Games, food & treats, vendors, music and more. Fundraiser for school and an opportunity to connect with community. Don’t forget your cash–especially small bills.
Halloween & Fall Events for 2026 in Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties
Halloween & Fall Events for 2026 in Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties
Fall festivals, family fun, and Halloween events for a fall season filled with good times on the Central Coast of California. As new events come in and are verified, we will add them, so check back frequently. Here is our round up of verified 2026 Halloween and fall events for Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.
TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF EVENTS TAGGED HALLOWEEN 2026, CLICK HERE.
Upcoming Fall & Halloween Events in Monterey Bay
Thriller Dance Classes
Free, drop-in classes taught by volunteer instructors with previous zombie experience. Open to all ages and abilities.
WHEN: Saturdays through October 10, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
WHERE: London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz
INFO
California Renaissance Faire
The streets and stages are filled with music and dance, plus a petting zoo and other children’s activities. Food, crafts, shows, and more. Kids 12 and under are free every weekend.
WHEN: Weekends through October 25
WHERE: 10031 Pacheco Pass, Hollister
INFO
The Great Big BOO at Gilroy Gardens
Put on your costumes and enter BOO Alley for a fully immersive Halloween adventure. Meet funny characters, sing and dance at the live musical, and trick-or-treat along the BOO Trail.
WHEN: Through November 1
WHERE: Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy
INFO
Downtown Boulder Creek Treat Walk
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.
WHEN: October 2, 5:00–8:00 PM
WHERE: Downtown Boulder Creek
INFO
Night Market 831 Halloween Invasion
Free community gathering with costume contest, food, art, music, and fun.
WHEN: October 2, 5:00–9:00 PM
WHERE: Sand City Art Park
INFO
Cypress Church Fall Festival
A day of carnival games, bounce houses, food, annual Creative Showcase, fellowship, and an opportunity to dunk the pastors on staff.
WHEN: October 3, 10:00 AM
WHERE: Cypress Church, Salinas
INFO
Downtown Santa Cruz Harvest Festival
Games, fall produce, food, crafts, music, and more.
WHEN: October 3, 12:00–4:00 PM
WHERE: Parking Lot 16 & Church Street, Santa Cruz
INFO
Mad Science at the Library in Salinas
Get ready for some spooky science and create new experiments every week.
WHEN: October 6, 13, 20 & 27, 3:30–4:30 PM
WHERE: El Gabilan Library, Salinas
INFO
Boardwalk Fright Flicks
Scary-movie nights in the Boardwalk’s historic Grove Ballroom: Killer Klowns from Outer Space (Oct. 7), Shaun of the Dead (Oct. 14), Get Out (Oct. 21), and The Sixth Sense (Oct. 28). $18 entry includes one drink ticket.
WHEN: Wednesdays, October 7–28, 8–10 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
INFO
Spooky Sensory Storytime
A cozy morning designed with sensory needs in mind. Families can enjoy hands-on sensory activities, an inclusive storytime, and community connection.
WHEN: October 7, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Olivia and Daisy Bookstore, Carmel Valley
INFO
Costume Swap at Marina Branch Library
Donate gently used, clean costumes at the Marina Branch Library. All donated costumes are given away at Dads Read on October 10.
WHEN: Donations through October 10; swap October 10, 10 AM–12 PM
WHERE: Marina Branch Library, Marina
INFO
Dads Read October
Halloween costume exchange. Other activities include gymnastics, rock painting, clothing exchange, and trunk or treat.
WHEN: October 10, 10 AM–12 PM
WHERE: Marina Branch Library, Marina
INFO
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 more.
WHEN: October 10, 11 AM–3 PM
WHERE: Agriculture History Project, Watsonville
INFO
Thomas & Percy’s Halloween Party
Take a 25-minute train ride with Thomas and Percy. Enjoy family activities, costumes, and more.
WHEN: October 10–11, 17–18, 24–25
WHERE: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
INFO
Pumpkin Decorating Bonanza
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.
WHEN: October 13, 2–5 PM
WHERE: Felton Farmers’ Market, Russell Avenue, Felton
INFO
San Carlos School Trunk or Treat
The school PTO’s annual trunk or treat offers safe trick-or-treating in a gated courtyard. Open to the public; entry is $5 per person.
