Navigate San Mateo's Halloween nightmares with our ultimate event planner. From San Mateo Halloween veterans to fresh faces, everyone will discover bone-chilling fun in our guide.
Popular Events: Experience the eerie atmosphere at the Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse, where the legendary estate transforms into a haunting playground of spirits and surprises. Fright Fest at Six Flags offers thrilling rides and spine-tingling attractions that amplify the holiday's adrenaline rush. And the W Hotel San Francisco MEGA HALLOWEEN Party promises a chic night with lavish costumes and a lively atmosphere. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around San Mateo
- Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse (San Jose)
- Fright Fest at Six Flags (Vallejo)
- Sacramento Scream Park (Sacramento)
- Boo at the Zoo (Oakland)
- W Hotel San Francisco MEGA HALLOWEEN Party (San Francisco)
- The Bernal Scream Haunted House (San Jose)
- Rebel Yell Haunted House (San Jose)
- Goblin Jamboree (Sausalito)
- San Francisco Ghost Hunt (San Francisco)
- NightMare Island (Vallejo)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Mateo Area Haunted Experiences
Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
What to Expect:
An immersive indoor and outdoor scare experience featuring a new storyline, characters, and scares throughout both the house and estate.
Description:
Experience the thrilling and chilling haunt chapter, Unhinged: Hotel, at the Winchester Mystery House. Stranded with car troubles, a group of friends seeks help in a nearby hotel, only to discover it's hiding more than just empty rooms. Navigate through the darkened halls and immersive maze, encountering scare actors and special effects that will leave you questioning whether you'll make it to check out.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
Fright Fest at Six Flags
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted experiences with themed attractions and scare zones.
Description:
Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is a thrilling Halloween event featuring haunted mazes, scare zones, and spine-chilling live entertainment. Guests can experience chilling rides in the dark, explore eerie haunted houses, and enjoy family-friendly activities like the Kids BooFest. The event includes a variety of attractions and shows, making it a must-visit for those who dare to face their fears.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: Fright Fest at Six Flags
Sacramento Scream Park
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted attractions with massive improvements and brand new rooms for 2024.
Description:
Sacramento Scream Park is a top haunted event in Sacramento, featuring four haunted houses, including Voodoo Blackwater Boneyard, Iron Veil Asylum, Silverthorn Amusement Park, and Hollow Hill High. The event also includes Frightmare Midway with live actors, food trucks, and Eerie Essentials for chilling keepsakes. Each attraction offers massive improvements and brand new rooms for 2024, creating a thrilling experience with eerie atmospheres and terrifying encounters.
Where: Sacramento | More Info: Sacramento Scream Park
The Bernal Scream Haunted House
What to Expect:
The unique feature of The Bernal Scream Haunted House in 2024 is its return with a new, highly intense show called "Soul Shredder," which promises to be the darkest and most twisted experience yet.
Description:
The Bernal Scream Haunted House is back in 2024 with its biggest and newest haunted attraction, "Soul Shredder." This high-endurance adult attraction promises to deliver the darkest, meanest, and most twisted scares yet. The event honors the legacy of its co-founder, Abel Barrera, and continues the family's dream of providing a terrifying experience.
Where: San Jose | More Info: The Bernal Scream Haunted House
Rebel Yell Haunted House
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experience with a variety of terrifying scenes.
Description:
Rebel Yell Haunted House is a classic haunted house experience located in San Jose, California. As you walk through the rooms of this old house, expect to see ghosts, corpses, skeletons, zombies, and a bit of blood. The haunted house is open on Halloween each year, offering a terrifying experience for those who dare to enter.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Rebel Yell Haunted House
San Francisco Ghost Hunt
What to Expect:
A unique blend of entertainment and authenticity, led by a seasoned guide who brings three decades of experience in haunted history.
Description:
Embark on a chilling journey through the fog-draped streets of San Francisco with master magician and actor Christian Cagigal as your guide. Step into the shadows of the city's most haunted landmarks as Christian weaves a web of mystery, magic, and macabre stories from San Francisco's dark past. Notorious spirits to ghostly apparitions, each stop on this tour is a portal to another world, where the paranormal comes to life before your very eyes. Whether skeptic or true believer, you'll be captivated by Christian's mesmerizing storytelling and uncanny abilities.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: San Francisco Ghost Hunt
NightMare Island
What to Expect:
A 45,000 square foot warehouse transformed into a haunted experience with an additional 900 square feet of haunt.
