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
Whether you’re looking for pumpkin picking with ocean views or patches decked out with spooky decor, Santa Cruz County has plenty of spots to get you (and your home) in the fall spirit! Check our list here for the best places to pick your perfect pumpkin in Santa Cruz County this fall!
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Fright Flicks – “Us”
October 2, 2024; 7:30pm – 10pm
Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy this creepy movie filmed right here in Santa Cruz. Full bar featuring signature drinks; snacks available for purchase; fun inflatable chairs available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Downtown Boulder Creek: Treat Walk
October 4, 2024; 5pm – 8pm
Head to Downtown Boulder Creek to enjoy the Annual Treat Walk where both artists and merchants will be handing out candy and treats to the kiddos. Although you are welcome to break out your Halloween costume early, it is not required.
Roaring Camp Railroads Harvest Faire
October 7 – 8, 2024
Welcome Fall with the Harvest Faire at Roaring Camp! Take the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain. Pick a pumpkin from the town pumpkin patch. Activities include: Pick a Pumpkin, Harvest Themed Kids Crafts, Blacksmith, Gold Panning, Live Entertainment.
Museum of Natural History: Creepy Crawly Watercolor Class
October 8, 2024; 6pm – 8pm
Featuring chilling insect displays, and the rarely seen insect taxidermy collection, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and entomologists alike. Taught by a professional entomological illustrator, this workshop will begin with a scientific presentation on insects before transitioning to the painting portion.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: “Dawn of the Dead” Fright Flick
October 9, 2024; 7:30pm – 10pm
Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy this creepy movie. Full bar featuring signature drinks; snacks available for purchase; fun inflatable chairs available on a first-come-first-served basis.
UCSC: Festival of Monsters
October 11-12, 2024
The Festival of Monsters begins with two days of free public events! Stay tuned for some ways to nerd out on your favorite ghouls on a research level.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
October 12 – 13; October 19 – 20; October 26 – 27, 2024
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.
Tractor or Treat at the Agriculture History Project
October 12, 2024; 11am – 3pm
Come on out for some amazing fall fun! Second Saturday on the farm, Tractor or Treat! Kids and families will enjoy trick-or-treating around the farm, fall crafts, drive a tractor, enjoy a hay wagon ride around the fairgrounds and so much more!
Scarecrow Sip and Stroll in Downtown Felton
October 12, 2024; 12pm – 4pm
Sip apple cider as you stroll charming Downtown Felton and cast your votes at the shops with your favorite scarecrow display.
Felton Farmer’s Market: Pumpkin Decorating Bonanza
October 15, 2024; 2pm – 5pm
Welcome the fall and its fading light with free pumpkin decorating! At this annual tradition, kids and adults alike will sit down to celebrate the harvest season, the coming holidays and the joy of playing with food. Rodoni pumpkins of all shapes and sizes will be dressed up with veggies, string, pipe cleaners, buttons, and googly eyes. Vendors take advantage of the theme – when you are done with the market hunt seek out some pumpkin ice cream and cardamom carrot pumpkin bread!
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: “Killer Clowns from Outer Space” Fright Flick
October 16, 2024; 7:30pm – 10pm
Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy this creepy movie filmed right here in Santa Cruz. Full bar featuring signature drinks; snacks available for purchase; fun inflatable chairs available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Actors Theatre: Lucky Time Spooky Play
October 17-20; 24-27, 2024; 8pm – 10pm
Actors Theatre is continuing their tradition of staging a show for the spooky season in October with the world premiere of Lucky Time, a new play by local playwright and author John Chandler, directed by Wilma Marcus Chandler. In Lucky Time, a vehicle breakdown near a remote cabin leads to a night of wine, dangerous confessions, and visitations from past misdeeds. Is it luck when a stranger offers help…or something far worse? Gather your courage and a friend’s hand to squeeze, and head to the theatre to find out!
Heritage Harvest Festival at Wilder Ranch State Park
October 19, 2024; 11am – 4pm
It’s time to celebrate harvest time! Participate in historical activities and living history demonstrations including blacksmithing, the Pelton water wheel, and machine shop demonstrations. Enjoy live old-time music, baked goods, and hand-cranked pumpkin ice cream for sale. Enjoy kids’ crafts and games and partake in the apple cider press and heritage apple tasting!
Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
October 19, 2024; 12pm – 4pm
Enjoy the 26th annual Halloween Festival, including mask-making, creepy carnival games, All About Theatre Halloween performances and Thriller dance!
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
October 19 – 31, 2024
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 26, 2024; 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 Colonnade Stage (front of Pirate Ship). Although not Halloween specific, there are plenty of folks dressed up, in great spirits, and serving up amazing chili!
