and spine-chilling shows that elevate the Halloween spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Oakland
- Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park (Pleasanton)
- Halloween Jam at Children's Fairyland
- Fright Fest at Six Flags (Vallejo)
- Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse (San Jose)
- Tricks and Treats at California Great America (Santa Clara)
- Sacramento Scream Park (Sacramento)
- The Gathering of the Goths Halloween Festival (Alameda)
- Harvest Festival (Richmond)
- The Bernal Scream Haunted House (San Jose)
- Harding Carnival & Pumpkin Patch (El Cerrito)
See these and even more events listed below!
Oakland Area Haunted Experiences
Fright Fest at Six Flags
What to Expect:
Experience a variety of horror-themed haunted houses and scare zones inspired by popular franchises.
Description:
Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom transforms into a spooky Halloween destination from September 21 to November 3, 2024. The event features eight haunted houses, seven scare zones, and rides in the dark. Guests can experience horror themes inspired by popular franchises like The Saw, Stranger Things, and The Conjuring. This event offers a thrilling experience for all ages, with various attractions and activities designed to provide spine-chilling fun.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: Fright Fest at Six Flags
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
What to Expect:
Immersive and terrifying haunted house experiences with four themed attractions.
Description:
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park is Northern California's premier haunted attraction, offering a spine-chilling adventure through four terrifying attractions. The event features live music, food trucks, and immersive experiences designed to test your survival instincts. With timed entry tickets and capacity limitations, it's essential to buy early to avoid missing out.
Where: Pleasanton | More Info: Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
Sacramento Scream Park
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experiences with live actors and detailed settings.
Description:
Sacramento Scream Park offers a thrilling experience with its revamped haunted attractions, including Frightmare Midway and haunted houses like Voodoo Blackwater Boneyard, Iron Veil Asylum, and Silverthorn Amusement Park. Each attraction is meticulously designed to immerse visitors in a world of terror, with eerie settings, live actors, and spine-chilling delights. The event also features food trucks and an emporium of chilling keepsakes.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Sacramento Scream Park
Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
What to Expect:
An immersive indoor haunt with a disorienting journey through all four floors of the mansion, including two basements.
Description:
Experience the eerie and immersive "Unhinged: Hotel" at the Winchester Mystery House, where a group of friends discovers a seemingly deserted hotel filled with vampires and other spirits. This haunting event features a 45-minute indoor walk-through, an outdoor scare zone, a Halloween museum, and themed food and drinks. The event is not suitable for children under 13 and includes special effects, dark imagery, and loud noises.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
The Bernal Scream Haunted House
What to Expect:
The Bernal Scream's 2024 main attraction, "Soul Shredder," is the darkest and most twisted haunted experience yet.
Description:
The Bernal Scream Haunted House returns in 2024 with its biggest and newest attraction, "Soul Shredder." This high-endurance haunted house promises to deliver the darkest, meanest, and most twisted scares yet. Founded by father-son duo Mike and Abel Barrera, The Bernal Scream has grown from a backyard show to a premier commercial haunted attraction in the Bay Area, known for its terrifying scares and memorable experiences.
Where: San Jose | More Info: The Bernal Scream Haunted House
San Francisco Ghosts
What to Expect:
A 1.5 to 2-hour walking tour that delves into San Francisco's hidden history and paranormal activities.
Description:
Embark on a chilling journey through San Francisco's most haunted landmarks with San Francisco Ghosts. This nightly ghost tour, held at 299 Post St, explores the city's dark past, revealing forsaken and forgotten souls lost in tragedy and greed. From the Gold Rush to the Golden Gate Bridge, you'll experience a unique blend of history, mystery, and macabre stories that will leave you questioning what's real and what's just a legend.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco Ghosts
Mayhem Mansion at the Haas-Lilienthal house
What to Expect:
Immersive, mind-bending tours through San Francisco's only intact Victorian-era house museum.
Description:
Mayhem Mansion at the Haas-Lilienthal house is a spooky, immersive haunted house experience. Guests are guided through the dimly lit halls of this 1886 Victorian-era house museum, where surprises and scares await in every corner. After the tour, guests can steady their nerves at the Spookeasy, a no-host bar featuring beer, wine, elixirs, and non-alcoholic beverages, along with snacks.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Mayhem Mansion at the Haas-Lilienthal house
Blind Scream
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experience with a new story and design each year.
Description:
Blind Scream Haunted House is North Bay's largest haunted house, spanning over 20,000 square feet. It features a new story and changing design every year, with creepy characters like Madame Helga and the good Doc Hunter. The attraction includes a guided ghostly tour option for those who prefer a less intense experience.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: Blind Scream
NightMare Island
What to Expect:
A 45,000 square foot haunted house with additional 900 square feet of haunt, offering a true rollercoaster of frights.
Description:
NightMare Island in Vallejo, California, offers a terrifying haunted house experience. Located on Mare Island, this event features a 45,000 square foot warehouse with 3-story ceilings and roll-up doors, creating an open-air atmosphere. The haunted house has been expanded by an additional 900 square feet, ensuring a true rollercoaster of frights. Attendees can enjoy various themed nights and activities, including paranormal investigations and a hike to the Spirit Ship for a 7-county twinkling view.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: NightMare Island
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Oakland
Halloween Jam at Children's Fairyland
What to Expect:
A variety of activities including special performances, arts and crafts, and treat stations make this event a standout for families.
Description:
Halloween Jam at Children's Fairyland is a festive and fantastic fall celebration featuring special performances, decked-out storybook sets, arts and crafts, puppet shows, bouncy houses, treat stations, games with prizes, and a photo booth. Enjoy daily shows at Emerald City Stage and the "Tricks & Treats" puppet show. Special events include Oakland’s Magic Kitchen with Chef Michele McQueen and a book celebration with Nikki Shannon Smith. This event is included with general admission and offers something for everyone.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Halloween Jam at Children's Fairyland
Tricks and Treats at California Great America
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with interactive experiences, live shows, and themed areas tailored for all ages.
Description:
Tricks and Treats at California Great America is a family-friendly Halloween event offering a variety of activities, including live shows, a costume contest, seasonal food and drinks, and trick-or-treating. The event features four themed areas: Everfall, Sweet Tooth Acres, Spooky Spires, and Ickyville, each offering unique experiences. Guests can enjoy their favorite rides and attractions throughout the park while celebrating the spooky season in a fun and festive environment.
Where: Santa Clara | More Info: Tricks and Treats at California Great America
Harvest Festival
What to Expect:
A family-friendly celebration with farm activities, s'mores, and a family-style meal.
Description:
Enjoy an evening on the farm with activities, s'mores, a family-style meal, fire pits, and drinks to celebrate a great year. This festive event offers a unique blend of farm activities and community celebration.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Harvest Festival
Harding Carnival & Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
The event offers a variety of fun activities and entertainment for all ages, making it a memorable experience for the community.
Description:
Harding Carnival & Pumpkin Patch is a family-friendly event happening on October 20, 2024, from 11 AM to 4 PM. The carnival features a variety of games, delicious food options, and entertaining performances. It includes activities like balloon animals, face painting, and giant bubble-making. The event is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a fun-filled day.
Where: El Cerrito | More Info: Harding Carnival & Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Patch Express
What to Expect:
A one-hour train ride through Yolo County farmland with trick-or-treating and a visit to a private pumpkin patch.
Description:
The Pumpkin Patch Express is a delightful one-hour train ride offered by the River Fox Train in West Sacramento. This festive journey includes trick-or-treating on board, picking the perfect pumpkin in the park, and enjoying carnival-style games and activities. The event also features a fall festival with bounce houses, outdoor games, and a real pumpkin patch. Every train ticket includes a free pumpkin to take home, making it a fun and memorable experience for the whole family.
Where: West Sacramento | More Info: Pumpkin Patch Express
Family Halloween Day
What to Expect:
A variety of spooky yet not scary delights for all ages, including haunted rooms, creepy crafts, and live entertainment.
Description:
Join us for the annual Family Halloween Day at the Randall Museum Explore the Haunted Animal Room, get creative with Creepy Crafts, and enjoy Ghoulish Games. Costumed revelers will find unexpected surprises throughout the museum while enjoying familiar favorites like Trick-or-Treating, Live Music & Entertainment, Pumpkin Decorating, and more.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Family Halloween Day
Skunk Train's Pumpkin Express
What to Expect:
A festive train ride through the redwoods to a magical pumpkin patch.
Description:
Celebrate fall by taking a scenic ride on the Skunk Train's Pumpkin Express. Enjoy festive decor, seasonal treats, and adult beverages while journeying through the heart of Mendocino's fall redwoods. Once at the pumpkin patch, choose your own pumpkin and explore the nearby redwoods.
Where: Willits | More Info: Skunk Train's Pumpkin Express
Bike Ride to Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
A spooktacular ride through the Tri-Valley area with a visit to the GM Corn Maze Pumpkin Patch.
Description:
Join Bike East Bay for a spooktacular ride through the Tri-Valley area Departing from Dublin/Pleasanton BART, this 15-mile loop will take you to the GM Corn Maze Pumpkin Patch, where you can enjoy some Halloween fun. This is a no-drop ride, and costumes are encouraged. The event will end at the starting location, ensuring a fun and safe experience for all participants.
Where: Pleasanton | More Info: Bike Ride to Pumpkin Patch
Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
What to Expect:
The grand finale Halloween Costume Parade with live music.
Description:
Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens is a family-friendly celebration featuring spectacular performances and activities for kids under 10 and their adults. The event culminates in a popular Halloween Costume Parade with live music, where all kids are welcome to join in their best Halloween looks. This festive event offers a variety of fun and spooky activities, making it a delightful experience for the whole family.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
Capitola Village Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
The parade is led by a Central Fire Engine and features music from the Soquel High Senior Band.
Description:
The annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade is a festive event where families and friends gather to celebrate Halloween. The parade, led by a Central Fire Engine and accompanied by the Soquel High Senior Band, winds through Capitola Village and ends at Esplanade Park. Trick-or-treat bags and refreshments await participants, and kids can enjoy trick-or-treating at participating shops following the parade.
Where: Capitola | More Info: Capitola Village Halloween Parade
Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
The combination of a trick-or-treat lane and a dog costume contest makes it a fun and inclusive event for both children and pets.
Description:
The Halloween Parade in Sausalito is a festive event that kicks off at 5:45 PM with a trick-or-treat lane at Station 1 Firehouse, located at the corner of Johnson and Caledonia streets. The parade starts at 6:00 PM sharp, followed by a HowlOWeen Dog Costume Contest at Robin Sweeny Park. The event is sponsored by Sausalito Parks and Recreation, Caledonia Street Merchants, and local community groups, offering a fun-filled evening for families and pet owners alike.
Where: Sausalito | More Info: Halloween Parade
Trick or Treat on the Farm
What to Expect:
A trick-or-treat adventure set in a historical farm setting with free crafts and activities.
Description:
Trick or Treat on the Farm is a family-friendly event where participants come in their Halloween costumes for a trick-or-treat adventure. Travel around the farm to different stations for activities and treats to take home. This event highlights farm life and the late Victorian era with free crafts and activities.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Trick or Treat on the Farm
Halloween Trunk or Treat
What to Expect:
A Boo-tiful Celebration featuring creatively themed and decorated car trunks for a spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat experience.
Description:
Join Downtown Martinez & Co. for a spooktacular Halloween celebration Explore creatively themed and decorated car trunks for a fun Trunk-or-Treat experience. Local businesses and community members will hand out candies and treats to little goblins and ghosts. Engage your little ones with kid-friendly crafts and games, making it a delightful afternoon for the whole family.
Where: Martinez | More Info: Halloween Trunk or Treat
Halloween on Solano
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with a costume contest offering cash grand prizes.
Description:
Halloween on Solano is a festive event in Albany and Berkeley, California, hosted by the Solano Avenue Association. On October 31st, 2024, families can enjoy trick-or-treating at various stores and offices from 3 to 5 PM. The highlight of the evening is the 5 PM costume contest at Solano-Peralta Park, featuring cash grand prizes and open to all ages. The event emphasizes safety and cleanliness, with a rain cancellation policy in place.
Where: Albany & Berkeley | More Info: Halloween on Solano
Halloween Costume Contest
What to Expect:
The event features a Halloween Costume Contest and a Canine Critter Costume Contest, adding a fun and festive atmosphere to downtown Benicia.
Description:
Join Benicia Main Street for a fun-filled Halloween Costume Contest and Sidewalk Stroll on October 26th. Kids and adults alike can enjoy a festive afternoon with local merchants getting into the holiday spirit. The event features a Halloween Costume Contest, a Canine Critter Costume Contest, and treats for all participants. It's a great time for families and all ages to celebrate Halloween in downtown Benicia.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Halloween Costume Contest
Halloween in Japantown
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Halloween in Japantown is its dedication to community tradition and cultural activities, making it a special event for both locals and visitors.
Description:
Halloween in Japantown is a beloved annual event that celebrates the community's spirit with a mix of cultural activities, trick-or-treating, and live music performances. The event honors the memory of Rich Saito, a dedicated community member who contributed to its success. This family-friendly celebration has been a staple in Japantown for over 20 years, featuring traditional taiko drum performances and a haunted house experience.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Halloween in Japantown
Trick or Treating on the Wharf
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating along the scenic Santa Cruz Wharf with festive activities and photo opportunities.
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular Halloween celebration at the Santa Cruz Wharf Trick-or-treat your way down the Wharf from 3 PM to 6 PM on October 31st. Enjoy festive photo opportunities, participate in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, and snap a photo at our scenic photo booth. This family-friendly event offers unique specials at restaurants and gift shops, making it a perfect Halloween experience.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Trick or Treating on the Wharf
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Oakland
Oakland Official Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
A night of thrills and chills with generously low drink specials and a social media costume contest.
Description:
Join the Oakland Official Halloween Bar Crawl for a spooktacular night of bar-hopping through eerie venues. Enjoy generously low drink specials, tasty holiday-themed drinks, and select food specials at over 4 participating bars. The event also features a social media costume contest with a $2000 prize value and live music and DJs at certain venues.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Oakland Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Oakland Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
Enjoy a night of thrills and chills with generously low drink specials and a spooky atmosphere at multiple haunted hotspots.
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular Halloween Bar Crawl in Oakland on October 31st, 2024. Embark on a ghoulish adventure through the city's most wicked watering holes, enjoying generously low drink specials, tasty holiday-themed drinks, and select food specials. Don your most frightful attire for a chance to win spooktacular prizes in our costume contest. With over 4 venues, free entry into the best bars, and a detailed custom digital pub crawl map, this event promises endless thrills and chills.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Oakland Halloween Bar Crawl
Halloween Crystal Ball with The Purple Ones
What to Expect:
A high-energy Halloween party with a costume contest and live music by The Purple Ones.
Description:
Join The Purple Ones for their 3rd Annual Halloween Crystal Ball, a funkiest Halloween party in the Bay Area. The event features DJ DePope Funk, a costume contest with prizes, and two full bars with appetizers available for purchase. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and The Purple Ones will hit the stage at 8 PM. This highly anticipated event has sold out the last two years, so get your tickets fast!
Where: Oakland | More Info: Halloween Crystal Ball with The Purple Ones
Other Halloween Activities Near Oakland
The Gathering of the Goths Halloween Festival
What to Expect:
The unique feature of this event is its comprehensive celebration of gothic culture with a variety of live performances, workshops, and curated marketplaces.
Description:
The Gathering of the Goths Halloween Festival is a unique celebration of Halloween spirit, featuring a curated Halloween Bazaar and Goth Marketplace, costume contests, a poison and elixir bar, food trucks, and live entertainment. The event includes performances by Post-punk, Dark Wave, and Synth Punk bands, workshops, ghost hunting tours, and a highly curated lineup of Goth and Oddities vendors. It promises to be an unforgettable night for goths and ghouls alike.