WHEN: October 16, 4:30–7 PM
WHERE: San Carlos School, 450 Church St., Monterey
INFO
Harvest Festival
Dog costume contest, music, and food.
WHEN: October 17, 11 AM–2 PM
WHERE: Pacchetti Dog Park, Seaside
INFO
Heritage Harvest Festival
Enjoy living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and more. Taste history during the Heritage Apple Tasting.
WHEN: October 17, 11 AM–4 PM
WHERE: Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz
INFO
Haunted House and Mask Making Festival
A creative day of mask making, Halloween carnival games, frightening photo booth, Thriller performance plus special theatrical performances in the auditorium. Free event.
WHEN: October 17, 12–4:30 PM
WHERE: London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz
INFO
Pumpkin Plunge
Free admission includes swimming, crafts, games, and more; $7 to plunge for a pumpkin.
WHEN: October 17, 1–3 PM
WHERE: Patullo Swim Center, 1148 Wheeler Street, Seaside
City of Monterey Trunk or Treat
Trick or treat with area non-profits and other city partners. Be sure to stop by and say hi to the team from Monterey Bay Parent!
WHEN: October 17, 5–6:30 PM
WHERE: Pacific Street between Madison & Jefferson, Downtown Monterey
INFO
Monterey Bay Charter School Fall Auction Party
Monterey Bay Charter School’s biggest fundraiser of the year is a festive Halloween auction party for families, friends, and community members. Costumes encouraged. Tickets are $65 through October 17 and $75 at the door.
WHEN: October 17, 5–9 PM
WHERE: 456 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey
INFO
City of Monterey Movie on the Lawn
Enjoy the movie Scooby-Doo on the Colton Hall lawn following the city’s Trunk or Treat event.
WHEN: October 17, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Colton Hall, Pacific Street, Monterey
INFO
Halloween Movie Night in Gonzales
The free annual Halloween Movie Night. Dress up and bring snacks and blankets. Costume contest at 6:30 PM; the movie starts at 7 PM. More info: 831-675-5000.
WHEN: October 17, 6:30–9 PM
WHERE: Gonzales Community Amphitheater, 620 5th Street, Gonzales
INFO
City of Greenfield Harvest Festival
Enjoy food, live music, a car show featuring classic cars & modern cars, and more.
WHEN: October 18, 12:00–6:30 PM
WHERE: Downtown Greenfield
INFO
Floating Pumpkin Patch
The Santa Cruz County Parks Department hosts the event and allows people to swim and dive for pumpkins, which they can then decorate at a station with crafts.
WHEN: October 18, 1–4 PM
WHERE: Simkins Swim Center, Santa Cruz
Low Sensory Pumpkin Patch in Salinas
A calm, inclusive evening at the pumpkin patch designed for children with special needs and their families. Pick a pumpkin and decorate it! Space is limited; call 831-744-3808 for info.
WHEN: October 19, 5–7 PM
WHERE: Salinas
INFO
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
Pumpkin Bingo Hunt, Thriller dance, photo booths, and festive Wharf specials.
WHEN: October 19–31
WHERE: Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
INFO
Spooktacular at Scotts Valley Branch Library
Storytelling, games, arts and crafts, prizes, books for all, face painting, and refreshments. For ages 7 and under with an adult. Costumes optional.
WHEN: October 22, 3:30–5 PM
WHERE: Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley
INFO
Haunted House at Hartnell College
The Associated Students of Hartnell College host a walk-through haunted house for friends and families. No jump scares.
WHEN: October 22, 4–6 PM
WHERE: Hartnell College, 411 Central Avenue, Salinas
INFO
Trunk or Treat at Northridge Mall
Resource Fair, treats, games, costume contest and more. Held in the parking lot near Panera Bread.
WHEN: October 23, 4–7 PM
WHERE: Northridge Mall parking lot, Salinas
INFO
Trunk or Treat Costume Contest at Northridge
Wear your best costume for a Halloween celebration in the Northridge Mall parking lot next to Panera Bread. The costume contest begins at 5 PM.
WHEN: October 23, 4–7 PM
WHERE: Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Mall, Salinas
INFO
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Trunk or Treat
Join the county Sheriff’s Department for their annual Trunk or Treat event. Decorated trunks, candy, games, food vendors and more. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided at the Capitola Mall.
