Castro Halloween Night Market
The Castro’s legendary Halloween spirit is officially back with a special Halloween-night edition of the neighborhood night market. Expect costumes, DJs, makers, and community along 18th & Castro. RSVP and watch for final programming drops.
Where: 18th & Castro
When: Oct 31, 5–10 pm
RSVP / Details →
Terror Vault at the San Francisco Mint (HEXED)
SF’s premier haunted attraction returns with HEXED, a theatrical scare experience inside the 1874 San Francisco Mint. Brave labyrinthine sets, storyline actors, and post-show hangs at the Fang Bang ‘80s vampire bar (plus CreepShop for horror merch). Book early—this sells out.
Where: 88 5th St (The Old Mint)
When: Oct 2–Nov 1
Tickets / Info →
SuperNatural at the California Academy of Sciences
Costumes, trick-or-treating through the museum, planetarium shows, live music, silent disco, and science demos—SuperNatural turns the Academy into a festive Halloween playground. VIP + early-entry options available.
Where: Golden Gate Park
When: Fri, Oct 24 (evening)
Tickets / Info →
Boo at the Zoo
Head to San Francisco Zoo & Gardens for a daytime, family-friendly Halloween: crafts, candy, music, a noon costume parade, and festive animal enrichment.
Where: Sloat Blvd
When: Sat, Oct 25, 11 am–3 pm
Details →
Alcatraz Night Tour
Sail to Alcatraz after dark for eerie cellblocks and sweeping skyline views. The Night Tour includes round-trip ferry, the Cellhouse audio tour, and special docent programs—perfect for a spooky date night. Tickets are limited.
Where: Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
When: Tues–Sat evenings
Book Night Tour →
Exploratorium After Dark: Halloween Edition
The Exploratorium’s 21+ After Dark happens every Thursday with cocktails and hands-on science. The Halloween-themed edition (often dubbed “Creepatorium”) typically lands the last week of October—watch the calendar for the official 2025 announcement.
Where: Pier 15
When: Thursdays 6–10 pm; Halloween program TBA
RSVP / Details →
San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour
A lantern-lit walk through Pacific Heights’ Victorian streets where history meets haunted lore. Cozy, story-driven, and great for small groups.
Where: Pacific Heights
When: Evenings (check schedule)
RSVP / Details →
Rocky Horror with The Bawdy Caste
Time-warp to the Balboa Theatre with live shadow-cast Rocky Horror performances by The Bawdy Caste—audience participation encouraged. A late-September show is on the books already; Halloween-week shows are often added—keep an eye on the calendar.
Where: Balboa Theatre
When: Check listings
RSVP / Details →
Scaregrove at Stern Grove
A classic SF Rec & Park Halloween bash in Sigmund Stern Grove with a haunted house, hay maze, carnival rides, live entertainment, and food trucks—fun for kids and nostalgic for grown-ups.
Where: Stern Grove
When: Fri, Oct 24, 3–9 pm
RSVP / Details →
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
Keep it wholesome (and super SF) at Clancy’s, the city’s OG pumpkin patch since 1949—two locations, hayrides, and mini hay maze. Perfect pre-game for carving night.
Where: 7th Ave & Lawton + Sloat Blvd near the Zoo
Season: late Sept–Oct 31
Hours / Locations →
Bay Area & North Bay: Events & Pumpkin Patches
Nightfall at Filoli (Woodside)
The historic Filoli estate glows after dark with illuminated gardens, artful scarecrows, and jack-o’-lantern displays—an elegant Halloween-season stroll that’s more enchanted than eerie.
Where: 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside
When: Select evenings in October (check calendar)
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: Fright Fest (Vallejo)
Haunted mazes, scare zones, and roller coasters in the dark—classic thrills for teens and adults. Family hours by day, frights by night.
Where: 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo
When: Select nights late Sept–Oct
Gilroy Gardens: Halloween at the Gardens (Gilroy)
A wholesome, kid-forward celebration with trick-or-treat trails, gentle rides, and sparkling light displays—perfect for little ones.
Where: 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy
When: Weekends in October (check schedule)
Winchester Mystery House: Halloween Tours (San Jose)
Candlelit tours through one of California’s most storied (and supposedly haunted) mansions—odd stairways, dead-end doors, and deliciously creepy lore.
Where: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
When: Evenings in Oct (multiple tour types)
Best Pumpkin Patches (Day Trips)
- Arata’s Pumpkin Farm (Half Moon Bay) — hay maze, mini zoo, classic HMB fall vibes.
- Lemos Farm (Half Moon Bay) — train + pony rides, haunted house (kid-friendly), great for photos.
- Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch (Marin) — wide open fields, hay rides, and scenic West Marin backdrop.
- Perry Farms Pumpkin Patch (Fremont) — corn maze, U-pick style fun near Ardenwood area.
- Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Sonoma County) — huge maze and family activities on a working farm.
Pro Tips for Halloween in San Francisco
- Transit > parking: Most venues are Muni/BART accessible (The Mint is near Powell St. BART).
- Dress warm: Evening fog is real—bring layers for lines and ferries.
- Book early: Terror Vault, SuperNatural, and the Alcatraz Night Tour sell out quickly.
Note: Dates and details can change. Always check the official event pages before you go.
Related on Faraway Life
- Browse all Fall Recipes for party inspo
- Bake my Romanian Apple Pie
- Plan a leaf-peeping day trip: Best Places to See Fall Foliage on the West Coast
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