Unearth the hidden frights of Redwood City this Halloween with our in-depth guide, offering a treasure trove of spine-tingling events and supernatural experiences to discover. Uncover the layers of Redwood City's spooky sediment with our guide, a geological survey for fossil phantoms and curious excavators.
Popular Events: One highlight this season is the Fatal Abduction at the SF Mint, where guests navigate a thrilling narrative filled with unexpected twists. Another thrilling option, Fright Fest at Six Flags, features an array of haunted attractions designed to test your courage and wits. And the Fear Overload Scream Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its immersive theme and spine-chilling performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Redwood City
- Fright Fest at Six Flags (Vallejo)
- Fatal Abduction at the SF Mint (San Francisco)
- Halloween Prohibition Style Party
- Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse (San Jose)
- Tricks and Treats at Great America (Santa Clara)
- Fear Overload Scream Park (Newark)
- Sacramento Scream Park (Sacramento)
- Bernal Scream Haunted House (San Jose)
- Halloween Party by BraveMaker
- Pirates of Emerson (Fremont)
See these and even more events listed below!
Redwood City Area Haunted Experiences
Fatal Abduction at the SF Mint
What to Expect:
An immersive and theatrical experience spanning 15,000 sq. ft with 60 scare actors each night.
Description:
Fatal Abduction at the Old San Francisco Mint is an immersive and theatrical experience where participants are thrust into a world where an unspeakable horror threatens humanity. The event spans 15,000 sq. ft of 32 fully developed immersive sets and features 60 scare actors each night. It is an all-new, bigger, and more terrifying experience designed to engage participants in a fight to save humanity from an alien abduction.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Fatal Abduction at the SF Mint
Fright Fest at Six Flags
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted maze experiences with themed attractions.
Description:
Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom transforms the park into a spooky Halloween destination with haunted houses, creepy coaster rides, and scare zones. The event features various themed haunted mazes, including Hotel Hellview 666, Club Fear 3D, and Midnight Mansion, along with scare zones like Murder Mill and Weeping Wharf. Thrilling shows like Spencer Grey’s Magic After Dark and Creepshow Freak Show add to the eerie atmosphere. The event runs from September 21 to November 3, 2024, offering a nightmarish experience for all ages.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: Fright Fest at Six Flags
Fear Overload Scream Park
What to Expect:
Experience two very dark haunted houses with only one glowstick per group, creating an immersive and terrifying atmosphere.
Description:
Fear Overload Scream Park is a premier haunted house attraction in the Bay Area, featuring two wildly thrilling haunted houses. Visitors brave enough to enter are met with eerie cold, moving shadows, and the faint sound of distant cries. The park includes Slotch Sanatorium, once a place of healing now haunted by its grim past, and Darkmoor Penitentiary, abandoned after a brutal riot. Eerie Essentials, a captivating emporium, offers chilling keepsakes and haunting memorabilia. The event is not recommended for children under 12 and offers various ticket options including General Admission, Fast Pass, and Immediate Admission.
Where: Newark | More Info: Fear Overload Scream Park
Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
What to Expect:
An immersive indoor haunt with special effects, jump scares, and an outdoor scare zone.
Description:
Experience the thrilling and immersive Halloween event, Unhinged: Hotel, at the Winchester Mystery House. Stranded with car troubles, a group of friends seeks help at a nearby hotel, only to discover dark secrets and terrifying scares. The event features an immersive indoor haunt, an outdoor scare zone, a Halloween museum, and themed food and drinks. Guests will navigate through the darkened halls of the mansion, encountering special effects, jump scares, and eerie decor.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
Bernal Scream Haunted House
What to Expect:
The Bernal Scream's "Soul Shredder" is the darkest and most twisted haunted attraction yet, honoring the memory of co-founder Abel Barrera.
Description:
The Bernal Scream Haunted House is back in 2024 with its most thrilling attraction yet, "Soul Shredder." This high-end haunted house experience, led by father-son duo Mike and Abel Barrera, promises to deliver the darkest and most twisted scares. Following a seven-year hiatus, the attraction has returned with a new show that honors the memory of co-founder Abel Barrera. With its commitment to creating an immersive and terrifying experience, The Bernal Scream is not for the faint of heart.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Bernal Scream Haunted House
Sacramento Scream Park
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experiences with detailed settings and terrifying encounters.
Description:
Sacramento Scream Park offers a chilling experience with its revamped haunted attractions, including Frightmare Midway, Iron Veil Asylum, Silverthorn Amusement Park, and Hollow Hill High. Each attraction is meticulously designed to immerse visitors in a world of terror, with eerie settings, ghostly echoes, and terrifying encounters. The park also features Eerie Essentials and Sinister Snacks for a complete Halloween experience.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Sacramento Scream Park
Pirates of Emerson
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted experience with four terrifying attractions and a Virtual Fear VR ride.
