The Country’s Most Awesome Spots for Trick-or-Treating

by Kate LowethOctober 15, 2019

Get your ghosts and goblins all geared up, it’s that time of the year! Halloween is right around the corner, and the kids are ready for serious trick-or-treat action. We scoured the country to find the neighborhoods that go all out for Halloween with parades, costume contests, other-worldly decorations and the best of all—full-sized candy bars. Maybe you are lucky enough to have one near you! Keep reading to find out.

The CDC has specific recommendations in place for Halloween 2020. We have updated our information to the best of our knowledge, but as we’ve learned in 2020, changes can happen at the last minute, so please check with your local city and county to get the most up-to-date info. on what is allowed in your area. Even if you can’t trick-or-treat, there are lots of fun ways to celebrate with the kids.

New York City, NY – Upper West Side

At the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at West 89th Street and Riverside Drive a costume parade kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on Halloween. Happy revelers follow the bagpipers in a procession to the Hippo Playground, where they're greeted with donuts and cider.

West 69th Street gets blocked off to street traffic between Central Park West and Broadway from 4-10 p.m. Locals tell us this is THE spot for decorations and treats (get there early to avoid the massive crowds).

The American Museum of Natural History also celebrates Halloween in style. More than 30 of the Museum’s popular halls will be open for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, fun with roaming cartoon characters and live performances.

More hip 'hoods for NYC Halloween can be found here.

St. Louis, MO - Holly Hills

This neighborhood knows what it means to have the Halloween spirit. They start decorating for the holiday starting in September. Visit Leona Boulevard for the highlights with neighboring streets such as Marwinette and Holly Hills Boulevard getting festive too. Up to 1,500 kids have been known to flock to this neighborhood on one Halloween night, so be prepared to wait in line at houses for candy.

Atlanta, GA – Grant Park

This historic neighborhood in Atlanta has a bit of the Halloween flair year round with massive Victorians lining the streets. These (possibly haunted) homes go all out for trick-or-treating and are close together to maximize your candy and minimize your walking. This neighborhood also holds a lantern walk the weekend before Halloween. Swing by nearby Oakland Cemetery to really get in the Halloween spirit!

Portland, OR – Alameda

The Alameda neighborhood in NE Portland is legendary for its decorations and for the motherlode of quality candy. Rumor has it that families in this very walkable neighborhood compete for the prize of the spookiest home of Halloween. Children's author Beverly Cleary grew up in this neighborhood and referenced area streets such as Klickitat Street in her Ramona series.

Orlando, FL - Baldwin Park

This neighborhood offers some options for dining out before the trick-or-treating begins and also some large houses that are known to offer the full-size bars everyone wants. Kids love it for decor that's spooky but not too scary.

Nashville, TN – Nashville Zoo

Every year, the Nashville Zoo transforms into a ghostly paradise during Boo at the Zoo. Fall Festival Field features carnival games, bounce houses, dance parties, corn pit and more. The Howl-O-Ween Hayride takes riders on a trip through the Zoo’s backroads to discover magical scenes. Trick-or-treat around the Zoo trail and uncover festive treats. Enjoy special animal, science and magic shows. Visit the Frightful Farm to take a Dying Traditions home tour or brave the Haunted Barn.

Philadelphia, PA - Levittown

Levittown has a great community feel, and the houses are close together making it easy on the little ones who don't have the stamina to stroll all night. Many folks here sit on their porches to welcome trick-or-treaters, and some will deck out their homes in spooky decor.

San Francisco, CA – Belvedere Street

Halloween night along this stretch of Cole Valley is an over-the-top street party for trick-or-treatin' kids and their parents in tow. The homes are decked to the nines: haunted garages, elaborate lights and even a window-sized puppet show featuring beloved characters. The sweet spot is on Belvedere Street from Parnassus to 17th: It’s closed to thru-traffic. If you plan to go here, know that some of the houses run out of candy, so arrive early and bring a wagon or stroller as Belvedere is on a hill, which can cause early-onset fatigue in younger trick or treaters. Find more Bay Area trick-or-treat spots here.

San Diego, CA – Mission Hills

Families in the Mission Hills neighborhood decorate their homes to the max, so expect ghoulish goblins and creepy crawlies around every corner. Smaller children become a bit spooked, but families with older kids get a kick out of the haunted decor, which tends to be the most elaborate on Sunset Boulevard. Expect lots of candy competition: Residents often report upwards of 500 trick-or-treaters at their doors!

Get more San Diego Halloween hot spots here.

Alexandria, VA – Lee Street

This strip goes all-out for trick-or-treaters: They close off several blocks from King Street toward the south and create a huge, kid-friendly block party of their very own. Everyone is welcomed with open arms and candy bags, too, with streets mobbed with monsters and ghosts, and tons of little ones.

Boston, MA – Beacon Hill

The family-friendly and easily walkable Beacon Hill neighborhood is Boston's best for trick-or-treating fun. The closely spaced Federal-style row houses and narrow streets mean families are able to hit more homes, while the gaslight adds a perfectly eerie glow to the night's festivities.

Washington, D.C. - Embassy Row

The whole world can be found when you knock on doors along Embassy Row, where international embassies stretch from the Vice President’s home all the way to Dupont Circle. More than 20 embassies invite trick or treaters to explore cultures from around the world. You may be handed a few tourism pamphlets along with your candy bars, but where else can you say you’ve been trick-or-treating in Indonesia, Armenia, Ireland and Portugal all in one night?

Los Angeles, CA - Toluca Lake

This LA neighborhood is legendary for trick-or-treating. Literally. Though we’ve never confirmed it with anyone who actually experienced it, the urban legend os held that Bob Hope used to personally give out full-sized bars at his home here. Whatever the actual story, Toluca Lake has seized on the idea that they do Halloween best, and the hood is closed to traffic and filled with decked out lawns and homes (remember, many of the people who live here work at the nearby studios and love to show off their amazing prop and set design skills). And yes, there’s plenty of candy!

Find more LA Halloween hot spots here.

Mystic, CT - Olde Mistick Village

This Colonial-era village transforms into a free, kid-friendly Halloween haunt filled with spooky decorations and an abundance of candy given out by the shopkeepers. Which shopkeeper is the spookiest? You decide!

Seattle, WA – Admiral District

After school, until the skies go dark, the Admiral District in West Seattle hosts its annual trick-or-treating extravaganza. This neighborhood/business district with walkable sidewalks pretty much guarantees a good haul in a short amount of time. There are Halloween posters at participating businesses that indicate where candy collectors can load up their treat bags.

See more Seattle spots here.

Denver, CO - Hilltop

This posh neighborhood is beautiful to stroll through with your little ghouls and is rumored to give out the most full-size bars in the city. Bounded by Colorado Boulevard to the west, 6th Avenue to the north, Alameda to the south and Quebec in the east, the city kicks off its Halloween festivities with a parade that starts in Cranmer Park and ends in Robinson Park the weekend before Halloween.

McKinney, TX - Historic Downtown Square

Scare on the Square is an annual event in the historic downtown district of McKinney held on Halloween night from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy a costume contest, pumpkin races and a concert performance by Rockin with Rhett.

Saline, MI

This town is a mecca for trick-or-treaters near and far with hundreds of little ones walking the neighborhood street from 6-8 p.m. They keep the good times rolling at their annual Great Pumpkin Roll the Saturday after Halloween where folks bring their old jack-o'-lanterns to Mill Pond Park to race against others. Enjoy donuts, hot cider and tons of fun!

Phoenix, AZ - Paradise Valley

This neighborhood ranks high for walkability, safety and epic amounts of candy loot to be had. You'll find haunted houses and block parties here so be prepared with extra bags to pack out all the candy bars.

Kansas City, MO - Northland

Don your face paint and get the candy bags and head to Zona Rosa, the epicenter for this night of fun. North of the Town Square on North Stoddard Avenue, the festivities will include trick-or-treating and a haunted house.

North Charleston, NC

The City of North Charleston's Harvest Festival and Block Party features live musical performances, art and craft booths, costume contests and children’s activities. The fall festivities take place in the Olde Village of North Charleston, located on East Montague Avenue near Park Circle. Trick-or-treating runs from 4-6 p.m. and the event takes place on October 20, 2018 so that you are still free to gather more candy on Halloween.

—Kate Loweth & Amy Bizzarri

Everything You Need to Know about the Teal Pumpkin Project

All the Kid-Friendly Halloween Events Happening in LA

by Shannan RoussOctober 9, 2019

Before “boo!” turns into “boo-hoo,” you’ll want to check out our roundup of Halloween attractions that won’t traumatize little ones. (Because haunted hayrides and ghost tours aren’t for everyone.) After you’ve explored the best local pumpkin patches and found your way through our favorite corn mazes, take your little monsters to these not-so-spooky events happening around LA throughout October.

Nights of the Jack

From Oct. 3-Nov. 3, the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas is transformed into a true Halloween wonderland. The stroller-friendly event invites families to explore a half mile trail filled with thousands of hand-carved jack o’ lanterns. Keep an eye out for your favorite superheroes, movie stars and Nickelodeon characters (the network has partnered with the event this year). There will also be live carvings by pumpkin artists, a picnic area along featuring grub from LA's best food and even a couple "Spookeasy" bars for grownups—just in case you wanna enjoy some spiked witch's brew.

Dates: Entry begins at 6:30p.m., Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 3-27; and at 6:30p.m., daily, Oct. 28-Nov. 3
Cost: Adults, $27; children (ages 3-12), $22; 2 and under are free

King Gillette Ranch
2800 W. Mulholland Hwy.
Calabasas
Online: nightsofthejack.com

Boo at the Zoo

Shannan Rouss

Join the LA Zoo for an entire month of spooky fun this Halloween season. Visit the zoo’s nocturnal animals and Halloween'y creatures including snakes, tarantulas and bats. Crafts, photo ops, roaming characters round out the month-long event with traditional trick or treat stations available on Oct. 19-20 and then again on Oct. 26-27. Don’t forget to check their daily animal feeding schedule to watch some of your favorite critters chow down on giant pumpkin snacks.

Dates: Oct. 1-27
Cost: Regular admission prices ($22 for adults; $17 for kids) give you access to all the activities.

5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles
323-644-4200
Online: lazoo.org/boo

Carved at Descanso Gardens

Courtesy of Descanso Gardens

For five nights, Descanso Gardens will be aglow with a thousand Jack-o'-lanterns created by master carvers. Past years have featured pumpkin dinosaurs, Wizard of Oz characters and even famous icons like Elvis and Marylin. The pumpkins line a 1-mile walk through the the Gardens, and there will also be carving demos, seasonal snacks and extra surprises.

Dates: Oct. 23-27 (Oct. 26 is for Descanso members only)
Cost: $25 for Descanso Gardens members; $30 for non-members. Tickets go on sale to non-members on Tues., Oct. 1 at 10a.m. and they're expected to sell-out fast!

