Find the most haunting Halloween events in Santa Cruz! Our guide features all the top scary highlights. Whether you're a longtime lover of Santa Cruz's lore or a first-time fright seeker, our guide is your companion through the Halloween season.
Popular Events: Step into a world of mystery and suspense at the Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse, where eerie tales unfold between the walls of this historic estate. Dive into the chilling side of Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Ghost Tour, exploring local haunted sites and spine-tingling stories. And the Santa Cruz Halloween Bar Crawl is something you definitely don't want to miss, uniting the thrill of bar-hopping with Halloween-themed fun. See more details on these and other exciting events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Santa Cruz Discussion!
See the Latest Halloween News for Santa Cruz!
Top Halloween Events In and Around Santa Cruz
- Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse (San Jose)
- Harvest Festival
- Halloween on the Wharf: Trick-or-Treat by the Bay (Monterey)
- Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
- Santa Cruz Halloween Bar Crawl
- Santa Cruz Ghost Tour
- The Bernal Scream Haunted House (San Jose)
- Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat
- Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off
See these and even more events listed below!
Santa Cruz Area Haunted Experiences
Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
What to Expect:
An immersive indoor and outdoor Halloween experience with a new storyline and fresh scares.
Description:
Experience the thrilling and immersive Halloween event, Unhinged: Hotel, at the Winchester Mystery House. This event features a new storyline with fresh characters and scares, including an immersive indoor haunt, an outdoor scare zone, and a Halloween museum. Guests will navigate through the darkened halls of the mansion, encountering special effects, jump scares, and eerie decor. The event also includes themed food and drinks, interactive activities, and photo opportunities.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Winchester Mystery House - Unhinged: Nightshade's Curse
Santa Cruz Ghost Tour
What to Expect:
A 1-hour walking tour that uncovers the city's horrifying history and residual activity.
Description:
Explore Santa Cruz's dark past and encounter vengeful spirits on a guided ghost tour. Visit haunted locations like the Golden Gate Villa and Sunshine Villa, known for their tragic histories and paranormal activity. The tour delves into the city's history of serial killers, Satanists, and other entities born from unfathomable tragedy.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Santa Cruz Ghost Tour
The Bernal Scream Haunted House
What to Expect:
The Bernal Scream's "Soul Shredder" is the darkest and most twisted haunted attraction yet, featuring high levels of audio, extreme lights, and special effects.
Description:
The Bernal Scream Haunted House is a thrilling attraction in San Jose, CA, returning for its 2024 season. Founded by father and son duo Mike and Abel Barrera, it has evolved from a backyard show to a premier commercial haunted attraction. The 2024 main attraction, "Soul Shredder," promises to be the darkest and most twisted experience yet, with high levels of audio, extreme lights, and special effects. This event is geared for adults but welcomes all ages.
Where: San Jose | More Info: The Bernal Scream Haunted House
NightMare Island
What to Expect:
A unique and immersive haunted house experience with elaborate sets and props.
Description:
NightMare Island in Vallejo, California, offers a terrifying haunted house experience in a 45,000 square foot warehouse with 3-story ceilings and roll-up doors, creating an "open air" feeling. The event features additional 900 square feet of haunt, ensuring a true rollercoaster of frights. It is open from 5 PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: NightMare Island
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Santa Cruz
Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating with special guests handing out candy and providing photo opportunities along the scenic Santa Cruz Wharf.
Description:
Trick-or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf is a family-friendly event where little witches, goblins, ghosts, and superheroes can enjoy trick-or-treating at various businesses along the beautiful Santa Cruz Wharf. Special guests will hand out candy and provide photo opportunities. The event also includes a Great Pumpkin Hunt and Wharf trivia game, where participants can find hidden pumpkins and win prizes. The event is free and offers a fun-filled afternoon for kids and families.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
Halloween on the Wharf: Trick-or-Treat by the Bay
What to Expect:
A free family-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating and a costume contest at historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey.