Description:
Pirates of Emerson is Northern California's premier haunted attraction, offering a spine-chilling adventure with four terrifying attractions and a Virtual Fear VR ride. The event features live music, games, and immersive sets designed to create a unique and terrifying environment. General admission tickets are available for $40 most nights, with premium nights costing $45. Additional options include Speed Pass and VIP admission for faster entry and more experiences.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Pirates of Emerson
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Redwood City
Tricks and Treats at Great America
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with four uniquely themed lands offering a variety of spooky and festive activities.
Description:
Tricks and Treats at Great America is a family-friendly Halloween event featuring spooky, kooky activities, live shows, a costume contest, seasonal food and drinks, and plenty of candy. The event includes four uniquely themed lands: Everfall, Sweet Tooth Acres, Spooky Spires, and Ickyville, each offering distinct experiences. Guests can enjoy their favorite rides and attractions throughout the park while participating in Halloween activities and collecting candies and goodies.
Where: Santa Clara | More Info: Tricks and Treats at Great America
Boo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with a self-guided scavenger hunt and trick-or-treating for animal Trading Cards.
Description:
Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween event at the Oakland Zoo, featuring a self-guided scavenger hunt where participants can trick-or-treat for special edition animal Trading Cards. The event includes a costume contest, both in-person and virtual, and offers fair trade organic chocolate as a bonus treat. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume, excluding inflatable ones, to ensure the zoo animals' safety.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Boo at the Zoo
Halloween Party in Redwood City
What to Expect:
A fun-filled event with a variety of activities suitable for kids aged 1-10.
Description:
Redwood City's Halloween celebrations offer a variety of spooky and family-friendly activities. The Halloween Spooktacular at the Red Morton Community Center features carnival games, a monster maze, creepy crafts, and a mini pumpkin patch. The event also includes spooky photo backdrops and prizes for all participants. Parents and guardians are free with child admission, making it a fun and inclusive event for kids of all ages.
Where: Redwood City | More Info: Halloween Party in Redwood City
Goblin Jamboree
What to Expect:
A variety of playful Halloween activities designed to inspire creativity and joyful learning for the whole family.
Description:
Goblin Jamboree at the Bay Area Discovery Museum is a family-friendly Halloween event that offers a variety of playful activities, including building a beast with collage paper, creating surreal animal prints, and befriending bugs with the Beetlelady. The event also features a pirate-themed treasure hunt and a festive atmosphere with lively music and hands-on activities. Costumes are encouraged, and the event supports the museum's mission to provide joyful learning experiences for children and families.
Where: Sausalito | More Info: Goblin Jamboree
Family Halloween Day at Randall Museum
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with a variety of spooky yet not scary activities for all ages.
Description:
Join us for the annual Family Halloween Day at Randall Museum, where the whole family can enjoy spooky yet not scary delights. Explore the Haunted Animal Room, get creative with Creepy Crafts, play Ghoulish Games, and enjoy Live Music & Entertainment. This event is perfect for kids aged infant to 12 and their families, with children under 8 requiring adult accompaniment. Admission is free, with low-cost activities available.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Family Halloween Day at Randall Museum
Grimm’s Hollow
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween event featuring immersive pirate-themed attractions and activities.
Description:
Grimm’s Hollow is the Bay Area's premier family Halloween adventure. This year's adventure takes visitors on a self-guided tour through The Pirate’s Abyss, where adults and children interact with amazing characters and take in spooky sights both above and below the sea. For a REALLY scary good time, stick around for The Maelstrom, where claws come out, teeth are bared, and all who enter must try to escape Davy Jones Locker alive. The event also includes a pumpkin patch, shopping for artisans, and making crafts while you wait.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Grimm’s Hollow
Halloween Jam at Children’s Fairyland
What to Expect:
A variety of festive activities including a Monster Mash Parade and special performances make Halloween Jam a unique and enjoyable experience for families.
Description:
Halloween Jam at Children’s Fairyland is a festive and fun-filled event designed for families. The five-day celebration includes special performances, decked-out storybook sets, arts and crafts, puppet shows, bouncy houses, treat stations, games with prizes, and a photo booth. The event also features a Monster Mash Parade and special events like Oakland’s Magic Kitchen and a book celebration. It’s a perfect blend of spooky and kooky activities that make Halloween magical for kids.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Halloween Jam at Children’s Fairyland
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
What to Expect:
Enjoy an immersive outdoor Halloween experience with themed activities and a special screening of Despicable Me 4.