1418 Descanso Dr.
La Cañada Flintridge
818-949-4200
Online: descansogardens.org

Pumpkin Nights

Jasmine S. via Yelp

Prepare for plenty of photo opps as your pass through different gourd-filled "lands," including Great Pumpkin Hall, Pumpkin Pirate Cove, Pumpkin Reef and Enchanted Pumpkin Forest. There's also Pumpkin Central, where you'll find food vendors, pumpkin artists carving live, a fire show, a movie screening, kid activities and more!

Dates: Daily from 5:30p.m.-10:30p.m., Oct. 10-Nov. 3
Cost: Adults, from $17 (depending on day and time); children ages 4-12, from $14; children 3 and under are free

Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona
Online: pumpkinnights.com

Kidspace Spooktacular: Monster Mash

Destiny E. via Yelp

Kids (and grownups!) are encouraged to come in costume for a night of scary-good fun and pre-Halloween trick-or-treating. You'll head to Arroyo Adventure to meet your "Ghost Host" and search for candy and other treats. There will also be a costume parade with dancing, an "ectoplasm" slime station, and a "franken-art" project.

Dates: Sat. & Sun., Oct. 12 & 13
Cost: $14 per person, $10 for Kidspace members

480 S. Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena
626-449-9144
Online: kidspacemuseum.org

Haunted Little Tokyo

Courtesy of Haunted Little Tokyo

Ghouls, ghosts, and goblins of all ages are invited to experience Little Tokyo like never before! Halloween festivities will be celebrated throughout the whole month of October with pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, spooky sounds, ghostly games, free Halloween movie screenings and more. It all culminates with a massive black party and costume contest on Sat., Oct. 26.

Dates: Oct. 1-31
Cost: Free

123 Japanese Plaza Village
Little Tokyo
Online: golittletokyo.com/haunted

Theme Park Fun

Beth Shea

Looking to make Halloween extra-memorable this year? Consider a trip to one of our favorite SoCal amusement parks. Disneyland and California Adventure get festive with Happy Hauntings and California Adventure's after-hours Oogie-Boogie Bash, while Knott’s Berry Farm turns into Knott's Spooky Farm and Legoland kicks off its Brick-or-Treat Party Nights.

Halloween time at Disneyland and California Adventure
Dates: Now through Oct. 31
Online: disneyland.disney.go.com

Knott’s Spooky Farm
Sat. & Sun., Sept. 28 - Oct. 27, and Thurs., Oct. 31
Online: knotts.com

Legoland Brick-or-Treat Party Nights
Dates: Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26
Online: legoland.com/California

Scarium at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Ej F. via Yelp

Discover the creatures lurking in the depths at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s 20th annual spooktacular event for the whole family. Kids can compete in the children’s costume contest and creepy coloring contest, as well as check out magic shows, underwater pumpkin carving, spooky storytelling and crafts.

Dates: Oct.26 & 27; 9a.m. to 5p.m.
Cost: Free with ticket admission ($17.95-$29.95)

100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach
562-590-3100
Online: aquariumofpacific.org

—Christina Fiedler & Shannan Rouss

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Orange County Halloween Events

By Enjoy Orange County

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

October 7, 2019

Photo: Enjoy Orange County

It’s almost time for ghouls and goblins to kick off the Halloween events in Orange County. Here is a list of fun annual events that are fit for the whole family. Check back often! We’ll be adding more events as they are created.

Adventure City’s Boo-tastic Halloween Party – Anaheim

1238 S Beach Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92804

October 11th, 18th, 25th, & 31st, 2019

5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

$26.95 per person

The kid-friendly Halloween Party at Adventure City is sure to be a hit with the whole family. The special, private event is for ticketholders only and includes a Trick-or-Treat street for collecting goodies, a Vortex Tunnel, tricks from the Mad Scientist Magician, a Halloween Scavenger Hunt, a Spooktacular Dance Party, and eleven rides. 2018 tickets sold out so be sure to purchase your tickets early! Guests are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes (not required) and enjoy the spirit of the spooky season.

Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade – Anaheim

Downtown Anaheim

Broadway & Clementine, Anaheim, CA

Saturday, October 26, 2019

All Day

Parade Begins at 6:00 p.m.

For nearly 100 years, the community of Anaheim has taken to the streets celebrating the season with a Fall Festival and Halloween Parade. Kids 12 and under are invited to dress up in their best costumes and take part in the Kiddie Costume Contest, and the best dressed pets can take part in the Halloween Pooch Pawrade. The parade travels down Center Street Promenade through Downtown and ends at the Anaheim Packing House. The Anaheim Festival and Parade is rich in history, with the first parade being held in 1924, and led by baseball stars Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson. At the peak of its popularity, the parade drew approximately 150,000 spectators into the streets and the event was televised in LA and Orange County. Don’t miss out on this exciting annual Anaheim tradition.

Boo at the Zoo – Santa Ana Zoo – Santa Ana

1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92701

October 20-21 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

October 27-28 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

$9.95 for ZooMembers

$19.95 for Non Members

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park will hold the annual Boo at the Zoo event for “Merry not scary” Halloween fun for the whole family, and perfect for kids ages 2-12. Come in costume and trick or treat from 10 treat stations to collect toys, books, snacks, and candy. Participants will enjoy entertainment, games, stories, animal presentations, a walk through the “Teen Scream” haunted house, and a costume parade. For an additional fee, guests can take a ride aboard the “Boofari Express” train and carousel. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the snack bar near the playground and the gift shop. Children under three are free.

Camp Spooky at Knott’s Berry Farm – Buena Park

8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620

Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 28 – Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.

Every Fall, Camp Snoopy transforms into Camp Spooky at Knott’s Berry Farm for kid-friendly Halloween fun with activities that are ideal for ages 3-11. In addition to enjoying the rides and the Halloween decorations, guests can see all their favorite Peanuts characters dressed up in costume and watch the Halloween-themed performance at the Camp Snoopy Theater. Kids will also enjoy taking a trip to the pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating throughout the park, a costume contest with Snoopy and Friends, a Dia De Los Muertos Celebration, and much more.

Cops N’ Goblins – Buena Park

In front of City Hall and Buena Park Police Department

6650 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA

Thursday, October 31, 2019

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Free

The Cops N’ Goblins Halloween Trick-Or-Treating Spooktacular is a free annual community event where families can meet members of the Police Department as well as favorite characters from local attractions like Knott’s Berry Farm, Medieval Times, and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Kids can come out in costume and trick-or-treat for candy. The event also includes a haunted maze, music, and other fun family activities.

Cryptozoology Night at the Santa Ana Zoo

1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92701

September 21, 2019

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

$39

Enthusiasts of the unexplained and aficionados of the paranormal won’t want to miss the Cryptozoology Night at the Santa Ana Zoo. Hosted by Haunted OC guide Charles Spratley, guests will learn more about the not-so-normal creatures of the night like the Yeti, Chupacabra, and Sasquatch. Spratley will discuss the origins, sightings, and possible explanations of these elusive creatures and more. Ben Hansen, the former host of Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files will also speak about his experience searching for these cryptid creatures (legendary or undiscovered creatures) and share stories about his exciting cases. After the presentations, guests will enjoy a night walk around the zoo in search of the nocturnal animals who come out after dark. General admission is $39 for the 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. event. Guests who purchase Bigfoot Admission for $50 will enjoy early entry at 5:30 p.m., unlimited ride time until 6:30, VIP seating for the presentation, and the after dark night walk.

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration – Garden Grove

11551 Trask Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92843

TBA

4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Free

The Dia De Los Muertos Celebration in Garden Grove is a FREE community event for the whole family at the Elks Lodge #1952. Participants will enjoy face painting, music, a photo booth, giveaways, crafts, and food will be available to purchase. Cap off the evening with a screening of the movie Coco. Please do not bring outside food or beverages.

Discovery Cube’s Spooky Science – Santa Ana

2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705

Weekends in October

During regular museum hours

$14.95 for kids, $19.95 for adults

Discovery Cube is inviting visitors of all ages to learn about the world of Wizards and Dragons. Engaging, hands-on activities and experiments will teach kids more about STEM concepts in a fun, Halloween-themed environment and discover the world of chemistry in the Wizard of Ooze performance. There will be five costume-themed weekends to enjoy including:

Super Hero Weekend

Animal Science Weekend

Community Leaders Weekend

Sci-Fi Weekend

Halloween Weekend

Halloween Animal Art – Orange

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA

October 19th 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Park entrance $5 per car

Zoo entrance $2 per person

The Orange County Zoo is hosting a one-hour class for kids ages 5-10. Participants will learn about the animals that are associated with Halloween, do a Halloween themed craft, and meet an animal up close. Registration is required for this event and there is a fee of $5 per child. One parent is allowed per child with $5 fee.

Halloween Boutique at Roger’s Gardens – Corona Del Mar

2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar, CA 92625

August 30 – October 31, 2019

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Free

Come explore Malice in Wonderland, the Halloween Boutique at Roger’s Gardens in Corona Del Mar. Slip down the rabbit hole and explore a labyrinth of oddities and designs in the Mad Hatter’s Workshop a sip a cup of tea at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Enjoy the unique and imaginative decor, but don’t lose your head in the Red Queen’s domain!

Halloween Fest – Huntington Beach

Downtown Huntington Beach on Main Street and 5th & PCH

Thursday, October 31, 2019

4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Bring the kids out for a safe and fun trick or treating event in Downtown Huntington Beach. Local businesses will be handing out candy, and police, fire, and marine safety will be there with treats to pass out and equipment to show off. Visitors will enjoy bounce houses, inflatable slides, games, an obstacle course, creepy critters, and Halloween-themed photo stations. There is a costume contest for dogs at 5:30 and a costume contest for kids at 6:00.

Halloween Fest at Villa Park

Oct. 26, 2019

4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The annual Halloween Fest in Villa Park will be held on a Saturday this year. The free community event includes a coloring contest, costume contest, and a pumpkin carving and decorating contest. Other free activities include a hayride, trick or treating from local merchants, crafts, dancing, and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and additional activities are often added to this fun Halloween event.

Halloween Fun with Family & Friends – Stanton

Stanton Central Park

10660 Western Ave, Stanton, CA 90680

October 26, 2019

4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The city of Stanton is hosting this fun Halloween event for community members at Stanton Central Park. Guests wil enjoy music played by a DJ, games to play, spooky story times, crafts, a costume contest, and trick or treating. Dress up in your costume and bring your treat bag and have a fun Halloween time with the whole family.

Halloween Happenings at the Westminster Mall – Westminster

Westminster Mall

8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, CA

Thursday, October 31

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The annual Halloween Happenings event is coming back to Westminster Mall. Families are invited to come out and trick or treat throughout the mall, and visit game booths to win prizes and fun treats. Everyone is invited to come in costume. No masks for adults and children over 12 please.

