Top Halloween Events in Santa Cruz, USA 2024

Santa Cruz, California, is known for its vibrant Halloween celebrations, offering a wide range of events for all ages.

From spooky haunted houses to family-friendly festivals, the city transforms into a Halloween hub each year.

Visitors can enjoy a mix of eerie attractions and community gatherings, with highlights such as the Downtown Santa Cruz Halloween Parade and the annual Haunted Castle event.

This year’s Halloween festivities, taking place on October 31, 2024, promise an exciting and immersive experience for both locals and tourists, making it a memorable destination for holiday fun.

Overview Of Halloween Events In Santa Cruz, USA

1. Halloween Masking Making Festival

1. Date: October 19, 2024
2. Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
3. Venue: London Nelson Community Center
4. Ticket Price: Free

This family-friendly event invites participants to get creative by making Halloween masks in a fun and festive environment. The London Nelson Community Center will host this hands-on workshop, perfect for kids and adults alike​.

2. SCH3 Angel vs. Devil Halloween Hash #1328

1. Date: October 31, 2024
2. Time: 6:00 PM
3. Venue: Santa Cruz Mission Plaza Park
4. Ticket Price: Free

This fun, social event is a themed run where participants dress up as angels or devils, following a course through the park. It combines fitness and Halloween fun, allowing attendees to enjoy the spooky atmosphere​.

3. 13th Annual Santa Cruz Harbor Witches SUP

1. Date: October 26-28, 2024
2. Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
3. Venue: SUP Shack Santa Cruz
4. Ticket Price: Free

Watch as “witches” paddleboard around the harbor in this unique annual Halloween event. It’s a light-hearted and entertaining spectacle that has become a beloved tradition​.

4. Fall Fest at the Gazelle Experience Center

1. Date: October 27, 2024
2. Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
3. Venue: 719 Swift Street, Santa Cruz
4. Ticket Price: Free

This fall-themed festival includes food, games, and entertainment for families. It celebrates the autumn season and Halloween in a lively community setting​.

5. China Cats Very Grateful Halloween Dance Party

1. Date: October 31, 2024
2. Time: 7:00 PM
3. Venue: The Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building
4. Ticket Price: Not listed

This Halloween dance party features live music from the China Cats, a Grateful Dead tribute band. It’s a perfect way for music lovers to enjoy the spooky season while dancing to some classic tunes​.

6. Santa Cruz Official Halloween Bar Crawl

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 4:00 PM
3. Venue: Various Bars in Downtown Santa Cruz
4. Ticket Price: Free

Join the bar crawl and explore some of Santa Cruz’s most iconic watering holes while dressed in costume. This event offers exclusive drink specials at multiple locations​.

7. Downtown Trick or Treat

1. Date: October 31, 2024
2. Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
3. Venue: Downtown Santa Cruz
4. Ticket Price: Free

Downtown Santa Cruz welcomes families for a safe and fun trick-or-treating event. Local businesses participate by handing out candy, making it a perfect outing for kids​.

8. ORCtober Fest 2024

1. Date: October 25, 2024
2. Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
3. Venue: Veterans Memorial Building
4. Ticket Price: $22 – $30

A Halloween-themed party featuring live music and spooky costumes. Attendees are encouraged to dress up, and there will be food, drinks, and plenty of entertainment​.

9. SWEET VOODOO at Abbott Square – Halloween Weekend Kick-Off

1. Date: October 25, 2024
2. Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
3. Venue: Abbott Square Market
4. Ticket Price: Free

Kick-off Halloween weekend with a costume party at Abbott Square. Enjoy live music, food, and drinks as the festivities begin​.

10. Halloween at the Hotel Paradox

1. Date: October 31, 2024
2. Time: 8:00 PM
3. Venue: Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4. Ticket Price: $39 – $45

The Hotel Paradox hosts a special Halloween party with a night full of music, drinks, and costume contests. It’s one of the most anticipated Halloween events in Santa Cruz​.

11. Barbie Halloween Party

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM
3. Venue: The Catalyst Club
4. Ticket Price: Not listed

Join this costume party, themed around the popular Barbie character. Enjoy dancing, drinks, and the chance to win costume prizes in one of Santa Cruz’s favorite venues​.

12. Haunted Halloween Dance Party

1. Date: October 31, 2024
2. Time: 9:00 PM
3. Venue: Oblò Cocktails & Kitchen
4. Ticket Price: $18

Dress up and dance the night away at Oblò Cocktails & Kitchen. This event offers a lively atmosphere with Halloween-themed drinks and a DJ spinning tunes​.

13. Witches Ball at the Brookdale Lodge

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
3. Venue: Brookdale Lodge
4. Ticket Price: Not listed

This annual event features spooky costumes, vendors, and live entertainment in a haunted location. It’s known as one of the most haunted places in California​.

14. Pumpkin & Pole Photoshoot, Carve & Jam

1. Date: October 20, 2024
2. Time: 3:00 PM
3. Venue: 349 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
4. Ticket Price: Not listed

A unique event that combines pumpkin carving with a photoshoot. Attendees can show off their carved pumpkins and enjoy a creative evening​.

15. Candlelight

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 6:30 PM & 9:00 PM
3. Venue: Cabrillo College
4. Ticket Price: Not listed

Enjoy a multi-sensory experience with live Halloween-themed classical music performed by candlelight at Cabrillo College​.

16. Evergreen Cemetery

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
3. Venue: Evergreen Cemetery
4. Ticket Price: Free

Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with traditional music, dance, and community altars in this annual event hosted by Evergreen Cemetery​.

17. Downtown Watsonville Candy Crawl

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
3. Venue: Downtown Watsonville
4. Ticket Price: Free

Bring the whole family to enjoy a day of trick-or-treating through local businesses in downtown Watsonville​.

18. Howl-o-ween Doggie Date Night

1. Date: October 26, 2024
2. Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
3. Venue: Soquel, Santa Cruz
4. Ticket Price: Free

This event includes a dog costume parade, a movie screening, and a chance to meet adoptable dogs. It’s perfect for dog lovers looking for a fun Halloween outing​.

Table showing Halloween Events In Santa Cruz 2024

Conclusion

Santa Cruz, California, offers a diverse range of Halloween events that cater to all ages, from family-friendly trick-or-treating in Downtown Santa Cruz to lively adult parties like the Halloween at Hotel Paradox and the China Cats Very Grateful Halloween Dance Party.

For those seeking unique experiences, the Witches SUP Paddle at Santa Cruz Harbor and the festive atmosphere at Veterans Memorial Building for ORCtober Fest are must-visit spots.

Whether you’re looking for a fun outing with family or a spooky night of dancing and costumes, Santa Cruz has something to offer everyone this Halloween.

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