WHEN: October 23, 5–8 PM
WHERE: Shuttle pick-up point is Capitola Mall
INFO
Sand City Trunk or Treat
Sand City’s first trunk or treat at Art in the Park. Trick-or-treating starts at 5:30 PM, followed by an outdoor movie night at 7:30 PM.
WHEN: October 23, 5:30–9:30 PM
WHERE: Sand City Art Park, 525 Ortiz Avenue, Sand City
INFO
Party at the Monsterey Boo Ascaryum
Come show off your costume, and experience the Aquarium at night, dance to spine-tingling tunes, and trick-or-treat yourself to Halloween-themed desserts available for purchase at the cafe along with savory meals, coffee, beer, and wine. Halloween event tickets are required for admission for members and their guests. No general admission tickets sold.
WHEN: October 23 & 24, 7–10 PM
WHERE: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey
INFO
Pebble Beach Zombie Run & Emergency Preparedness Fair
Choose the 5K Zombie Crawl or 2K Survivor Stroll, then enjoy tacos, fire engine tours, and preparedness displays.
WHEN: October 24, 9 AM–12 PM
WHERE: 4005 Sunridge Road, Pebble Beach
INFO
Downtown Pacific Grove Trick-or-Treat
Candy, music, giveaways, and safety zone activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
WHEN: October 24, 10 AM–2 PM
WHERE: Lighthouse Avenue, Downtown Pacific Grove
INFO
Carmel’s Annual Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkins roll down Ocean Avenue in a fun community tradition.
WHEN: October 24, 11 AM–1 PM
WHERE: Ocean Avenue (Santa Rita to Junipero Streets), Carmel
INFO
All Saints Day School Fall Festival
Rides, food trucks, games, music, and entertainment to celebrate fall.
WHEN: October 24, 11 AM–3 PM
WHERE: All Saints Day School, 8060 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
INFO
Special Kids Connect Halloween Carnival
Created specifically for special needs families, this carnival-style event includes games, crafts, face painting, and more. Costumes are optional, and each child will receive a pumpkin tote for collecting prizes and giveaways.
WHEN: October 24, 11 AM–1 PM
WHERE: Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey
INFO
Santa Cruz Día de los Muertos
Celebrate and honor Latino cultural heritage through musical and dance performances by Senderos. Throughout the day, there will be hands-on activities and live music. Explore the MAH to view beautifully crafted altars known as altares, or ofrendas, created by community organizations.
WHEN: October 24, 12:00–3:00 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Front Street, Santa Cruz
INFO
Calvary Kids Fall Festival
The church parking lot will be filled with families and people of all ages enjoying carnival games, festive food, inflatables, costume contests and sack races.
WHEN: October 24, 12–3:00 PM
WHERE: Calvary Community Church, Monterey
INFO
Boulder Creek Branch Library Halloween Party
Treats, crafts, games, and a photo booth. All ages welcome, in costume or not.
WHEN: October 24, 1–3 PM
WHERE: Boulder Creek Branch Library, 13390 W. Park Ave., Boulder Creek
INFO
Shoreline Fall Family Festival
Games, trunk-or-treat, crafts, food trucks, and inflatables. Costumes encouraged.
WHEN: October 24, 2–4 PM
WHERE: Shoreline Church, 2500 Garden Road, Monterey
INFO
Halloween on Lighthouse
Dress up the kids, get in the spirit, and come on down with your family to enjoy a fun and safe time in the community. Rain or shine. All businesses handing out candy will be located on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey between Reeside and David and will have a Lighthouse Halloween poster displayed in the window.
WHEN: October 24, 2–5 PM
WHERE: Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey
INFO
Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade & Costume Contest
Get ready for Carmel’s most paws-itively fun Halloween tradition. Bring your four-legged friends to strut their stuff in the Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade at Carmel Plaza. Dress them up in their spookiest, silliest, or most creative costumes and join the fun.
WHEN: October 24, 2–5 PM
WHERE: Carmel Plaza, Carmel
INFO
Presidio of Monterey’s Trunk or Treat
Trunk decorating contests, candy, and games for the kids.
WHEN: October 24, 3:00–6:00 PM
WHERE: General Stillwell Community Center, Seaside
INFO
Spooky Shores & Painted Gourds at Asilomar
California State Parks staff host a free Halloween program. Decorate a pumpkin with provided craft supplies, learn about the spooky creatures that call Asilomar home, see an animal bone display, and grab some candy. Costumes encouraged; registration requested.