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort – Anaheim

Disneyland Park & California Adventure

September 6 – October 31, 2019

Included with regular price of admission

Every year, Disneyland dresses up for Halloween with fun and spooky decorations throughout the park and characters in costume. Guests will love the Main Street Pumpkin Festival with hundreds of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns on display. California Adventure will be decked out in Halloween Decorations, too with fun activities like Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, and Guardian of the Galaxy’s Monsters After Dark. Disney fans won’t want to miss Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separately priced special event on select nights during September and October that includes trick-or-treating, Halloween Scream fireworks, Villain’s Square, and the Frightfully Fun Parade kicked off by the Headless Horseman.

Halloween Wigged Out 5K/10K – Huntington Beach

Sunday, October 20, 2019

10K Start: 8:30 am

5K Start at 8:35 am

Kid’s 1/2 Mile Pumpkin Patch 8:00 am

Bolsa Chica State Beach- Eastern Lot 25

17243 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, 92649

The Halloween Wigged Out 5K/10K race is part race, part Day of the Dead celebration for the whole family. Racers are invited to come in costume or wearing wigs. The event will also include Halloween goodies, carnival games, and live music. There are a variety of course lengths in addition to the 5K and 10K, including the half mile youth run, and the 200 yard Diaper Dash. Visit the website for more information on race day events and entry fees.

Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo – Orange

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA

October 26, 2019

10 am – 4 pm

Park entrance $5 per car

Zoo entrance $2 per person

The Halloween Zoo-tacular at the Orange County Zoo includes trick-or-treating for kids 12 and under, a scavenger hunt, spooky crafts, and games. Watch the zoo animals enjoy treat-filled pumpkins during this fun Halloween event. Come in costume! The first 100 kids wearing a costume will receive a free gift. Also, during the month of October, the OC Zoo will host Halloween Animal Art preschool programs on select days. Check the calendar for details.

Haunted Hills Whiting Ranch 5K/12K – Trabuco Canyon

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

27901 Glenn Ranch Rd., Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679

October 19, 2019

Check in at 7:30 a.m.

5K – $50; 12K – $60

The Haunted Hills Whiting Ranch race sponsored by Rock It Racing takes runners through the trails of Trabuco Canyon. Whiting Ranch is a favorite spot for hikers and mountain bikers and is home to Red Rock Canyon, Orange County’s own geological masterpiece. Dogs are not allowed in the park and strollers are not allowed on the course. The Haunted Hills race is paper cupless, so wear a hydration pack to fill up at the start, finish, and at aid stations along the racecourse.

Haunted OC Ghost Walks

Locations Vary

Events are recurring through October 31

Approximately $23 – $25 per person

Haunted Orange County Paranormal Tours & Events offers a selection of eerie ghost walks that explore the most haunted locations around the community. The Black Star Canyon Haunted History Night Hike takes you away from the safety of the city streets out into the darkness where mysterious lights circulate, and apparitions appear. The Old Towne Orange Haunted History Ghost walk dives into the not-so-glamorous past of Orange Plaza and explores haunted destinations like the Chapman Antique Mall, the Royer Mansion, and Rutabegorz Restaurant. The Santa Ana Haunted History Ghost Walk tells tales of murder and execution, and takes guests into the city’s most haunted homes, the Howe-Waffle Victorian Mansion. The San Juan Capistrano Ghost Walk explores the streets of Los Rios where restless spirits wander and learn about the tragic 1812 earthquake that crushed 42 people to death with falling stone as they sat in church. The Ghost Walks are all led by experienced local historians, and while the walks are offered year-round, it’s a little more fun when Halloween is around the corner.

Hauntington Harbour Place Trick OR Treat – Huntington Beach

Huntington Harbor Mall

16847 Algonquin St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Oct. 11, 2019

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The annual trick or treat event at the Huntington Harbour mall is a fun opportunity for local families. Come out and trick or treat at all the shops at the mall, enjoy a bounce house and face painting, games and activities. This year there will also be a raffle and funds collected will benefit Waggin Trails Rescue Foundation, and they are collecting blankets and towels for local dog rescue organizations. Come on out and have a goulish good time.

Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch – Orange

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

September 14 – October 31, 2019

Weekends 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Park Entrance Fee: Weekdays $3.00 per vehicle, Weekends $5.00 per vehicle, Holidays $7.00 per vehicle

The annual Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch is back with more Halloween family fun. Guests can choose the perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch to take home, and watch the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on September 22nd to see who grew the biggest pumpkin this year. Climb aboard the 1/3 scale train for a trip around the park and the big green tractor-pulled wagon for a hay ride with family and friends. Face painting and cookie decorating will be available for those who like getting creative. Kids will have a blast jumping in the moon bouncer and playing carnival games and the ring toss. Mini John Deere races are available for kids ages 5-8 and kids can stop in the mining area to pan for gold and take home a bag of gold that they found themselves. Wander through the not so scary haunted house and get lost in the hay maze. Don’t forget to capture pumpkin patch memories at one of the many photo stands around the park set up with fall and Halloween-themed props to take pictures of the whole family. Most activities require tickets which can be purchased for $6 each or $75 for a book of 15 tickets. Pumpkin prices vary based on size.

Jack O’Lantern Jamboree – Garden Grove

13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Saturday, October 26, 2019

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

$10 per person

The annual Jack O’Lantern Jamboree is coming to Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold to this exciting Halloween event that is fun for the whole family. Tickets must be purchased in advance online, in person, or by phone and the cost is $10 per person, ages 2 and under are free. Tickets will be on sale beginning October 7th through October 24th. Those lucky ghouls who get tickets will enjoy train rides, bounce houses, a pumpkin patch, balloons, crafts, a magic show, and more plus all the exciting play structures and activities that kids love at Atlantis Play Center.

Spooky Seas at the Ocean Institute – Dana Point

Ocean Institute – 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629

TBA

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

$10 per person; $35 for Family Four Pack; 2 and under free

Come out to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point for an evening of spooky and spellbinding fun and excitement. Kids are invited to wear their costumes and trick or treat through the Mad Scientist’s lab. They will explore experiments with ghostly bubbles, fizzing eyeballs, and glowing slime, meet some creepy animals and more.

Mini Monster Bash – La Habra

The Children’s Museum at La Habra

301 S. Euclid St., La Habra, CA 90631

October 31, 2019

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Free with paid admission to the Children’s Museum

The Mini Monster Bash at the Children’s Museum at La Habra is a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to kick of a day of Halloween Fun. Guests are invited to wear costumes and join in for games, crafts, a mini maze, and much more, all while enjoying the wonderful children’s museum.

Monster Dash 5K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon – Huntington Beach

Bolsa Chica State Beach

Parking in Jack in the Box parking lot at PCH and Warner

17243 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

October 19, 2019

Check in begins at 7:00 a.m.

The Monster Dash in Huntington Beach is hosted by A Better World Running. The small event is on an open course along the paved bike path at Bolsa Chica State Beach just steps from the water’s edge. Approximately 150 racers will complete the Monster Dash. The 5K loop will have an aid station offering water, Gatorade, Gu gel, granola bars, bananas, and more to re-hydrate and energize racers.

Pretend City Halloween Events – Irvine

29 Hubble Drive, Irvine, CA 92618

Dates and times vary

During the month of October, Pretend City hosts a variety of special Halloween activities. Costume week kicks off on October 25th and runs through October 31st. Guests are invited to wear their costumes to Pretend City and receive 25% off the price of the second admission. Come out on Friday, October 25th for Frankenstein Friday to dance to the Monster Mash, make fun crafts lie Frankenprints, and do Monster-themed math and science activities. Saturday, October 26th, come out for the OC Ghostbusters event. Kids will learn about science and make slime, play ghostly games, and have the opportunity to have their picture taken n the Ghostbusters car. On October 31st, Pretend City will host a Trick-or-Treating extravaganza for kids to collect goodies at various stations throughout the museum. There will even be a Monster Mash Dance Party. Come out and join the fun.

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch & Fall Harvest Festival – Irvine

5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA

September 21st-October 31st

Daily 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission is $4 per person

The Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch is a popular activity among Orange County locals. Come in and choose your own pumpkin from acres of pumpkins growing in the fields of Tanaka Farms. During the week, visitors to the pumpkin patch can enjoy wagon rides, a petting zoo with goats, sheep, and an alpaca, a corn maze, and a u-pick vegetable patch. On Saturdays and Sundays during the month of October, Tanaka Farms hosts the Weekend Fall Harvest Festival. In addition to the regular weekday activities, guests will also enjoy ATV rides, games, interactive kids activities, face painting, a pumpkin cannon, and food to purchase and enjoy. Tickets are required for the activities.

Wagon Ride – $6/unlimited rides

Petting Zoo – $6

Sanrio Entry Package – $20 – includes admission, wagon ride, petting zoo, limited edition Hello Kitty Plush

Game & Activity Tickets – $5 each or 5 for $20

Parking Passes – $10 (required on weekends)

Terrifying 10-Miler & Halloween 5K-10K-Kids Run – Dana Point

Salt Creek Beach

33333 Pacific Coast Hwy Dana Point, CA 92629

October 27, 2019

Check in begins at 6:30 a.m.

The Terrifying 10-Miler & Halloween 5K – 10K – Kids Run is hosted by Renegade Racing. The Halloween-themed race includes a kids Superhero half-mile run. The course is paved the whole way and runs along the Orange County coastline with views of the ocean at Salt Creek Beach. There will be trick and treat aid stations, a costume contest, a pumpkin patch, and a pumpkin decorating contest. All participants, including the kids, will receive medals for completing the race.

The Seance

Cross Roads Escape Games

4245 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807

October 2 – November 3, 2019

The Séance is a frightening interactive theatre experience with live actors and special effects. Madam Ruby invites you to be her guest to step beyond the veil and participate in her Séance. Who or what will be waiting for you? During the Seance, you will be required to interact with your surroundings and others, living or dead, in the room. Participants ages 16+ only. There are limited tickets available with up to 8 guests per show. Cross Roads Escape Games is home of the award winning Hex Room, Psych Ward, and Fun House escape games and was voted top ten in the nation by USA Today.

Treats in the Streets – Orange

Old Towne Orange Plaza

1 Plaza Square, Orange, California 92866

Thursday, October 24, 2019

4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Come on out to Orange Circle for the annual Treats in the Streets event. Local merchants fill the streets to hand out goodies to little trick-or-treaters. Families are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and join in the Halloween Parade. The Treats in the Streets event features entertainment and games for everyone to enjoy and local non-profit groups will have food and drinks available to purchase for a small fee to feed all the hungry goblins.