Description:
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City is an immersive outdoor Halloween experience designed for all ages. The event features themed activities, including trick-or-treat stations, a pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and a special screening of Despicable Me 4. Don't forget to participate in the costume contest for a chance to win prizes.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
China Town Halloween Festival
What to Expect:
The event features a variety of Halloween-themed activities suitable for all ages.
Description:
The Chinatown Halloween Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating the spooky season with activities like pumpkin painting, a scary room, trick-or-treat lane, a pumpkin patch, costume contests, carnival games, balloon animals, a photobooth, and lion dances. It takes place on Saturday, October 26, from 11 am to 3 pm at Waverly Place.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: China Town Halloween Festival
Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
What to Expect:
The event's grand finale is the popular Halloween Costume Parade with live music.
Description:
The 24th annual Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens is a family-friendly event featuring spectacular performances and activities for kids under 10 and their adults. The grand finale includes a popular Halloween Costume Parade with live music, where all kids are welcome to join in their best Halloween looks. This event offers a delightful mix of fun and frights, making it a must-visit for families.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
Jack O’Lantern Jamboree
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with activities like pumpkin carving, a Halloween parade, and campfire stories.
Description:
Join the Lion and Tiger Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree for a spooktacular Halloween event. Enjoy pumpkin carving, a Halloween parade, hot dog roasting, and s'mores over the campfire. The evening will also feature not-so-spooky stories and skits around the campfire. All participants, including adults and siblings, will receive an event patch, a pumpkin to carve, a toasting fork, and a hot dog supper.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Jack O’Lantern Jamboree
Sunday Streets SF
What to Expect:
A unique feature of Sunday Streets SF is its ability to bring together diverse communities through car-free community spaces.
Description:
Sunday Streets SF is a community-driven event that transforms San Francisco streets into car-free spaces for recreation, health resources, music, dance, and fun. The 2024 season includes 2 Open Streets Destinations and 4 Community Block Party events, celebrating 16 years of community engagement and cultural celebration.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Sunday Streets SF
Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™
What to Expect:
An immersive prehistoric journey with interactive activities that simulate the environments of the Cretaceous Period.
Description:
Step into the Cretaceous Period and meet dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes at Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™. This exhibit, created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum, features two distinct environments: the steamy "Land of Fire" and the icy "Land of Ice." Activities include climbing into a Troodon’s nest, playing with dinosaur eggs, and buzzing through a volcano with oozing lava. Visitors can also work through a swampy bog, breeze down an icy slide, and hop across stones in a frosty river. This immersive experience allows children to step into the role of paleontologist and uncover fossils.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
What to Expect:
The event features a thrilling Lion Dance performance and hands-on activities like making playdough mooncakes, celebrating Chinese and Vietnamese cultural traditions.
Description:
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is a joyous celebration of Chinese and Vietnamese cultures. The event features a thrilling Lion Dance performance by Yun Yee Tong, hands-on activities like making playdough mooncakes, and a theatre video presentation about the festival's traditions. This festive occasion honors the harvest season and the full moon, offering a delightful experience for families to explore and appreciate cultural differences and similarities.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
A's Kids Cheer Free Sundays
What to Expect:
Free admission for kids aged 14 and younger to Oakland Athletics games on Sundays.
Description:
Every Sunday this summer, kids aged 14 and younger can enjoy free admission to Oakland Athletics games at the Oakland Coliseum. This special promotion allows families to root for the Green and Gold together. After the game, kids can participate in exciting activities like racing around the bases, where they can even meet Stomper, the A's mascot. This event provides an affordable and fun experience for families to enjoy baseball together.
Where: Oakland | More Info: A's Kids Cheer Free Sundays
Family Halloween Concert
What to Expect:
The event includes a "Tour of the Orchestra" where adults and children can come in costume and ten lucky kids get a chance to conduct the orchestra.
Description:
Join the Redwood Symphony for their Halloween Family Concert, where adults and children can come in costume and enjoy a magical afternoon of music. The event features a tour of the orchestra, where you can see the different sections demonstrate their instruments and tunes from the upcoming concert. The program includes a world premiere of Kirke Mechem's A Country Fair and excerpts from Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Ten lucky kids will get the chance to conduct the orchestra, making this a unique and memorable experience for all.
Where: Redwood City | More Info: Family Halloween Concert
Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
The event features a Halloween parade followed by Trick or Treat Lane, making it a unique blend of festive activities and community engagement.
Description:
Sausalito's Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat Lane offer a festive and family-friendly celebration. The parade begins at Firehouse 333 Johnson St, followed by Trick or Treat Lane at Robin Sweeny Park Basketball Courts. The event includes a Halloween parade, trick-or-treating, and a dog costume contest. It's a fun-filled evening for all ages, filled with spooky decorations and community spirit.
Where: Sausalito | More Info: Halloween Parade
Habitot Mobile Museum
What to Expect:
The event's unique feature is its diverse array of interactive exhibits designed to engage children in STEM activities and creative play.