Description:
NightMare Island in Vallejo, California, offers a thrilling Halloween experience in a 45,000 square foot warehouse with 3-story ceilings and roll-up doors. The event features an additional 900 square feet of haunt, providing a true rollercoaster of frights. Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October from 5 PM, this haunted house is a must-visit for horror enthusiasts.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: NightMare Island
Scotts Valley Haunted House
What to Expect:
A tamer version of the haunted house designed specifically for elementary school children and their parents.
Description:
Scotts Valley Haunted House is a family-friendly event designed for elementary school children and their parents. This year's theme is Schmetterling Village, featuring a haunted village setting with booths and Thriller Dancers. The event includes a non-scary experience tailored for younger kids, making it a fun and safe Halloween celebration.
Where: Scotts Valley | More Info: Scotts Valley Haunted House
Grimm’s Hollow
What to Expect:
An immersive haunted attraction suitable for all ages, with a family-friendly option and a scarier experience for adults.
Description:
Grimm’s Hollow is the Bay Area's premier family Halloween adventure, offering an experiential journey through a fully immersive attraction for all ages. This year's adventure takes visitors beneath the waves on a self-guided tour through The Pirate’s Abyss, where adults and children will interact with an amazing array of characters and take in the spooky sights both above and below the sea. For a REALLY scary good time, stick around for The Maelstrom, where the claws come out, teeth are bared, and all who enter must try to escape Davy Jones Locker alive.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Grimm’s Hollow
Blind Scream
What to Expect:
A haunted house experience with strobe lights, fog, and intense special effects.
Description:
Blind Scream Haunted House is a thrilling Halloween experience located at 98 Santa Rosa Plaza in Santa Rosa, CA. This haunted house features strobe lights, fog, moving floors, pitch darkness, strong smells, intense audio, and other special effects. It is not recommended for children under 7 years old or for individuals with certain health conditions. The event supports local community groups and nonprofits by inviting them to participate as part of the scare team.
Where: Rohnert Park | More Info: Blind Scream
Hauntington Beach Manor
What to Expect:
Hauntington Beach Manor offers an immersive and theatrical haunted house experience with exceptional effects and a strong narrative focus.
Description:
Hauntington Beach Manor is a premier haunted house located in Westminster, California. This year, it is collaborating with Dark Harvest Haunts, offering a unique and terrifying experience. The event features exceptional effects, including a containment chamber for a ghost and an underground sewer with real water effects. Guests are led through a theatrical experience with a strong narrative focus, making it ideal for teens and adults. The event is wheelchair accessible and offers free parking.
Where: Westminster | More Info: Hauntington Beach Manor
CHS Haunt: Dark Folklore Part 2
What to Expect:
An immersive walkthrough haunt experience inspired by German Fairytales and Pagan traditions.
Description:
CHS Haunt: Dark Folklore Part 2 is an immersive walkthrough haunt experience produced by Chaffey Theatre Company. Inspired by German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, this event transports visitors to the Black Forest, offering many chilling and terrifying experiences. The haunt is approximately 15 minutes long and supports a local nonprofit school arts program.
Where: Ontario | More Info: CHS Haunt: Dark Folklore Part 2
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near San Mateo
Boo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
A self-guided Halloween scavenger hunt through the Oakland Zoo.
Description:
Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween event at the Oakland Zoo. Participants can enjoy a self-guided scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating for special edition animal Trading Cards, and collecting a bonus Trading Card and fair trade organic chocolate. The event includes an in-person costume contest and a virtual costume contest on social media. Dressing in costume is encouraged, but inflatable costumes are not allowed to avoid scaring the zoo animals.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Boo at the Zoo
Goblin Jamboree
What to Expect:
A variety of hands-on activities and programs 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 transforms the museum into a playful and spooky wonderland. Enjoy activities like building a beast with collage paper, creating surreal animal prints, and participating in live insect demonstrations. The event supports the museum's mission to provide joyful learning experiences for children and families.