WHEN: October 24, 3–5 PM
WHERE: Fred Farr Forum, Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove
INFO
Salinas Valley Community Church Fall Festival
Bring your family and friends for an afternoon packed with games, prizes, snacks, farm animals, bounce houses, and a fan-favorite costume contest.
WHEN: October 24, 4:00–7:00 PM
WHERE: 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas
INFO
Watsonville’s Downtown Candy Crawl
Costume parade and trick-or-treating downtown. Open to ages 13 and under.
WHEN: October 24, 4–6 PM
WHERE: City Plaza, Watsonville
INFO
Lake Nacimiento Resort Trunk or Treat
Candy, games, food, local vendors, and more.
WHEN: October 24, 4:30–6:30 PM
WHERE: Lake Nacimiento Resort, 10625 Nacimiento Lake Dr., Bradley
INFO
Boo Bash Parents’ Night Out
Drop the kids off for Halloween games, crafts, snacks, and more while you enjoy a night out. Costumes encouraged. $25 residents, $31 nonresidents.
WHEN: October 24, 5–7 PM
WHERE: Capitola Community Center, 4400 Jade Street, Capitola
INFO
Trunk or Treat in Carmel Valley
Food trucks, candy, and games hosted by the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center. Free and open to the public.
WHEN: October 24, 5–7 PM
WHERE: Carmel Valley Community Youth Center, 25 Ford Road, Carmel Valley
INFO
Kids Night Out Monster Mash
Costume contest, pizza, popcorn, and more, with dinner and refreshments included. $40.50 Monterey residents, $45 nonresidents. Register at monterey.gov/rec.
WHEN: October 24, 5:30–8:30 PM
WHERE: Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey
INFO
Compass Church Fall Festival
Enjoy candy and treats, games & inflatables, live music, and food trucks.
WHEN: October 25, 10 AM–2:00 PM
WHERE: Compass Church, 1044 S. Main St., Salinas
INFO
Día de los Muertos at Monterey Sports Center
A free community celebration of remembrance, culture, music, and tradition with Aztec dancers, costume contest, mariachi band, face painting, folklorico dancers, Mexican bread and hot chocolate.
WHEN: October 25, 5–8 PM
WHERE: Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey
INFO
Puffy Paint Pumpkins
Children of all ages are invited to get creative with puffy paint pumpkins at this outdoor craft.
WHEN: October 26, 3:30–4:30 PM
WHERE: Pacific Grove Public Library
INFO
Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival
Pumpkin decorating, live music, trick-or-treating, and more.
WHEN: October 27, 10 AM–12 PM
WHERE: 377 Santana Row, San Jose
INFO
Creatures of the Night Walk
Join the coven as a witch or a friend of the witches. Vampires, ghosts, spiders, bats, and all nightly creatures are welcome to walk spooky Pacific Grove streets, with a social afterward. Meet on the concrete landing above the beach at Lovers Point. Costumes suggested. Sponsored by Walk Every Street PG.
WHEN: October 28, 4–6 PM
WHERE: Lovers Point Park, 631 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove
INFO
Haunted Library
The Joe Rock Children’s Room will turn into the Haunted Library. Be sure to wear your costume.
WHEN: October 29, 3:30–5:30 PM
WHERE: Pacific Grove Public Library
INFO
DIY Decorate a Witch Hat
Fun Halloween craft open to all ages.
WHEN: October 29, 4–5 PM
WHERE: Harrison Library, Carmel
INFO
Halloween Storytime and Parade
Boo! Join us for a special spooky Halloween Storytime on the Colton Hall Lawn. Be sure to wear your favorite costumes, we will be parading around the lawn after some stories!
WHEN: October 30, 10:15 AM
WHERE: Colton Hall lawn, Monterey
INFO
Carmel-by-the-Sea Birthday Party and Parade
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea was incorporated on Halloween in 1916, so it celebrates its birthday and the country’s favorite costume-and-candy holiday with a Halloween Parade at 4 pm through downtown in which all are welcome to participate or spectate. City dignitaries, VIPs, costumed dogs and kids, and residents and visitors alike gather for this upbeat annual affair. Following the parade, the village’s charming shops will be open for trick-or-treating and other fun fall festivities.
