Halloween Activities
Halloween invites everyone to step into a world of costumes, sweets and frights. From quiet neighborhood strolls to huge events, these activities capture the essence of the season. While trick or treating and carving pumpkins are probably the most well known activities, there are lots of fun things that you can do during the Halloween season.
The Best Halloween Activities
Corn Mazes
Step into a field where towering corn stalks form winding paths and clever dead ends. These life-size puzzles can take anywhere from a quick stroll to an hour of exploring, depending on how tricky the design is. Some farms add extra twists like hidden clues, scavenger hunts or night walks with flashlights that give the maze a mysterious glow. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you are luck enough to be near the largest corn maze in the world. Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA has over 60 acres of corn maze to enjoy.
Haunted Houses
For those who love a good scare, haunted houses deliver dark hallways, sudden sounds and actors who seem to appear out of nowhere. Many are set up in old buildings, barns, ships or even outdoors to add to the experience. Professional haunts feature elaborate sets inspired by classic tales, from mad scientists’ labs to ghostly manors. You can expect all kinds of cool additions like fog machines and eerie soundtracks. Choose from mild thrills for families or intense haunted experiences that feel like a movie come to life.
Trick or Treating
For kids, Trick or Treating is probably the most exciting part about Haloween. As Dusk falls, streets light up with glowing jack-o’-lanterns as costumed figures parade door to door. Children in capes and masks call out for candy, filling pillowcases with a whole assortment of different candy. Adults join in the fun and get to enjoy wathcing their little ones enjoy some supervised independence.
Viewing Decorations
Stroll through blocks transformed by glowing skeletons, oversized spiders, giant inflatable monsters and flickering candles. From modest yard displays to neighborhood spectacles with synchronized lights and animatronics, these setups turn homes into temporary museums of the macabre. The San Francisco Bay Area has a bunch of incredible neighborhoods where everyone goes all out on the decorations. Avila Street in the Marina is one of these areas where you can see some awesome decor and take your kids trick or treating.
Visiting a Pumpkin Patch
A pumpkin patch visit is as much about the setting as the pumpkin you bring home. Wander through rows pumpkins while sipping hot cider or cocoa. Many farms also offer hayrides, small petting zoos and farm stands with homemade pies and jams. It’s a perfect fall outing for families, couples or anyone who wants a taste of the countryside. When you get home, you get to plan out your pumpkin design and enjoy a little creative time with the little ones.
Eating Pumpkin Treats
I saw a sign in a window of a local coffee spot that said “It’s Pumpkin Spice Season”, which kind of hits the nail on the head. Pumpkin (and pumpkin spice) is everywhere in October, from pies and muffins to lattes and ice cream. Local bakeries and cafés create seasonal specials that give you a taste of fall with every bite. Roasted pumpkin seeds and pumpkin butter are great treats if you want the flavors to last beyond the season.
Ghost Tours
Guides lead you through historic streets and hidden alleys while sharing tales of mysterious sightings and local legends. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these walking tours are a fun way to learn spooky history after dark. Some include candlelight, sound effects or visits to old cemeteries to set the mood.
Halloween-Inspired Games
Invite friends over for a night of Halloween fun. Bob for apples, run a costume contest or create a trivia game based on classic horror films. You can also set up a backyard “pumpkin bowling” lane or play glow-in-the-dark ring toss with candy prizes. It’s an easy way to celebrate without leaving home.
Watching Halloween Movies
A movie marathon sets the perfect tone for October nights. Sink into a couch with popcorn as the tv shows tales of witches, werewolves, monsters and more. Line up family-friendly picks like Hocus Pocus or go for really scary ones like Psycho, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Smile, Longlegs, Sinners and more. Add warm drinks, caramel apple, and blankets for a cozy evening that works whether you’re solo or with a group.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms with a Halloween twist turn puzzle-solving into an immersive story. You might find yourself breaking out of a haunted lab or solving clues in a cursed mansion. Aach solved riddle brings you closer to escaping before the clock runs out. Teams collaborate on puzzles involving hidden keys and cryptic codes. This is a fun activity all year long, but it seems even more appropriate around Halloween.
Halloween Events
Cities big and small host all kinds of events throughout October. Things like costumed parades, outdoor concerts, nightclub events and pub crawls and more can all be found on local calendars. Check local listings for ticketed events and pop-up attractions so you can plan.
Carving Pumpkins
Select the perfect pumpkin and etch designs from simple faces to intricate scenes, scooping out seeds amid the scent of fresh pulp. Tools range from basic spoons to stencils for precision, with tea lights waiting to illuminate your work. You can also get creative with paint, stickers and other items. This is a great activity for kids to express their creativity and be proud of their creations.
Hayrides
Climb aboard open wagons piled with straw, towed through woods or vienyards. Blankets ward off the evening chill as guides tell scary stories to get everyone in the mood. It’s a relaxed ride that eases into the night’s deeper mysteries, ideal for unwinding with loved ones.
Costume Contests
Strut your stuff at local spots where judges eye elaborate outfits from homemade capes to store-bought masks. Categories can include scariest, funniest and most original. Winners can get trophies or gift cards as rewards, but some larger events can offer some awesome cash prizes.
Costume Parties
From house gatherings to large venue celebrations, costume parties are a chance to get creative. Some events have contests for scariest or most original outfit, while others focus on music and dancing. It’s a great way to show off your Halloween style and enjoy a lively night out.
Bobbing for Apples
Lean over tubs of floating apples with your hands behind back and try to snag an apple in your mouth. This game sparks splashes and cheers, especially at parties with multiple basins for relays.
Halloween is a fun holiday no matter what your age. Kids get to enjoy creative things like pumpkin carving and choosing a fun costume. They also get to enjoy a little bit of independence as the go trick or treating with their friends. For adults, it’s a great time to bond with your kids or a time to throw on a sweet costume and head out to a big costume party or pub crawl.