Where: Sausalito | More Info: Goblin Jamboree
Halloween Spooktacular
What to Expect:
A variety of spooky and fun activities suitable for kids up to age 10.
Description:
Halloween Spooktacular 2024 is a family-friendly event at the Red Morton Community Center. It features cool carnival games, a Muah-ah-ah Monster Maze, creepy crafts, spooky photo backdrops, and a mini pumpkin patch. The event offers prizes and fun activities for kids up to age 10, with admission including up to two grown-ups for $10 per child.
Where: Redwood City | More Info: Halloween Spooktacular
Pumpkin Maze
What to Expect:
A comprehensive fall festival with a variety of activities for all ages.
Description:
Dell'Osso Family Farm's Pumpkin Maze is a family-friendly event featuring a giant corn maze, haunted castle, and various seasonal activities like pumpkin painting, pony rides, and a hay ride. The event is open daily from October 4 to October 31, 2024, with special Halloween hours on October 31st.
Where: Lathrop | More Info: Pumpkin Maze
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
What to Expect:
A comprehensive Halloween celebration with a variety of themed activities for all ages.
Description:
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City is a family-friendly Halloween festival featuring a variety of activities for all ages. Enjoy a special screening of "Despicable Me 4," trick-or-treat stations, a pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and creative activities like slime making and face painting. The event also includes a costume contest with various categories and a festive photo booth.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
Family Halloween Day at Randall Museum
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with a variety of activities including Creepy Crafts, Ghoulish Games, and Trick-Treating.
Description:
Join the Randall Museum for Family Halloween Day, a fun-filled event featuring daytime Halloween activities for the whole family. Explore the Haunted Animal Room, get creative with Creepy Crafts, earn prizes in Ghoulish Games, enjoy Live Music & Entertainment, and more. The event promises a spooky yet not scary Halloween experience with unexpected surprises throughout the museum.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Family Halloween Day at Randall Museum
China Town Halloween Festival
What to Expect:
A variety of fun activities for all ages, including a scary room and a pumpkin patch.
Description:
The Chinatown Halloween Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating Halloween with activities like pumpkin painting, a scary room, trick-or-treat lane, pumpkin patch, costume contest, carnival games, balloon animals, photobooth, and lion dances. It takes place on Saturday, October 26, from 11 am to 3 pm at Waverly Place in Chinatown.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: China Town Halloween Festival
Halloween Mask Making Festival
What to Expect:
A festive day of mask-making, carnival games, and thrilling performances for all ages.
Description:
The Halloween Mask Making Festival is a family-friendly event that has been a fall tradition for over 25 years. It takes place at the London Nelson Community Center on October 19, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The festival includes mask-making activities, creepy carnival games, a photo booth, and special performances by All About Theatre. The event also features thrilling dance performances of "Thriller."
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Halloween Mask Making Festival
Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
A festive parade and trick-or-treating event with a dog costume contest and movie night.
Description:
The Sausalito Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat Lane is a festive event that kicks off at 5:45 PM on October 31, 2024, at the Station 1 Firehouse. The parade will feature a spooky procession, followed by Trick or Treat Lane at Robin Sweeny Park, where children can collect treats from sponsors. Additionally, there will be a dog costume contest and a movie night featuring "Hotel Transylvania." This event promises to be a fun-filled evening for families and Halloween enthusiasts alike.
Where: Sausalito | More Info: Halloween Parade
Capitola Village Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
A festive parade led by a Central Fire Engine with live music from the Soquel High Senior Band.
Description:
Join the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade, led by a Central Fire Engine with music from the Soquel High Senior Band. The parade begins at 2 PM and winds through Capitola Village to Esplanade Park, where trick-or-treat bags await. Kids are welcome to trick-or-treat at participating shops following the parade. This family-friendly event is a fun way to celebrate Halloween in a charming coastal town.
Where: Capitola | More Info: Capitola Village Halloween Parade
Family Halloween Concert
What to Expect:
Adults and children participate in a tour of the orchestra, and ten lucky kids get to conduct the symphony.