Description:
Halloween on the Wharf: Trick-or-Treat by the Bay is a free family-friendly event at historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California. Participants can enjoy trick-or-treating at participating merchants, a costume contest, and spooky Halloween music. The event also features fun photo ops with ghoulish characters and festive decorations along the wharf.
Where: Monterey | More Info: Halloween on the Wharf: Trick-or-Treat by the Bay
Harvest Festival
What to Expect:
A celebration of community with a wide variety of local performers, artisans, and activities.
Description:
The Downtown Santa Cruz Harvest Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating autumn's abundance. Enjoy live music, delicious fall flavors, classic carnival games, and various crafts. The festival features local performers, artisans, food vendors, farm stands, and activities like pumpkin sales and animal meet-and-greets.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Harvest Festival
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off
What to Expect:
The event features a public tasting with dozens of competitors and awards in multiple categories, including Peoples Choice and Most Tasted.
Description:
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off is a festive event where both professional and amateur chefs compete to create the best chili. The competition features four categories: Amateur Red, Amateur Vegetarian, Professional Red, and Professional Vegetarian. The event includes a public tasting, with winners announced at 4 PM. Proceeds from Tasting Kit sales benefit the Treasure Cove universally accessible playground.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off
Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
What to Expect:
A free, family-friendly event featuring mask-making and spooky carnival games.
Description:
Join us for the 26th annual Halloween Mask Making Festival in Downtown Santa Cruz This family-friendly event at the London Nelson Community Center features mask-making, creepy carnival games, special Halloween performances by All About Theatre, and thrilling dance performances of the Thriller. Enjoy a day of creative activities and spooky fun that has become a beloved tradition for Santa Cruz families each year.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat
What to Expect:
Pacific Avenue closure for a safe and festive trick-or-treating experience.
Description:
Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat is a family-friendly event where Pacific Avenue is closed to allow kids to trick-or-treat at participating businesses. The event is organized by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz and features a festive atmosphere with signs in the windows of participating businesses. This free event is a beloved tradition in Santa Cruz, offering a fun and safe environment for children to enjoy Halloween.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat
Roaring Camp Railroads: Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
What to Expect:
A 20-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy, along with various themed activities for the entire family.
Description:
Roaring Camp Railroads presents Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, a family-friendly event where guests can enjoy a 20-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy. The celebration includes entertainment, fun-filled activities, and themed activities such as pumpkin decorating, live music, and meeting Sir Topham Hatt. This event is perfect for families looking to create memorable Halloween experiences.
Where: Felton | More Info: Roaring Camp Railroads: Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
Roaring Camp Railroads Harvest Faire
What to Expect:
The Harvest Faire offers a unique blend of scenic train rides, pumpkin picking, and traditional fall activities in a picturesque redwood forest setting.
Description:
Welcome Fall with the Harvest Faire at Roaring Camp Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain and pick a pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch. Enjoy harvest-themed kids' crafts, blacksmith demonstrations, and gold panning activities. This festive event is perfect for families looking to celebrate the season in a scenic and fun-filled environment.
Where: Felton | More Info: Roaring Camp Railroads Harvest Faire
Santana Row Halloween Family Fest
What to Expect:
The unique feature of this event is the combination of live music, pumpkin decorating, and trick-or-treating activities in a festive atmosphere.
Description:
Santana Row's Halloween Family Fest is a fun-filled event on October 29th from 10 AM to noon. Enjoy live music, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating along The Row, stilt-walkers, balloons, and more. Bring your trick-or-treat bags and costumes for a Halloween celebration.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Santana Row Halloween Family Fest
Downtown Pacific Grove Trick or Treat
What to Expect:
The event offers a fun and safe Trick or Treat experience for all ages, with complimentary candy and goodies at participating businesses.
Description:
Join the 12th Annual Downtown PG Trick or Treat on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This family-friendly event is sponsored by the Pacific Grove Downtown Business Improvement District, the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pacific Grove. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult as they trick-or-treat through downtown Pacific Grove, receiving complimentary candy and goodies at participating businesses.
