Get ready for a bone-chilling good time in Sunnyvale with our Halloween guide. Whether you're a familiar phantom or a fresh fiend, our guide unlocks the eerie spirit of Sunnyvale.
Popular events this Halloween season include the Unhinged: Housewarming at Winchester Mystery House, where the historic mansion comes to life with interactive scares and spine-tingling tales. In addition, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Fright Fest offers thrilling rides alongside haunted attractions that unite adrenaline with fright. And the Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring elaborate sets and engaging performances that create a unique immersive experience. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Sunnyvale
- Unhinged: Housewarming at Winchester Mystery House (San Jose)
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Fright Fest (Vallejo)
- Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park (Pleasanton)
- Boo at the Zoo (Oakland)
- San Jose Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl (San Jose)
- Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City (San Francisco)
- California Great America's Tricks and Treats (Santa Clara)
- Berkeley Floating Pumpkin Patch (Berkeley)
- Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens (San Francisco)
- Halloween Mask Making Festival (Santa Cruz)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sunnyvale Area Haunted Experiences
Unhinged: Housewarming at Winchester Mystery House
What to Expect:
Immersive indoor and outdoor haunt experience with numerous scare actors.
Description:
Experience the premier Halloween haunt, Unhinged: Housewarming, at the Winchester Mystery House. This year's all-new haunt features an indoor and outdoor scare zone where guests will encounter numerous scare actors and be immersed in the world's most famous haunted home.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Unhinged: Housewarming at Winchester Mystery House
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Fright Fest
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with themed haunted houses and scare zones.
Description:
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Fright Fest is a thrilling Halloween event featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and spine-chilling attractions. The event runs from September 16th to October 31st, offering a variety of terrifying experiences and family-friendly activities. Guests can explore haunted mazes, enjoy 3D immersive experiences, and indulge in seasonal food and drinks.
Where: Vallejo | More Info: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Fright Fest
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park
What to Expect:
Experience four terrifying haunted houses and a Virtual Fear VR ride in a haunted themed park setting.
Description:
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park offers a spine-chilling adventure with four terrifying attractions and a Virtual Fear VR ride. Enjoy live music and participate in games with add-on tickets. This event is designed for those aged 13 and above, with anyone under 16 requiring adult supervision. The park is located at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California.
Where: Pleasanton | More Info: Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Sunnyvale
Boo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with a self-guided scavenger hunt and costume contests.
Description:
Boo at the Zoo is a Halloween event at the Oakland Zoo where visitors can participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt to trick-or-treat for animal Trading Cards. The event includes a costume contest, both in-person and virtual, with the chance to win great prizes. Participants must dress in costume (excluding inflatable ones) and can enjoy Halloween decorations and activities throughout the zoo.
Where: Oakland | More Info: Boo at the Zoo
California Great America's Tricks and Treats
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with four uniquely themed areas offering a variety of spooky and family-friendly activities.
Description:
California Great America's Tricks and Treats 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 areas: Everfall, Sweet Tooth Acres, Spooky Spires, and Ickyville, offering something for every age and taste. Guests can enjoy their favorite rides and attractions throughout the park while immersing themselves in a Halloween wonderland.
Where: Santa Clara | More Info: California Great America's Tricks and Treats
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
What to Expect:
An immersive Halloween experience with themed activities and a special screening of Despicable Me 4.
Description:
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City is a family-friendly Halloween festival designed to kick off the fall season with safe and spooktacular fun. The event features themed activities for all ages, including a special screening of Despicable Me 4, trick-or-treat stations, pumpkin decorating, live entertainment, and a costume contest. Guests can also enjoy photo booths, slime making, balloon art, and face painting. This immersive experience promises an enchanting afternoon filled with Halloween spirit.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
What to Expect:
The grand finale Halloween Costume Parade with live music is the unique feature of Halloween Hoopla.
Description:
The 24th annual Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens is a family-friendly celebration featuring spectacular performances and activities for kids under 10 and their adults. The grand finale is the 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 the perfect place for a festive Halloween experience.
Where: San Francisco | More Info: Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
Berkeley Floating Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
A fun and interactive way to celebrate Halloween by swimming in a pool filled with pumpkins and selecting one to take home.
