Scariest & Fun Halloween Events in Bay Area 2024
As October approaches, the San Francisco Bay Area comes alive with a host of spooky Halloween events. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, spine-chilling haunted houses, or lively costume parties, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top Halloween events in the Bay Area for 2024, ensuring that your Halloween is filled with fun, scares, and unforgettable memories.
1. Best Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Bay Area
For families with children, there are plenty of Halloween events in the Bay Area that are more treat than trick. These events offer wholesome, festive fun that kids and adults will love.
- Berkeley’s Annual Free Harvest Festival
Date: October 19, 2024
Location:Cedar Rose Park
This free event brings the Berkeley community together to celebrate the fall season with activities for all ages. With music, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and a “Tot’s Zone” for younger children, this is one of the most popular Bay Area Halloween events for families. There’s even a food contest to showcase the best-baked goods.
- California’s Great America’s Tricks and Treats
Date: September 20 – October 26, 2024
Location: 4701 Great America Pkwy
Located in Santa Clara, this amusement park transforms into a Halloween wonderland, perfect for families. Enjoy live shows, candy stations, and a costume contest—all in a safe, spooky atmosphere. It’s one of the most sought-after family-friendly Halloween events in the Bay Area.
- Halloween Jam at Fairyland
Date: October 10 – 20, 2024
Location: 699 Bellevue Ave
Take the kids to Fairyland in Oakland for an enchanting Halloween celebration in the Bay Area. From arts and crafts to bouncy houses and puppet shows, it’s an event filled with festive fun. Don’t forget the costume contests, which are a major highlight!.
- Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
Date: October 26 – November 26, 2024
Location: Thrive City
If you’re looking for an exciting way to spend Halloween with the family, head to Thrive City for Halloween activities in the Bay Area. With trick-or-treat stations, a movie screening of Despicable Me 4, and live entertainment, this event is great for all ages.
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: First Presbyterian Church
Enjoy a hauntingly beautiful evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Oakland. This event features spooky classical music by candlelight, creating a perfect mix of eerie and elegant. It’s a unique option among the many Halloween events in Bay Area that cater to families.
2. Pumpkin Patches at Local Farms in the Bay Area
A trip to a Bay Area pumpkin patch is a great way to kick off your Halloween festivities. These pumpkin farms offer plenty of fun for the whole family.
- 51st Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Date: October 14-15, 2024
Location: Main Street, Half Moon Bay
One of the most famous pumpkin festivals in the Bay Area, this event has been a tradition for over 50 years. With pumpkin carving demonstrations, food stalls featuring pumpkin-themed treats, and thousands of pumpkins to choose from, it’s an event that screams fall.
3. Top Halloween Parties and Masquerades in the Bay Area
For those who prefer a night of dancing, costumes, and cocktails, check out these Halloween parties in the Bay Area that will keep you entertained late into the night.
- Halloween Sausalito
Date: October 31, 2024
Location: Station 1 Firehouse
Sausalito transforms into a Halloween wonderland with a costumed street parade and dog costume contest. It’s one of the most unique Halloween events in the Bay Area and perfect for those who love to celebrate with both friends and their furry companions.
- Crawloween Halloween Pub Crawl
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Mayes Oyster House
For the ultimate SF Bay Area Halloween event, join the Crawloween Pub Crawl in San Francisco. With thousands of revelers dressed in elaborate costumes, you’ll enjoy drink specials, dancing, and the lively atmosphere across the city’s best bars.
- Mushroom Masquerade at the Ferry Building
Date: October 25, 2024
Location: Ferry Building
Get ready for a unique masquerade event inspired by mushrooms! This fun and creative party features live music, gourmet mushroom dishes, and plenty of opportunities to dance in your costume.
- Dance Fridays Halloween Party
Date: October 25-26, 2024
Location: Dance Fridays, 550 Barneveld
Love to dance? This Bay Area Halloween event offers salsa and bachata lessons, followed by a night of vibrant music and lively dancing. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate Halloween with a crowd of fun-loving people.
- Halloween Ball at The Clift Hotel
Date: October 31, 2024
Location: Redwood Room by The Clift
The Halloween Ball at the Redwood Room in The Clift Hotel is one of the most elegant Halloween parties in the Bay Area. Get ready to dress to impress and dance the night away.
- Dark Hallow: Vampire vs. Werewolf vs. Slayer Circus Variety Show
Date: October 31, 2024
Location: Continental Club
If you’re looking for something truly unique this Halloween, head to Dark Hallow at the Continental Club. This immersive circus variety show pits vampires, werewolves, and slayers against one another in a thrilling, interactive performance.
Featuring breathtaking aerial acts, daring acrobatics, and a spooky costume contest, this event is one of the most anticipated Bay Area Halloween parties. With a night full of interactive fun and jaw-dropping performances, it’s the perfect way to spend Halloween night
4. Unique Bay Area Halloween Celebrations
Looking for something truly out-of-the-ordinary? These unique Halloween events in the Bay Area offer a fresh take on the spooky season.
- Fear Overload Scream Park
Date: September 21 – November 2, 2024
Location: Haunted House San Jose
For fans of horror, Fear Overload Scream Park in Newark is a must. It offers two terrifying haunted houses that will challenge even the bravest guests. It’s widely regarded as one of the scariest Halloween attractions in the Bay Area.
- Winchester Mystery House: Unhinged Hotel
Date: September 13 – November 2, 2024
Location: Winchester Mystery House
The historic Winchester Mystery House opens its doors for a Halloween experience like no other. The Unhinged Hotel event invites you to explore the haunted mansion with a chilling storyline. This Bay Area Halloween experience is not to be missed.
