TL;DR: The best Halloween events in San Francisco are Boo at the Zoo and Pier Pressure’s Titanic Masquerade. For kids, the annual Boo at the Zoo event at the San Francisco Zoo features Halloween-themed activities, costume contests, a haunted house, and jack-o-lanterns for the animals. For adults, Pier Pressure’s Titanic Masquerade is one of the most popular Halloween parties in the city, with costumes, dancing, drinks, and entertainment aboard a decorated party boat.
San Francisco does Halloween right, no matter what you’re looking for during this spooky season.
One year, a friend and I put on matching lion onesies and just walked through the city.
We moved from one block party to the next and wound up at a party with a live band playing on the roof!
Of course, this type of happenstance isn’t right for everyone, but there are many places to go on Halloween in SF and a trick (or treat!) that’ll suit your style.
If your budget’s tight, there are tons of free Halloween events in San Francisco to check out as well.
I’ve compiled a list of the best Halloween events in San Francisco for adults and children to help guide your adventures this October!
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Scary and 21+ Halloween Events in San Francisco
Best Halloween Parties & Pub Crawls
Pier Pressure Titanic Masquerade or Black Pearl Cruises (21+)
When: Friday, October 27th; Saturday October 27th
Where: The San Francisco Spirit, Pier 3, SF, CA
Cost: $27 – $250
Pier Pressure is hosting two Halloween boat parties this year: one on Friday (Titanic) and the other on Saturday (Black Pearl).
With three levels and two DJs, their annual Titanic masquerade cruise is one of the most anticipated Halloween events in San Francisco.
While it’s semi-formal, masks are mandatory for entry, so be sure to get creative.
Pier Pressure also hosts the ultimate Bay Area Halloween party with a Black Pearl theme the Saturday before Halloween.
This one will surely bring out San Francisco’s most fun-filled crowd.
SF’s top DJs ramp up this spooky dance party like no other, so turn your costume all the way up!
Dusk2Dawn: Vintage Culture and More at The Midway
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Where: The Midway SF, 900 Marin St, SF, CA
Cost: $39.50 – $109 (Early-bird tickets are already sold out)
The Midway brings something extra special for Halloween weekend every year.
Dusk2Dawn is one of SF’s best Halloween parties for dance music and live performances; you won’t be disappointed.
VIP tickets include access to the private lounge, bar, and bathrooms–I don’t know about you, but I hate waiting in bar lines after everyone’s taken advantage of the drink specials.
Crawloween: San Francisco Halloween Pub Crawl (21+)
When: Saturday, October 28th
Where: Check-in at Mayes Oyster House, 1233 Polk St, SF, CA
Cost: $5 – $55
With over 14,000 attendees in previous years, Crawloween is the largest San Francisco Halloween Pub Crawl.
This adult version of trick-or-treating includes cheap drinks, costume contests, music, dancing, and spooky fun at notable SF venues near Polk Street, such as Wreck Room.
If you’ve never been to a pub crawl, put this on your Saturday night schedule.
W Hotel San Francisco Mega Halloween Party (21+)
When: Saturday, October 28th
Where: W Hotel San Francisco, 181 3rd St, SF, CA
Cost: $35 – $150
The biggest Halloween party in SF, Mega Halloween Party, returns for more extravagant fun.
This annual event includes four different rooms, 10 top DJs, dancers, live music, and incredible costumes.
Along with the Terror Vault, W Hotel is another good option if you’re coming from East Bay.
Best Haunted Houses
Into The Dark Terror Vault
When: 2023 dates TBD
Where: The San Francisco Mint, 88 5th St, SF, CA
Cost: Tickets start at $55
Bay Area production company, Into The Dark, presents an interactive experience with its annual Terror Vault show.
The best of 80’s New Wave/Goth costume vibes are here at the Fang Bang Bar. This SF Mint event is open to the public, and the show runs into the wee hours of the night.
Terror Vault is a good option if you’re coming from the East Bay, as it’s closer to the Oakland Bay Bridge than a lot of other events.
