Welcome to Halloween month, when the phrase “only in Santa Cruz” takes center stage.
This month, you can pick pumpkins by train or from a floating pumpkin patch…Ride a bus, drink beer on said bus, and tour haunted spots around town…Take a flashlight tour of a whale skeleton or dress your fur babies in costume and parade with them on West Cliff Drive…
…just to name a few of the frightfully fun events in store.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without community favorites like the Gault Parade and trick or treating Downtown.
Here’s a day-by-day listing of all the Halloween events this month:
Oct. 12, 19 & 26
Brew Cruz Haunted Tours
Westside Haunted Tour: 10/12
Eastside Haunted Tour: 10/19
Westside Haunted Tour: 10/26
Cost: $25
Ghosts and beer…need we say more? Hop aboard the “Boo Cruz” for an hour-long tour of the most haunted spots in Santa Cruz. Costumes encouraged, BYO seasonal beers, and enjoy an adrenaline-filled pint post tour. Must be 21+
Thursday, October 13
Halloween Party and Fashion Show at Camouflage
When: October 13th from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Camouflage in Downtown Santa Cruz
Camouflage’s biggest party of the year will feature soul-sucking sips, naughty nibbles, lots of prizes, and models showcasing several different Halloween looks to inspire your holiday.
Midnight Movies at the Del Mar
- The Silence of the Lambs Oct. 14
- A Bucket of Blood Oct. 15
- The Lost Boys Oct. 21
- The Exorcist Oct. 22
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show Oct. 28 &29
Oct. 15-16, 22-23 & 29-30
Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
When: 10/15, 10/16, 10/22, 10/23, 10/29, 10/30
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: $24
Straight from the Island of Sodor, Thomas the Tank Engine and his buddy Percy are hosting a Halloween party that includes a 20-minute train ride, storytelling and video viewing, temporary tattoos, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, and the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt!
Saturday, October 22
The Missing Arm of William Waddell
When: 10/22 at 6:30 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free, Day use parking $10
Bring a flashlight for this spooky and slightly silly tall tale performed on a short guided walk through the redwoods at night. Afterwards, enjoy ranger apples cooked around the campfire and more storytelling fun.
Day of the Dead Family Craft
When: 10/22 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Freedom Branch Library
Cost: Free
Enjoy a family afternoon of culture and tradition. Decorate sugar skulls, make paper flowers, and other crafts.
Halloween Bash with Antsy McClain and The Troubs
When: 10/22 at 7:30 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $30
Get your Halloween on with local favorite Antsy McClain and the Troubs. Prizes for best costumes!
Youth Rock Concert and Halloween Costume Contest
When: 10/22 @ 1:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s in Felton
Cost: $7 adv./$7 door Children Under 3 Free seated
This Halloween family event features eight youth bands, big raffle prizes, a costume contest, and a cause—proceeds and donations will support the Be Natural Music Scholarship Program which provides financial assitance to kids in the music program.
A Halloween Party
When: 10/22 from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: The Lodge on Top of the Hill 150 Jewell Street, Santa Cruz
Cost: $25 Advance/ $30 Door
Mickey’s Catering (winner of both People’s and Judge’s Choice at this year’s Mole Festival) is hosting a Halloween party featuring a full bar, heavy appetizers, dancing, live music from Back to Nowhere, and prizes for the best costume.
Sunday, October 23
Floating Pumpking Patch
When: 10/23 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center
Cost: $7.00 adults/$5.00 children & seniors. Swim for a pumpkin – $4.00/pumpkin.
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of swimming, games, waterslide fun, and pumpkin picking with a twist from the floating pumpkin patch. There will be prizes, popcorn, pumpkin decorating, and costumes are encouraged.
Spooky or Not Spooky
When: 10/23 at 1:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free, Day use parking $10
A special Halloween-themed walk geared for children- it’s 1 hour and easy! Explore the forest and help decide if something is spooky or not spooky.
Pick a Pumpkin by Train
When: 10/23 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch
Cost: $20
Climb aboard the Swanton Pacific Railroad for a memorable pumpkin picking experience. Bring your own picnic and enjoy fresh apple cider, a beautiful ride along Scotts Creek, and choose a pumpkin from Swanton Pacific Ranch’s organically managed pumpkin field.
Pump Track & Pumpkins Community Festival
When: 10/23 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Chanticleer Park Neighbors/Vecinos
Cost: Free admission
This pumpkin patch comes with a pumptrack Jam and Expo, and if that’s not exciting enough, there’s a balance bike parade, live music, Mexican food, and a drawing to win bike gear.
