Halloween Events in Santa Cruz County, California

Santa Cruz Floating Pumpkin Patch

October 18, 2025, 12-4 p.m.

Simpkins Family Swim Center
979 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
Pre-registration includes 1 pumpkin: $17-25, scparks.com |  parks.santacruzcountyca.gov

Hop in the pool and begin your hunt for that perfect Halloween pumpkin! Admission includes a pumpkin, swim, games and fun!

Pricing, approx.
Youth: $17
Adults: $20
Day of Drop-In:
Youth: $20
Adults: $25

County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services Event!  Simpkins Family Swim Center  is putting a fun spin on the tradition of pumpkin picking by creating a patch in the pool just for you! Floating Pumpkins! • Raffle! • Games & Prizes! Sweet Treats! • Stand up Paddle Boards! This is a drop-in, rain or shine event; pre-registration not required. Visit scparks.com for the schedule of activities and admission information.

Swim with the pumpkins, ride the water slide and stand up paddle board in the deep end. In addition to pumpkins, activities planned for the day include games, prizes, music, popcorn, and pumpkin decorating, and the waterslide! Costumes are encouraged! Bring your suit and towel, your friends and family, and make a day of it! This is a drop-in, rain or shine event and help raise money for learn-to-swim scholarships! There will be games and prizes for all who attend!

Santa Cruz Trunk or Treat

 October 24, 2025, 5-8 p.m.

Live Oak Sheriff Headquarters & Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Santa Cruz, CA
Free, parks.santacruzcountyca.gov

Decorated Trunks, candy, games, food vendors and more! Free parking and shuttle service will be provided at the Capitola Mall. Join the county Sheriff’s Department for their annual Trunk or Treat event!

Free parking and shuttle service will be provided at the Capitola Mall for the Live Oak location and this year they are expanding to the County Fairgrounds too!

 

Trick or Treat on the Wharf + 13 Days of Halloween

October 31, 2025, 3-6 p.m. Trick or Treat
Wharf Halloween October 19-31, 2025 Wharf Specials & Thrill the World Flash Mob

Santa Cruz Wharf Little witches, goblins, and ghosts and their parents can enjoy safe and sane trick-or-treating at wharf businesses.
Free, santacruzwharf.com

This event is part of Santa Cruz Wharf's 13 Days of Halloween.
cityofsantacruz.com

Santa Cruz Halloween & Mask Making Festival

October 18, 2025, 12-4 p.m.

London Nelson Community Center
301 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
 cityofsantacruz.com 

Thriller Dance Dress Rehearsal in Laurel Park 3 p.m., Carnival Games, Making Masks

Mask Making Festival is an annual  tradition which includes mask-making, the Thrill the World dance, and a child-friendly tour of the Haunted House. ALL FREE. 

Family-friendly Haunted House from 12-3 p.m. (FREE)
Thrill the World Dance: 3-3:15 p.m.

Thrill the World 

October 18, 2025, 3-5 p.m.

Laurel Park
Santa Cruz, CA
cityofsantacruz.com

Thriller dance classes offered Saturdays Saturdays September 20- October 11, 2025, 10-11:30 a.m.
All Ages 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Youth Classes by the City of Santa Cruz take place 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at London Nelson Community Center
 

Santa Cruz Boardwalk Fright Flicks

Wednesdays, October 1-29, 2025, 8 p.m., Doors open 7:30 p.m.
Actual dates: October 1, 8, 15, & 29, 2025

Cocoanut Grove Ballroom
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA
$15, 21+ beachboardwalk.com

• US movie October 1, 2025
• SCREAM October 8, 2025
• A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET October 15, 2025
• HALLOWEEN October 29, 2025

WEDNESDAYS AT 8PM Bring your friends for an evening of fun and frights! Enjoy your favorite classic horror and suspense films in the Boardwalk's historic Cocoanut Grove ballroom. (21+) Full bar with drinks for sale, themed nights

Thomas & Percy's Halloween Party

October 4-26, 2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  (October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26, 2025)

Roaring Camp Railroads
5401 Graham Hill Road
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4484
$28.85, roaringcamp.com order tickets early!

Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family.  Pick-a-Pumpkin, Halloween Crafts and Costume Contest are part of the fun.

Thomas Train Play Tables
Pick-A-Pumpkin
Pumpkin Decorating
Live Music with Peter Apel
Mr. Miraculous the Magician
Photos with Thomas, Percy & Sir Topham Hatt

Thomas the Tank Engine talks to his fans! Dress up for Halloween with favorites for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family. 

Downtown Santa Cruz Children's Halloween 

October 31, 2024, 2-5 p.m.

downtownsantacruz.com

Free Halloween activities and merchant trick-or-treat on Pacific Ave. from Laurel to Water St. FREE rick-or-Treat Downtown
Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat . Pacific Avenue will be closed to vehicles for this annual afternoon of costumed fun for the whole family. Visit your favorite merchants or treats. Trick-or-Treat Downtown

 
 Dia de los Muertos Celebration

October 26, 2024, 12-6 p.m.

The MAH
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
santacruzmah.org

Free Join us for the Dia de los Muertos community celebration of traditional music, dance, and art at the MAH. Enjoy live performances by Senderos’ Centeotl Danza y Baile and Ensamble Musical de Senderos. Stroll through the museum in a self-guided presentation of community altars.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.