With another 5 to check out for even more frights and delights
San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland bring have a nice mix of things to do in autumn. Our favorite Bay Area Halloween events are sure to inspire you. So take a look; we’re sure one of these will be perfect for your Halloween festivities.
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Fear Overload Scream Park
Fear Overload Scream Park, located in Newark, California, is known for its intense and immersive haunted house experiences. The park offers two main haunted houses, each designed to push the boundaries of fear with detailed sets, professional actors, and high-quality special effects.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Darkmoor Penitentiary: Explore the abandoned penitentiary where a brutal riot left every inmate and guard dead. Rumors of twisted experiments by the sinister Warden Blackwood still haunt the crumbling halls.
- Slotch Sanitarium: Navigate through the shadowy ruins of a sanatorium where Dr. Thaddeus Crowley conducted cruel experiments, leaving many patients trapped in torment.
- Eerie Essentials: A captivating emporium offering a collection of chilling keepsakes and haunting memorabilia.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Starting at $19.99 (prices increase closer to the event date)
- Fast Pass Admission: Add $12.00 to skip the regular line
- Immediate Entrance: Add $24.00 to skip all lines
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Parking Information
Parking is available on-site at Newpark Mall. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends and closer to Halloween.
Winchester Mystery House, Unhinged Hotel
The Winchester Mystery House’s Unhinged Hotel experience is an immersive haunted attraction that transforms the historic mansion into a terrifying playground of horror. This event combines state-of-the-art special effects, professional actors, and disturbing scenes to create a unique and spine-chilling experience.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Indoor and Outdoor Experiences: The Unhinged Hotel experience includes a suspenseful walk-through journey inside the mansion and an outdoor scare zone with immersive decor.
- Special Effects and Professional Actors: Expect loud sounds, atmospheric fog, strobe effects, and highly skilled actors who stay in character throughout the experience.
- Halloween Museum and Concessions: Enjoy the Halloween museum and delicious fall treats at Cafe 13. Craft cocktails are also available at the bars.
- Historical Tours: While many historical aspects of the home won’t be visible during the show, the daily Mansion Tour and Explore More Tour are recommended to learn about the house’s history.
Historical Significance of the Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is a historic mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. The house is renowned for its size, architectural curiosities, and lack of any master building plan. It is considered one of the most haunted places in America and has intrigued visitors for over a century.
- Construction: The mansion was continuously constructed from 1886 until Sarah Winchester’s death in 1922. It features 160 rooms, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, 52 skylights, 47 stairways and fireplaces, 17 chimneys, 13 bathrooms, and 6 kitchens.
- Architectural Oddities: The house is famous for its architectural oddities, such as staircases leading to nowhere, doors opening into walls, and windows overlooking other rooms. These features were allegedly designed to confuse spirits that Sarah Winchester believed were haunting her.
- Historical Landmark: The Winchester Mystery House is a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on date and time; check the website for current rates.
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more.
Parking Information
Parking is available on-site and in nearby lots. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends and closer to Halloween.
Six Flags Fright Fest – Discovery Kingdom
Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California, is a premier Halloween event that transforms the park into a terrifying playground of horror from September 16 to October 31, 2024. The event features a variety of haunted attractions, scare zones, and live entertainment that cater to horror enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Haunted Mazes: Navigate through multiple haunted mazes filled with sinister characters and eerie scenes.
- Scare Zones: Experience several scare zones where monsters and ghouls lurk around every corner.
- Chilling Rides: Enjoy Six Flags’ signature thrill rides cloaked in darkness for an added layer of fear.
- Live Performances: Immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit with pulse-pounding live performances.
- Kid-Friendly Activities: During the day, enjoy scare-free fun for kids, including a Crazy Hay Maze, Pumpkin Painting, Kids Costume Contest, Kids Scream Contest, and Trick or Treat Trail.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available throughout the park.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Starting at $30 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- Haunted Attractions Pass: Starting at $70 for access to all haunted houses
- Season Pass: Various options available, including discounts and perks
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Parking Information
Parking is available on-site for a fee. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends and closer to Halloween.
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park, located at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, is a unique and thrilling haunted attraction that allows visitors to experience the scares from the safety of their own vehicles. This drive-through event features a series of themed zones with live actors, special effects, and terrifying scenes designed to deliver a spine-chilling experience.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Themed Zones: Guests visit multiple themed zones, each with its own unique set of scares and eerie decor.
- Live Actors: Skilled actors stay in character throughout the experience, enhancing the realism and fear factor.
- Special Effects: Expect loud sounds, atmospheric fog, strobe effects, and high-quality special effects to create an immersive experience.
- Safety Measures: The drive-through format ensures a safe and socially distanced experience for all attendees.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on date and time; check the website for current rates.
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more.
Parking Information
Parking is available on-site for a fee. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends and closer to Halloween.
Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions
Dead Time Dreams in San Jose, California, is known for its immersive and terrifying haunted attractions. The 2023 season features the open-air immersive haunted attraction, NIGHTMARES, and a larger Midway of Terror to entertain guests before and after the main attractions.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- NIGHTMARES: An open-air immersive haunted attraction that takes you through the ultimate scare zone with detailed sets, professional actors, and high-quality special effects.
- Midway of Terror: A larger and improved midway area with games, food, and entertainment to enjoy before and after the haunted attractions.
- The Church, Meat Factory, Outbreak, Dead Zone, and House of Voodoo: Various haunted attractions offering different themes and scares.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on date and time; check the website for current rates.
- VIP Admission: Available for an additional fee (skip the regular line).
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more.
Parking Information
Plenty of free parking is available on-site.
G&M Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
G&M Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in Livermore, California, is a family-friendly fall attraction that offers a variety of activities suitable for all ages. The farm is renowned for its extensive corn maze, which has been featured twice on the David Letterman Show, and its wide range of harvest-themed activities.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Corn Maze: Navigate through the extensive corn maze, designed to challenge and entertain visitors of all ages.
- Pumpkin Patch: Pick your own pumpkins from a vast selection of shapes and sizes.
- Hayrides: Enjoy a scenic hayride around the farm.
- Pedal Carts and Cow Train: Available on weekends, these activities provide fun for younger visitors.
- Jump Pillows: Open Wednesdays through Sundays, these giant inflatable pillows offer a fun and safe activity for kids to enjoy.
- Farm Animals: Meet and greet various farm animals.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on activities; check the website for current rates.
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more.
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Other Halloween Happenings in the Bay Area
October has plenty on tap, but if those ideas don’t suit your vibe, try this list of six eclectic Bay Area Halloween events. They are different and a lot of fun.
- The Haunted and Historic Rose Garden Tour – This family-friendly event offers a unique blend of history and Halloween spirit. Visitors can explore the beautiful San Jose Municipal Rose Garden while learning about its spooky past. The tour features costumed guides sharing eerie tales and local legends. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the autumn scenery while getting into the Halloween mood. The event typically runs on select dates in October and lasts about 90 minutes.
- California’s Great America – Halloween Haunt – For those seeking serious scares, California’s Great America transforms into a nightmare playground during Halloween Haunt. This event features multiple haunted mazes, scare zones, and live shows. The park’s rides operate in total darkness, adding an extra thrill. With professional-grade special effects and dedicated scare actors, it’s not for the faint of heart. The event runs on select nights from late September through October.
- Martial Cottle Park Harvest Festival – This autumn-centered event celebrates the agricultural heritage of the Santa Clara Valley. Visitors can enjoy pumpkin patches, hay rides, live music, and local food vendors. The festival also offers educational demonstrations on farming and sustainability. It’s a great way to experience the fall season without the spooky elements of Halloween. The event typically takes place on a weekend in October.
- Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose – Día de los Muertos – While not strictly a Halloween event, this celebration of the Day of the Dead captures the spirit of the season. The museum hosts family-friendly activities including sugar skull decorating, traditional face painting, and educational exhibits about the holiday. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to learn about Mexican culture and traditions associated with honoring deceased loved ones.
- San Jose Improv – Halloween Comedy Shows – For adults looking for a different kind of Halloween entertainment, the San Jose Improv hosts special Halloween-themed comedy shows throughout October. These events feature stand-up comedians performing Halloween-inspired material in a festive atmosphere. It’s a great way to enjoy the holiday spirit with laughs instead of scares.
Tips to Enjoy our Favorite Bay Area Halloween Events
- Buy Tickets in Advance: Many of these events are popular attractions, and tickets can sell out, especially on weekends and closer to Halloween. Purchasing tickets online in advance is highly recommended to guarantee entry and save time.
- Consider a VIP or Elite Ticket: When events have a fastpass like option, it’s a great way to avoid long wait times. These options allow you to bypass the regular lines and get into the haunted house faster, giving you more time to enjoy the experience.
- Arrive Early: To make the most of your visit, arrive early. This helps with parking and gives you more time to explore the attractions and additional experiences.
- Dress Comfortably: Many of these events are outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Likewise, for indoor events, be prepared for the crowds in dark cramped spaces. Layers you can remove to stay cool will help.
- Check the Weather: While some attractions are indoors, others are outdoors. Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. October nights in the Bay Area can be chilly, but the afternoons are fairly mild. Plan ahead and bundle up for any outdoor activities on those chilly nights.
- Follow Safety Guidelines: For your safety and the safety of others, follow all posted rules and guidelines. This includes not touching the actors or props and staying within designated areas.
- Take Advantage of Live Entertainment and On-site food options: Many of these events offer live entertainment outside of the main venue. Some have food trucks or dining options. On long evenings, those can help you pace yourself, or find a second wind to keep the night going.
- Have fun: Halloween is about having fun and enjoying a good scare. If you think an event is going to push your limits too far, skip and find another.
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