Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near San Mateo 2026

27 Halloween food, drink, and parties near San Mateo.

As October chills the air, San Mateo and neighboring towns gear up for Halloween. You'll find lively adult parties, like the Annual Adult Halloween Party in Redwood City, alongside food and drink specials throughout the area.

If you're seeking a particular vibe, consider the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco's larger club events or quieter local happenings right here in San Mateo.

All Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Around San Mateo

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Illustration of small costumed children and a witch on a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales and orange trees

Family-Friendly Fall Activities

1 of 48 Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival Half Moon Bay

World pumpkin capital celebration featuring giant champion gourds and artisan crafts.

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 Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and black cats under a full moon at dusk

Haunted Experiences

1 of 11 The Great Hauntway San Francisco

A community-powered, car-free Halloween celebration at the beach.

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 Illustration of a pumpkin character and a ghost performing on a lit stage with red curtains before a crowd at night

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 6 Chamber Music Stowe Fall Concert - Schubertiade II Stowe

Live performance of Schubert's Cello Quintet in the Mozart Room.

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 Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon

Unique & Unusual

1 of 10 Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Half Moon Bay

Growers compete for prizes with massive, Volkswagen-sized pumpkins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do Oktoberfest events overlap with Halloween season in San Mateo?

Oktoberfest runs mid-September through mid-October, so early Halloween season doubles up: some venues run steins-and-costumes hybrid weekends, and beer gardens flip decor overnight. If you want both, do Oktoberfest the first two October weekends and save Halloween proper for the finale. Outdoor Oktoberfest tents get cold after dark by October, so bring the layer the Instagram photos skip.

How do we handle dietary restrictions at Halloween dinners and parties in San Mateo?

For seated themed dinners, submit restrictions at booking and confirm by email a few days out, since prix-fixe kitchens plan counts in advance. At parties and crawls, assume the food is incidental, snack boards and late-night slices, and eat a safe real meal beforehand. Carry a backup bar for long nights, and check whether spooky cocktails hide allergens like egg white or nuts.

Is VIP worth it at big Halloween parties in San Mateo?

Price the specific perks, not the label: express entry is worth real money on peak Saturday when general lines hit an hour, and a guaranteed table transforms a night for a group that wants a home base. Drink tickets usually price out neutral. For a costume-contest crowd-watcher, GA plus early arrival buys the same night for half. Compare per-person, not per-tier.

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