Best Halloween Events in San Francisco

San Francisco has no shortage of ways to celebrate Halloween. Some people spend the night in costume at a crowded party, while others would rather explore a haunted attraction, take the kids trick-or-treating, or join a Halloween event at one of the city’s museums and attractions.

The best part is that Halloween in San Francisco is not limited to October 31. Many events take place throughout the final weeks of October, making it easier to find something that fits your plans.

Here are some of the best types of Halloween events in San Francisco to look for this year.

1. Halloween Parties in San Francisco

For adults looking for music, dancing, costumes, and a lively crowd, San Francisco Halloween parties are among the most popular choices.

Bars, nightclubs, lounges, and event venues often create special Halloween nights featuring costume contests, DJs, themed decorations, and late-night entertainment. Popular nightlife neighborhoods such as the Mission District, North Beach, Union Square, Nob Hill, and the Marina can be especially active during Halloween weekend.

Some parties require advance tickets or have specific costume policies, so checking the details before heading out is always a good idea.

2. Halloween Pub Crawls

A San Francisco Halloween pub crawl is a fun option for adults who want to visit several bars in one night instead of staying in one place.

Pub crawls usually bring together multiple participating bars and may include drink specials, DJs, costume contests, and themed entertainment. Events such as Crawloween have previously included bars across neighborhoods including Polk Gulch, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Union Square, Cow Hollow, and the Marina.

Wearing a creative costume makes the experience even more fun, especially when hundreds or thousands of people are celebrating together.

3. Family-Friendly Halloween Events

Halloween in San Francisco is not just for adults. Families can find daytime festivals, costume activities, trick-or-treating, crafts, and other kid-friendly celebrations throughout the city and Bay Area.

One notable example for 2026 is SuperNatural at the California Academy of Sciences on October 24. The family-friendly Halloween event includes trick-or-treating, live animal demonstrations, crafts, face painting, and a silent disco inside the Steinhart Aquarium.

Parents should check age requirements and costume rules before buying tickets, especially for ticketed evening events.

4. Halloween at the San Francisco Zoo

A Halloween event at the zoo can be a great choice for younger children who want costumes and seasonal activities without attending a late-night party.

The San Francisco Zoo has a history of Halloween programming such as Boo at the Zoo, which has included children’s costumes, pumpkin-themed animal enrichment, crafts, and other seasonal activities.

Because zoo programming can change from year to year, families should check the official event calendar for the current schedule.

5. Haunted Attractions and Scary Experiences

For people who actually want to be scared, Halloween is the perfect time to look for haunted houses, immersive horror experiences, ghost tours, and spooky attractions around San Francisco.

These experiences can range from theatrical haunted attractions to nighttime walking tours that explore the darker side of the city. They are particularly popular with couples, groups of friends, and older teens and adults looking for something beyond a traditional Halloween party.

6. Halloween Costume Events

Costumes are at the center of many Halloween events in San Francisco. Some celebrations focus heavily on elaborate outfits, with contests and prizes for the most creative, funniest, or most unusual costumes.

San Francisco is known for its creative style, so Halloween is a chance to go beyond the standard witch or vampire costume. Group costumes, pop-culture characters, retro looks, and completely original ideas can all work well.

Before attending a ticketed event, check whether costumes are required, encouraged, or subject to restrictions.

7. Halloween Events in the Bay Area

You do not have to stay within San Francisco proper to enjoy Halloween.

Cities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area host their own celebrations. For example, South San Francisco has scheduled its annual Halloween Extravaganza for October 17, 2026, at Orange Memorial Park. The free family event includes Halloween activities and encourages guests to come in costume.

Checking nearby cities can give visitors more options, particularly when popular San Francisco events sell out.

8. Halloween-Themed Museum Events

Museums and cultural attractions can put an interesting spin on Halloween by combining seasonal entertainment with their regular exhibits.

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the best examples. Its SuperNatural celebration brings Halloween into an unusual setting with aquarium experiences, science displays, live animals, trick-or-treating, and other activities.

These events can be especially appealing to visitors who want something different from a nightclub or traditional haunted house.

9. Halloween Concerts and Special Performances

Music lovers can also find Halloween concerts and themed performances in San Francisco during October.

Depending on the year, the city’s venues may host costume parties with live bands, DJs, theatrical performances, Halloween-themed concerts, and other special programming. These events are worth considering when you want a night out that combines Halloween with live entertainment.

10. Halloween Weekend Events

One of the easiest ways to experience San Francisco Halloween is to plan a full weekend rather than choosing a single event.

You could attend a family event during the day, visit a haunted attraction in the evening, and save a costume party or pub crawl for another night. Since Halloween programming can spread across several weekends, you have more flexibility than you might expect.

Tips for Choosing a San Francisco Halloween Event

Before making plans, consider the type of experience you want. Families may prefer daytime festivals, museums, zoos, and trick-or-treating events, while adults may be more interested in Halloween parties, nightlife, haunted attractions, and pub crawls.

It is also smart to buy Halloween tickets early when possible. Popular events can sell out, particularly when Halloween falls on a weekend. In 2026, Halloween falls on a Saturday, which makes the holiday weekend especially important for event planning.

Finally, check the event’s official website for the latest information about dates, admission, age restrictions, costumes, transportation, and parking.

San Francisco Halloween can be as spooky, family-friendly, social, or over-the-top as you want it to be. With everything from Halloween parties and haunted attractions to trick-or-treating, museum events, and Bay Area celebrations, there is plenty of room to create your own perfect Halloween night.

Written by Ekta Sharma