Have no fear, your Santa Cruz Halloween Guide is here!
We’ve got floating pumpkin patches, costume parades, haunted houses and haunted bus tours—all leading up to the big day, which happens to be a Tuesday this year.
Here’s a day-by-day listing of all the Halloween-themed events this month:
- Oct. 12
- Oct. 13
- Oct. 14
- Oct. 17
- Oct. 19
- Oct. 21
- Oct. 22
- Oct. 26-28
- Oct. 27
- Oct. 28
- Oct. 29
- Halloween
- Día de los Muertos
No Halloween guide would be complete without a mention of our great local pumpkin patches. We rounded up all the best and you can find them here, in our guide to Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches.Midnight Movies at the Del Mar Theatre
- Suspiria (Extended) 10/6
- Eraserhead 10/7
- House (Hausu) 10/13
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 10/14
- Night of the Living Dead 10/20
- Halloween 10/21
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show 10/27 & 10/28
Oct. 11, 17, 18 & 25
Brew Cruz Haunted Tours
Eastside Boo Cruz: 10/11 & 10/25
Westside Boo Cruz: 10/17 & 10/18
Cost: From $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 12
Halloween Party and Fashion Show at Camouflage
When: October 12th 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. Must be 18+
Friday the 13th
Halloween Craft Night for 21+
When: 10/13 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Dream Maker Creative, 1001 Center St. Suite 2, Santa Cruz
Cost: $55
If you love Halloween and all things Pinterest, this is the night to indulge your inner crafter and DIY some spooky decor for your home. Projects include crystal ball candlesticks, potion bottles and a book of spells. Though this workshop is for ages 21+, the studio also has some classes for youth including mask making and Harry Potter crafts.
Santa Cruz Bike Party Thriller Ride
When: 10/13 at 7:00 pm
Where: Meet at the Bike Church in Downtown Santa Cruz
Want a truly only in Santa Cruz experience? Get to know the Bike Church and participate in one of their bike parties, a 7-10 mile long ride with music and dance breaks along the way. This Friday’s theme is Thriller and zombies of all ages and biking experience levels are welcome to join.
Also on Friday the 13th
Oct. 14 +
Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
When: 10/14, 10/15, 10/21, 10/22, 10/28, 10/29
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!
Spooky or Not Spooky
When: 10/14 & 10/28 at 11:30 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.
Youth Rock Concert and Halloween Costume Contest
When: 10/14 @ 1:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s in Felton
Cost: $7 adv./$7 door Children Under 3 Free seated
This Halloween family event features ten 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.
Also on Saturday, October 14
- Sin Sisters Burlesque Halloween Show @ Kuumbwa Jazz Club
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show presented by All About Theater @ The Vets Hall
Tuesday, October 17
Annual Pumpkin Decorating Bonanza
When: 10/17 from 2:30 to 7:30
Where: Felton Farmers’ Market, 120 Russel Ave.
Free pumpkin decorating for the whole family! Rodoni Farms generously donates pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, and the materials to decorate will be provided. We’re talking veggies, string, pipe cleaners, buttons, googly eyes, you name it. Enjoy face painting, live music, and the usual seasonal suspects—lots of fresh, organic produce.
Thursday, October 19
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
When: 10/19 – 10/31
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
Trick or treating on the wharf is always a fun tradition, but this year the festivities start early—13 days early, to be exact. There will be a kick off night with the Great Morgani, a Zombie Night, scavenger hunt trivia game, photo booth, and Halloween specials at shops and restaurants.
Also on Thursday, October 19 & Friday, October 20
Saturday, October 21
The Missing Arm of William Waddell
When: 10/21 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.
The Haunted Cellar Fashion Bazaar
When: 10/21 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Bocci’s Cellar
Cost: Free
Enjoy DJs, dancing, food, drink and fun while taking in the latest creations by local artists—handmade fashions and accessories perfect for costume or festival attire.
Sunday, October 22
Floating Pumpking Patch
When: 10/22 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center
Cost: $8.00 adults/$6.00 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.
A Spooky Halloween High Tea Time
When: 10/22 and 10/29 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Buttercup Cakes in Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: $24 per guest
Enjoy afternoon tea Halloween-style. Dress code: costumes. Tea sandwiches? Nah. Feast on Witch’s Brew and Melted Jack’O’Lantern soup paired with Bruised Blue and Purple Tea.
Also on Sunday, October 22
October 26, 27 & 28
15th Annual Scotts Valley Haunted House
When: 10/26 – 10/28 from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: 555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley
Cost: $9 or $32 for group of 4
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: Area 51. Not recommended for children under 10.
Friday, October 27
88 Keys Halloween Concert
When: 10/27 at 12:40 pm
Where: Samper Recital Hall at Cabrillo College
Cost: Free event but tickets are required
No tricks, just treats in the form of a spooky, family-friendly Halloween concert put on by the music students at Cabrillo College. Costumes welcome!
Marine Masquerade
When: 10/27 from 5:30 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 parade, scavenger hunts, creature crafts, and a flashlight tour to the whale skeleton.
Movie and Dinner in the Park
When: 10/27 Dinner 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm; Movie 6:30 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, live music, and a Halloween movie staple, Hocus Pocus. Costumes encouraged and bring some canned goods to donate to Valley Churches United.
SambaDá – Halloween Costume Ball & Dance Party
When: 10/27 from 8:00 pm Doors / 9:00 pm Show
Where: Moe’s Alley
Cost: $15 Advance / $20 Day Of
A full-on dance party—it’s SambDá, what else would you expect? Well, in honor of Halloween, there will also be a costume contest and cash prizes. Get your tickets early for this one!