Looking for more haunted houses in California? Read our full guides to the best haunted houses in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
Haas-Lilienthal House Mayhem Mansion
When: Select dates in October, 7pm – 11pm
Where: Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St, SF, CA
Cost: starting at $15
Visit the Haas-Lilienthal House during the last two weekends in October for spooky tours.
The Mayhem Mansion is best for people already inclined to visit a historical site. It’s in Lower Pacific Heights, and the tour focuses on the history of the house.
Haas-Lilienthal House isn’t as haunted as the Whaley House, but I sure wouldn’t want to spend a night in either location.
Guests over 21 can visit the Spookeasy bar for festive drinks while kids enjoy the candy cauldron.
Winchester Mystery House – Unhinged
When: Select nights through October
Where: Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA
Cost: starting at $64.99
Unhinged is one of the most highly-anticipated, immersive haunted houses in the Bay Area, sure to give visitors a fright.
Winchester Mystery House brings a new theme and interactive show each year as guests tour the historic haunted mansion in San Jose.
This isn’t like other haunted houses–you step back into the 1920s with indoor and outdoor activities.
Head to the outdoor Cafe 13 for a ghoulish cocktail after a night of trick-and-terror.
Kid-Friendly Halloween Events in San Francisco
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
When: October 26 & 27
Where: St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave, SF, CA
Cost: $30 – $70
For some Halloween romance and a lot of incredible music by the Listeso String Quartet, Candlelight offers a live, multisensory, musical experience in a candlelit glow.
These concerts feature Halloween musical classics performed by a live string quartet, including Time Warp, Thriller, Beetlejuice, This Is Halloween, and more.
Outdoor Halloween Movie Night “Ghostbusters” (McLaren Park)
When: Friday, October 20th, 6:25 pm
Where: Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, John McLaren Park, 40 John F Shelley Dr, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
Sundown Cinema is the only outdoor film series in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This October, they’ll screen the Halloween favorite Ghostbusters at McLaren Park for the whole family to enjoy.
Get there early to partake in the pre-screening festivities and grab dinner from local food trucks.
Halloween is a good time to visit the Sundown Cinema
holds regularly scheduled events in the park.
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
When: 2023 date TBD
Where: Thrive City, 1725 3rd St, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
This annual event features a costume contest, scary movies, a pumpkin patch, a photo booth, a haunted house, live entertainment, trick-or-treating, and lots more Halloween fun.
This event runs for one day only, but it’s one of the best free Halloween events in SF.
Haunted Howl-O-Ween Party at Wag Hotels
When: 2023 date TBD
Where: Wag Hotels, 25 14th St, SF, CA
Cost: $35
Howl-O-Ween is a doggie Halloween party and one of the best Halloween events for fur babies.
Bring your pooch in costume for the costume contest, activities, and a charity silent auction at this annual furry Halloween party.
Looking for dog-friendly activities in SF? Visit one of the best dog-friendly restaurants in San Francisco!
SuperNatural: California Academy of Sciences
When: 6:30pm-9pm Friday, October 27, 2023 (VIP admission begins at 5pm)
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr, SF, CA
Cost: Adults: $60, Children 3-17yro: $45 (visit website for VIP package details)
Join California Academy of Science’s SuperNatural party for an evening of magical science.
Ghoulish activities include a magic show, silent disco, crafts, and live animal demonstrations run by the mad scientists with a trick or two up their sleeves.
SuperNatural also offers VIP packages that include early entry, exclusive West Garden Lounge access, and a gourmet dinner.
Single ‘Mummy’ tickets start at $125 for children and $150 for adults. Meanwhile, the larger Werewolf ticket packages cover twelve people and include a year’s membership to the academy.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costume–keep in mind that this a family-friendly event geared toward children.
Save your best scary zombie make-up for a Saturday Night pub crawl.
Boo at the Zoo & ZootoberFest
When: throughout October
Where: The San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Blvd & Upper Great Hwy, SF, CA
Cost: starting at $22
The SF Zoo transforms into a fall festival with activities and special fall-themed events for kids and adults.
On Hallo-weekend, Boo at the San Francisco Zoo amps up the “boo” factor with Halloween-themed events, activities, a scavenger hunt, costume contests, a haunted house, and festive fun.