Description:
The Berkeley Floating Pumpkin Patch is a fun and unique event where participants can swim in the West Campus Pool filled with pumpkins and select one to take home. The event includes fun activities, swim time, and ghoulish attire is welcome on the pool deck. Proper swimming attire is required for swimming. Advanced registration is highly recommended, and all children under 6 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Where: Berkeley | More Info: Berkeley Floating Pumpkin Patch
Redwood City Halloween Spooktacular
What to Expect:
The unique feature of this event is its variety of fun and spooky activities designed for kids and families, including carnival games, a monster maze, and a mini pumpkin patch.
Description:
Join us for a family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular at the Red Morton Community Center Enjoy Cool Carnival Games, navigate through the Muah-ah-ah Monster Maze, create Creepy Crafts, and take spooky photos at the Spooky Photo Back Drops. Explore the Mini Pumpkin Patch and win prizes. Admission is $10 per child, including up to two grown-ups. Pre-registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome. This event is suitable for kids up to age 10.
Where: Redwood City | More Info: Redwood City Halloween Spooktacular
Halloween Mask Making Festival
What to Expect:
The unique feature of this event is its combination of creative mask-making activities, thrilling performances, and spooky carnival games, making it a comprehensive Halloween celebration for all ages.
Description:
Join us for the 26th annual Halloween Mask Making Festival at the London Nelson Community Center. This family-friendly event offers a creative day of mask making, creepy carnival games, and thrilling performances by All About Theatre. Enjoy the Thriller dance performances and participate in a photo booth for unforgettable memories. This beloved tradition in Santa Cruz is a must-attend for all ages.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Halloween Mask Making Festival
Boos & Bites - Halloween Night Market
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring over a dozen spooky-related vendors and various fun activities for all ages.
Description:
Join us for a family-friendly Halloween Night Market at Billy Roy's Burger in Fremont. Enjoy great food, local vendors, and spooky activities. Featuring over a dozen spooky-related vendors with handmade goods, stationary art, jewelry, and original paintings. Family-friendly activities include trick-or-treating, costume contests, and photo-ops. This dog-friendly event encourages costumes for all participants. Admission is free, and a variety of food and beverage options are available on the menu.
Where: Sunnyvale | More Info: Boos & Bites - Halloween Night Market
Livermore Halloween Carnival
What to Expect:
A spooktacular event featuring a Boo-it-yourself Craft Station, Spooktacular Carnival Games, and a Not-so-Haunted House.
Description:
The Livermore Halloween Boo Bash is a family-friendly event designed to celebrate Halloween in a safe and enjoyable environment. Activities include a Boo-it-yourself Craft Station where kids can create their own Halloween-themed masterpieces, Spooktacular Carnival Games for thrilling fun, and a Not-so-Haunted House for a perfectly eerie adventure suitable for all ages.
Where: Livermore | More Info: Livermore Halloween Carnival
Fremont Trick or Treat on Downtown Safety Street
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Trick-or-Treat event with a variety of treats and activities at the Downtown Event Center & Plaza.
Description:
Join the City of Fremont and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce for a spook-tacular Trick-or-Treat event at the Downtown Event Center & Plaza. Wear your Halloween costume and bring your family for a night of fun and treats. This event is presented by the City of Fremont and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Fremont Trick or Treat on Downtown Safety Street
Halloween on Solano
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating and a costume contest offering cash grand prizes.
Description:
Halloween on Solano is a family-friendly event where children can trick-or-treat at various stores and offices along Solano Avenue from 3 to 5 PM. The evening culminates with a costume contest at Solano-Peralta Park, offering cash grand prizes and fun for all ages. The event emphasizes safety and cleanliness, ensuring a delightful experience for everyone involved.
Where: Albany & Berkeley | More Info: Halloween on Solano
Volunteer at Pumpkins in the Park 2024
What to Expect:
A 12-hour fall festival celebrating the autumn season with live entertainment, a free pumpkin patch, and environmental education programs.
