Tap a date to see that day's events. Only listings with set dates appear here; places you can visit any open day are listed further down.
Halloween and fall events around the SF Bay Area, checked on the venue's, city's, county's or library's page on Oct 23, 2026. Adults-only events are left out. Look for the Good for little kids (2–4) marker for early, toddler-friendly options.
Boo at the Zoo
Oakland Zoo · Oakland (East Oakland · Oakland & East Bay)
ZooPaidNext: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Oakland & East Bay
Halloween weekends at the zoo, included with regular admission: a trading-card hunt at animal exhibits, creepy-crawler encounters at the House of Bugs on Saturdays at 1 p.m., reptile and amphibian discovery on Sundays at 1 p.m., and a Saturday costume contest at noon (Oct 24 and Oct 31) in the Wildlife Theater. Costumes are welcome, but no inflatable costumes.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026; Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Sun, Nov 1, 2026
📅 Add a date to your calendar
- When: Saturdays and Sundays through Sun Nov 1, 2026
- Time: Zoo hours (costume contest Saturdays at noon)
- Price: Included with zoo admission; prices vary by day (Plan-Ahead Pricing). Under 2 free. Parking $15 in advance
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Buy a dated ticket online ahead of time.
⚠️ Ticket prices change by date. Check the ticket page for the price on your day.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Halloween Booktacular Giveaway
San José Public Library · San Jose (Any San José library · San Jose & South Bay)
LibraryFree (per source)Opens Sat, Oct 24 · through Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)San Jose & South Bay
Kids and teens can stop by any San José library to pick out a free book and a spooky-themed comic or graphic novel.
📅 Add the date range (Sat, Oct 24 – Sat, Oct 31)
- When: Oct 24–31, 2026
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Free
- Ages: Kids and teens
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ The page does not say how many books each child can take.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Halloween Storytime at the Merced Library
San Francisco Public Library, Merced Branch · San Francisco (Lakeshore · San Francisco)
LibraryFree (per source)Next: Mon, Oct 26Good for little kids (2–4)San Francisco
A costume-practice storytime for toddlers 16 months through age 2 and their caregivers, with books, songs and movement.
Upcoming dates: Mon, Oct 26, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Mon Oct 26, 2026
- Time: 10:15–10:45 a.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: Toddlers 16 months–2 with a caregiver
- Booking: Drop in.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Scaregrove at Sigmund Stern Grove
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department · San Francisco (Sunset · San Francisco)
Community eventFree (per source)Next: Fri, Oct 30Good for little kids (2–4)San Francisco
The department's free annual Halloween event: a haunted house, carnival rides, a haunted maze, arts and crafts and live entertainment, with food for sale. Come in costume.
Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Fri Oct 30, 2026
- Time: 3–9 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ The page lists a haunted house and a haunted maze. Look at the activities to decide what suits your children.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Spooktacular Haunted House at the Willow Glen Library
San José Public Library, Willow Glen Branch · San Jose (Willow Glen · San Jose & South Bay)
LibraryFree (per source)Next: Fri, Oct 30Good for little kids (2–4)San Jose & South Bay
A family-friendly haunted house in the Community Room with several spooky stations, including a creepy cemetery and a spider web corner.
Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Fri Oct 30, 2026
- Time: 3:30–5 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: Kids ages 5–12 and families
- Booking: Not listed on source
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Halloween Festival at the Pearl Avenue Library
San José Public Library, Pearl Avenue Branch · San Jose (Pearl Avenue · San Jose & South Bay)
LibraryFree (per source)Next: Fri, Oct 30Good for little kids (2–4)San Jose & South Bay
A Spooky Mad Science Show from 4 to 4:45 p.m., a Halloween craft from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m., and spooky treats while supplies last. Costumes are welcome.
Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Fri Oct 30, 2026
- Time: 4–5:30 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: Kids ages 5–10 and families
- Booking: Not listed on source
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Boo at the Zoo
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens · San Francisco (Sunset · San Francisco)
ZooPaidNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)San Francisco
A one-day Halloween festival: costume parade at 11 a.m. and costume contest at noon (toddler, family/group, animal and judge's favorite categories), pumpkin treats for the animals, a trick-or-treat candy booth, crafts, face painting, a DJ dance party and a spooky selfie station.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Price: Activities are free with paid daytime admission or membership
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ The page does not show the daytime admission price. Check the ticket page.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Halloween Party at the Berryessa Library
San José Public Library, Berryessa Branch · San Jose (Berryessa · San Jose & South Bay)
LibraryFree (per source)Next: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)San Jose & South Bay
Come in costume for crafts, tricks, treats and a parade. Free, no registration required.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
- Time: 2:30–4 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: Kids ages 5–12 and families
- Booking: No registration required.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Halloween Haunted Hunt at the Portola Library
San Francisco Public Library, Portola Branch · San Francisco (Portola · San Francisco)
LibraryFree (per source)Next: Sat, Oct 31San Francisco
Solve spooky riddles and search for pumpkins, with a sweet treat at the end. Space is limited. Sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
- Time: 3–4 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: Ages 6–10
- Booking: Drop in. The page says space is limited.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Homeschool Days at The Tech Interactive
The Tech Interactive · San Jose (Downtown San Jose · San Jose & South Bay)
Science museumPaidNext: Wed, Jan 13San Jose & South Bay
Select Wednesdays built for homeschooling families: full access to all exhibits, mini STEAM demonstrations led by the education team, a Drop-In Lab for open-ended science and engineering activities, and special workshops just for homeschool families. Free downloadable lesson plans come with it. The page says a detailed schedule is coming.