Also on Sunday, October 23
- The Great Pumpkin Patch 50th Anniversary @ 2831 Daubenbiss in Soquel Village 1:00 PM (sorry no link)
October 27, 28 & 29
14th Annual Scotts Valley Haunted House
When: 10/27 – 10/29 from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: 555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley
Cost: $9
Scream for a good cause! Scotts Valley High School will raise the hair on the back of your neck while raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year’s theme: Schmetterling Castle. Not recommended for children under 10.
Thursday, October 27
Cruz Control DD Presents Heroween 2016
When: 10/27 from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am
Where: Surf City Billiards & Cafe
Cruz Control Designated Drivers is celebrating its 6th year anniversary with a Hero-themed costume party. Invite your friends and help them celebrate!
Friday, October 28
88 Keys Halloween Concert
When: 10/28 at 12:30 pm
Where: Samper Hall at Cabrillo College
Cost: Free
No tricks, just treats in the form of a spooky, family-friendly Halloween concert put on by the music students at Cabrillo College.
Woofpack’s Halloween Costume Parade on West Cliff Drive
When: 10/28 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: West Cliff Drive starting at Natural Bridges
Cost: Free
Woofpack is hosting their annual Halloween Puppy Parade! Come see the pups dressed in their devilishly delightful Halloween get-ups. You might even see some humans in costume, too. If you would like to join in the fun, meet at the Natural Bridges entrance on Delaware at 1:00 p.m. Parade departs toward West Cliff at 1:15 pm.
Marine Masquerade
When: 10/28 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Public: $8 adults, $6 kids, Members and Children 2 and under: Free
Head over to everyone’s favorite marine center Friday evening for a costume contest, scavenger hunts, creature crafts, and a flashlight tour to the whale skeleton.
Movie and Dinner in the Park
When: 10/28 Dinner 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm; Movie 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free entry; Canned good donations accepted
Kick off Halloween weekend with a fun family night at Skypark. Enjoy food truck fare, a beer and wine garden, and a holiday themed movie for the kids, “Transylvania 2!” Costumes encouraged and bring some canned goods to donate to Valley Churches United.
The Witches Ball
When: 10/28 from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am
Where: Boulder Creek
Cost: $15
Dance the night away to the Naked Bootleggers and DJ Tara. There will be a photo booth, munchies and witches brew, costume and witches hat contests with a cash prize, plus you can’t beat free broom parking around back.
Halloween Escape Room
When: 10/28 – 10/30
Where: Garfield Park Community Church
Cost: $20
Get your Scooby Doo on and solve a mystery with your friends. This live action game gives you one hour to find clues and solve puzzles to escape the vampire’s lair. Like, zoinks, man…sign your team up! Recommended for ages 11 and up.
The Coffis Brothers & The Mountain Men Monster Mash
When: 10/28 at 7:30 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $12 Advance/$15 Door
Before you rock out to the Coffis Brothers, enjoy Nels Andrews Acoustic Duo. You’re going to want to wear a Halloween costume you can dance in for this one, or just throw on your flannel and say you’re one of the Mountain Men. This concert is a benefit for Monarch Community School.
Also on Friday, October 28
- 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat @ Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters
- Pop-Up My Mom’s Mole – Día de los Muertos @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Haunted House @ Live Oak Clubhouse (Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County)
Saturday, October 29
Gault Halloween/Día de los Muertos Carnival
When: 10/29 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Gault Elementary
The Gault Elementary Halloween Parade & Carnival has been a favorite community event since 1948. All of Santa Cruz is invited to this fun family friendly event. The day begins with a costume parade on Soquel Ave. followed by the carnival at Gault Elementary.
Museum of the Macabre: Creatures, Curiosities, and Cocktails
When: 10/29 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: Admission + 2 drink tickets $15 general, $10 Museum members
Explore all things mysterious and macabre at the Museum of UNnatural History after dark. Come in costume and enjoy cauldron-conconted cocktails, freakish nibbles, and strange museum curiosities.
Annual Halloween Monster Bash at Palomar Ballroom
When: 10/29 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Palomar Ballroom
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
You can expect plenty of bumps in the night at Palomar’s Annual Monster Bash, including Cha Cha lessons, dance performances, social dancing, and a monster mash. Get your costumes ready for the contest!
Level Up’s 5th Annual Cosplay Event and Contest
When: 10/29 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Level Up in Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free admission
Cosplay fans, this one’s for you. Everyone’s invited to join the party and enjoy refreshments, music, and giveaways. Come in costume for great prizes!
