26 Best Halloween Events in Santa Cruz to Choose from

Best Halloween Events in Santa Cruz: In Felton and Scott Valley area

1. Roaring Camp Railroads and the Harvest Faire!

In October, take your family on a unique journey to the summit of Bear Mountain with Roaring Camp Railroads for their Harvest Faire! The Redwood Forest Steam Train will take you around the mountain. Then you can join the festive marketplace where you can take part in harvest-themed crafts, pan for gold, watch blacksmiths in action, and find a special pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience – visit Roaringcamp.com/ for train times, ticket prices, and more. And if you can’t make it this weekend, not to worry – the Halloween festivities continue every subsequent weekend through the end of October.

2. Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party

Bring your family to Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party for a spook-tacular good time! Featuring a special appearance by Thomas and Percy from “Thomas & Friends”, you can enjoy bounce houses, temporary tattoos, bubbles, a costume contest, magical entertainment from Mr. Miraculous, live music by Peter Apel, and the chance to pick your own pumpkins. Guests will also meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor. This is one Halloween experience you won’t want to miss! Ride last 30 minutes
Roaring Camp Railroads

Event dates: to defined
Train Departing Times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1p, 2pm

📍Location: Roaring Camp Railroads is located at 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton.

💻visit Roaringcamp.com/ or call 335-4484.

3. Scott Valley Hunted House.

Not recommended for children under 10. at the Gate Tickets are sold at the gate from 5:30 to 9:30 and are not sold in advance. $15 CashTickets sold for cash only.

Event dates: October 26-28, 2023

📍Location:555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley, CA.

💻 visit https://svhaunt.org/public/home.html

4. Scarecrow Sip and Stroll in Downtown Felton

Explore historic Downtown Felton, sipping apple cider and admiring the charming scarecrow displays at each shop. Vote for your favorite while you wander through the streets! Enjoy the quaint atmosphere and sample delicious local cider – a truly delightful outing for travelers.

Event date: October 22, 2023; 10am – 4pm

📍Location: Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, Felton

5. Witches Ball at the Brookdale Lodge

Fall is fast approaching, and with it, the most thrilling event of the year: the Witches Ball! The Brookdale Lodge, the most haunted place in California, is the perfect place for travelers to gather and celebate. Get creative with your costume for the hat and costume contest, then dance the night away with music and drinks from multiple vendors. Don’t miss the midnight pancakes at the Brookdale Cafe and Grill to keep you energized! With activities both inside and outside, the Witches Ball has something for everyone who’s daring enough to join in the fun.

Event date: October 28, 2023

📍Location: 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale, CA 95007

H2 Best Family Fall Events In Live Oak Area

6. Swim to pick up your pumpkin at Simpkins Family Swim Center

Make the Halloween season extra special with a visit to the Floating Pumpkin Patch – a unique adventure provided by Simpkins Family Swim Center and Santa Cruz County Parks! Dive and swim to collect your perfect pumpkin, while getting a great aquatic workout. Tickets are $5 for children and seniors, and $7 for adults, with pumpkins costing from $8 each. Plus, entry is free for little ones aged 3 and under! Get ready for a unique pumpkin-hunting experience that can’t be found anywhere else! For more information, call the Swim Center at (831) 454-7960.

Event Date: October

📍Location: held at 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz

7. Glass Pumpkin Patch

The Santa Cruz-Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch is back, and it’s brimming with a Bumper Crop of brilliantly-hued gourds, pumpkins, and more! Chris Johnson has been hard at work in the hot shop crafting captivating designs that appeal to all budgets and tastes.

Whether you’re an avid collector or just appreciate a stunning piece of art, this event is for you. And the best part? No purchase is necessary – just come out and enjoy the plush autumn air and the artistry of the Grange Garden. Don’t miss out on this charming celebration of pumpkin-filled fun!

Event: Oct 26 & 27 at 10 AM – 4PM

📍Location: Live Oak Grange Heirloom Garden – 1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Best Family Fall Events In Santa Cruz area

8. Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat

Trick-or-treating is even more spirited in Santa Cruz every Halloween! The Santa Cruz Police Department and the City of Santa Cruz have teamed up to shut down Pacific Avenue so kids can go door to door collecting their treats. Keep an eye out for signs in the windows of participating businesses – your little ghosts and goblins won’t want to miss out!

October 31, 2023; 2pm – 5pm

📍Location: Downtown Santa Cruz

9. Día de los Muertos at the MAH

Say goodbye to summer and hello to the vibrant and inviting atmosphere of Día de los Muertos! For the past five years, the MAH team has been proudly sharing this tradition with Santa Cruz County. Join this October at Evergreen Cemetery for a community celebration of traditional music, dance, art, and more. At 12:30, experience Senderos’ Danza y Baile, and at 2pm, get lost in the captivating tunes of Ensemble Musical de Senderos. Explore the cemetery with a self-guided presentation of community altars and, with the help of Senderos’ community partners and leaders, learn more about Dia de los Muertos and why it’s such an important celebration to honor. This is a unique opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves into the culture of the area and be part of a celebration of life and death.