Vampirates! at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure – Buena Park

7600 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620

September 30 – October 31, 2019

See website for showtimes and tickets

Come out to the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure theater for the Annual Mascarade Ball at Treasure Bay, but don’t become another victim to the evil pirate Sebastian the Black and his crew of vampire pirates. This family friendly 2-hour Halloween show runs for a month and includes a Halloween costume contest on weekends. All costumes must be family friendly and masks and weapons are not allowed. Like the other shows at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, Vampirates! includes a four course feast. Special requests for dietary restrictions and allergies are accepted. Call ahead to make reservations.

Zoomars Pumpkinpalooza – San Juan Capistrano

Zoomars Petting Zoo

31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA

October 1 – 31, 2019

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily

Children/Seniors $12

Adults $15

Military $10

Zoomars Petting Zoo invites you out for a rustic pumpkin patch in addition to the normal activities that are already on site. Guests can search for their favorite pumpkin, pan for gems, gold, and fossils, meet friendly animals including llamas, horses, sheep, cows, an emu, bunnies, and more. Take a ride on the train, or on a pony, and have a great time with family and friends making fall memories.

This post originally appeared on Enjoy Orange County.

Enjoy Orange County

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Enjoy Orange County is a lifest‌yle destination site covering all things Orange County, from food and culture to arts and entertainment, plus hidden gems, fashion, and more. We venture out to discover all the best things to do in Orange County to help you plan your next best day ever.

15 Amusement Parks That Are Even Better in the Fall

by Melissa HeckscherSeptember 7, 2018

If you and your crew love amusement parks, but not the mile-long lines and sweltering days that come along with visiting in the summer, we’ve got good news—there are plenty of spots that do something special once the cooler weather rolls around. From Mickey’s Halloween Party to LEGOLAND and Knott’s Berry Farm, read on to discover the best amusement parks to visit in the fall. Is there one near you on the list?

Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge–Locations Across the US

Great Wolf Lodge

The Great Wolf Lodge, your favorite indoor waterpark, kicks it up a notch during the month of October with a variety of additional activities and decor in celebration of Howl-O-Ween. Think Monster Bash Dance Party, a Costume Parade, a Trick-or-Treat Trail, Spooktacular Story Time, Critter Cartoons, and Paws On Projects with a silly, not-so scary twist. There’s also a Candy Corn Guessing Contest and–in most locations–cupcake decorating, Thriller Flash Mob and Moonlit movies.

Book your stay now, Howl-O-Ween is running from Oct. 1-31, 2018. Rates vary.

greatwolf.com

Autumn at Oz - Beech Mountain, NC

Land of Oz

Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the TinMan and the Cowardly Lion at the Land of Oz for the Annual Autumn at Oz Festival (the largest Wizard of Oz event in the world!). Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, Oz is complete with the Gale’s Kansas farm, twister, and an actual Yellow Brick Road. Along the way, the Munchkins, Flying Monkeys and even Toto will greet you, too! Autumn at Oz features all of the characters from the beloved story, petting zoo, museum exhibit, performances in Kansas, new Emerald City layout, vendors selling Oz collectibles and much more!

Dates: Sept. 9-11, 2018.

Tickets: $40; Free for children age 2 and under.

Online: landofoznc.com

Happy Halloween Weekends - Santa Claus, IN

Holiday World

Everything you love about Holiday World is included during these special events plus a lot including 12 acres of corn mazes, hayrides, Holidog’s 3D Halloween walk-through adventure, a hilarious Halloween Magic Show, popular songs “spookified” in the “Lights Out” show, Carnival Chaos (a ghostly barker invites you in to explore this abandoned carnival, filled with clowns … or are they only reflections? This series of mazes and “startles” is for older children and adults; it includes strobe lights and occasional loud noises.), Mummy’s Treasure Maze and a Costume Dance Party hosted by Kitty Claws.

Good to Know: Tickets are cheapest when purchased online.

Dates: Weekends from Sept. 22–Oct. 28

Online: holidayworld.com

Dollywood Harvest Festival - Pigeon Forge, TN

Dollywood

Dollywood features a unique mix of wholesome entertainment options at the park during the fall including the Great Pumpkin LumiNights (featuring artistic sculptures, whimsical scenes and family-friendly fun throughout Timber Canyon), a variety of visiting artisans sharing their talents through an array of handmade wares and the park's Southern Gospel Jubilee, that features more than 500 free gospel music acts.

Dates: Sept. 28-Nov. 3

Online: dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Harvest-Festival

Knott's Spooky Farm - Buena Park, CA

Knott's Berry Farm

Kids 3-11 can go Trick-or-Treating through Ghost Town and interact with spooky (but friendly) shopkeepers, check out the Timber Mountain Log Ride seasonal upgrade: Halloween Hootenanny, watch “The Monsters Are Coming, Charlie Brown” at the Camp Snoopy Theatre, join in the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration in the Fiesta Village, check out the Pumpkin Patch and more fun. The daytime fun event is included with regular admission to the park.

Dates: Weekends Sept. 29-Oct. 28 and Oct. 31

Online: knotts.com/play/spooky-farm

Legoland's Brick or Treat Party Nights – San Diego, CA

Legoland

Endless LEGO and loads of sweets in the same amazing place? That's what kids can expect when they spend a night at LEGOLAND California's Brick or Treat event, a not-so-spooky extravaganza that turns the San Diego theme park into a monster bash that'll keep them LEGO-loving long past bedtime. Attractions include a Ghost Cruise adventure, special shows, costume contests, dance parties, LEGO pumpkin patch building, live music, costumed entertainers and trick-or-treating stations throughout the park that'll offer kids specialty items and candy.

Read Red Tricycle's review of the Brick or Treat here.

Dates: Sep. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27.

Online: Legoland.com

Legoland Florida Brick or Treat - Winter Haven, FL

Legoland Florida

No extra ticket is required to enjoy a brand-new stage show, loads of candy along with a uniquely LEGO^®trick-or-treating trail, interactive character meet-and-greet experiences, fireworks spectacular and much more. A pair of curious trick-or-treaters will sing, dance and chant their way through solving “A Candy-Coated Curse,” on the LEGO City Stage. Also, making her Brick or Treat debut, LEGO Spider Lady will be weaving webs of fun inside LEGO Kingdoms. Except for Oct. 31, each event date will conclude with a ghostly show featuring the “Tale of Pirates’ Cove,” and Halloween fireworks in the skies above Lake Eloise. Wear a complimentary pair of viewing glasses for a brick-tastic LEGO twist. Back by popular demand: The Minifigure Costume Shop will be offering over 20 LEGO minifigure costumes and lots of fall-themed snacks will be available as well.

Dates: Weekends Oct. 6-28 and Oct. 31

Online: legoland.com/florida

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place – Langhorne, PA

Sesame Place

Is your kid a fan of Elmo, Big Bird, or Abby Cadabby? Join the club this Halloween and take her to Sesame Place, a charming Philadelphia-area theme park devoted to all things Sesame Street. For the park's annual Halloween Spooktacular, kids can enjoy special Halloween shows featuring their favorite friendly monsters. In addition, the park's tot-friendly assortment of un-intimidating rides will make your budding coaster aficionado feel like a real daredevil. End the day with the nightly Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade, and your kid will be begging you to "tell her how to get to Sesame Street" again and again.

Good to Know: Visit the Sesame Place website for special discounts for this event.

Dates: Sept. 22-Oct. 28 (select dates)

Online: sesameplace.com

The World’s Largest Halloween Party at the Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Ky

Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo isn't an amusement park (though they do have a carouse!l), but we thought it deserved a mention because it hosts "the world's largest Halloween party" in an effort to give younger kids something "cheery not eery" for the season. The party—now in its 37th year—features costumed meet-and-greet characters in larger-than-life storybook scenes. Themed areas include a zany tea party, a Superhero City, and a fairy-filled "Pirate's Cove." The event also features a hay maze, a sweeping hillside pumpkin display, and a trick-or-treating trail for kids 11 & under.

Tickets: An extra $9 ($10 night of) per person.

Dates: Thurs.-Sun. Oct. 4-28

Online: louisvillezoo.org/event/halloween

Halloween Havoc at Nickelodeon Universe – Bloomington, Mn

Nickelodeon Universe

Minnesotans know how to do trick-or-treating right: They do it inside, where the temperatures are always a constant degree of pleasant. And at Nickelodeon Universe, a seven-acre theme park located inside the sprawling Mall of America, Halloween is celebrated every night during the month of October. The Universe of Light: Fright Lights Halloween Spectacular is an experience that will take visitors on a spooky journey through music and lights. Come together for this nightly light show in celebration of the spookiest most fun holiday–Halloween!

Hint: Go on a Saturdays, the hugely popular Double Dare challenge lets kids see other kids get slimed live on stage (or join in on the fun and try to be a part of the show!).

Dates: Oct. 1-31

Online: nickelodeonuniverse.com

Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland – Lancaster, Pa

Dutch Wonderland

Families with younger children will love this Lancaster, Pennsylvania theme park, which calls itself "a kingdom for kids" and boasts 34 rides, almost all of which are perfectly safe for kids under six. Its annual "Happy Hauntings" event will keep kids entertained without relying on any of the spooky stuff. Along with re-decorating rides with a more seasonal flare (a swing ride becomes a "bat swing, for instance; the monorail becomes the "Ghost Flight"), the celebration also includes costume contests, special shows, and a Trick-or-Treat Trail that'll load your costumed kid up with gobs of yummy loot.

Dates: Weekends, Oct. 13-28.

Online: dutchwonderland.com

Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland – Anaheim, CA

Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland

Disney leaves no ghoulish stone unturned for its sweeping Halloween celebration, a whimsically-spooky (but not too spooky!) event that puts seasonal touches all over Disneyland Park. Kids will go wild over the shindig, which features generously-stocked trick-or-treat stations, Halloween parades, costumed villains roaming the park and a massive Halloween fireworks show that'll rival your hometown's Fourth of July. Nearly all of the rides are open—and, insiders say, maybe not as crowded, since Disney only issues a limited number of Halloween Party tickets.

Want to hit the rides before the party starts? Halloween party ticket-holders can enter the park up to three hours before the start of the shindig—get there at 4 p.m. to get your fill of Disney before your kids zero in on the candy-hunt. Your ticket gets you into Disney's adjacent California Adventure park without any extra park-hopper fee—and while California Adventure doesn't have a "party" (i.e. no trick-or-treating), there are magical Halloween touches all over the place, including rides transformed into Halloween attractions (Mater's Junkyard Jamboree becomes "Mater's Graveyard Jamboree" and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters into "Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween).

Check out our insider's guide to the party by clicking here.

