This Weekend in Santa Cruz: October 25th – 27th, 2019

By Christine Candelaria

Capitola Halloween

There’s no escaping Halloween events this weekend in Santa Cruz (insert evil laugh)!

Whether you attend a parade, concert, Derby game, 5k run, or chili cook-off, there’s bound to be some spooky spirits and costumes aplenty.

Enjoy a jam-packed weekend celebrating one of Santa Cruz’s favorite holidays of the year.

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

This week’s Roundup is sponsored by the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. Come cheer on the Santa Cruz Derby Girls at their last home game of the season. It’s a Halloween themed double-header and dressing up is strongly encouraged! With food trucks, full concessions and beer and wine, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Click here for tickets. Use code SCLife19 at checkout for 10% off (discount not valid on game day so grab those tickets today!)

Friday

88 Keys Halloween Concert

When: 10/25 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: Samper Hall, Music Bldg, Cabrillo College

This is a Santa Cruz Life favorite for all ages. No tricks, just treats in the form of a spooky, family-friendly Halloween concert put on by the music students at Cabrillo College. Tickets are free but required for entrance. Special treat for costumes!

Get more info here.

Free Movie & Food Trucks in the Park

When: 10/25 at 4:30 pm; Movie starts at 6:30 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley

Come in costume and receive a treat from all the food trucks including Saucey’z, Holopono, Mattia Pizza, G’s Mexicantacos, and Aunt LaLi’s. Enjoy food truck fare, a beer and wine garden, live music, and “Spider-Man, Into the Spider-Verse”.

Get more info here.

5th Annual Truck or Treat

When: 10/25 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office – 5200 Soquel Ave.

Instead of house to house, kids can go from car trunk to car trunk to collect treats. There will also be a petting zoo, haunted metro bus, games, and new this year: a kids’ parade and ‘Dunk a Swat’. Don’t miss a performance by Watsonville Taiko at 5:15 pm.

Get more info here.

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

When: 10/19 – 10/31
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf

Get ready for Halloween with a spooky, family fun countdown! Head to the Wharf for 13 days of activities including Great Pumpkin BINGO, festive photo booth, zombies, Thriller dance moves, and unique specials from Wharf restaurants and gift shops. All the fun leads to trick or treating on the wharf on Halloween.

Get more info here.

17th Annual Scotts Valley Haunted House

When: 10/24 – 10/26 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: 555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley

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 Slaughterhouse. Not recommended for children under 10.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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Saturday

The Missing Arm

When: 10/26 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Bring a flashlight for this guided walking theater experience in the redwoods and prepare yourself for the spooky and slightly silly haunted tale about Big Basin’s last lumber mill owner and his fateful encounter with a grizzly bear. Afterwards, enjoy ranger apples cooked around the campfire and more storytelling fun. The trail is stroller and wheelchair accessible.

Get more info here.

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

When: 10/26 – 10/27 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave

And now for something totally different…head to the Live Oak Grange for beautiful hand-made glass pumpkins and gourds created in the glass blowing studio of local artist Cris Johnson. The glass pumpkin patch is open Saturday and Sunday, October 26th and 27th, from 10am to 4pm.

Get more info here.

Witches Ball 2019

When: 10/26 from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am
Where: Brookdale Lodge

Welcome to the most haunted hotel in California! The Brookdale Lodge is the perfect venue for a Witches Ball, complete with live music by the Coffin Bangers aka Deep Pockets, a costume contest, witches hat contest, food truck court, fortune teller, photo booth, and multiple bars.

Get more info here.

Bellies, Birth & Babies

When: 10/26 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Pacific Cultural Center

This is a wonderful opportunity for new and expectant families to learn about some of the amazing community resources Santa Cruz County has to offer. There will be a pop-up marketplace, hands-on demos, workshops, free mini massages, prizes, and more.

Get more info here.

Haunted Harbor Trick-or-Treat Event

When: 10/26 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Harbor

An eerie adventure at the Harbor awaits, where little ghouls and goblins can visit trick-or-treat stations throughout the southeast harbor.

Get more info here.