Event Date:October 28, 2023

📍Location:Evergreen Cemetery 261 Evergreen St Santa Cruz, CA 95060

10. Boardwalk fright flick

Experience the classic thrills of horror and suspense films at the Beach Boardwalk’s historical Cocoanut Grove ballroom! Adrenaline-seekers 21 and over can enjoy their favorite scary movies, complete with a drink, for just $15 per person. Don’t miss out – the first 50 attendees each night get a wickedly cool themed giveaway!

Movie lineup this year Oct 4 Us, Oct 11 Child’s Play, Oct 18 Zombieland, Oct 25

Event: October 4-25,2023Starting Wednesdays, Doors open at 7:30pm, Movie 8pm

📍Location: Santa Cruz boardwalk

11. Santa Cruz Wharf: 13 Days of Halloween

Explore 13 days of spooky excitement at the Santa Cruz Wharf from October 19-31! Embark on a Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, take scenic photos at our photo booth, get your groove on during our Thriller-filled Zombie Night, and savor festive Wharf specials throughout the whole 13 days of frightful fun. Be sure to start your creepy celebrations on October 19!

Event Date: Oct 19, 8 AM – Oct 31, 8 PM.

📍Location: 21 Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, California 95060

12. Natural History Museum: Macabre Halloween Party

Experience a spine-tingling adventure at the 7th Annual Museum of the Macabre. Put on your most thrilling costume and explore the depths of the underground with cauldron-concocted cocktails! Revel in the frightful festivities both outdoors and inside the galleries, where you’ll discover the mysterious wonders of nature’s darker side. Don’t miss special features such as a costume contest, Tremors outdoor movie screening, and creepy crawlies. Plus, explore the new exhibit Underground: Unearthing Unseen Worlds and treat yourself with Areperia 831 and Discretion Brewing. Unleash the macabre within and join us for a Halloween to remember!

Event Date: October 28, 2023; 6pm – 9pm

📍Location: 1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

13. Trick-o-Treating on the Wharf

Event Date: October 31, 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

📍Location: 1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

14. London Nelson Center: Halloween Festival

Experience Halloween like a local at the city’s traditional festival! Get into the spooky spirit by creating your own mask, then join the thrilling ‘Thriller’ dance flash mob – it’s sure to be a unique experience you won’t forget! Perfect for families and travelers alike, it’s an unforgettable way to spend All Hallows’ Eve.

Event Date: October 21, 2023; 12pm – 4pm

📍Location: 301 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

15. Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Bar Crawl

Let your imagination run wild as you explore Santa Cruz’s most haunted haunts. From classic pubs to timeless bars, these spooky spots will be sure to cast a spell on your taste buds with exclusive food and drink specials. Get ready to be entranced by the macabre atmosphere that envelopes these iconic landmarks, where centuries of mysterious stories linger in the air. Prepare to be bewitched – your journey awaits!

Event Date: October 28, 2023

📍Location: downtown Santa Cruz

16. Wilder Ranch State Park and its Heritage Harvest Festival

Embark on a journey to Wilder Ranch State Park for a day of fun-filled memories – the Heritage Harvest Festival! From historic tractors and engines to square dancing, hand cranked ice cream, living history demonstrations, children’s crafts and games, food, apple tasting, and wagon rides, your whole family will have a blast. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity on , for a day of family fun like no other.

Event Date: October 19th! From 11 AM – 3 PM

📍Location:Wilder Ranch 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Best Family Fall Events In Capitola Area

17. Capitola Village Beach and the Annual SUP Gathering of the Sea Witches of Capitola

The outriggers joined them wearing witches hats and consumes. If you didn’t know you are in time to plan In advance. The Capitola Sea witches hit the ocean during every Halloween morning since 2015. These  ladies dress up in their finest witchery and gather for a fun and casual paddle off of Capitola Beach! it is a fun event so don’t miss it if you’re in town.

Event: Thursday, October 31, at 10 AM

📍Location: Capitola Beach California

18. Capitola Parede

Head out to Capitola for some spooky fun! The City of Capitola is hosting a Trick or Treat event that will fill the streets with Halloween spirit. Get ready to dress up in your favorite costume, bring your spookiest decorations, and an appetite for treats! Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience that will make your Halloween unforgettable.

Sun, Oct 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM

📍Location: Capitola Beach California

Best Family Fall Events In Aptos and Watsonville area

19. Aptos Community Halloween Parade

Calling all ghosts, goblins, and ghouls – join us at the Annual Aptos Community Halloween Parade! Celebrate the spookiest day of the year with a fun-filled parade around the newly opened Aptos Village Green. Show off your costume and visit local businesses who will be participating in our Safe Halloween event, each offering some special treats! Take the ultimate Trick-or-Treat around Aptos before the evening comes to an end in front of New Leaf Aptos. Come one, come all – this event is open to children of all ages!

📍Location: 161 Aptos Village Way, Aptos, California

20. Chaminade Resort & Spa Fall Festival

Celebrate fall with the whole family at the Chaminade’s magical event! Enjoy bounce houses, s’mores, face painting, a haunted forest, and more. Bring your costumed pup for a chance to win one of the great prizes offered throughout the day, or grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks and a cocktail from the full cash bar. Don’t miss out on the family-friendly festivities that are sure to create lasting memories!