Dates: Select nights Sep. 7 to Oct. 31

Online: disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/halloween

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Cedar Point – Sandusky, OH

Cedarpoint

Cedar Point may be the roller coaster capital of the world, but it knows how to treat the littles to a scare-free Halloween. Its Great Pumpkin Fest, offered every weekend from mid-Sept. until the end of Oct., gives costumed kiddos a whole lot of Halloween fun without any of the creepy stuff (that's reserved for its nighttime scare-fest, Haunt, which starts in the evenings and looks totally terrifying). Its calmer and the friendlier daytime events include a Peanuts-themed "Great Pumpkin Parade," Peppermint Patty’s Hay Bale Maze, Woodstock’s Crazy Cornstalks, Linus’ Mummy Pit, and Franklin’s tractor Trek. Besides the roster of Halloween activities, there's still a sprawling amusement park to explore, with more than 20 family-friendly rides and a walk-through animatronic dinosaur exhibit.

Dates: Weekends, Sept. 15 through Oct. 28

Online: cedarpoint.com

Hersheypark In The Dark – Hershey, PA

HersheyPark

Where better to go trick-or-treating than a place known as "Chocolatetown, USA?" At Hersheypark, there's plenty of yummy candy to go around. The park's popular Halloween celebration includes a trick-or-treating trail with 13 locations winding across the entire theme park and its adjacent zoo. Got an adrenaline junkie in your brood? Hershey ups the ante on its roller coasters for Halloween, turning the lights off on four of its major coasters so that riders can experience some in-the-dark thrills exclusive to the season. Park tickets also include access to Zoo America, where tiny safari-goers can embark on a special "Creatures Of The Night" tour that'll give them a peek at what goes on after dark at the zoo.

Dates: Oct. 19-21, 26-28 and Nov. 2-4

Online: hersheypark.com

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Orlando, FL

Mariah Wild/Walt Disney World

Like its West Coast counterpart, Disneyworld does it up, big-time, for Halloween. From the moment you enter through the Magic Kingdom gates, passing through an eerie veil of fog and music, you'll know that you and your costumed brood are in for it—in the best way possible! Disney's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party lives up to its hype, with a roster of events that includes gobs of generously-stocked trick-or-treating stations across the park (Psst: These are open to grown-ups, too!); a "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular" show featuring Disney's vilest villains; photo ops with costumed characters; themed dining and desserts; a killer fireworks show set to music; and a Halloween parade heralded by a headless horseman and followed by a cheery lineup of Disney standbys waving from atop brightly-lit floats.

On top of the whimsical Halloween mayhem, most of the rides are open during the party, so when your tots are tired of trolling for candy (like that's going to happen), hop on a favorite ride and go for a whirl. You won't have wait long; insiders say ride lines are actually shorter during the Halloween party since Disney sells a limited number of tickets and so many of the kids are busy with the Halloween happenings.

Dates: Select nights now through Nov. 1.

Online: disneyworld.disney.go.com

— Jeff Totey & Melissa Heckscher

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The Very Best Halloween Haunts for All Ages and Stages

by Tinybeans TeamOctober 7, 2015

What delights them at four causes nightmares for the two year old, and many of the things a toddler enjoys best bore your 8 year old to tears. We’ve sorted the best of the best activities to determine what you can’t miss for each age and stage, so everyone had a spooky-but-not-scary, memorable, monstrous and Happy Halloween!

Best for Baby

While baby isn’t all that aware of the Halloween hullabaloo, they sure enjoy animals, colors and cute costumes. And you can’t resist the baby album snaps that commemorate your wee ones first Halloween.

Boo! at the Zoo
Babies love looking at the animals, and bringing your adorable costumed little monkey for a photo op with the real monkeys is a memory you’ll treasure always. There are activities for kids of all ages, and you can always just watch animals munching on their Halloween treats. Daily through Oct. 31. Griffith Park. $15-$20. All ages. Event details.

Mickey’s Halloween
It’s not like your 3 month old is into the Disney craze. So why bring baby? Because they’re free! Kids under 3 don’t require a ticket, and Mickey’s Halloween Party is less expensive for adults, so you all get to dress up, have a blast and save some cash. Then when they’re older and beg to go, you can show them pictures and prove they’ve already been. Select dates in October. Anaheim. $69-84; kids under 3 are free. All ages. Event details.

Descanso Autumn Festival
Escape the hullabaloo of Halloween at a quiet nature filled Autumn festival with your wee one; there’s a costume parade, pumpkin carving demonstration, great fall treats from Patina and picture-perfect autumnal scenery to serve as backdrops to Halloween portraits. Plus, kids under 5 are free. Oct. 17 & 18 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. La Cañada. Free-$9. All ages. Event details.

Riley’s Apple Farm
Nope, they can’t pick apples or eat ‘em either, but we recommend starting off baby’s first fall with a trip to Oak Glen to go apple picking because it’s a wonderful family tradition to put in place. Plus, Riley’s Farm is a spectacular setting for (you guessed it) pictures! Open Monday-Saturday all fall. Oak Glen. $1 to enter the orchard, then pay for what you pick. All ages. Event details.

Montana Halloween Hop
Montana Avenue in Santa Monica hosts a Halloween Trick-or-Treat in the trendy stores (including Giggle, for all your baby needs). It’s an easy, safe, early and non-scary first Trick-or-Treat experience for babies. And after popping into Giggle, you can grab a relaxing dinner along the street as your baby naps. Oct. 31 from 3 -6 p.m. Santa Monica. Free. All ages. Event details.

Best Place to Find Fairies: A Fairy Halloween Party

photo: A Faery Hunt

Tops for Toddlers

Your toddling tot loves hands-on outings, and these interactive scare-free adventures are just right.

Pumpkin Races at Manhattan Beach Pier
Your little one loves things that go, and pumpkins on wheels are a spectacular sight. Cheer on the kookiest pumpkin! Oct. 25 from noon-5 p.m. Manhattan Beach. Free. All ages. Event details.

Underwood Farms Pumpkin Festival
While practically every preschool makes the pilgrimage to Underwood’s pumpkin patch, it’s fun for you to be the one to introduce your pre-preschooler to the madness that is the Underwood Farm yearly October festival. With animals, pumpkins and loads of entertainment (not to mention plenty of photo ops on the hay pyramid or on the tractors), this is a can’t miss for the youngest celebrants. Saturdays & Sundays in October (weekdays too, but the entertainment is on the weekends) from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Moorpark. $15. All ages. Event details.

Malibu Bluffs Halloween Party
With carnival games, bounce houses, a costume parade, prizes and a safe and gorgeous Trick-or-Treat Trail that wanders the bluffs above the ocean, this Halloween party is our favorite spot for youngsters. And if you need more, there’s the Pudding Truck, a garbage truck and playgrounds for those that need a break from festivities. Oct. 30 from 3 -5:30 p.m. Malibu. Free admission. Ages 1-10. Event details.

Halloween Faery Party
Following the morning performance of the beloved Faery Hunt show is the Faery Halloween party with a magician, storytelling, dancing, games, fairy unicorn readings, fairy face painting, one-on-one time with the fairies, food and fun. It’s a great party for little fairy worshipers. Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Griffith Park. $15-$25. Ages 2-8. Event details.

Boo at the Teaching Zoo
Kids that can’t resist touching everything will want to get up-close and personal with all the animals who are out to celebrate and show off at the Teaching Zoo. It’s also less crowded than the LA Zoo’s Boo. Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Moorpark. $6-$8. All ages. Event details.

photo: Irvine Park Railroad

Perfect for Preschoolers

Ahhh, they’ve discovered the joys of trick-or-treating! They’re also ready for a slightly spooky Halloween story (that won’t keep them up at night) and a pumpkin patch that includes a dark but not haunted train ride…

Bob Baker’s Halloween Spooktacular
Sitting right next to these amazing marionettes brings Halloween to life and allows your kid to start life off as an Angeleno native should: watching a piece of history at the country’s oldest ongoing puppet theater. (Though kids as young as 2 are welcome, we find that the puppets can be a little scary for those under 4 or 5.) Friday-Sunday in October at various times. Echo Park. $15. Ages 2 & up. Event details.

Creatures at the Arboretum
Wander in your costume with the peacocks at this celebration in the beautiful Arboretum (one of our favorite spots for fall leaf viewing, too) where the celebration for kids includes pumpkin decorating, creepy science projects and other autumn crafts. Oct.31 from 9 a.m.-noon. Arcadia. $5 plus admission for kids. All ages. Event details.

Theatricum Boo!-tanicum
There are two Halloween shows at the gorgeous Theatricum Botanicum. The annual Boo-Tanicum is great for the whole family with games, inprov silliness and lots of haunted fun in the woods and takes place on Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10-15, and kids under 5 are free. But for those who are still easily scared in the dark, on Oct. 25 at 11 a.m., there is a show filled with non-spooky Halloween tales. It’s perfect for kids 3-6, and tickets are $9.

Scarariums Making at Purple Twig
Arty tots (and their big siblings) will love getting crafty at Purple Twig to make some amazing eerie worlds in a jar. And you’ll love these original Halloween decorations to keep for years and years at home. Oct. 24 from 3 -4 p.m. Eagle Rock. $35. Ages 4-10. Event details.

Irvine Pumpkin Train
This small train is perfect for Thomas lovers, as it chugs around Irvine Park, making a quick visit through a totally non-scary “haunted” tunnel at the end of the journey. Then you can take part in a variety of activities from cookie decorating to panning for gold and then go home with a pumpkin to carve and some tasty pumpkin bread for breakfast. Daily through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m -5 p.m. Irvine. Free admission, train is $5. All ages. Event details.

photo: Jessica Paterson via flickr

Boo-Filled for Big Kids

Now you can add a twist with science spooks, nighttime adventures and even a little, tiny, controlled “eek.”

Eek! at the Greek
This is a nice mix of fun, spooky and culture! Start the night with a Trick-or-Treat Village, then the concert has some atmospheric classical music and ends with a reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Make this a Halloween tradition, and each year your kids can stay a little later (that first year you may want to skip the Poe!). Sat., Oct 24 at 4:30 p.m. Griffith Park. $8-$55. Ages 5 & up. Event details.

Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns
Though there’s nothing overtly scary at the Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns exhibit, we’ve found that since viewing the lit gourds requires absolute darkness, it can be a little scary for the small set. Plus, the intricacies in the carving and building of the amazing pumpkins is best appreciated by bigger kids. But if you’ve also got younger kids, the paths are fine for strollers. Thursday-Sunday through Nov. 1 at Descsanso Gardens and Friday-Sunday through Nov.1 at Santa Anita Park. $14-$28. All ages.

Spooky Science
Science gets creepy and crawly at the Discovery Cube LA, where kids can explore bugs of all colors and sizes in over-sized sets and hands-on learning stations. Daily through Nov. 2. Los Angeles. $10. Ages 3 & up. Event details.

A FarmTastic Jurassic Maze
Forneris Farms has next level harvest fun for bigger kids who can get “lost” in the Corn Maze that has a Tyranno-twist (it takes about an hour to complete, but isn’t haunted). Plus they can visit the pumpkin patch to pick out a home-grown pumpkin that was freshly picked. Daily through Nov.1 from 2-5 p.m on weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. $10-$15. All ages. Event details.

