California is preparing for a wide range of Halloween events in 2025, offering activities that cater to both families and those seeking more intense scares. The state’s theme parks are known for their early and elaborate Halloween celebrations, but many other venues across California will also host seasonal festivities throughout September, October, and into November.
In San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House will present “Festival Fright Nights” from September 26 to November 1. The event includes an immersive experience called “Unhinged Hotel,” where visitors follow a story about friends stranded at a mysterious hotel. Afterward, guests can visit the new Halloween Museum and relax at Café 13.
Rancho Cordova’s Heartstoppers Haunted House returns on select dates in August with four themed scare zones inside a three-story building. The event also features carnival games, live performances, and photo opportunities with costumed characters.
The San Diego Zoo will host HalGLOWeen from October 3 to 31 on Fridays through Sundays. The event includes music, acrobats, bubbles, and black light displays. Children aged 11 and under receive free admission as part of Kids Free San Diego during October (https://www.sandiego.org/promotions/kids-free.aspx).
Oakland Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo runs from October 1 to 29. Activities include a hay-bale maze, scavenger hunt, costume contest via social media tagging, and prizes such as tickets to Glowfari—another zoo event running from November through January. Tickets must be purchased online due to limited capacity.
Families can ride the Pumpkin Patch Express on Yolo County’s River Fox Train in West Sacramento between October 5 and November 30. This two-hour vintage train excursion includes pumpkin picking and trick-or-treating.
Mendocino County’s Skunk Train offers its Pumpkin Express throughout October on select dates. Riders enjoy treats aboard an historic train before visiting a redwood forest pumpkin patch near Willits.
Casa de Fruta in Hollister hosts Casa de Pumpkin Patch from September 29 to October 31 with pumpkins, rides for children, gold-panning activities, and educational sessions about Native American culture for groups during weekdays.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk presents Boardwalk Fright Flicks every Wednesday night in October for adults aged 21 or older. Screenings include horror films such as Us and Scream alongside cocktails.
Temecula Carriage Company leads Headless Horseman Wagon Rides on Friday and Saturday nights from October 3 to 31 through Wine Country Hollow in Temecula Valley. Other local events include haunted walking tours of Old Town Temecula and grape stomping at Wilson Creek Winery (https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/events/halloween/).
Descanso Gardens’ Carved event takes place in Pasadena from October 3 to 30 with hundreds of carved pumpkins along a one-mile walk plus carving demonstrations.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival occurs on October 18–19 featuring large pumpkins, parades, pie-eating contests, craft beer options, and pumpkin-themed drinks (https://pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com/).
Santa Barbara Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo runs weekends between October 17–26; Los Angeles Zoo hosts its own Boo at the L.A. Zoo event on weekends from October 18–27; San Francisco Zoo & Gardens holds Boo at the Zoo over two weekends late in the month with costume contests and ZootoberFest activities (https://www.sfzoo.org/event/boo-at-the-zoo-2/).
Downtown Los Angeles celebrates Dia de Los Muertos Festival nightly from October 25–November 2 along Olvera Street with processions rooted in indigenous traditions; Hollywood Forever Cemetery has its festival on October 25 (https://www.dayofthedead.com/).
Davis hosts its Zombie Bike Parade Festival on October 26 including a bike parade along Davis Bike Loop plus hot-air balloon rides by Davis Food Co-op (https://davisfood.coop/zombie-bike-parade/), train rides around Community Park, BMX shows, music afterparties—and skydiving zombies.
Siskiyou County marks Halloween with cemetery walking tours in Yreka on October 31; McCloud offers an adult-focused pub crawl on October 25 where participants can win prizes by visiting multiple businesses.
Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Frights is set for October 25 featuring decorated boats alongside daytime harbor activities like costume parades and scavenger hunts at Channel Islands Maritime Museum (https://www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/parade-of-frights-2025/).
Morro Bay invites participants dressed as witches or warlocks for kayak or paddleboard outings benefiting local food banks during Witches and Warlock Paddle on October 25 (https://morrochamber.org/events/details/morro-bay-witches-warlock-paddle-15615).
Palm Desert’s Living Desert Zoo holds Howl-O-Ween family events during daylight hours on Oct. 25–26 including trick-or-treating among animals like giraffes and badgers.
West Hollywood brings back its Halloween Carnaval street party along Santa Monica Blvd., open to adults only due to risqué costumes after several years’ hiatus since 2019 (https://www.weho.org/community/events-in-the-city/halloween-carnaval).
Monterey County offers Trick-or-Treat by the Bay at Old Fisherman’s Wharf plus Carmel-by-the-Sea combines its birthday celebration with Halloween festivities including parades for its incorporation anniversary turning 109 this year (https://wharffestmonterey.com/halloween-on-the-wharf-trick-or-treat-by-the-bay/).
Hornitos commemorates Dia de los Muertos on November 2 with candlelight processions up to St. Catherine’s Church cemetery—a tradition tied closely to local history involving figures like Joaquin Murrieta.
San Francisco Ghost Tour operates ongoing walking tours exploring haunted sites around Chinatown using paranormal detection equipment provided by The Haunt tour company (https://www.hauntsf.com/tour-info.html).
With numerous events scheduled statewide—from haunted houses to family-friendly zoo nights—California continues its tradition of diverse Halloween offerings appealing to all ages.