Museum of the Macabre: An Evening of Creatures, Curiosities & Cocktails

When: 10/26 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

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. This year’s event showcases the art of taxidermy and will feature live demonstrations and artful displays.

Get more info here.

Halloween Mask Making Festival and Haunted House

When: 10/26 Festival from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm;
Haunted House 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center

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 with versions for both young and older children.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off

When: 10/26 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Public tasting begins 1:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

As the weather grows colder, there’s nothing better than a hearty bowl of chili to warm your spirits. The Boardwalk’s 10th Annual Chili Cook-Off is your chance to try the best from both amateur and professional chefs. Purchase a Tasting Kit and sample up to six chili concoctions (vegetarian versions available), then cast your vote for the best. A portion of the proceeds benefits CASA of Santa Cruz County.

Get more info here.

Day Out With Thomas: Halloween Party!

When: 10/26 – 10/27
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads

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 photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt.

Get more info here.

Gault Elementary Halloween Parade and Carnival

When: 10/26 Parade at 9:00 am; Carnival 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Parade will begin at the Buttery

The Gault Elementary Halloween Parade & Carnival has been a favorite community tradition 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.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Derby Girls DOUBLE HEADER!

When: 10/26 Doors open at 4:00 pm; Game times at 4:30 & 6:45
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium

Come cheer on the Santa Cruz Derby Girls at their last home game of the season. It’s a Halloween themed double-header and dressing up is strongly encouraged! May we suggest unicorns, vampires, skeletons, and monsters? As always, there are some very special half time shows planned for both games, food trucks onsite, and full concessions.

Purchase tickets below and use Discount Code: SCLife19 for 10% off.

Get more info here.

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

See Description Under Friday Section

17th Annual Scotts Valley Haunted House

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

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Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

3k/5k Run and Dia de los Muertos Festival

When: 10/27 from Run at 9:00 am; Festival 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: El Rosal Bakery

The bakery that brings you the best tamales in town, is hosting an exciting 3k/5k run followed by a Día de los Muertos celebration. There will be jump houses, piñatas, face painting, traditional sugar skull decorating, Ballet Folklórico dancers, and homemade altars. A fun, cultural event for the whole family!

Get more info here.

Trunk or Treat

When: 10/27 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Cruise Coffee Scotts Valley

Join the Scotts Valley Fire District, Santa Cruz Mustang Club, and Cruise Coffee for a safe trick-or-treating experience for all the kids. All cars are welcome to dress their trunks up—award for best dressed trunk!—and pass out candy. Bring your camera for photos with a fire engine from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Get more info here.

CAPITOLA VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

When: 10/27 Line-up begins at 1:30. Parade starts at 2:00 pm
Where: Parade winds through Village and ends at Esplanade Park

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 Village shops after the parade.

Get more info here.

Beer, Brats, Blues & Boos

When: 10/27 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa

Oktoberfest meets Halloween at the annual Beer, Brats, Blues & Boos. Make sure your costume gives you room to enjoy assorted sausages and sides plus local craft brews. The Vinny Johnson Band will provide the perfect funked up blues and soul for a fun afternoon.

Get more info here.

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

See Description Under Saturday Section

Day Out With Thomas: Halloween Party!

See Description Under Saturday Section

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Watsonville Taiko’s Annual Holiday Boutique and Raffle

When: November 3 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Kizuka Hall, Watsonville

Get a jump start on holiday shopping and support the performing arts and community spirit of Watsonville Taiko. This family-friendly boutique features a variety of themed baskets, succulents, and unique gifts for everyone. Raffle prizes include a stunning, handmade Japanese motif quilt. Enjoy baked goods and snacks for purchase while you shop.

Santa Cruz Makers Market 1-Year Anniversary

When: November 3 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz

Come wish the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market a happy 1-year anniversary! Enjoy a free concert featuring local instrumental quartet Asari while you shop the unique wares of over 40 Santa Cruz makers and crafters.

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Christine Candelaria

Christine Candelaria is a local mom of four who enjoys sharing her Santa Cruz adventures. You can follow her #santacruzlife on Instagram at @theaumsmama.

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