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CUSH REAL ESTATE | LOCAL GUIDE
11 Best Halloween Events in the East Bay & San Francisco for 2026
From an artist-built haunted labyrinth in San Francisco to Oakland’s beloved driveway puppet show, discover the best 2026 Halloween events and East Bay trick-or-treating neighborhoods for families and adults.
Halloween events in San Francisco and the East Bay turn the entire month of October into a season of neighborhood traditions, museum celebrations, merchant trick-or-treating and after-dark experiences. Families can choose from daytime festivals and puppet theater, while adults can explore historic ghost walks, themed cocktail experiences and a party aboard an aircraft carrier. Below are eleven standout 2026 events, followed by a practical guide to favorite trick-or-treating streets in Piedmont, Alameda, Berkeley and Oakland.
Halloween Events in San Francisco and the East Bay
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
SuperNatural at the California Academy of Sciences
The Academy turns after-hours science into a family Halloween adventure with aquarium trick-or-treating, live-animal demonstrations, a silent disco, face painting, specimens and hands-on “mad scientist” moments. Early-entry guests may enter at 5 p.m.
55 Music Concourse Drive. General admission listed at $60 for adults and $45 for ages 3–17, with member pricing available.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Piedmont Avenue Halloween Celebration
Now in its 39th year, this neighborhood tradition begins at Pet Food Express with Orchestra Euphonos, then sends costumed families along Piedmont Avenue to participating merchants displaying Candy Station signs.
The avenue is scheduled to close from Yosemite to Linda during the event. Continue afterward to nearby school and cemetery festivities.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Monster’s Bash aboard the USS Hornet
Dance inside the historic aircraft carrier to Starman SF, a David Bowie tribute, with no-host bars, food and a costume contest carrying a $300 cash prize. It is one of the East Bay’s most atmospheric grown-up Halloween settings.
707 W. Hornet Avenue. Tickets listed at $40; member and group discounts are available.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Halloween Fun in Montclair Village
Start at Village Plaza for a complimentary trick-or-treat bag, then visit participating Montclair Farmers’ Market vendors and district shops. The market’s haunted hunt adds a prize-driven scavenger element for young explorers.
A particularly easy daytime option for younger children. Check the event page for the final participating-business list.
OCTOBER 29–31
The Haunt at YBCA
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts transforms its Forum into an artist-crafted haunted labyrinth and Halloween hangout. The October 30 early session is family-friendly, with children 12 and under admitted free; evening sessions are recommended for ages 13 and up.
701 Mission Street. Sessions: Oct. 29, 7–10 p.m.; Oct. 30, 5–7 and 8–10 p.m.; Oct. 31, 8–11 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Downtown Berkeley Halloween Hootenanny
The seventh annual Hootenanny fills Downtown Berkeley Plaza with live music, face painting, psychics, tarot readers, family activities and costume contests for children, adults, families and pets.
2170 Shattuck Avenue. Scheduled entertainment includes performers from Barely Legal’s Rocky Horror production.
OCTOBER 30 & 31
Driveway Follies Halloween Puppet Show
One of Oakland’s most charming homegrown traditions returns to a Glenview driveway with handmade marionettes, old-fashioned theatrical effects and continuous performances through the evening. The show has delighted neighborhood families since 2007.
3854 Greenwood Avenue. Adults without children are encouraged to attend later in the evening, after the youngest audience members have made their rounds.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
Halloween Jam: Mad Magic at Children’s Fairyland
Fairyland’s Halloween finale combines trick-or-treat stations with costumed characters, live entertainment, bounce houses, crafts, scavenger hunts and playful STEM experiments in its storybook setting.
699 Bellevue Avenue. Advance admission is recommended; confirm current pricing and entry windows on the official event page.
SELECT OCTOBER NIGHTS
San Francisco Ghost Hunt
This candlelit walking tour uses the Victorian architecture and documented history of Pacific Heights as its stage, passing landmarks such as the Chambers Mansion and Hotel Majestic over a roughly one-mile route.
Meets at 1801 Bush Street. Reservations are required; current tickets are listed at $28.99 and tours operate rain or shine.
SELECT DATES THROUGH HALLOWEEN
Terror Vault: Slashed—Return to Hellville
Peaches Christ’s immersive haunt sends small groups through an elaborate, approximately hour-long homage to 1980s slasher films. Guests who want more intense actor interaction can opt in, making this the list’s most theatrical—and gory—choice.