Description:
Join the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for their 28th annual Pumpkins in the Park event. This 12-hour fall festival celebrates the autumn season with live entertainment, a free pumpkin patch, environmental education programs, and more. Volunteers will engage alongside community members to make this event a success. With varied shift times to accommodate setup and takedown, this is a great opportunity to earn volunteer hours while enjoying a family-friendly event.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Volunteer at Pumpkins in the Park 2024
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 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. The event will take place downtown inside participating businesses, on the street, and at the Plaza on Main Street. Bring a bag for all the goodies!
Where: Martinez | More Info: Halloween Trunk or Treat
Trick or Treat on the Farm
What to Expect:
A trick-or-treat adventure with various stations offering activities and treats in a historical farm setting.
Description:
Trick or Treat on the Farm is a family-friendly Halloween event where participants come in their costumes for a trick-or-treat adventure. The event features various stations around the farm offering activities and treats. It is part of the Fun on the Farm series, which 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 Parade
What to Expect:
The event features a family-friendly parade and trick-or-treating, along with a dog costume contest.
Description:
The Sausalito Halloween Parade is a festive event that kicks off at 6:00 PM sharp, with participants lining up at 5:45 PM at Station 1 Firehouse. The parade concludes at Trick or Treat Lane in Robin Sweeny Park, where sponsors offer treats and activities. The event also features a Howl’O’Ween Dog Costume Contest, adding to the fun and family-friendly atmosphere.
Where: Sausalito | More Info: Halloween Parade
Halloween Costume Contest
What to Expect:
The event features a Canine Critter Costume Contest, adding a fun and interactive element for all participants.
Description:
The Halloween Costume Contest is a fun event where participants can showcase their creative costumes. The event features a sidewalk stroll along First Street, where local merchants get into the holiday spirit. There will also be a Canine Critter Costume Contest, with awards and treats for the participants. This event is a great way for kids and all ages to enjoy the Halloween festivities in downtown Benicia.
Where: Benicia | More Info: Halloween Costume Contest
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 campfire stories.
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular evening of Halloween fun around the campfire. We'll carve pumpkins, have a Halloween parade across the stage, roast hot dogs, and toast s’mores over the fire. As it gets dark, we'll 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 Rock Painting in the park
What to Expect:
A fun and creative way to get into the Halloween spirit by painting rocks with spooky designs.
Description:
Join us at Whisman Park for a spooktacular Halloween Rock Painting event Get creative and enjoy the outdoors by painting rocks with fun and eerie designs. This family-friendly activity is perfect for all ages, allowing you to show off your artistic skills and mingle with fellow rock painting enthusiasts. Come dressed in your Halloween outfit to make it a memorable day.
Where: Mountain View | More Info: Halloween Rock Painting in the park
It’s the Great Pumpkin
What to Expect:
Screening of the classic animated special "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" while enjoying museum activities.
Description:
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a classic animated special that will be screened at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. The event allows visitors to enjoy the film on the big screen every half hour while engaging in coloring, cartooning, and exploring the museum galleries for free. This event is part of the museum's regular activities and is included in the price of admission unless otherwise noted.
Where: Santa Rosa | More Info: It’s the Great Pumpkin
Trick or Treating on the Wharf
What to Expect:
A 13-day Halloween celebration featuring trick-or-treating, a Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, and a Thriller Dance performance.
Description:
Join us for 13 days of spooktacular fun on the Santa Cruz Wharf Enjoy the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap a festive photo at our scenic photo booth, and trick-or-treat your way down the Wharf. Local businesses offer unique Halloween specials, and Thrill World will perform the iconic Thriller Dance on Halloween Day.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Trick or Treating on the Wharf
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Sunnyvale
San Jose Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
Enjoy a night of bar-hopping with exclusive drink specials and a chance to win a $2,000 value Halloween costume contest.
Description:
Get ready for a frightfully fun night at the San Jose Official Halloween Bar Crawl Join us on October 26th as we haunt the town, hopping from one eerie venue to the next in search of thrills and chills. Enjoy free entry into over 4+ venues, 2-3 drinks or shots, free Halloween swag, and a free Halloween after party. The event also includes a digital bar crawl map, live DJ at select venues, and a $2,000 value Halloween costume contest.