WHEN: October 30, 4–6 PM
WHERE: Ocean Avenue & San Carlos Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea
INFO
Seaside Halloween Bonanza
The event will feature games, a haunted house, activities, interactive crafts, treat bags and refreshments. A children’s costume contest will be held and prizes will be awarded for best costume. It is free to all children up to the age of ten years old. The first 300 people get a spooky filled Halloween bag.
WHEN: October 31, 6–9 PM
WHERE: Oldemeyer Center, Seaside
INFO
Spooky Science Saturday
Meet live animals, take home a creepy craft, and more. Free.
WHEN: October 31, 10 AM–3 PM
WHERE: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove
INFO
Downtown Salinas Trick or Treat
Bring your kids for this family friendly event and enjoy the ease of trick or treating at your local businesses. Costume contests for kids and adults, pumpkin decorating, and scavenger hunt.
WHEN: October 31, 11 AM–2 PM
WHERE: Downtown Salinas (100–300 blocks)
INFO
Halloween in the Park in Salinas
Come dressed in your favorite costume for an afternoon of pumpkins, games, and the Monster Walk. Free for ages 12 and under, while supplies last. More info: 831-758-7306.
WHEN: October 31, 12–2 PM
WHERE: Sherwood Park, 920 N. Main Street, Salinas
INFO
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Halloween
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and spooktacular Boardwalk fun.
WHEN: October 31, 12:00–7:00 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
INFO
North County Recreation Halloween Fun Day
Trunk or Treat, jump house, fun games, haunted house, and kids’ costume contest.
WHEN: October 31, 1–5 PM
WHERE: North County Recreation Center, 11261 Crane Street, Castroville
INFO
Safe Trick or Treating and Pumpkin Market
Kids come in costume for free trick or treating, community booths, Halloween activities, vendors, and more.
WHEN: October 31, 3–7 PM
WHERE: Downtown Morgan Hill
INFO
Halloween on the Wharf
Trick-or-treating at participating merchants. DJ for entertainment plus costume contest.
WHEN: October 31, 4–7 PM
WHERE: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
INFO
King City Trunk or Treat
Costume contest, fun prizes, and food vendors onsite. Sponsored by the King City Recreation Dept.
WHEN: October 31, 4:30–6:00 PM
WHERE: Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, King City
INFO
Malloween at Northridge Mall
Trick-or-treating, spooky science show, costume contest, and character meet-and-greets.
WHEN: October 31, 4–8 PM
WHERE: Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Drive, Salinas
INFO
Santa Cruz Harbor: Trick-or-Treat
Experience a “spooktacular” evening of trick-or-treating at Santa Cruz Harbor! Wind your way through an eerie adventure, jump aboard the pirate-commandeered water taxi, and collect Halloween treats along the way.
WHEN: October 31, 4–8 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz
INFO
Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church in Salinas
A safe, family-friendly evening for the whole community.
WHEN: October 31, 6–8 PM
WHERE: 1130 San Vicente Ave., Salinas
INFO
Día de los Muertos Celebration at Santana Row
This is a free community event featuring face painting, Catrina and Catrin meet & greets, mariachi music, crafts, and a pop-up market.
WHEN: November 1, 10:30 AM–6:00 PM
WHERE: 377 Santana Row, San Jose
INFO
Watsonville Plaza: Día de los Muertos
See community altars and live/dead performances. There will be family activities and a market of the dead. Celebrate this beautiful tradition featuring altars, live music and dance and hands-on activities.
WHEN: November 1, 4–9 PM
WHERE: Callaghan Park, 225 Sudden Street, Watsonville
INFO
7th Annual California Seaweed Festival
DIVE IN! to the 7th Annual California Seaweed Festival at the Custom House Plaza! This is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the seaweed diversity of California. Join a community of researchers, innovators, artists, and ocean advocates for an exciting day of talks and panels on art, science and sustainability, hands-on activities, seaweed tastings, and live entertainment!
This is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to learn about seaweed conservation, while celebrating the magnificent biodiversity of the marine ecosystems in Monterey. Also featured are local vendors showcasing their craftsmanship and exhibitors presenting the latest in marine science and technology, as well as photo opportunities with mermaids!
The California Seaweed Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Each year, the festival moves to a different location along the coast in order to craft a unique experience for each community. To learn more about the California Seaweed Festival, please visit our website and follow our social media accounts for the latest updates!