19 Family Friendly Halloween Events in the Sacramento Area
October 4, 2016

19 Family Friendly Halloween Events in the Sacramento Area

NOTE: This post is from 2016. Click here for an updated list of 2018 Halloween events!

While there are always a lot of Halloween activities in the city, it can be hard to find the perfect family-friendly events to take the kids to. We’ve gathered the best events that will allow your little ones to get dressed up in their favorite costumes, get their faces painted, learn a little bit about Sacramento’s history, get (just a little) spooked and more for this year’s Halloween season.

Mark your calendars with these fun and festive Halloween events geared towards — or completely acceptable for — kids! The only thing missing will be their adorable (or spooky) costume and a craving for all things sweet. (Okay, that last part isn’t missing…)

 

Ghost Tours at the Sacramento History Museum

October 14–29 (Every Friday and Saturday Night)

Tours Start Every Half Hour From 6–9 p.m.

Between October 14 and 29 on Friday and Saturday nights, you can embark on a special Ghost Tour at the Sacramento History Museum. But proceed with caution, as this spooky experience is recommended for children ages 8 and up. Join the ghosts of early Sacramento on a mile-long guided walking tour departing from the Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento. This is a wonderful way to get spooked this Halloween season and learn more about this historic area’s fascinating past!

 

Auburn Community Festival

Saturday, October 15

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Auburn Community Festival

Photo Courtesy of Auburn Community Festival

Don’t miss the 20th annual Auburn Community Festival offering a full day of fun for the family, including a giant pumpkin contest, a scarecrow contest, a costume contest, a parade, live music, vendors, and more! This all-day event at Recreation Park in Auburn is completely free and open to the public.

 

Dinger’s Drive-In Flick-or-Treat at Raley Field

Saturday, October 15

6 p.m.

Join the River Cats’ mascot, Dinger, for a night of sweet treats under the stars! Take the little ones to Raley Field to go trick-or-treating and watch “Hotel Transylvania 2” on the larger-than-life video board. Doors open at 4:30 and the movie starts at 6.

 

Flower Farm’s 10th Annual Pet Parade

Sunday, October 16

11 a.m.

Flower Farm Pet Parade

Photos Courtesy of The Flower Farm

Head to Loomis for The Flower Farm’s 10th Annual Pet Parade — but don’t forget your pet! Adorn your pet in their best Halloween costume and enjoy a fun day on the farm with the whole family, admiring all of the well-dressed pets in attendance.

 

California State Railroad Museum’s Spookamotive Train Rides

October 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 + 30

Departures 11 a.m.–4 p.m. on the Hour

For three weekends in October, you can hop on board California State Railroad Museum’s Spookamotive Train Rides! This is a delightful (and not frightful!) experience the whole family will enjoy, as you embark on a journey within the museum’s decorated diesel-powered trains. Each weekend features a special theme, which are as follows:

October 15 + 16: Superheroes & Villians

October 22 + 23: Pirates & Princesses

October 29 + 30: Witches and Wizards

Purchase your tickets online in advance or on the day of at the ticket office. Coach tickets cost $15 for non-member adults and $8 for non-member youth ages 2–17. Tickets for member adults cost $6 and $3 for member youth ages 2–17.

 

Sacramento Spooky Halloween River Cruise

October 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 + 30

Varying Times

Sacramento Spooky Halloween River Cruise

Photos Courtesy of Hornblower Cruises & Events

The Sacramento Spooky Halloween River Cruise has lots of fun in store for your family on their one-hour cruise along the Sacramento River. Slip on your Halloween costume on any of the Saturdays and Sundays the cruise is running. While on board, the kids will hear Halloween-themed music, stop by the spooky Halloween-themed coloring station, get their faces painted, and go home with a fun Halloween party favor!

Participate in their photo contest during the Halloween Cruise by taking a photo in your costume on the cruise and posting it on the Hornblower Cruises Facebook page. You may just win a family four-pack of tickets for a Hornblower Historical River Cruise! Winners are announced every week on their Facebook page.

 

Fairytale Town’s Safe & Super Halloween: Superheroes

Friday, October 21–Sunday, October 23

5–9 p.m.

Join the three-night extravaganza at Fairytale Town where your little ones can go trick-or-treating and experience the ultimate night of festive fun. The 30th annual Safe & Super Halloween: Superheroes is happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5–9 p.m. with a nightly costume parade at 8:30 p.m. Activities include mingling with superheroes, treat stations, hands-on activities, magic shows, and more! Purchase your tickets in advance, costing $10 for adults and $10 for children ages 2–12 in advance, or $12 for adults and $12 for children ages 2–12 the day of the event. Fairytale Town members receive $3 off each ticket if purchased in advance.

 

Sacramento Children’s Museum Monster Bash

Saturday, October 22

6–8 p.m.