Animals are fed fresh jack-o-lanterns throughout the Halloween season. Watching the big cats play with pumpkins is a fun and funny spectacle.
Tricks and Treats at Great America, Santa Clara
When: Select dates through September & October
Where: California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA
Cost: starts at $44.99
The Great America Amusement Park in Santa Clara puts on an annual Halloween special event with fun for all ages.
Although Great America is located about an hour south of San Francisco, this is one of the more popular events in the Bay Area, so it deserves a mention on this list.
Explore the Land of Tricks and the Land of Treats, go on spooky adventures throughout the park, ride the coasters, and, most importantly, wear your costume.
Six Flags Boo Fest
When: Select dates in September & October
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA
Cost: Starting at $40
Boo Fest is an annual festival of Halloween fun for kids at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Located in Vallejo, it’s a short drive from San Francisco but well worth the trip.
With the tagline, “BOO by Day, FRIGHTS by Night,” there’s something for kids of all ages.
Bring the younger ones during the day to ride their favorite roller coasters, go trick-or-treating, get lost in the hay maze, and catch some shows.
Then, send the older ones into the haunted houses to walk amongst the living dead with after-dark Fright Fest–the evenings are reserved for scares.
Goblin Jamboree at Bay Area Discovery Museum
When: Select dates in October
Where: Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito, CA
Cost: Members $20; Non-members $25 [based on last year]
The annual Goblin Jamboree at the Bay Area Discovery Museum is one of the North Bay’s favorite Halloween events for kids.
Wear your best costume and participate in the hay maze, the slime banquet, web weaving, interactive science, and pumpkin carving.
The Goblin Jamboree event runs for two weekends, but member tickets are cheaper on weekdays.
If you can swing it, I recommend going to the sponsor breakfast on Saturday, October 21st. Then, you can delve into breakfast treats and start the spooky festivities early.
Best Halloween Block Parties
Fair Oaks Halloween Block Party
When: Halloween night, Tuesday, October 31st, 2023
Where: Fair Oaks Street (between 21st and 26th Streets) SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
Every year on Halloween night, the residents of Fair Oaks throw a spooky, family-friendly block party.
Wear your best costumes and join in the community festivities on a residential Mission District Street.
Wander from haunted garage to haunted garage, and enjoy some of San Francisco’s best trick-or-treat locations.
Castro Family Halloween Block Party
When: Sunday, October 29th
Where: Noe Street (between Market and Beaver), SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
The annual Castro Halloween Block Party and Costume Contest is a family Halloween event for neighbors, their kids, and pets.
Head over for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, Drag Queen Storytime & Performances, games, giveaways, and even a pet costume contest.
After all, it’s not a real San Francisco Halloween until you’ve seen dogs in costumes.
Ocean Avenue Halloween Block Party
When: 2023 dates TBD
Where: Faxon Ave (between Ocean Ave & DeMontfort Ave), SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
Another of SF’s free Halloween events for kids, this annual Halloween block party runs from noon-3pm.
Enjoy three hours of entertainment and family fun, accompanied by the yearly Ethnic Toy Drive at 1607 Ocean Avenue.
Best Halloween Festivals & Family-Friendly Parties
Ghirardelli Spooky Square
When: Saturday, October 28th, 1pm-4pm
Where: Ghirardelli Square, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
Ghirardelli Square hosts fun activities, including a magic show, a kid’s Halloween parade and costume contest, a doggie costume contest, and more spooky events.
Everyone receives a goodie bag for participating.
Halloween Haunt JFK in ‘Ghoulden’ Gate Park
When: Friday, October 27th
Where: JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
Head to JFK Drive on Friday of Halloween weekend for a haunted house, hay maze, food trucks, live entertainment, local artists, carnival games, and a scavenger hunt.
Bring the whole family for fun with the beautiful scenery and views of Golden Gate Park as your backdrop.
4th Annual Lower Haight Halloween Hoedown
When: Sunday, October 29th
Where: Waller Street between Fillmore & Webster, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
This annual neighborhood hoedown is on Sunday afternoon of fun for the whole family. The event includes games, costumes, live music, crafts, and more.