Pleasure Point: Fall Sip and Scare
October 26, 2024; 12pm – 5pm
Bring your friends, get dressed- up & come sip & stroll & shop! Enjoy tastings while strolling through some of your favorite Pleasure Point shops. Check in at the address below to get your glass and follow the balloons to over 20 locations for a sip of your favorite beer and wine!
Evergreen Cemetery: Dia De Los Muertos
October 26, 2024; 1pm – 4pm
This October look forward to another vibrant gathering as we collectively celebrate life and death. For the past 6 years, the team at the MAH has had the opportunity to experience, grow, and share Día de los Muertos with more and more of Santa Cruz County. Enjoy the Día de los Muertos community celebration of traditional music, dance, and art at Evergreen Cemetery. Enjoy live performances by Senderos’ Centeotl Danza y Baile at 12:30 and Ensamble Musical de Senderos at 2pm. Stroll through the cemetery in a self-guided presentation of community altars. Learn about Dia de los Muertos from our community partners and leaders of Senderos. Hear the story of Dia de los Muertos in our community and the importance of honoring this beautiful celebration, together.
Natural History Museum: Macabre Halloween Party
October 26, 2024; 6pm – 9pm
Come in costume and imbibe cauldron-concocted cocktails while exploring the chasms of the world beneath our feet. The seventh annual Museum of the Macabre will be bigger than ever with freakish festivities and special exhibits outdoors and inside the Museum’s galleries.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at the Cabrillo College
October 26, 2024; 6:30pm & 9pm
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Santa Cruz. Get your tickets now to discover Halloween-inspired music at Cabrillo College under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Witches Ball at the Brookdale Lodge
October 26, 2024
Fall is coming soon and so is the Witches Ball. Don your most fabulous frock for the best party of the year! Go to the Brookdale Lodge, the most haunted place in California …. if you dare! Vendors and multiple bars to tickle your fancy. Spellbinding witch hat and costume contest. Dance the night away. An exquisite time to be had by all! Lots of spooky vendors! Party will be held both inside and outside. Brookdale Cafe and Grill will be open for midnight pancakes.
Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Bar Crawl
October 26; October 31, 2024
Prepare to be spellbound by some atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the macabre ambiance, where haunted histories intertwine with contemporary charm. Savor the spine-chilling experience as you explore a selection of Santa Cruz’s most iconic bars and pubs, each offering exclusive food and drink specials tailored to tantalize your taste buds.
Capitola Village Halloween Parade and Trick or Treating
October 27, 2024; 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls… Don’t miss 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.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: “Trick ‘r Treat” Fright Flick
October 30, 2024; 7:30pm – 10pm
Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy this creepy movie. Full bar featuring signature drinks; snacks available for purchase; fun inflatable chairs available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat
October 31, 2024; 2pm – 5pm
Every Halloween, the Santa Cruz Police Department and the City of Santa Cruz close down Pacific Avenue for kids to trick or treat! Watch for signs in the windows of participating businesses.
Aptos Village: Halloween Parade
October 31, 2024; 3pm – 4pm
Get ready for the spookiest, most thrilling event of the year! The Halloween Aptos Chamber Parade is creeping into town, and you won’t want to miss it! Enjoy a fang-tastic time in front of the New Leaf Community Markets in the Aptos Village as the ghouls and goblins take over the streets. Dress up in your most creative and spine-chilling costumes and bring your family and friends.
Trick-Or-Treat on the Santa Cruz Wharf
October 31, 2024; 3pm – 6pm
Little witches, goblins, ghosts, superheroes and their parents can enjoy trick-or-treating on the beautiful Santa Cruz Wharf. Stroll the Wharf and visit your favorite businesses for sweet surprises. The event is free!
Watsonville Film Festival Presents: 6th Annual Dia De Muertos
November 1, 2024; 4pm – 9pm
Join the Watsonville Film Festival to celebrate this beautiful tradition with a community event at the Watsonville City Plaza featuring altars, live music and dance, hands-on activities, and the screening of Coco! Also, check out local artisan goods in Romo Park, Watsonville Farmers’ Market offerings and more!
Boulder Creek Halloween Celebration
October 31, 2024; 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Put on your silliest, scariest or wackiest costume and join the Boulder Creek Downtown Trick or Treat on Halloween! This is one of the BCBA’s favorite events to host. There will be traffic control volunteers at the intersections and crosswalks from 5-7 ONLY! Please do not cross at Forest Street. Crossing the highway will be allowed at Lomond Street and at the 9/236 intersection. The highway will not be closed, so limiting the places to cross will keep you and your kids safer! Trick or treat!!