Sacramento Children's Museum Monster Bash

Photos Courtesy of the Sacramento Children’s Museum

The Monster Bash at the Sacramento Children’s Museum is back for another night of ghoulish fun with a DJ, dancing, photo opportunities, a costume contest, and more! Enjoy dessert and light refreshments and be on the lookout for special guests Captain America and Spider Man to make appearances. Tickets cost $15, or just $10 for museum members.

 

El Dorado Halloween Carnival and Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, October 22

1:30–4 p.m.

Enter the enchanted land at Cameron Park Lake for the annual El Dorado Halloween Carnival and Pumpkin Patch, where you’ll play old-fashioned carnival games, make Halloween crafts, and enjoy delicious food and refreshments. Show off your costume in the costume contest and get lost in the pumpkin patch. The best part about all of this? Admission is completely free!

 

Crocker Art Museum’s Wee Halloween

Wednesday, October 26

Tours Depart 10–11 a.m.

Crocker Art Museum Wee Halloween

Photo Courtesy of Crocker Art Museum

Crocker Art Museum’s Wee Halloween is the perfect activity for your children under the age of 5. Charmingly costumed tots and their grown-ups will walk through the museum and encounter gentle music and dance surprises along the way, collecting a small gift at each stop to put in their decorated treat bag. Register in advance to ensure your spot! Wee Halloween costs $10 for members (adult or child) and $15 for non-members (adult or child).

 

Safetyville Halloween Haunt

Saturday, October 29

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Visit the Safetyville Pumpkin Patch during the month of October, and return for the Safetyville Halloween Haunt the Saturday before Halloween. Families attending this annual event will enjoy a magic show with Trevor Wyatt, a harvest maze, face painting, family games, raffles, live entertainment, and more. Admission costs just $5 per person (ages 3 and over)!

 

 

Trick-or-Treating in Historic Folsom

Saturday, October 29

1–4 p.m.

Take your costumed kiddos to a safe environment for trick-or-treating in historic Folsom. Keep an eye out for participating merchants throughout the district and be sure to stop by the Amphitheater Stage at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. for a special “Cinderella” performance from Cynthia’s Dance Center.

 

Trick-or-Treating in Old Sacramento

Saturday, October 29

You can also take your candy-loving children to go trick-or-treating in Old Sacramento the weekend before Halloween, as you follow a map to various businesses to collect candy throughout this beautiful historic district. The whole family will love this experience, as you may even grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant or get some shopping done while you’re in town.

 

Sacramento Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo

Saturday, October 29 + Sunday, October 30

11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sacramento Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Photos Courtesy of Sacramento Zoo

The Sacramento Zoo always has something going on during major holidays, and Halloween is no exception. Boo at the Zoo has a whole new twist this year, with a daytime trick-or-treating adventure throughout the whole zoo, face painting for kids, ghoulish games, themed stage shows, keeper chats, and animal enrichments! Top off the day of non-stop activity with a ride on the Spooky Zoo Train or the Creepy Carousel. Tickets to Boo at the Zoo for all ages cost $10 if purchased before October 23, and $12 after October 23. Sacramento Zoo members receive $3 off per ticket!

 

Spooktacular Halloween at Funderland

Saturday, October 29 + Sunday, October 30

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

The festivities at this year’s Spooktacular Halloween at Funderland should not be missed, with a hay maze, magic shows, galactic character sightings, trick-or-treating at 15 candy stations, free crafts, and more! Receive free ride tickets by donating new games or art supplies for the River Oak Center for Children.

 

Downtown Davis Treat Trail

Monday, October 31

2–4:30 p.m.

Downtown Davis Treat Trail

Photos Courtesy of Downtown Davis

The Downtown Davis Treat Trail is a community tradition that has attracted families for many years. Your little goblins and princesses can trick-or-treat at local businesses in downtown Davis, making this a fun, festive and safe experience for the whole family.

 

Safe Kids Halloween in Foresthill

Monday, October 31

5–8 p.m.

Downtown Foresthill presents their Safe Kids Halloween event, where trick-or-treaters are invited to roam from business to business collecting treats in a safe and lighted environment. Don’t miss the Harvest Festival happening from 5–8 p.m. at The Carpenter’s Place!

 

Safe Trick-or-Treat in Old Town Auburn

Monday, October 31

Downtown Auburn, CA

The little ones will have a blast at Auburn’s Safe Trick-or-Treat event, where they can gather Halloween treats from more than 120 participating Old Town and Downtown Auburn businesses. Head to Herschel Young Park for games, crafts and a children’s costume contest during the event.

 

Fair Oaks Safe Halloween

Monday, October 31

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Stop by the Fair Oaks Safe Halloween event at Fair Oak’s Plaza Park for a full day of family fun, including games, face painting, trick-or-treating at Village of Fair Oaks businesses, and more! This free community event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks and the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival.

 

What did we miss?

Let us know what family-friendly Halloween events you’re looking forward to this year!

Category Local Events, Sacramento

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With the California Local blog, Windermere Signature Properties strives to deliver the most valuable information to both home buyers and sellers while highlighting our favorite local gems that make Sacramento the best place to live in California.