Where: Pacific Grove | More Info: Downtown Pacific Grove Trick or Treat
Museum of Natural History: Creepy Crawly Watercolor Class
What to Expect:
A hands-on watercolor painting workshop focusing on arthropods using the museum's taxidermy collections.
Description:
Join us for a unique Halloween celebration at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. In our Watercolor Entomology: Creepy Crawlies workshop, participants will learn the basics of watercolor and gouache painting while exploring the fascinating world of arthropods. Taught by professional entomological illustrator Chloe Rickards, this workshop combines scientific presentation with artistic expression, using the museum's taxidermy collections as references. All supplies are included, and participants will take home their completed art piece at the end of the workshop.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Museum of Natural History: Creepy Crawly Watercolor Class
Glass Pumpkin Patch of Carmel
What to Expect:
Unique feature is the display of over 2,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins created by nationally recognized glass artists.
Description:
The Glass Pumpkin Patch of Carmel, now in its 12th year, features over 2,000 dazzling, hand-blown glass pumpkins created by award-winning glass artists. This event celebrates the transition from summer to fall with beautiful art, delicious local cuisine, and hands-on educational activities. Attendees can also participate in the Donation Farm Stand and enjoy sweet treats from local vendors.
Where: Carmel | More Info: Glass Pumpkin Patch of Carmel
Halloween Mask Making Festival
What to Expect:
A creative day of mask-making and Halloween carnival games with special theatre performances.
Description:
Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween celebration at the 26th annual Halloween Mask Making Festival. This event features mask-making, creepy carnival games, a frightening photo booth, and Thriller dance performances. The special All About Theatre performance of "Once Upon a Broomstick" will also take place in the Auditorium. This event has been a Halloween tradition for families for over 25 years.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Halloween Mask Making Festival
Makerspace Fair: It’s Spooky
What to Expect:
Spine-tingling Make-and-Take Stations with trick or treat activities for brave participants.
Description:
Join us at the Carmel Valley Library for a spooky Makerspace Fair This event is designed for our bravest Makers, featuring spine-tingling Make-and-Take Stations. You can wear your Halloween costume if you dare, and enjoy trick or treat activities. This family-friendly event is perfect for those looking to celebrate Halloween with creative and fun activities.
Where: Carmel Valley | More Info: Makerspace Fair: It’s Spooky
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
Enjoy an evening of supernatural excitement with exclusive Halloween gear, complimentary drinks, and a costume contest.
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular night at the Santa Cruz Official Halloween Bar Crawl on October 26, 2024. This event promises an evening of supernatural excitement as you explore the city's spookiest bars. Enjoy 2-3 complimentary drinks or shots, exclusive Halloween gear, and no-cost admission to top local bars. The fun doesn't stop with an exclusive after-party and live DJ sets at select venues. Participate in a costume contest for a chance to win prizes worth $2,000 and get featured on social media platforms.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Santa Cruz Halloween Bar Crawl
Witches Ball at the Brookdale Lodge
What to Expect:
A night of magic and mystery with a costume contest and magical vendors.
Description:
Join us for a spooky and enchanting night at Witches Ball 24 at the Brookdale Lodge. Come dressed in your best witchy attire and dance the night away with fellow witches and warlocks. Enjoy magical vendors, midnight pancakes, and witches brew. Compete in a costume contest with categories like most scary, most creative, best couple, and group. This event is a must-attend for Halloween enthusiasts.
Where: Brookdale | More Info: Witches Ball at the Brookdale Lodge
Museum of the Macabre
What to Expect:
An evening of cocktails and cosmic curiosities with special exhibits both indoors and outdoors.
Description:
The Museum of the Macabre is an annual Halloween party hosted by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. This year's event promises an evening of cosmic curiosities, featuring cocktails and special exhibits both indoors and outdoors. Guests are encouraged to come in costume for an out-of-this-world experience exploring extraterrestrial phenomena.