Description:
The Redwood Symphony's Halloween Family Concert in 2024 is a festive event where adults and children come in costume to take a tour of the orchestra. The concert features music from movies like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Moana, with ten lucky kids getting a chance to conduct the orchestra. The event is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes long, without intermission.
Where: Redwood City | More Info: Family Halloween Concert
Halloween Trunk or Treat
What to Expect:
A spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat experience with creatively themed and decorated car trunks.
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 a variety of kid-friendly crafts and games. The event takes place downtown inside participating businesses, on the street, and at the Plaza on Main Street. It's a free event, so don't forget to bring a bag for all the goodies!
Where: Martinez | More Info: Halloween Trunk or Treat
Jack O’Lantern Jamboree
What to Expect:
A spooktacular evening of Halloween fun around the campfire with activities like pumpkin carving, a Halloween parade, and not-so-spooky stories.
Description:
Join the Pacific Skyline Council for a spooktacular Halloween event, the Lion & Tiger Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree. Enjoy pumpkin carving, a Halloween parade, and roasting hot dogs and toasting s’mores over the campfire. As it gets dark, tell not-so-spooky stories around the campfire and maybe have a few skits too. All participants, including adults and siblings, will receive a toasting fork, hot dog supper to cook over the fire, and s’mores. Children must be accompanied by a parent.
Where: Palo Alto | More Info: Jack O’Lantern Jamboree
Halloween Costume Contest
What to Expect:
A festive sidewalk stroll with a Canine Critter Costume Contest.
Description:
Join Benicia Main Street for a festive Halloween Costume Contest on October 26th. The event features a sidewalk stroll where participants can show off their creative costumes. Local merchants on First Street will be in the holiday spirit, offering a fun shopping experience. At noon, a Canine Critter Costume Contest will take place, with awards and treats for the participants.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Halloween Costume Contest
Trick or Treat on the Farm
What to Expect:
A trick-or-treat adventure set in a historic farm environment with activities highlighting farm life and the late Victorian era.
Description:
Trick or Treat on the Farm is a family-friendly event where participants can come in their Halloween costumes for a trick-or-treat adventure. The event features various stations with activities and treats to take home, highlighting farm life and the late Victorian era. This event is part of the Fun on the Farm series, which offers free crafts and activities that step back into history and enjoy the simple things of life.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Trick or Treat on the Farm
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near San Mateo
W Hotel San Francisco MEGA HALLOWEEN Party
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with five separate rooms featuring different music genres and performances by 10 DJs.
Description:
Experience the ultimate Halloween celebration at the W Hotel San Francisco. This premier event features five separate rooms, each with its own unique music genre and atmosphere. Enjoy performances by 10 DJs, dancers, drummers, and an amazing violinist. The event is magically decorated, and there will be costume contests with great prizes. This is a must-attend Halloween party in San Francisco, offering unparalleled luxury and an unforgettable night.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: W Hotel San Francisco MEGA HALLOWEEN Party
Annual Halloween Bash with Midnight Mixtape
What to Expect:
A unique blend of Halloween festivities and live music entertainment.
Description:
The Annual Halloween Bash with Midnight Mixtape is a festive celebration featuring a midnight mixtape session. Attendees can enjoy music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere as they celebrate Halloween in style. The event promises to be a memorable night filled with fun and entertainment.
Where: San Mateo | More Info: Annual Halloween Bash with Midnight Mixtape
Other Halloween Activities Near San Mateo
Vintage Witch Market
What to Expect:
A festive marketplace offering a variety of witch-themed goods and services, including costume contests and metaphysical activities.
Description:
Join us at the Vintage Witch Market in Berkeley on October 20th, 2024, for a spellbinding afternoon of magic and mystery. This 5-hour event features over 40 witchy vendors selling antiques, crystals, vintage clothing, pottery, jewelry, and more. Enjoy henna, tarot readings, astrology, reiki, and a mini sound healing session. Participate in our adult costume contests with prizes for Sexy Witch, Vintage Witch, and Movie Witch categories. Dogs are welcome, and the event is both indoor and outdoor.