88 Fifth Street. Not recommended for children under 13; consult the official calendar for session times, ticket tiers and content guidance.
OCTOBER 1–31
Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
Step inside a Halloween cocktail laboratory filled with mysterious potions, bubbling beakers and Frankenstein-inspired décor. The subterranean experience beneath Westwood combines theatrical drinks with a full haunted-lab atmosphere, making it a lively adults’ alternative to a traditional haunted house.
2036 Lombard Street. The current listing shows tickets starting near $20; confirm the age policy, included drink, session time and final price when booking.
Where to Trick-or-Treat in Piedmont, Alameda, Berkeley and Oakland
The best East Bay trick-or-treating combines walkability, decorated historic homes and genuine neighborhood participation. These are recurring community favorites—not guaranteed programs—so expect activity to vary from block to block. Arrive on foot when possible, respect residents with dark porches, and begin with your own neighborhood before traveling elsewhere.
Piedmont: Ricardo Avenue and the York–Manor area
Ricardo Avenue is frequently singled out for elaborate pumpkins and a welcoming, community-minded atmosphere, with York Drive and Manor Drive forming a useful starting point. For a structured stop, the City of Piedmont is also hosting free Halloween Tricks & Treats at 358 Hillside Avenue from 6–8 p.m. on October 31.
Alameda: Gold Coast and Franklin Park
Alameda’s level sidewalks, Victorian architecture and dense residential blocks make it especially friendly for families. The Gold Coast around Franklin Park is the classic destination; Grand, Paru and Sherman streets between Central and Encinal are sensible reference points. Park outside the busiest core and walk in.
Berkeley: Russell Street and Elmwood
Russell Street between College and Claremont is known for ambitious displays and large crowds, while nearby College Avenue gives families an easy commercial corridor to pair with the residential route. Visit earlier with younger children and verify any 2026 street closure before relying on it.
Oakland: Trestle Glen, Haddon Hill and Glenview
Trestle Glen and Crocker Highlands bring winding, character-rich streets and enthusiastic decorating; Haddon Hill and Cleveland Heights near Lake Merritt are favorites for dramatic older homes and front-yard displays. Glenview offers a gentler neighborhood rhythm—and the rare bonus of Driveway Follies on Greenwood Avenue. For daytime rounds, the Montclair Village and Piedmont Avenue merchant events above are excellent choices.
A Few Local Tips for a Better Halloween Night
- Choose one compact area. The East Bay’s most popular blocks become crowded; a walkable loop is more enjoyable than trying to visit four neighborhoods.
- Go early with small children. Daytime merchant events and the first hour after dusk are typically calmer.
- Bring lights and layers. Reflective details, a small flashlight and an extra layer help on dim, hilly streets after sunset.
- Respect the block. Skip homes with porch lights off, keep gates closed, carry out wrappers and avoid blocking driveways.
- Recheck official pages. Weather, capacity and production needs can change schedules or entry rules.
Halloween in the Bay Area: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best family-friendly Halloween events in the East Bay?
Montclair Village Halloween Fun, the Piedmont Avenue Halloween Celebration, Children’s Fairyland’s Halloween Jam and Glenview’s Driveway Follies are especially strong family choices. The California Academy of Sciences’ SuperNatural celebration is another all-ages option in San Francisco.
Where are the best neighborhoods for trick-or-treating near Oakland?
Recurring community favorites include Trestle Glen and Crocker Highlands, Haddon Hill and Cleveland Heights, Glenview, Piedmont’s Ricardo Avenue area, Alameda’s Gold Coast and Berkeley’s Russell Street. Participation changes by household, so follow porch-light cues and respect residential blocks.
Which Halloween experiences are best for adults?
Adults can consider Monster’s Bash aboard the USS Hornet, Terror Vault at the San Francisco Mint, The Haunt at YBCA, the San Francisco Ghost Hunt and Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab. Review each organizer’s age policy before booking.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, YEAR-ROUND
Finding the right East Bay neighborhood starts with knowing how it lives.
At Cush Real Estate, our understanding of Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley and Alameda extends beyond market data to the local traditions, streets and communities that give each neighborhood its character. If a move is part of your next chapter, contact Cush for thoughtful, design-led real estate guidance.
Event information was reviewed on October 8, 2026. Cush Real Estate is not affiliated with the featured events. Dates, prices, availability and program details may change; confirm directly with each organizer.