21st Annual FREAKER’S BALL
When: 10/29 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst
Cost: $25 – $50
The 21st Annual Freaker’s Ball at the Catalyst is sure to be a rocking way to celebrate Halloween. Costumes required, so dress to impress! This is a 21 + event.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls Home Team Championships
When: 10/29 at 4:30 pm (Groms) and 6:30 pm (Championship Game)
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $10 – $32
It’s the last game of the season and a double header! First up, the Santa Cruz Derby Groms skate in a Superheroes vs. Supervillains bout between the Sugar Skulls and Bumper Scars. Next up is the Home Team Championships where you can show your Halloween spirit in costume and cheer for the evil lumberjack Redwood Rebels or surfer Superheroes, the Steamer Janes.
Haunted Harbor
When: 10/29 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Harbor
Trick or treating turns into a spooktacular adventure at the Harbor. From the Crow’s Nest to the Boatyard, there are a dozen stops along the way and even the Water Taxi gets in on the fun. Download Trick or Treat Map here.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk & Costume Contest
When: 10/29 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Romo Park in Watsonville
Also on Saturday, October 29
- Halloween and Mask Making Festival @ Louden Nelson Community Center
- Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Department Halloween Dance @ Park Hall
- Halloween Party with Live Music @ New Bohemia Brewing Company
- Costume and dance party (Hall Pass) at The Crow’s Nest
- Workshop: Paint the Night @ Palace Art on 41st Ave.
- Halloween Spook Night in the Cellar @ Stockwell Cellars
- Norcal Gromoween Ride from Capitola Mall to Santa Cruz Wharf
- O’neill Halloween Freak Show Surf Competition @ Steamer Lane
- Halloween Foam Ball Team Surf Competition @ 1st Peak
- Halloween Party with Live Music @ New Bohemia Brewing Company
- Haunted House @ Live Oak Clubhouse (Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County)
- Zombie Night @ Kianti’s Pizza and Pasta Bar
Sunday, October 30
Capitola Village Children’s Halloween Parade
When: 10/30 Line-up begins at 1:30. Parade starts at 2:00 pm
Where: Parade winds through Village and ends at Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
The Capitola Village Children’s Halloween Parade begins near the Capitola Police Department, and works its way down Capitola Avenue to the Esplanade stage where refreshments will be served. Enjoy trick or treating at the Capitola Village shops after the parade.
Photo Credit: Soultravelers3.com
Halloween Family Yoga Pop Up
When: 10/30 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Luma Yoga in Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: $5
Stretchy costumes recommended for this fun-filled, Halloween-themed yoga class for all ages. Face painting, henna, and healthy snacks round out a fun afternoon for the whole family.
Beer, Brats, Blues and Boos
When: 10/30 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort and Spa
Cost: $40 all inclusive
Oktoberfest meets Halloween at the 4th Annual Beer, Brats, Blues, and Boos. Make sure your costume gives you room to enjoy assorted sausages and sides plus beer from four local craft breweries. The Vinny Johnson Band will provide the perfect funked up blues and soul for a fun afternoon.
Halloween at Kennolyn Camps
When: 10/30 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Kennolyn Camps
Cost: Free
Fun tricks and treats are in store at Kennolyn Camp’s Halloween celebration, including entertainment by Mickey Magic, cookie and pumpkin decorationg, free family photos, and of course, trick-or-treating. Costumes encouraged!
Halloween Jazz Night
When: 10/30 at 4:00 pm
Where: Ella’s at the Airport
Eat, drink, and be scary on Halloween Eve! Come in costume for a free appetizer and chance to win an Ella’s at the Airport gift card. The Fireside Players will provide the jazzy tunes for a festive evening.
Also on Sunday, October 30
- Jay Moriarity Foundation’s Halloween Howler @ The Chaminade
- National Theatre Live: Frankenstein @ Del Mar Theatre
- Community Harvest Festival @ Mar Vista Elementary
- O’neill Halloween Freak Show Surf Competition
- Halloween Car Show @ East Lake Village, Watsonville
- Day of the Dead Party @ Wargin Wines
Halloween: Monday, October 31
Trick-or-Treat Downtown
When: 10/31 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Head to Downtown Santa Cruz between 2:00 – 5:00 with your little ghosts and goblins for trick or treating at local businesses on Pacific Ave. Even if you don’t go for the candy, the people/costume watching is well worth a mid-afternoon trip to downtown.
Trick or Treat on the Wharf
When: 10/31 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
Enjoy safe and sane trick-or-treating on the wharf and meet some costumed characters while you’re at it. Businesses will be handing out candy between 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Halloween.
Also on Monday, October 31
Día de los Muertos
- Death Cafe + Day of Dead Altar @ Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company in Watsonville October 26 – November 2
- Pop-Up My Mom’s Mole – Día de los Muertos @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge October 28
- Día de los Muertos Carnival @ Garfield Park Community Church October 30
- Día de los Muertos Community Festival @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History November 5
- Day of the Dead with Spanish Storytime @ Live Oak Library November 7
