We’re thrilled to bring you an epic round of activities to make this your best Halloween yet in San Francisco. The Bay Area always goes hard in October with endless opportunities to get your fill of tricks and treats.
There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re looking for a party, a pumpkin patch, a haunted house, kids’ activities, or a little of everything. Read on to get inspired for Halloween 2025 in San Francisco.
1. Halloween pub crawls
Halloween always brings multiple lively pub crawls to the streets of San Francisco. Here are a few to consider:
- Trick or Drink – Oct. 25 and 30, Nov. 1, 2025
- Walk With Spirits – Select Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31
- Crawloween – Oct. 24, 25, 31, and Nov. 1, 2025
2. A Nightmare on Strip Street
The team behind The Empire Strips Back presents with another outrageous burlesque production—this one putting a twist on iconic horror figures like Pinhead, the Bride of Chucky, and Michael Myers. Catch the show at San Francisco’s Great Star Theatre beginning this October.
🎃 Learn more: Get tickets for A Nightmare on Strip Street here.
3. Bay Area haunted houses and attractions
Apple picking and hot chocolate are all good and well, but if you’re looking for something a bit spookier you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best haunted houses in the Bay Area, from the family-friendly to the downright terrifying. Favorites include Fear Overload Scream Park in Newark and a new immersive haunted experience at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.
🎃 Learn more: See our full list of Bay Area haunted houses here.
4. Halloween Candlelight concerts
Candlelight presents breathtaking classical concerts in over 100 cities around the world, and we can’t wait to see their special upcoming Halloween-themed shows. Settle into an intimate space lit only by a sea of flickering candles, an ambiance that melds beautifully with live renditions of haunting Halloween melodies. Listen to classical renditions of the Stranger Things theme, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and the Beetlejuice soundtrack. Tickets are going fast for the limited-edition shows, so be sure to book your ticket soon.
🎃 Learn more: Purchase tickets here
5. SF ghost tours
Even the bravest of guests do a double-take on these creepy San Francisco ghost tours, many of which draw on haunting tales from the city’s Gold Rush and Barbary Coast days. Crank up your ghost gear and get ready for one of the most memorable tours of the city that will have you looking at ordinary landmarks in an entirely new light.
6. Horror movie screenings
Halloween is the perfect time to watch your favorite horror films or cult classics, and luckily, SF theaters don’t disappoint with the spooky movie screenings. Many local cinemas will play your favorite Halloween classics as the holiday approaches, including Balboa Theater and Alamo Draft House. You can catch lively screenings of cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, or watch vintage screenings of Frankenstein and Dracula to get you in the Halloween spirit.
7. The Guardsmen Halloween Party
The Guardsmen hosts its 21st annual Halloween party at The Brixton this year, featuring a live DJ and hundreds of guests in epic costumes. Dress your best for a chance to win prizes, or otherwise enjoy the drink specials and have a night to remember.
📅 Date: Oct. 31, 2025 at 9pm
8. More SF Halloween parties
Every year we curate a list of the best Halloween parties coming to SF nightclubs, bars, and event spaces. You can bet on a full lineup of live shows and great DJs at popular destinations, including DNA Lounge, The Great Northern, Public Works, and many more.
🎃 Learn more: See our list of Halloween parties in SF
9. 200 Channels Presents: Dollhouse
This Halloween, 200 Channels transforms into a hauntingly playful stage with Dollhouse, an immersive mix of horror and cute-core cabaret. Running through November 8, the avant-garde theater invites audiences behind The Pawn Shop for a seductive, spine-chilling experience.
10. After Dark at the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium’s Thursday After Dark events allow you to explore the science museum late at night, complete with special presentations and a bar. This October, they’ve announced a Día de los Muertos-themed event on Oct. 23, and the fan-favorite “Creepatorium” on Oct. 30.
📅 Date: Thursday evenings
11. Bay Area pumpkin patches
We’re lucky to live right near Half Moon Bay, the pumpkin capital of the world! Whether you’re looking for family activities with kids or getting ahead of your Halloween decorating, these excellent Bay Area farms and pumpkin patches have got you covered with seasonal events to boot. Some of our favorites include Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay and Spina Farms in Morgan Hill.
🎃 Learn more: See our full list of Bay Area pumpkin patches here
12. SF costume shops
SF residents love any excuse to throw on a costume and hit the streets, so it’s no surprise that we also have a treasure trove of vintage, thrift, and costume shops, where you can find the perfect Halloween look. From the era- and genre-specific outfits for rent at Haight Street Costumes, to authentic vintage outfits at Decades of Fashion, these are the best places to put your costume together.
🎃 Learn more: Read our full list of SF costume shops.
13. Spooky fall treats
It’s hard to deny that the fall season brings some of the best flavors on the calendar. We’re talking pumpkin spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and every scent that you want wafting through your kitchen. Well, that fact is certainly not lost on San Francisco’s bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops, because they are busy churning out an epic lineup of delicious treats. BRB, picking up some gourmet candy at Miette Patisserie…
🎃 Learn more: See the full list of places to get Halloween treats in SF
14. Haunted places in SF
Do you know which San Francisco landmarks have spooky stories attached to them? Whether or not you believe in ghosts, these local places are undeniably creepy. From the White Lady of Stow Lake to the spirit of Mary Lake at the Queen Anne Hotel, here are the best ghost stories in SF that you never knew about.
🎃 Learn more: See the full list of haunted places in SF
15. Metaphysical shops
San Francisco witches swear by these delightful metaphysical shops, crystal stores, and herbal apothecaries. From the beautifully curated Sword and Rose in Cole Valley, to the taxidermied oddities found in the Mission’s Paxton Gate, you’ll find plenty of places to get in touch with your occult side.
🎃 Learn more: See our full list of metaphysical shops here.