Upcoming dates: Wed, Jan 13, 2027
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Wed Jan 13, 2027 (more dates may be added)
- Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Price: $30 per person
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ The page lists only Jan 13, 2027 so far and says more programming details are coming. Check it for added dates.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Field trips at the Exploratorium (school-group rate)
Exploratorium · San Francisco (Embarcadero · San Francisco)
Science museumPaidOngoing / by arrangementSan Francisco
The 2026–27 field-trip season runs Sept 22, 2026 to June 4, 2027, Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The field-trip price is $10 per youth (PreK–12), free for children 3 and under, with one adult free per 10 youth and extra adults $10. Reservations are required.
- When: Tue–Fri, Sept 22, 2026–June 4, 2027, by reservation
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: $10 per youth (PreK–12), 3 and under free
- Ages: PreK–12
- Booking: Book through the field-trip request form on the Exploratorium page.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page does not say homeschool groups qualify for the school-group rate. Ask the museum before you book. The field-trip page is written for school groups and does not name homeschool groups. Ask the field-trip team whether your group can book at this rate.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Avenida de Altares (Día de los Muertos)
Mexican Heritage Plaza, School of Arts and Culture · San Jose (East San José · San Jose & South Bay)
Cultural festivalFree (per source)Next: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)San Jose & South Bay
The 10th annual free family event: a community altar gallery, hands-on art activities for all ages, an artisanal vendor market and face painting, mostly outdoors. The live lineup had not been announced.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
- Time: 5:30–10:30 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Fruitvale Día de los Muertos Festival
The Unity Council · Oakland (Fruitvale · Oakland & East Bay)
Cultural festivalFree (per source)Next: Sun, Nov 1Good for little kids (2–4)Oakland & East Bay
The free outdoor festival at Fruitvale Village, in its 31st year, with live music, family-friendly games, rides and activities, and traditional Latin American art and altars.
Upcoming dates: Sun, Nov 1, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Sun Nov 1, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
ZooLights
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens · San Francisco (Sunset · San Francisco)
ZooPaidOpens Fri, Nov 6 · through Sun, Jan 3Good for little kids (2–4)San Francisco
A nighttime winter lights show with over a million lights across 14 zones, including 3D animal installations, a "frozen" photo zone and light-up playgrounds. Themed nights and Santa in December. It needs a separate evening ticket, which includes the Dinos Rule! exhibition. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Reservations are not required.
📅 Add the date range (Fri, Nov 6 – Sun, Jan 3)
- When: Wed–Sun evenings, Nov 6, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
- Time: 5:30–9 p.m.
- Price: $30 adults, $21 children
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Each ticket is good for one visit on any date. Members get $3 off.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Christmas in the Park
Christmas in the Park (San José nonprofit) · San Jose (Downtown San Jose · San Jose & South Bay)
Holiday lightsFree (per source)Opens Fri, Nov 27 · through Fri, Jan 1Good for little kids (2–4)San Jose & South Bay
A free downtown holiday display at Plaza de César Chávez with animated exhibits and Christmas lights, run by a community nonprofit.
📅 Add the date range (Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1)
- When: Nov 27, 2026–Jan 1, 2027
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Hours are not shown in the part of the page we could read. Check the site.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Let's Glow SF
Downtown SF Partnership · San Francisco (Downtown San Francisco · San Francisco)
Holiday lightsFree (per source)Opens Fri, Dec 4 · through Sun, Dec 13Good for little kids (2–4)San Francisco
A free, family-friendly holiday projection arts festival. Ten winter nights of animated projections on downtown buildings, including the Ferry Building and 101 California St.
📅 Add the date range (Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 13)
- When: Dec 4–13, 2026
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This is hosted by a downtown business partnership, not by the city. Nightly hours and some locations were still to be announced. The nightly hours are not on the page yet.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.