Description:
Habitot Mobile Museum offers interactive outdoor events for young children and families across the East Bay. The events feature hands-on exhibits like Waterworks, Imagination Playground, and Rocket Launcher, providing a fun and educational experience for kids.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Habitot Mobile Museum
Live Music Lunch Series at Thrive City
What to Expect:
Enjoy live music performances by local Bay Area musicians while enjoying a variety of lawn games and seating options.
Description:
Enjoy a relaxing lunch at Thrive City while listening to special performances by Bay Area musicians. The Live Music Lunch Series offers a variety of lawn games and seating options, making it a perfect spot to grab a bite from one of Thrive City's eateries. This free event is part of Thrive City's fall community programming, providing a fun and lively atmosphere for all ages.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Live Music Lunch Series at Thrive City
Trick or Treating on the Wharf
What to Expect:
A 13-day Halloween celebration with activities like the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt and festive Wharf specials.
Description:
Join the Santa Cruz Wharf for 13 days of Halloween fun Participate in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap photos at the scenic photo booth, and enjoy festive specials from restaurants and gift shops. On October 31, bring your family to show off your creative costumes and trick-or-treat at Wharf businesses.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Trick or Treating on the Wharf
Pay What You Wish Wednesday at Museum of Craft & Design
What to Expect:
Visitors can experience the latest art exhibitions at the Museum of Craft and Design for a self-determined admission fee every Wednesday.
Description:
Pay What You Can Wednesdays at the Museum of Craft and Design offer visitors the opportunity to experience the latest exhibitions for whatever amount they wish. This initiative aims to keep art accessible to all by providing a unique and engaging experience every Wednesday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Pay What You Wish Wednesday at Museum of Craft & Design
Mart Littles Storytime at Copperfield's Books
What to Expect:
Regular outdoor (or indoor) storytime sessions for kids at a cozy bookstore setting.
Description:
Every Thursday, Mart Littles Storytime at Copperfield's Books offers a delightful outdoor (weather permitting) or indoor experience for kids. The event takes place at the big log in front of the store, fostering a cozy atmosphere where children can enjoy stories and engage in interactive activities. Masks are recommended for safety. This regular event is perfect for families looking to spend quality time together while promoting a love for reading.
Where: Larkspur | More Info: Mart Littles Storytime at Copperfield's Books
Family Storytime at the Salesforce Transit Center
What to Expect:
A weekly, free storytime session led by librarians in a beautiful rooftop garden setting.
Description:
Join librarians from the San Francisco Public Library's Main Children's Center for a fun and educational storytime session. This weekly event is designed for toddlers and preschoolers, along with their caregivers. Enjoy engaging songs, rhymes, and stories in a beautiful rooftop garden setting at the Salesforce Transit Center. This activity is free and open to the public.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Family Storytime at the Salesforce Transit Center
September Nights on B Street
What to Expect:
An outdoor dining pavilion with communal tables and chairs, live music, and a children's play area.
Description:
September Nights on B Street is a family-friendly event in Downtown San Mateo. The pedestrian mall between First and Second Avenues transforms into an outdoor dining pavilion with communal tables and chairs. A children's play area and live music for all ages are featured. Beer and wine are available for purchase. This event offers a fun and lively atmosphere for attendees to enjoy.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: September Nights on B Street
Halloween Trunk or Treat
What to Expect:
A fun and safe trick-or-treating experience with creatively themed and decorated car trunks.
Description:
Join Downtown Martinez for a spooktacular Halloween celebration Explore creatively themed and decorated car trunks for a fun and safe trick-or-treating experience. Engage your little ones with a variety of kid-friendly crafts and games. This free event is open to the public and takes place downtown inside participating businesses, on the street, and at the Plaza on Main Street. Bring a bag to collect all the goodies!
Where: Martinez | More Info: Halloween Trunk or Treat
Trick or Treat on the Farm
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with fun activities and treats in a historic farm setting.
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular trick-or-treat adventure at Forest Home Farms Historic Park. Come in your favorite Halloween costume and travel around the farm to different stations for fun activities and delicious treats. This event is a great opportunity to step back into history and enjoy the simple things of life while celebrating Halloween.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Trick or Treat on the Farm
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Redwood City
Halloween Prohibition Style Party
What to Expect:
A Halloween dance party with a 1920s prohibition style theme featuring live music, food, and drinks.
Description:
Step back in time to the roaring 20s at the Alhambra Irish House. Enjoy live music by Scott Bell & the Cool Ranchers, delicious food, and refreshing drinks. All costumes are welcome, and a costume contest will be held. This event promises a fun night of live music, food, and drinks in a spooky setting.