See Ichabod in the Huntington Gardens
Get into the spirit of Halloween with a screening of Walt Disney’s animated classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; pre-show activities and entertainment add to the family fun in this spectacular garden setting. Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. San Marino. $20. All ages. Event details.

Ride on the Ghost Train
LA Live Steamers turns their train into a ghostly chug on weekends in October. The 20-minute ride features a series of spooky settings and creepy displays. But you know your kids best—if they scare easily, this may not be for them. We know 3 year-olds who love it and 8 year-olds who are terrified, so it’s more kid-dependent than age-dependent. Select dates in October from 7-10 p.m. Griffith Park. $15. Riders must be at least 34 inches tall. Event details.

photo: Front Porch Cinema

A ‘Wrap Up’ of Events that Delight ‘Mummy’ (And Daddy, Too…)

In between your costume making, treat baking and party planning duties, take time to remember that you love this holiday just as much as the kids do. These events will “leaf” you feeling festive and are also perfectly appropriate (and enjoyable) for the while family.

Scarecrows in Wine Country
You can’t wait to head up to Santa Ynez for a fabulous day of fall wine tasting. Er, we mean to bring the kids to check out all the amazing scarecrows. The Valley will boast more than 200 scarecrows this year, most of which are available for public viewing and voting, so you can find and pick your favorites in the ‘field.’ Oct. 9-Nov.9. Santa Ynez Valley. Free. All ages. Event details.

The Do-Good Halloween Bus
Halloween can be about giving as well as taking (candy). The Do Good Bus promises brings people together to help the community in a fun and social environment. It’s a great way to kick off your holiday weekend. Oct. 31 from 9:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Universal City. $20-$45. All ages. Event details.

Tim Burton’s Nightmare Live with Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl to perform his role of Jack Skellington, singing live to the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Bowl will transform into Halloween Town with special pre-show activities. It’s a Halloween event kids and parents alike will adore. Oct. 31 at 8:15 p.m. & Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Hollywood. $41 & up. All ages. Event details.

Who You Gonna Call?
See a thematically fitting movie (Ghostbusters, in case you weren’t sure) that you love and your kids will, too! Bring chairs and blankets and friends, so you can take turns watching the kids and ducking into the Cinema Lounge for an adult beverage. Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Santa Monica. Free. Rated PG. Event details.

Halloween Rock and Roll Half-Marathon
Get your tutus and super hero outfits ready to hit the street for the world’s largest Halloween half marathon. Run off the Peanut Butter Cups you’re totally going to sneak out of the trick or treat bags, in advance… And if you’re not running, come out and support those that are and laugh at all the silly costumed runners. There’s also a 5 K for parents or big kids ready to hit the streets, but not ready for a full half marathon. Oct. 25 from 7:15 a.m.-noon. Downtown LA. Free to watch, Registration fee to run. All ages. Event details.

What Halloween adventures did you like best for your kids at each age? We’d love to hear about your family haunted traditions in the comment sections below!

Hayrides and Corn Mazes: The Best Fall Festivals

by Kate LowethSeptember 17, 2015

Fall is on its way (despite the lingering warm weather) and that means just one thing—fall festival season! So grab the kids, dress them up as Elmo or a friendly vampire and head to one of these Bay Area pumpkin, fall or Halloween festivals. And don’t forget to pick up a pumpkin pie to take home!

San Francisco

Scare Grove at Stern Grove
Be here or be square! The most atmospheric Halloween event around, Scare Grove (from SF Rec and Park) is popular among older kids and teens for its genuinely frightening haunted house (they show horror movies on the walls!). There’s plenty for tots, though, like the tamer haunted house, incredible jumpy houses, live music and magic shows, hayride through the woods, and awesome crafts. Go early to avoid the crowds.

Friday, Oct. 23
3-9 p.m.
Enter at corner of Ocean Boulevard and 19th Avenue
San Francisco, Ca
Admission: $8
Online: sfrecpark.org

SuperNatural Halloween at the California Academy of Sciences
The Cal Academy is always more fun at night, and it gets downright creepy at this annual Halloween event. Bring the kids in costume to check out the skulls and specimens and to trick-or-treat their way through the museum. Also features dancing, magic, live animal shows, face painting, and a photo booth.

Friday, Oct. 23
6:30-9 p.m.
55 Music Concourse Dr.
San Francisco, Ca
Admission: $50/adults and $35/child ($45/$30 for members). (Purchase tickets in advance.)
Online: calacademy.org

JAMBand Family Halloween Festival
The popular Charity and the JAMBand wrap up their free fall music series at Park Chalet with a Halloween-themed concert. In addition to the usual two hours of tunes on the grass (complete with mosh pit for the kids and dance moves for every song), there will be a costume parade half-way through.

Sunday, Oct. 25
3-5 p.m.
1000 Great Highway
San Francisco, Ca
Admission: Free
Online: jamjamjam.com

East Bay

Ardenwood Historic Farm Harvest Festival
Experience harvest time on the farm. Kids can help pick Indian corn and popcorn (to bring home) and fill the corncribs. Cider-pressing, magic shows, a climbable hay pyramid and old-time music and crafts will also be available.

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
34600 Ardenwood Blvd.
Fremont, Ca
$8 for adults, $5 for children 5 and up.
Online: ebparks.org

Boo at the Zoo
The Oakland Zoo gets all decked out for the holiday. Ride the spooky Boo Train, join the costume parade, collect treats, have your face painted, and make treats for the animals. Bonus: Kids in costume get a free ride ticket.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 24 and 25
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
9777 Golf Links Rd.
Oakland, Ca
Admission: $17.75/ages 15 and up; $13.75/kids 2-14; Free with membership.
Online: oaklandzoo.org

Photo: Smith Family Farm

Smith Family Farm Pumpkin Festival
At this genuine family farm, kids can take a hay ride to the patch to pick out their own pumpkin, plus enjoy live music, a replica of a Miwok Indian village, a corn maze, barnyard animals, an observation beehive, an herb garden with explainer, and a country store. (Note: Some activities available only on weekends.)

The entire month of October beginning on Saturday, Oct. 3
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
4430 Sellers Ave.
Brentwood, Ca
Admission: $10/weekends; $9/Mon.-Fri. Admission includes pumpkins and all activities.
Online: smithfamilyfarm or facebook.com/smithfamilyfarms

Photo: Filoli

Peninsula

Autumn at Filoli Festival
If you haven’t yet been to Filoli, the stunning, European-style mansion and gardens in the hills of the Peninsula, make this your first visit. For adults, docents lead tours and offer tastings of apples from the orchard, while children will enjoy crafts and face-painting, a special bubble show, a visit from the San Francisco Zoomobile, and more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Admission: $25/adults; $8/children ages 5-17
86 Cañada Rd.
Woodside, Ca
Online: filoli.org

McKinley Elementary Harvest Festival and Haunted Mansion
This nighttime Halloween extravaganza has become a tradition for families all over the Peninsula. Support a local public school while you check out the incredible games, decorations, food, and haunted mansion.

Friday & Saturday, Oct. 23 & 24
Fri., 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
701 Paloma Ave.
Burlingame, Ca
Admission: Free
Online: mckinleyharvestfest.com

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon Bay is the pumpkin capital of California, and it defends its rep every year with this ultimate harvest festival. From the delicious pumpkin pancakes and ice cream to the famous parade and pumpkin weigh-off, this is the place to be in October. Tip: Go early to avoid the truly scary traffic, and stop at a pumpkin patch on the way home.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17 & 18
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Main St.
Half Moon Bay, Ca
Admission: Free
Online: pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com

Photo courtesy of Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

South Bay

San Jose Harvest Festival
This Black Friday, skip the big box stores and support local artisans instead. While you shop for holiday gifts, your kids will have buckets of fun at the KidZone, which features gingerbread decorating and eco-friendly art projects. Dance to jams from a Johnny Cash tribute band and take photos with strolling elves and other characters.

Friday-Sunday, Nov. 27-29
Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
San Jose McEnery Convention Center
410 Almaden Blvd.
San Jose, Ca
Admission: $9/adults; $4/kids 13-17; 12 and under free with adult
Online: harvestfestival.com

Calabash Gourd Fest
If gourds of all shapes and sizes are your thing, then head down to Gilroy for a weekend of fun at Uesugi Farm. Make your own gourd crafts, enjoy educational presentations and purchase all sorts of art items made from gourds.

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Uesugi Farm
14485 Monterey Road
San Martin
Admission: free, $3 parking fee
Online: gourdfest.com

Halloween Scary Boo and Spooky Zoo
Gilroy Gardens hosts this event that includes a hay maze, spider’s lair and spooky zoo. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes for some trick r’ treating fun. Visit the pumpkin patch and take home a big one!

Saturdays and Sundays, October 3 – November 1
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (except Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 which are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Admission included with park admission ($37 when purchasing online, children under 3 free)
Gilroy Gardens
3050 Hecker Pass Highway
Gilroy
Online: gilroygardens.org

Martial Cottle Harvest Festival
Learn about our valley’s rich agricultural heritage at this 1st annual harvest festival at the brand new Martial Cottle Park. Enjoy the Master Gardener Fall Garden Market which offers a bounty of winter vegetables and flower seedlings that thrive in our cool winter conditions and will keep your garden producing year round. There will be all sorts of entertainment available for the kiddies plus a watermelon eating contest and petting zoo!

Saturday, October 3
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Martial Cottle Park
5283 Snell Ave.
San Jose
Admission: Free
Online: sccgov.org

Photo courtesy of Bates Nut Farm

Pumpkins in the Park
Celebrate fall and learn about the Guadalupe River Park at this harvest fair with an environmental component. Enjoy great food and fresh apple cider, a costume swap with the Children’s Discovery Museum and a costume parade. Kids will especially enjoy the carnival games and musical entertainment.

Saturday, October 10
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Guadalupe River Park
Woz Way and San Carlos
San Jose
Admission: Free
Online: grpg.org

Spooky Times
Head to Deer Hollow Farm for some spooky good fun! Explore the haunted barns and try your hand at creepy crafts. Plus, meet the residents of the Farm – sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, pigs and Luna the cow.
Saturday, October 24
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Deer Hollow Farm
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Los Altos
Admission: $7/person, $5/person in costume, kids under 1 are free
Online: deerhollowfarmfriends.org

Photo: Slide Ranch

Marin

Harvest Celebration at Slide Ranch
The educational farm Slide Ranch, stunningly located right on the rocky coast of Highway 1, opens up to the public every fall. Churn butter, spin wool, make a scarecrow, meet farm animals, and listen to music, all against one of the world’s most beautiful ocean backdrops.