“Halloween Hoopla” Kids Festival in the Park + Costume Parade
When: Saturday, October 28th, 12pm-3pm
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard St, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
The 23rd annual Halloween Hoopla brings kid-friendly performances, games, craft-making, live music, and a Halloween parade.
This kid-friendly afternoon of fun events takes place at the Yerba Buena Children’s Garden.
Harvest Festival at Ferry Building Marketplace
When: Sunday, October 29th, 11:00am to 1:00pm
Where: 1 Ferry Building, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission
Roll out of bed on Sunday of Halloween weekend and head to the Ferry Building Marketplace, the annual Halloween Festival.
Expect scary movie characters, a scavenger hunt, a pumpkin carving demo, and trick-or-treating.
Tarot card readings make this event fun for older teens and young adults, too.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
When: October 14-15, 2023
Where: Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA
Cost: Free admission
Another event that’s a short drive from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, hosts an all-ages Halloween festival.
It features food and drinks, carnival games, face painting, music events, pumpkin patches, a pumpkin competition, local artists, and a costume contest.
Best Pumpkin Patches
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
When: Open daily through October
Where: Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch, 1620 7th Ave, SF, CA
Cost: Free admission (small fee for hay rides)
Clancy’s is San Francisco’s first pumpkin patch, operating since 1979, making it a must-do if you’re trying to pick between pumpkin patches in San Francisco.
Family-owned and operated, Clancy’s offers pumpkin picking with a selection like no other in town.
Pro tip: Lean back and relax on the hay ride when you need to rest your feet.
Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch
When: October 19-29, 2023
Where: Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd, SF, CA
Cost: from $15
With events throughout October, Halloween at Fort Mason is a festive pumpkin patch that sends all proceeds to charity to support at-risk youth in the SF Bay Area.
You’ll notice that the Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch is set up near the Marina, rather than on the farm. It’s a convenient location with a nice breeze–and no risk of muddying your shoes!
Guardsmen stays open until 10pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. An evening of cocktails and beer surrounded by adorable pumpkins is a calmer alternative to a noisy pub crawl.
Lemos Farm Pumpkin Patch
When: September 2nd – Thanksgiving
Where: Lemos Farm, 12320 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA
Cost: starting at $10
A little outside of San Francisco, head to Half Moon Bay for hay rides, a haunted house, a petting zoo, pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, costumes, and more.
Lemos Farm is the perfect way to spend a festive afternoon with the kids in Half Moon Bay during the fall season.
FAQs About San Francisco Halloween Events
What is the best Halloween street in San Francisco?
The best street in San Francisco for Halloween is Belvedere Street between 17th and Parnassus.
Expect ghoulishly decorated houses and a plentiful Halloween spirit!
What are the best Halloween streets in the Bay Area?
- Belvedere Street, San Francisco
- Fourth Street, Berkeley: Halloween Fest & trick-or-treating
- McDonald Avenue, Santa Rosa
- Willow Glen-Cambrian Park, San Jose
Is Halloween big in San Francisco?
San Francisco is one of the best places for Halloween in the US.
There’s no shortage of Halloween events in San Francisco. Locals love getting out into the crisp fall air, hosting neighborhood events, and connecting with their communities.
Get Your FREE California Travel Planner + printable checklists for 101 things to do in California!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taylor Neal
Taylor is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, yoga instructor and frontline worker who spends most of her time in her van (Vannigan) winding through the coastal and mountain roads of California where she feels most at home. From navigating the realities of van-life to the fluctuations in diverse climates and landscapes, Taylor is excited to bring everything she’s learned about California to fellow wanderers seeking beauty and adventure.
Looking for more seasonal fun and Halloween events in California? Check out these related articles below!
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Halloween Events in Orange County
Halloween Events in Los Angeles
Halloween Events in Sacramento
Best Ghost Towns in California
Best Pumpkin Patches in California
Where to See Fall Colors in California
Best Places for Snow in California
Best Places to Experience Christmas in California
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