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.
1. Attend a spooktacular Halloween-themed concert with hundreds of flickering candles
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.
Upcoming shows include an ode to the best horror movie soundtracks like Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow, and a presentation of Halloween classics such as the Stranger Things theme and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” See the full schedule of concerts here.
2. Get into character at House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Masquerade
A hauntingly beautiful Halloween event is coming to San Francisco’s 9th Street Building this October. Dress in your best period attire and uncover what’s behind closed doors during your journey through the tale of Volkov Manor. The experience includes a flight of four mini themed cocktails and mesmerizing live entertainment. Get tickets to House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Masquerade here.
📅 Dates: Oct. 1 – Nov. 2, 2024
3. Party all night on a rambunctious Halloween pub crawl
Halloween always brings multiple lively pub crawls to the streets of San Francisco. Here are a few to consider:
- Trick or Drink (Oct. 25-26 and 31, 2024) – Gain entry to 16 different bars in SF’s North Beach neighborhood including Northstar Cafe, The Irish Times, and Persona.
- Crawloween (Oct. 25-26 and 31, 2024) – Put together your best costume and get ready to join over 10,000 crawlers at over 25 participating bars, with hop-on, hop-off party buses running through the entire route.
4. Watch spine-chilling cult horror movie screenings all month long
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. Luckily, many SF theaters 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.
5. Get last-minute tickets to Kaytranada at the Greek Theater
After bringing the house down at Outside Lands, Kaytranada has continued to put on epic shows around the country on his “Timeless” tour. His Halloween show at the Greek has already sold out, but the venue added a second show on Nov. 1st after popular demand.
📅 Dates: Oct. 31 (sold out) and Nov. 1, 2024
6. Enjoy a wild night out at SF’s best 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.
7. Check out the Halloween activities at Salesforce Park
Salesforce Park hosts dozens of free activities every single month, including periodic seasonal events that are always a great time. Check out the free Silent Disco on October 31st, featuring three different DJs and drinks from Barebottle.
8. Test your bravery at a local haunted house
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, Tricks and Treats at Great America in Santa Clara, and a new immersive haunted hotel experience at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.
9. Nightmare on Front Street
San Francisco debuted a new “entertainment zone” last month, hosting a massive outdoor Oktoberfest celebration that drew about 10,000 attendees. If you missed it, you’re in luck — they’re hosting another free block party for Halloween that will no doubt be even livelier. You can expect music, games, horror movies, a costume contest, and amazing spooky cocktails. Check it out between 2-10 pm on Halloween day.
📅 Date: Oct. 31, 2024
10. Check out Creepatorium at the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium’s Thursday After Dark events allow you to explore the science museum late night complete with special presentations and a bar. This Halloween, you can join them for their Halloween presentation of the event “Creepatorium” which includes themed cocktails, a Spooky Scavenger Hunt, and more.
📅 Date: Oct. 31, 2024
11. Pick the perfect pumpkin at a local patch
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, The Guardsmen at SF’s Fort Mason Center, and Spina Farms in Morgan Hill.
12. Explore the haunted side of San Francisco at these spooky destinations
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.
13. Put together an unforgettable Halloween look at these local 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.
14. Get the heebie jeebies on a ghost tour of San Francisco
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.
15. Stock up on delicious fall treats at these SF eateries
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…
16. Channel your witchy side at these eclectic 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.