Saturday, Oct. 17
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
2025 Shoreline Hwy.
Muir Beach, Ca
Admission: $30; Kids 2 and under/free. (15% discount when you buy four or more tickets.)
Online: slideranch.org

Tolay Fall Festival
Beautiful Tolay Lake Regional Park, outside Petaluma, is the setting for this wholesome harvest festival. No jumpy house here; instead, families can visit animals (including hundreds of rattlesnakes) in the historic Nighttime Creatures Barn, practice archery, and try their hand at traditional crafts such as candle dipping and making cornhusk dolls.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17 & 18 and 24 & 25
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
5869 Cannon Ln.
Petaluma, Ca
Admission: $5/adults and teens, $3/children 12 and under.
Online: parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov

Photo courtesy of Emma Bland Smith

Marinwood Halloween Harvest Festival
This classic Halloween fair for kids 12 and under takes place on the grass outside the Marinwood rec center in San Rafael. Kids can carve pumpkins, decorate trick-or-treat bags, munch on a caramel apple, and even make potions. Food is available for purchase.

Friday, Oct. 16
5-7 p.m.
775 Miller Creek Rd.
San Rafael, Ca
Admission: Adults/free; $10 in advance and $15 at the door/ kids 2-12.
Online: marinwood.org

Goblin Jamboree at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
You’ll hardly recognize everyone’s favorite kids’ museum after its Halloween makeover. Visit the Haunted Cove and the glowing train table, or check out the pony rides, petting zoo, live entertainment, and the Witches and Wizards School.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17 & 18
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
557 McReynolds Rd.
Sausalito, Ca
Admission: $16.95/general; $13.95/members; children under six months/free
Online: baykidsmuseum.org

–Kate Loweth & Emma Bland Smith

Halloween Happenings for D.C.’s Littlest Goblins

by Ayren Jackson-CannadySeptember 15, 2015

Trick or treating is a rite of passage for bigger kids, but for toddlers and babies (who we love to see dressed up, too) collecting buckets full of candy is sort of pointless. There are only so many lollies mom and pop can eat for their toothless tot, right? If you still want to get into the holiday spirit with your littlest bambinos, check out these around town activities, full of non-scary entertainment and age appropriate treats. Finally, they can get all dressed up and have someplace to go!

Photo: Juhan Sonin via Flickr

Eye Spy Train at Cabin John Regional Park
While there are quite a few haunted train rides in the area, this is the only one suitable for kids under eight. Kids should come dressed to impress in their costume and have their eye spy eyes ready—they’ll be looking for familiar friends and animals hiding in the woods. Each kid rider gets an “Eye Spy” card to mark off the things they see. Bonus: each night a family-friendly Halloween movie will be shown.

When: Oct. 16-18, 23-25 and 28-31; 1 pm-8 pm (weekend), 3 pm-8 pm (weekday)
Cost: $6
7410 Tuckerman Ln. (Rockville, Md)
301-765-8670
Online: montgomeryparks.org

Boo at the Zoo
This hip Halloween happening at the National Zoo is one of D.C.’s most popular family haunts. More like a huge costume party than a haunted house, Boo at the Zoo caters to families with children 2 to 12. There will be animal encounters, festive decorations, and plenty of tasty treats with more than 40 trick-or-treat stations. Don’t leave the park without a spin around the zoo’s conservation carousel ride (tickets required).

When: Oct. 23-25, 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Cost:$20-$30
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW (Woodley Park)
202-633-4888
Online: https://nationalzoo.si.edu

Halloween Toddler Time at the B&O Railroad Museum
Tykes gather ’round in their ghoulish garb to listen to a railroad story, get crafty and chug-a-chug-a behind Choo Choo Blue (the museum’s trusty mascot). Don’t be shy about joining in the costume parade around the B&O Roundhouse–the more cabooses (or princesses or Minions), the better!

When: October 28, 10:30 am
Cost: kids/$12; $18/adults
901-W. Pratt St. (Baltimore, Md)
410-752-2490
Online: borail.org

Pumpkin Hunt at Lee-Fendall House
Unstrap those toddlers and let them wander the Lee-Fendall House garden where they can search for colorful toy-filled pumpkins (Easter egg hunt-style). Come dressed up, as there will also be a costume parade. Other fam-friendly activities include crafts and not-so-spooky stories. All kids elementary school age or younger are eligible to participate in the Halloween Pumpkin Hunt.

When: Oct. 23-24
Cost: kids/ $12; adults/$5
614 Oronoco St. (Alexandria, Va)
703-548-1789
Online: leefendallhouse.org

Del Ray Halloween Parade
Celebrating its 19th year this Halloween, the annual Del Ray march is a lively, fun-filled parade of parents, kids, pets, ghouls and superheroes that winds its way through the family friendly Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The route, which starts at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues., is under one mile, making it a perfect afternoon activity for costumed parents, pets and littles. P.S. Strollers are allowed on the parade route (even better if they’re decorated).

When: Oct. 25, 1:30 pm
Cost: Free
Mt. Vernon Ave. at Commonwealth Ave. (Alexandria, Va)
Online: visitdelray.com

Did we miss any tot-friendly Halloween events? Tell us about them in the comments section below.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Cool Costume Parties for Your Little Monsters

by Maura O'BrienSeptember 11, 2015

No matter if you have Princess Elsa or a Minion in your home this year, you know the kids will be looking for any excuse to don their favorite Halloween costumes. So even if you already have a trick-or-treating route mapped out, throw on a costume for a little extra family fun at one of these community events.

photo: Personal Creations via Flickr creative commons

Peninsula Park Community Center Monster Mash
All ages are welcome at this annual North Portland celebration, where your little witches, ghosts and goblins will have the chance to play Halloween-inspired games, dance the Monster Mash and make creepy crafts with their friends and neighbors.

Peninsula Park Community Center Monster Mash
Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.
Free admission
Peninsula Park Community Center
700 N Rosa Parks Way
503-823-3620
Online: portlandoregon.gov

Southwest Community Center Monster Mash
In search of a community Halloween event near Beaverton? There will be plenty of vampires, zombies and Frankensteins dancing the night away at the annual Southwest Community Center Monster Mash. Costumed children and adults will be treated to an evening of craft-making, game-playing, dancing and plenty of merry-making.

Southwest Community Center Monster Mash
Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m. or 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: Through Oct. 23, $12/first child age 1 & up, $6/additional kids; on Oct. 24, $14/first child age 1 & up, $8/additional kids; free for parents and kids 11 months & under
Southwest Community Center
6820 SW 45th Ave.
503-823-2840
Online: portlandoregon.gov

photo: amboo who? via Flickr creative commons

Monster March
Celebrating its 15th year this Halloween, the annual Monster March is a lively, fun-filled parade of parents, children, ghouls and superheroes that winds its way through Sellwood Westmoreland. The route, which begins and ends at Llewellyn Elementary School, is just under one mile, making it a perfect afternoon activity for costumed parents, pets and children of all ages.

Monster March
Oct. 25, 3 p.m.
Free admission
Llewellyn Elementary School
6301 SE 14th Ave.
503-381-6543
Online: sellwoodwestmoreland.com

Portland Farmers Market Great Pumpkin Events
Costumes are highly encouraged at the Great Pumpkin Events happening this year at two outposts of the Portland Farmers Market. Stop by the King location on Oct. 25 for a day of pumpkin-carving and face-painting—just don’t leave without snagging a goody bag. And on Halloween itself, the PSU location will host a pumpkin carving contest beginning at 9 a.m., as well as a costume parade (with treats for all participants) that begins at noon.

King Farmers Market Great Pumpkin Event
Oct. 25, 10 am-2 pm
Free admission
King Farmers Market
NE 7th Avenue & NE Wygant Street
503-241-0032
Online: portlandfarmersmarket.org

PSU Farmers Market Great Pumpkin Event
Oct. 31, 9 am-2 pm
Free admission
PSU Farmers Market
SW Park Avenue & SW Montgomery Street
503-241-0032
Online: portlandfarmersmarket.org

photo: anjanettew via Flickr creative commons

Oregon Zoo Howloween
Will you have any lions, tigers or bears trick-or-treating with you this year? Consider bringing them to the Oregon Zoo, which will host a scavenger hunt and Halloween activities for costumed kids ages 3-11. Your little ones will learn about animals and their habitats around the world, while collecting treats and prizes at stations along the way.

Oregon Zoo Howloween
Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tickets: Free with zoo admission ($11.50/adults; $10/seniors; $8.50 kids 3-11; free for kids 2 & under)
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Rd.
503-226-1561
Online: oregonzoo.org

Trick-or-Treat at the Streets of Tanasbourne
You’ll find a fun and safe family environment at the Streets of Tanasbourne, where popular retailers will be handing out candy to costumed kids under the age of 12. This festive event is ideal for small children unable to walk long distances—and for parents hoping to pick up a few fall wardrobe essentials.

Trick-or-Treat at the Streets of Tanasbourne
Oct. 31, 1-3 p.m.
Free admission
The Streets of Tanasbourne
19350 NW Emma Way
Hillsboro, Or
503-533-0561
Online: streetsoftanasbourne.com

photo: Southern Arkansas University via Flickr creative commons

Halloween in the Village
If you have little trick-or-treaters with early bedtimes, consider stopping by Halloween in the Village in Multnomah Village. Grab a walking map (and a complimentary cup of coffee) from Starbucks, and treat your family to an afternoon of games, trick-or-treating and a charity food drive. Before heading home, don’t forget to swing by Dr. Lisa Jensen’s dental office for a surprise treat.

Halloween in the Village
Oct. 31, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Free admission
Pick up a map and begin at Starbucks
7737 SW Capitol Hwy.
Online: multnomahvillage.org

Belmont District Trick-or-Treating
Although Portlanders need few reasons to frequent the unique collection of shops, cafés and restaurants in the Belmont District, the businesses in this eclectic neighborhood will also hand out surprises to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Your kids will find candy at Zupan’s, Stumptown, KoiPod Salon, Blue Basil Thai, Movie Madness and other businesses, while Yarnia will even have a small knitting project for parents.

Belmont District Trick-or-Treating
Oct. 31, 4-7 p.m.
Free admission
SE Belmont Street between 33rd & 47th Avenues
503-407-2667
Online: belmontdistrict.org

What are your plans for Halloween? Let us know in the comments below!

— Maura O’Brien

Top Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in NYC

by christine knight-thomasSeptember 16, 2013

After a month of anticipation, the day has finally come for your little ghosts and goblins to put on their costumes (again) and trick-or-treat ‘til they drop. In NYC, the candy bowl runneth over when it comes to options of where to door-to-door it on October 31. We’ve rounded up the hottest hoods for trick-or-treating complete with spooky decorations, costume parades and candy galore!

photo: Carnegie Hill Neighbors

Manhattan

Upper West Side

19th Annual Halloween Celebration at American Museum of Natural History
Trick-or-treat in one of the most popular destinations for kids. In addition to loading up on candy amongst the pterodactyl, this early evening event will feature live musical performances, a magic show, arts and crafts and characters like Clifford, Curious George, Miffy and Cookie Mouse!