Dia de los Muertos + My Mom’s Mole 4th Anniversary Party
When: 10/27 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: Free Admission (Please RSVP)
My Mom’s Mole celebrates 4 years in business at the 2nd Annual Día de los Muertos party. Costumes are encouraged so you might want to choose something that will hold up to dinner, drinks, and dancing. A portion of the night’s sales will support the Food Justice & Equity Scholarship Fund at the UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems.
Cilantro’s Pre-Halloween Bash
When: 10/27 from 9:00 pm to 12:30 pm
Where: Cilantro’s Parrilla y Cantina
Cost: $5 Cover
This 21+ Halloween party features DJ Will-B-Smooth, all-night drink specials plus jello shots, and a costume contest with cash prizes.
Also on Friday, October 27
- 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat @ Santa Cruz County’s Sheriff’s Office
- Hall Pass Halloween Party @ The Crow’s Nest
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Slugs in Fishnets Live @ The Del Mar Theatre
- Go Ask Alice Costume Extravaganza @ Go Ask Alice – Your One Stop Hippie Shop
Saturday, October 28
Gault Elementary School 69th Annual Halloween Parade and Carnival
When: 10/28 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.
Halloween and Mask Making Festival
When: 10/28 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free
Halloween spirit is an understatement at Louden Nelson. There will be mask making activities, mystery touch tanks, a Thriller zombie flash mob dance, and a haunted house. Costumes highly recommended for the phantom photo booth! Get a sneak peek of the “Lost Loudeneers” Haunted House on Friday the 27th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Haunted Harbor Trick-or-Treat Event
When: 10/28 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Harbor
Trick or treating turns into a spooktacular adventure at the Harbor. Bring your ghouls and goblins out to join the fun!
Annual Halloween Monster Bash at Palomar Ballroom
When: 10/28 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!
An Evening of Bones, Beasts & Brews
When: 10/28 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: $15 General | $10 Museum Members
Explore all things mysterious and macabre at the Museum of Natural History after dark. Come in costume and enjoy cauldron-concocted cocktails, freakish nibbles, and strange museum curiosities.
Thrill the World Santa Cruz 2017
When: 10/28 at 3PM sharp!
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center and more
Cost: Free
Every year, on the Saturday before Halloween, night creatures call and the dead start to walk in their masquerade. So basically, a zombie flash mob Thriller dance. There are plenty of opportunities to learn the dance all month and participate in a world-wide simultaneous Thriller Dance at various venues throughout the county. Family and zombie-friendly!
Also on Saturday, October 28
- Billy Martini Halloween Show @ The Crow’s Nest
- Zombie Night @ Kianti’s Pizza and Pasta Bar
- Halloween Extravaganza (China Cats – A Tribute to the Grateful Dead) @ Don Quixote’s
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Slugs in Fishnets Live @ The Del Mar Theatre
- Halloween Party! Featuring Redlight District and Dreaming Ghosts @ The Crepe Place
- Halloween Fire Pit with Smores and Cider @ Davenport Slow Coast Airstream
- PCS Thespian Harvest Festival @ Pacific Collegiate School
- Boos, Booze, and More Halloween Party @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Sunday, October 29
Capitola Village Children’s Halloween Parade
When: 10/29 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.
Halloween at Kennolyn Camps
When: 10/29 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 the Surfing Magician, cookie and pumpkin decorating, free family photos, and of course, trick-or-treating. Costumes encouraged!
Santa Cruz Dia de los Muertos
When: 10/29 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: El Rosal Bakery
The bakery that brings you the best tamales in town, is hosting an exciting festival and Día de los Muertos celebration. There will be jump houses (plural!), piñatas, face painting, traditional sugar skull decorating, Ballet folklórico and Aztec dancers. A fun, cultural event for the whole family!
Also on Sunday, October 29
Halloween: Tuesday, October 31
Woofpack’s 3rd Annual Howloween Costume Parade
When: 10/31 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: West Cliff Drive starting at Natural Bridges
Cost: Free
Calling all dog owners of Santa Cruz County: 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.
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. Be sure to stop by the new Abbott Square where they’ll be handing out some local history as well as candy.
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.
Boys & Girls Clubs Santa Cruz County Halloween Carnival
When: 10/31 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Boys & Girls Club in Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Enjoy a fun, safe, family-friendly Halloween celebration complete with carnival-style games and activities, food, and costumes.
Trick-or-Treat at Capitola Mall
When: 10/31 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Capitola mall
Cost: Free
2nd Annual Sea Witch Paddle Out
When: 10/31 at 10:00 am
Where: Meet at Capitola Beach Bandstand
The Capitola Sea Witches are planning their Second Annual Halloween Paddle Out and due to popular demand, all are invited to attend! If you are a paddler, don a witchy costume and join the floating party. We hear champagne and chocolates are encouraged!
Nightmare on Main Street
When: 10/31 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…at Beer Thirty on Halloween night! This is your opportunity to dress up in costume, drink pumpkin beer and watch an 80s classic.
Also on Tuesday, October 31
- Fall Festival from 6 – 8PM @ GraceWorks Bible Church in Watsonville
- Fall Festival from 5:30 – 8PM @ Santa Cruz Bible Church
- Elm Street! Free Halloween Show @ Felix Kulpa Gallery in Downtown Santa Cruz
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show presented by All About Theater @ Palomar Ballroom
- Thriller Dance Zombie Flash Mobs
- First Annual Spirits at the Beach Bar Crawl @ Beach Street
- Halloween Party w/ Haunted House and Thriller Performance @ Boulder Creek Rec & Park District
Día de los Muertos
- Día de los Vinos Day of the Dead Celebration @ Wargin Wines November 2
- Día de los Muertos Community Festival @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History November 4
- Día de los Muertos con Cuéntame un Cuento – Day of the Dead Celebration with Spanish Storytime @ Live Oak Branch Library (4:30 PM-6:30 PM) November 6
