Dive headfirst into the Halloween hysteria that grips Watsonville with our expertly crafted guide, offering a bewitching blend of frightful festivities and supernatural adventures. Whether Watsonville is your haunted home or your Halloween destination, our guide is your key to the season's best scares.
Popular events include the Downtown Candy Crawl, where families can explore local businesses while collecting treats and enjoying themed decorations. Another highlight is the Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Mask Making Festival, featuring workshops that encourage creativity through festive crafts. And definitely don't forget the 13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf, which transforms the waterfront into a hub of spooky entertainment and fun. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Watsonville
- 13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf (Santa Cruz)
- Watsonville Film Festival Presents: 6th Annual Dia De Muertos
- Halloween Aptos Chamber Parade (Aptos)
- Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Mask Making Festival (Santa Cruz)
- Downtown Candy Crawl
- Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf (Santa Cruz)
- Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party (Felton)
- Santana Row Halloween Family Fest (San Jose)
- Downtown Pacific Grove Trick or Treat (Pacific Grove)
- Halloween Trick or Treating on Lighthouse, Monterey (Monterey)
See these and even more events listed below!
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Watsonville
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
What to Expect:
A 13-day Halloween celebration with activities like the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt and festive Wharf specials.
Description:
Enjoy 13 days of frightful fun on the Santa Cruz Wharf Participate in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap photos at the scenic photo booth, and indulge in festive Wharf specials. The event kicks off on October 19 and features trick-or-treating on October 31.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: 13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
Downtown Candy Crawl
What to Expect:
Unique feature: Trick-or-treating through downtown Watsonville businesses with the option to create your own candy basket at Science Workshop locations.
Description:
Join us for the Downtown Candy Crawl in Watsonville, where you can enjoy a hauntingly good time trick-or-treating through downtown businesses. This family-friendly event is free and open to children aged 13 and under. Bring your own candy-collecting container or create one at the Science Workshop locations before the event. No pre-registration is required, making it easy for everyone to participate and fill their bags with treats and memories.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Downtown Candy Crawl
Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Mask Making Festival
What to Expect:
The event features a variety of Halloween-themed activities including mask-making, creepy carnival games, and special performances.
Description:
The 26th annual Halloween Mask Making Festival in Downtown Santa Cruz is a beloved tradition for families. This free event at the London Nelson Community Center features mask-making activities, creepy carnival games, and special Halloween performances by All About Theatre. The highlight of the festival includes a Thriller dance performance, making it a fun and spooky celebration for all ages.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Mask Making Festival
Halloween Aptos Chamber Parade
What to Expect:
A festive Halloween parade through Aptos Village Green featuring creative costumes and community spirit.
Description:
The Aptos Village is transformed into a spooky spectacle with the Monster Mash – Halloween Parade. On October 31, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, the streets will be filled with ghouls and goblins as they march through Aptos Village Green. This family-friendly event is perfect for all ages, offering a fun-filled afternoon of costumes, music, and community spirit. Dress up in your most creative and spine-chilling costumes and join the festive atmosphere.
Where: Aptos | More Info: Halloween Aptos Chamber Parade
Watsonville Film Festival Presents: 6th Annual Dia De Muertos
What to Expect:
The event features authentic dances rarely seen this side of the border, adding a unique cultural element to the celebration.
Description:
Watsonville Film Festival presents the 6th Annual Dia De Muertos, a free family celebration honoring loved ones who have passed. The event features music and dance performances by Folklorico Ollin, Mariachi Ilusin, and Estrellas de Esperanza, as well as screenings of the popular movie Coco. Families can decorate sugar skulls, make luminarias, and participate in colorful mosaic making. The event also includes a community altar where attendees can bring their own flowers and offerings.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Watsonville Film Festival Presents: 6th Annual Dia De Muertos
Santana Row Halloween Family Fest
What to Expect:
Enjoy a variety of Halloween activities including live music, pumpkin decorating, and trick-or-treating in a festive atmosphere.
Description:
Santana Row's annual Halloween Family Fest on October 29th from 10 AM to noon offers a fun-filled day with 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 festive Halloween celebration.
Where: San Jose | More Info: Santana Row Halloween Family Fest
Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
What to Expect:
A 20-minute train ride with Thomas and Percy, along with various Halloween-themed activities.
Description:
Join Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy for a fun-filled Halloween celebration at Roaring Camp Railroads. Enjoy a 20-minute train ride, Halloween-themed activities, and meet Sir Topham Hatt. The event includes pick-a-pumpkin, Halloween crafts, bounce house, Thomas Train play tables, live music by Peter Apel, and photo ops with Thomas, Percy, and Sir Topham Hatt.
Where: Felton | More Info: Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
What to Expect:
A free family-friendly event with trick-or-treating, photo opportunities, and a Great Pumpkin Hunt trivia game on the scenic Santa Cruz Wharf.
Description:
Join the family-friendly Trick-or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf, where little witches, goblins, ghosts, and superheroes can enjoy trick-or-treating at participating businesses. Special guests will hand out candy and provide photo opportunities, and kids can play the Great Pumpkin Hunt Wharf trivia game. Snap a scenic family photo at the photo booth overlooking beautiful Monterey Bay. The event is free and filled with sweet surprises for all.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
Halloween Trick or Treating on Lighthouse, Monterey
What to Expect:
A community-wide trick-or-treating event where local businesses along Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey offer special treats to children in costume.
Description:
The Halloween Trick or Treating on Lighthouse, Monterey, is a family-friendly event where shops, restaurants, and boutiques along Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey will be open to welcome little goblins with special treats. The event will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to dress their kids in their favorite costumes and join in the fun and safe community celebration.
Where: Monterey | More Info: Halloween Trick or Treating on Lighthouse, Monterey
Downtown Pacific Grove Trick or Treat
What to Expect:
The unique feature of this event is that it offers a free and inclusive trick-or-treating experience for all ages, with complimentary candy and goodies at participating businesses.
Description:
Join us for the 12th Annual Downtown Pacific Grove Trick or Treat event on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This free family-friendly event is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages. Trick-or-treaters will receive complimentary candy and goodies at participating businesses. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Enjoy Halloween-themed activities and special offers at various downtown locations.
Where: Pacific Grove | More Info: Downtown Pacific Grove Trick or Treat
Glass Pumpkin Patch of Carmel
What to Expect:
A showcase of over 2,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins created by nationally recognized artists.
Description:
The 12th Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch of Carmel features over 2,000 dazzling, hand-blown glass pumpkins created by award-winning glass artists. This event, held annually on the second weekend of September, is MEarth's largest fundraising event. Attendees can enjoy local cuisine, earth-table tastings, and hands-on educational activities for kids. A portion of the proceeds supports MEarth's Community Education programs.