Event Date: October 14, 2023; 3:30pm – 7:30pm

📍Location: 1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

21. Haunted Halloween Music at Cabrillo College

Explore the dark side of music this Halloween at Cabrillo College! The entire music department comes together for a spooky night of music from all genres. Don’t forget to wear your costume! It’s going to be a night you won’t forget.

Event date: October 27, 2023; 12:30pm – 3pm

📍Location: Samper Recital Hall 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

22. Crystal Bay Farms Music and pumpkins

Are you looking for an October weekend full of music, crafts, and the best pumpkin patch around? Look no further than Crystal Bay Farms! Join the Steven Graves Band for their Pumpkin Patch Harvest Party with special guest Doug The Surfing Magician. Organic food, beer, kid-friendly crafts, and plenty of pumpkins for sale—all wrapped up in a donation-based package. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate October and all it brings with Crystal Bay Farms!

Event: Sunday at 3 PM – 6 PM

📍Location: Where: 40 Zils Rd, Watsonville, California 95076

23. Farm Discovery at Live Earth

Go for a fun-filled day of activities at the Harvest Festival: Pumpkin Patch & Apples Bash! Bring the whole family out for exciting tractor rides, apple picking, and face painting, plus plenty of delicious food, ice cream, beer & cider, and live music to keep the fun going all day long. Don’t miss out on this autumnal celebration!

📍Location: 1275 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, California 95076

Event: October 19, 2019 at 10 AM – 3 PM

24. Watsonville Dia de Los Muertos Festival

Experience the culture of Mexico right here in Watsonville! Join us for the sixth annual Watsonville Film Festival, a vibrant celebration of the beautiful tradition with an unforgettable community event at the Watsonville City Plaza. From colorful altars to live music and dance, to hands-on activities and a special screening of Coco, you won’t want to miss it! Plus, don’t forget to explore local artisan goods in Romo Park and the Watsonville Farmers’ Market offerings. Celebrate Mexican culture with us!

📍Location: Watsonville Main Plaza

October 24 4-7 pm

25. Trunk or Treat at the Agricultural History Project

Celebrate Halloween on the Farm with your loved ones! We’re giving you and your family an unforgettable day of fun: pumpkin & gourd decorating, pumpkin games, crafts, and a puppet show. Plus, admission is free – though donations are happily accepted. Put on your costumes and get ready for a spooky good time! Tractor or Treat with us and make this Halloween one you won’t forget.

Event: October Oct 27 at 3 PM Free entree at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

📍Location: 2601 East Lake Ave Watsonville, CA 95076

26. Nightmare Before the Nutcracker

Join this spooktacular event! Go to the ballet in your Halloween costume – it doesn’t have to be Nutcracker-related – for an exciting Costume Contest, with an awesome prize for the winner! This spin on a Christmas ballet has only invited their most seasoned dancers to perform; however, it’s a show the whole family can enjoy – just make sure your kids are 8 years old and older, as there are some scary dances that may be too much for the little ones. Come join the fun this Halloween!

📍Location: Scotts Valley Community Theater Guild, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley 95066

October 27, 2023 7pm – 9pm

Beyond Santa Cruz Fall and Halloween Events:

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival !!!

Visit the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay this fall and experience the bountiful harvest and autumn splendor! From the Great Pumpkin Parade to tasty home style foods, there’s something for the whole family. Get ready to be entertained with four stages of live music, marvel at the world’s largest mosaic pumpkin sculpture, get creative with pumpkin carving, and test your skills at corn hole. The Xfinity Take 5 Lounge features a giant screen TV, wet and wild waterballerz, and an ultra-thrilling bungee jump. Fun for kids includes selfies with the mascot “Gourdy” and a pie-eating/costume contest. And on Sundays, enjoy the “Made on the Coast” local artists block and the Great Pumpkin Run 10k, 5k, Half Marathon and Kids’ Fun Run. Best of all, admission is free – but leave the pets at home! All proceeds go to the non-profit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee which has raised several million dollars for community service organizations and civic improvements in its 49 year history. Join in on the fun and experience the enchantment of the World Pumpkin Capital!

Event: October 19-20.

📍Location: 500 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Safeway world Championship pumpkin weight Kick off

Thrill-seeking travelers should hop on their broomsticks and head to the 51th Annual SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF on Monday, October 14! Taking place at the IDES Grounds in Half Moon Bay, this Super Bowl of weigh-offs offers $30,000 in prize money and a world record top prize of $7 per pound. Steve Daletas returned in 2018 with a spectacular 2,170-pound world champion mega-gourd, and veteran growers are sure to bring their A-game for a chance at the $30,000 grand prize. Come marvel at the titanic orbs and take in the Goliath grand champion – plus the top four heaviest – weigh-off pumpkins on display at the Pumpkin Festival. Don’t miss out on this thrilling experience!

Event: ,October 14, 2024 – 7am to 2pm

📍Location: Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA