Halloween is upon us and Santa Cruz County has all the spooky fun this October! Trick-or-Treating on the Wharf, Halloween Parades, Pumpkin Patches, and so much more! Check out some of the best Halloween events throughout the county!
Pumpkin Patches
Throughout October
Santa Cruz County has many festive pumpkin patches that are well worth a visit this fall. Check here for a variety of pumpkin picking options – including ones with ocean views or spooky spots like the one pictured above!
Roaring Camp Railroads: Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
October 15 – 16; October 22 – 23; October 29 – 30, 2022
Little engineers won’t believe their eyes, or their ears! Percy will be joining Thomas the Tank Engine on the rails! Also, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans! Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas™ and Percy™, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family. Activities include: face painting, story telling, train play tables, pick a pumpkin, cookie decorating, coloring, and more.
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
October 19 – 31, 2022
Join the Santa Cruz Wharf for 13 days of frightful fun! Take part in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap a photo at our scenic photo booth, and enjoy festive Wharf specials ALL 13 days! It all kicks off October 19. For the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, take your Bingo Card to the Wharf any day during the 13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf. Find hidden pumpkins on the Wharf. Match their ghoulish image on your bingo card and stamp your card. There’s also a photo booth on the Wharf Stage for all 13 days: Snap a festive photo with your family with the scenic Monterey Bay and Lighthouse as your backdrop. Wharf Specials – all 13 days – enjoy fabulous, unique specials from restaurants and gift shops perfectly catered to the Halloween theme. And of course, Trick-o-Treating on the Wharf – October 31, 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Bring the family to show off your creative costumes and trick-o-treat at Wharf businesses.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off
October 22, 2022; see time details below
Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!
Cook-Off Schedule: 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Chef’s prep (no heat); 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Chili cook time; 10:00 am: Tasting kits go on sale; 1:00 pm: Public tasting begins; 4:00 pm: Winners announced at the Neptune’s Stage (beachside of Neptune’s Kingdom).
Chaminade Resort & Spa Fall Festival
October 22, 2022; 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fall into fun this season as we welcome cooler temperatures, s’mores weather, and Chaminade’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival on Friday, October 29! The festival will feature: Haunted Forest, DJ Music, Family Games, Costume Contest, Food and Drinks featuring local vendors, Humble Sea Brewery, Bargetto Winery, Cash Bar, Bonfire and S’mores kits for $15. Space is limited. Purchase your tickets here today! Adults & Children 4+: $40; Children under 4: FREE. Admission Includes: (1) Food Ticket, (1) Drink Ticket (Valid for Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic Beverage).
London Nelson Center: Halloween
October 22, 2022; 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Haunted House and Mask Making Festival on Saturday, October 22nd. Haunted House and Mask Making from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. Family-friendly Haunted House from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. This event is free.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Movies at the Beach – “The Lost Boys”
October 29, 2022; 9:00 pm
Enjoy a screening of The Lost Boys movie on the beach in front of the Colonnade! Santa Cruz and the Boardwalk are forever linked to this cult classic and there’s nothing like watching it right where it was filmed with the smell of corn dogs and salt water taffy filling the air.
Capitola Village Halloween Parade and Trick or Treating
October 30, 2022; 1:30 pm
Ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls…join us for the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade! Line up begins at 1:30 pm in the Beach & Village Parking Lot. Parade begins promptly at 2:00 pm. Parade will head down Capitola Avenue, wind through Capitola Village to the Esplanade, ending at Esplanade Park, where trick-or-treat bags and refreshments will be waiting. Trick-or-treating at Capitola Village shops following parade.
Halloween at the Boardwalk
October 30, 2022; 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and spooktacular Boardwalk fun! $12 Trick-or-Treat Package Includes: Collectible Boardwalk Candy Bag: Fill your bag with candy from all participating food and shopping locations on the Boardwalk and $10 MyBoardwalk Card: Play fun outdoor midway or arcade games (Cards do not expire – you can save the card for a later date!)
Trick-o-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
October 31, 2022; 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Trick-o-Treat with ocean views on the Santa Cruz Wharf! Bring the family to show off your creative costumes and trick-o-treat at Wharf businesses.
Aptos Community Halloween Parade
October 31, 2022; 3:00 pm
Join us for a fun filled Halloween Parade on Monday, October 31st in Aptos Village Green (in front of New Leaf). Show off your costume and parade around the Village Green before your trick-or-treat plans! Parade starts at 3:00 pm.
Boulder Creek Halloween Celebration
October 31, 2022; 5:00 pm
The famous annual Boulder Creek Trick-Or-Treat Street festival and parade of frights and delights is coming to Historic Downtown Boulder Creek on Monday, October 31 starting at 5:00 pm. Downtown merchants offer sweets to throngs of colorfully costumed kids and adults get out their most creative costumes for an endless stream of photo ops and laugher. A riot of a night as the entire mountain community lets their hair down for a safe, fun, wacky, and wicked evening.