4-7 p.m.
Cost: $12/person; $11/museum members
Central Park West at 79th St.
Online: amnh.org

West 69th Street Block Association Trick-or-Treat
Trick-or-treaters flock to West 69th Street where police close the thoroughfare from Central Park West to Broadway. Kiddos can safety gather candy in the decorated building lobbies until 7 p.m. Should you feel like supporting the community organization’s work, volunteers will be on hand selling glowing necklaces to raise funds to beautify West 69th Street. Be prepared for big crowds!

Ends at 7p.m.
Cost: Free
Central Park West to Broadway
Online: w69st.com

Upper East Side

Asphalt Screams!
Get some activity in before hitting the sugary streets at this event benefiting non-profit Asphalt Green’s “Fit Kids Fit City” campaign. Costumed kids can play Zombie Freeze Tag, Spooktacular Soccer Shootout and much more! Get there on time: The first 400 kids to arrive receive a goody bag. The event is free and open the public, although a suggested donation of $20/family is welcome. Interested? RSVP is requested.

4-6p.m.
Cost: Free, but donation of $20/family is welcomed
555 E 90th St
Online: asphaltgreen.org

photo: Carnegie Hill Neighbors

Carnegie Hill

Carnegie Hill Block Party
Every year, Carnegie Hill Neighbors hosts a spooky block party with a costume procession, art projects, candy treats and dancing in the streets to a lively DJ set. Trophies and prizes are awarded for best costumes by age, family and pet, and the neighborhood’s most festively-festooned townhouses and storefronts are recognized as well. If your little pirates and princesses aren’t sated by the gathering, wander the east 90s between Fifth and Lexington Avenues for good candy collecting and spooktacular decorations.

5-6:30 p.m.
92nd St. between Madison and Park Ave.
Online: carnegiehillneighbors.org

Chelsea

Clement Clarke Moore Park
Kick off trick-or-treating in Clement Clarke Moore Park — known by locals as “Seal Park”— on 10th Avenue at 22nd Street, then walk up and down the decorated brownstone blocks around the General Theological Seminary. The west side neighborhood’s most popular streets for gathering the goods are 21st and 22nd Streets between Ninth and Tenth Avenues; for less of a crowd, head to the houses between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

21st-22nd St. between 8th and 10th Ave.
Online: nycgovparks.org

Greenwich Village

Washington Square Park Halloween Parade
They get the party started early in the Village. Gather by the iconic Washington Square Arch at 3p.m. for a kids’ costume parade around the park followed by some spooky fun with trick-or-treat bags, games and rides. You can then trick-or-treat your way through the surrounding streets of stately townhouses, just keep in mind that starting around 6:30 p.m. the more raucous ghouls and goblins (and naughty nurses) begin to descend on the area for the neighborhood’s legendary grown-up version of a Halloween Parade.

3-6 p.m.
Washington Square Park
Fifth Ave. between Waverly Place and W. 4th St
Online: nyu.edu

Battery Park

Asphalt Screams!
The downtown counterpart of the Upper East Side Asphalt Screams, this gathering geared toward keeping kids active includes activities such as Zombie Freeze Tag, Spooktacular Soccer Shootout and much more. The first 400 kids to arrive will receive a goody bag. It’s free, although a donation of $20 per family is suggested. RSVP is requested.

4-6p.m.
Cost: Free, but donation of $20/family is welcomed
212 North End Ave.
Online: asphaltgreen.org

photo: via makelessnoise on Flickr Creative Commons

Financial District

Hometown Halloween at Trinity Church Graveyard
Meet a friendly ghost in Trinity Church’s historic graveyard. All ages are welcomed to the Trinity church yard to trick-or-treat with the “permanent residents” (John Astor! Alexander Hamilton!) of Lower Manhattan. Also on tap: hot apple cider, a photo booth and a chance to win a prize. Costumes encouraged!

Held 3-4p.m.
74 Trinity Place
Online: trinitywallstreet.org

Queens

Jackson Heights

Jackson Heights Halloween Parade
This Queens neighborhood’s wildly popular Halloween Parade is the second-largest Halloween kids parade in NYC. As if marching in that wasn’t enough reward in itself, at the end of the procession, all kids get goodie bags.

4:30p.m.
37th Ave. and 89th St.
Online: jhbg.org

Astoria

Astoria Community Trick or Treat
Astoria’s Connection Church hosts a “Trick or Treat Extravaganza” at the Astoria Heights Playground behind IS 10. Great for one-stop shopping (with security on site!) the event will feature trick or treating stations, games, costume contests, door prizes and a family photo booth.

6 – 8p.m.
45th St. and 30th Rd.
Online: facebook.com/events/315173005332894

Middle Village
For an authentic, suburban, small town vibe, head to Middle Village. Highly residential, with mostly single-family homes, this neighborhood contains lots of houses spooked up for the holidays (think big inflatables) and pedestrian-friendly streets for tiny trick-or-treaters. Check out the areas to the South and East of Juniper Valley Park for prime door-to-door action.

Sunnyside Gardens
For a similar feel to Middle Village that’s a little easier to get to by subway (it’s a short walk from the 46^th St./Bliss St. stop on the 7 line) try Sunnyside Gardens. One of New York’s first planned communities, this cohesive landmarked area’s streets of charming houses and oversized trees make for manageable and picturesque candy collecting.

Brooklyn

Park Slope

Park Slope Halloween Parade
For this somewhat legendary parade, bring your costume A-game and join in at any point along the route, or enjoy the creative and creepy costumes as a spectator. If you’re marching, gather at 5:30 p.m. at 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in preparation for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. The parade will conclude at the Old Stone House in Washington Park on Fifth Avenue with a community gathering and dancing with the parade bands, winding down at 9 p.m. You can get started early here: in the late afternoon area businesses pass out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters. While you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to hit some of the brownstone-lined streets, where residents are known for their out-of-this-world decorations.

5:30-9p.m.
7th Ave. at 14th St to Washington Park on 5th Ave.
Online: parkslopeciviccouncil.org

photo: Peter Lopez

Cobble Hill

Cobble Hill Halloween Parade
Costumed kids gather at this Brownstone Brooklyn neighborhood’s Cobble Hill Park and then hit the main drag of Court Street and the surrounding blocks to score big. (Venture further down Court to Carroll Gardens for even more candy and brownstones with large front gardens tricked out for the holiday.) Be on time: It’s not uncommon for businesses to have their candy stash completely cleared out by the festive costumed throngs.

4p.m.
Clinton St. between Verandah Place and Congress St
Online: cobblehillassociation.blogspot.com

Bedford Stuyvesant

Bed-Stuy Neighborhood Parade and Trick-or-Treat
When it comes to Halloween, Bed-stuy is an equal opportunity treat provider: the neighborhood encourages both kids and dogs to dress up and load up on treats at area houses and businesses. The Stuyvesant Heights Parents Association is sponsoring a spooky Story Patch, dance contest, and parade at Fulton Park on Stuyvesant Avenue, with festivities kicking off at 4:30 p.m. Afterwards, pick up a trick-or-treat map created by Bed-Stuy homeowners and block association members for the locations of eager candy distributors. Should there be any doubt where the treats are flowing, just look for the orange and black balloons along the way. (Now that’s full service!)

4:30-7:30p.m.
Near 179 Erasmus St.
Online: facebook.com/events/366016516888248

Brooklyn Heights

Halloween in the Heights
It’s hard to find a more festive block in The Heights than Garden Place, which is blocked off from traffic in honor of the holiday. Residents go all out, constructing elaborate Halloween displays in front of the street’s historic brownstones — fake coffins, life-size mummies, smoke machines, jack o’lanterns en masse, etc. It’s a festive and very busy scene, so go early if you want to come out of it with treats in the bucket. For a quieter but still lovely trick-or-treating experience, head to nearby streets Remsen and Joralemon.

Fort Greene/Clinton Hill

Clinton Hill Children’s Halloween Walk and Performance
The Clinton Hill Children’s Halloween Walk and Performance is a favorite local event, with trick-or-treating on the streets and musical performances out in front of homes. Head to Pratt-Clinton Hill Community Garden for the beginning of the parade at 5p.m.

5p.m.
Dekalb Ave. at Hall St.
Clinton Hill
Online: societyforclintonhill.org

photo: Chris Franko via Halloween 313

Halloween 313
While you’re in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area, make sure you check out the house at 313 Clinton Avenue – the residents go above and beyond the Halloween call every year to produce a kid-friendly original theatrical performance for the locals. Performances run every 30 minutes starting at 5p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

5-9:30p.m.
313 Clinton Ave.
Clinton Hill
Online: facebook.com/Halloween313Theatrical

Greenpoint

The Witches’ Walk
Now a Greenpoint tradition, this Halloween parade hosted by the popular neighborhood children’s store The Flying Squirrel is a good choice for younger ghouls and goblins. In addition to strutting in costume, you can expect face painting, arts and crafts and pizza courtesy of Two Boots. En masse trick or treating at neighborhood businesses ensues following the procession.

4:30p.m.
The Flying Squirrel
87 Oak St.
Greenpoint
Online: flyingsquirrelbaby.com

The Bronx

Fieldston and Riverdale
The upscale ‘hood of Riverdale always makes for some good candy collecting, but the area’s neighbor, the community of Fieldston, is worthy of destination trick-or-treating. With much of it recognized as a landmarked historic district, the positively suburban-feeling area is filled with trees and beautiful houses that set the perfect backdrop for Halloween activities. (The varied architectural styles range from Tudor and Art and Crafts, to “manor” and “castle.”) There’s a good chance you’ll forget you’re in New York City.

Staten Island

Halloween in Richmond Town
Staten Island can offer you a trick or treating experience like none other in the NYC area: going door-to-door in a village from the 1600s! Halloween at the island’s historic museum complex also features tasty treats for costumed kiddies as well as crafts, apple bobbing and games.

3:30-5pm.
Historic Richmond Town
Clarke Ave.
Staten Island
Online: historicrichmondtown.org

Have a recommendation? Share your favorite trick-or-treating hot spot in the comments below!

—Ashly Grzyb

New York City, NY – Upper West Side

St. Louis, MO - Holly Hills

Atlanta, GA – Grant Park

Portland, OR – Alameda

Orlando, FL - Baldwin Park

Nashville, TN – Nashville Zoo

Philadelphia, PA - Levittown

San Francisco, CA – Belvedere Street

San Diego, CA – Mission Hills

Alexandria, VA – Lee Street

Boston, MA – Beacon Hill

Washington, D.C. - Embassy Row

Los Angeles, CA - Toluca Lake

Mystic, CT - Olde Mistick Village

Seattle, WA – Admiral District

Denver, CO - Hilltop

McKinney, TX - Historic Downtown Square

Saline, MI

Phoenix, AZ - Paradise Valley

Kansas City, MO - Northland

North Charleston, NC

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