- Mayhem Mansion
Date: October 26 – 28, 2024
Location: HAAS-LILIENTHAL HOUSE
The Haas-Lilienthal House transforms into Mayhem Mansion each Halloween season, offering spooky Victorian-era thrills. Explore the historic mansion’s dimly lit rooms filled with jump scares and eerie decor.
- Haunted Haight Ghost Hunting Walking Tour
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Magnolia’s Brewery
This unique walking tour takes you through the Haight-Ashbury district, where you’ll learn about ghost sightings and paranormal activity. It’s an interactive way to enjoy Halloween in San Francisco.
- Fatal Abduction at Terror Vault
Date: October 4 – November 3, 2024
Location: The San Francisco Mint
A blend of sci-fi and horror, Fatal Abduction at the San Francisco Mint plunges visitors into a storyline about alien invasion and survival. This immersive, interactive event is ideal for those who want a truly frightening Halloween.
- Vintage Witch Market in Berkeley
Date: October 20 – November 20, 2024
Location: Gilman Brewing Company
The Vintage Witch Market in Berkeley is the perfect spot to shop for witchy treasures. With vendors selling everything from crystals to tarot cards, this Halloween event in the Bay Area is a magical way to celebrate.
- San Francisco Halloween Haunted House
Date: October 5 – November 5, 2024
Location: Gregangelo Museum
This haunted house invites the bravest souls into a spooky dollhouse filled with creepy chambers. From balloon-twisting clown dolls to a macabre teddy bear hospital, this haunted attraction offers a whimsical yet eerie experience perfect for fans of dark, playful Halloween adventures.
- Jack-O-London Halloween Bar and Bites Crawl
Date: October 31, 2024
Location: Jack London District
Head to Oakland’s Jack London District for the Jack-O-London Halloween Bar and Bites Crawl. Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy themed food and drink specials at local bars and restaurants. With no entry fee, this laid-back crawl offers a refreshing, casual way to celebrate Halloween in the Bay Area.
- Fall Follies 2024
Date: October 27, 2024
Location: Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy
A mix of wicked talent and fabulous drag performances await at Fall Follies 2024. Held in San Francisco, this variety show brings laughter, music, and Halloween spirit to the stage. Don’t forget to wear your best costume for a chance to win a grand prize.
- Supernatural
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: SuperNatural – Breathe Bay Area
Hosted by the California Academy of Sciences, this unique after-hours event is perfect for families and science enthusiasts alike. Attendees will enjoy a spooky silent disco at the Steinhart Aquarium, live animal demonstrations, and Halloween-themed science experiments. Trick-or-treat stations will also be available throughout the museum. Supernatural is an excellent option for those seeking a mix of Halloween fun and education
5. Halloween Outdoor Activities in the Bay Area
Enjoy some fresh air while still getting your fill of spooky fun with these outdoor Halloween events in the Bay Area.
- Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park
Date: September 27 – November 2, 2024
Location: Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
Alameda County Fairgrounds hosts this pirate-themed haunted park, which features haunted mazes, live actors, and plenty of scares. It’s an outdoor Bay Area Halloween event perfect for thrill-seekers.
- Ghost Hunting in Old San Francisco
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Pacific Heights
Experience the paranormal side of San Francisco with this ghost-hunting tour. Walk the historic streets while using real ghost-hunting equipment to detect supernatural activity.
6. Halloween Events for Pet Lovers
Your furry friends can join in the fun with these Halloween events in the Bay Area designed just for pets.
- Howl-O-Ween Party for Dogs 2024
Date: October 24 – November 24, 2024
Location: Wag Hotels San Francisco
Wag Hotels hosts this annual Howl-O-Ween event where dogs can strut their stuff in a costume contest while raising money for a good cause. It’s the perfect Bay Area Halloween event for pet owners and their dogs.
- Third Annual Palm House Bark Bash: Dog Brunch & Fashion Show
Date: October 27, 2024
Location: Palm House
This year’s Palm House Bark Bash is shaping up to be the ultimate doggy fashion show! Dress your furry friends in their best Halloween costumes for a chance to win prizes in various categories, including “Best Dressed.” This event will include swag bags, adoption coupons, and even specialty cocktails for human attendees, like the Aloha Hound. Don’t miss out on this fabulous Halloween celebration for both dogs and dog lovers.
- Spooky Pups Parade
Date: October 27, 2024
Location: 8 Presidio Terrace
- Bark at SPARK Howl-o-ween 2024
Date: October 27, 2024
Location: SPARK Social SF
Bring your pup to the Spooky Pups Parade hosted at Presidio Terrace for a Halloween parade where dogs in creative costumes steal the show. Prizes will be awarded for the most spook-tacular outfits, and all proceeds go to support Muttville, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing senior dogs. This event is a wonderful way to celebrate Halloween while giving back to a good cause.
This full-blown party for dogs and their owners at SPARK Social SF is packed with fun activities. From costume contests to pet-tastic vendors and even a puppy parade, this event has something for every pet lover. You can also participate in a Pup Cup Race or capture spooky photos of your pup at the haunted backdrops. With donations going to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, this event is not only a good time but also supports a great cause.
Conclusion: A Spooktacular Halloween in the Bay Area
Whether you’re after thrills, chills, or family fun, these Bay Area Halloween events in 2024 offer something for everyone. From haunted houses to outdoor activities and Halloween parties, there’s no shortage of spooky fun.