While it’s still a couple of weeks away, Halloween festivities are already bubbling up in the events calendar like an elixir stewing in a witch’s cauldron. From kids’ activities like trick-or-treating, movie nights and spooky storytimes to immersive experiences like Filoli’s “Nightfall” and a murder mystery dinner in Mountain View, local events cater to those who want to embrace the scarier side of the holiday as well as people who prefer treats over tricks.
Our guide to Silicon Valley Halloween festivities covers all ages and includes parties and special events; concerts, screenings and performances; family-friendly festivities; and food-and-drink events and restaurant celebrations. Avoid the frightful fear of missing out and read on for details.
Calling Ghostbusters,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
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The Silicon Valley guide to festive and frightful Halloween-themed events for all ages
Our guide to Silicon Valley Halloween festivities covers all ages and includes parties and special events; concerts, screenings and performances; family-friendly festivities; and food-and-drink events and restaurant celebrations.
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Congrats to Lisa W., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s “Boy and Girl Playing in the Calla Lily Field,” a metal sculpture by JoeSam near City Hall in Mountain View!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Be sure to check out our October events guide for more things to do!
Code:Art 2025: Oct. 16-25 Downtown Palo Alto’s free, interactive art festival returns, featuring five site-specific installations and nightly projection artworks, plus pop-up concerts, DJ sets and more.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 18-19 The “world pumpkin capital” holds its annual celebration of the mighty autumn gourd, featuring a pumpkin parade, harvest-inspired arts and crafts, live music, pumpkin sculpting, pumpkin-flavored food and drinks and more.
Chocolate Fest: Oct. 18 Sample tasty treats from Bay Area chocolatiers and enjoy live jazz, door prizes, a silent auction and more at this annual fundraising event of the Congregational Church of the Peninsula.
Halloween at Gamble Garden: Oct. 25 Meet Eloise the opossum and other animal guests from Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo at Gamble Garden’s Halloween event, which also includes face painting, crafts, a scavenger hunt and more.
Bay Day: Oct. 25 Save The Bay celebrates its 10th annual Bay Day (rescheduled from Oct. 4) with a volunteer wetland restoration project at Menlo Park’s Bedwell Bayfront Park.
United Nations Association Film Festival: Through Oct. 26 The annual film festival this year has a theme of “Messages for the Future,” with screenings in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford and San Francisco.
An Evening with Joan Baez: Oct. 29 Iconic singer and activist Joan Baez will discuss her memories of the early days of Kepler’s at a fundraiser celebrating the 70th birthday of the beloved bookstore.
Laser ABBA: Nov. 1 Among the many offerings from De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetarium is a laser show featuring hits by the Swedish supergroup such as “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia” set to a dazzling light display.
The Raven at Windy Hill: Nov. 1 Learn about ravens and listen to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven” while taking a leisurely walk led by Midpen docent naturalists at Windy Hill Preserve.
Plan Ahead:
Dı́a de los Muertos: Nov. 2 Redwood City’s annual Dı́a de los Muertos celebration includes a speech and procession, ceremonial altars made by community members, food vendors, live entertainment, face painting and more.
Murder for Two: Through Nov. 2 A cast of just two hardworking actors bring to life (no pun intended) a zany crew of characters in this madcap musical murder mystery, staged by Hillbarn Theatre.
Holidays at the Johnston House: Nov. 8 Attendees can take a tour of the historic Johnston House; shop for gifts; partake in cider, wine and food; and listen to live music.
Yay Birds!: Through Nov. 8 Artist Jane Kim (co-founder of Ink Dwell) has curated a multi-artist exhibition celebrating all things avian at the Andra Norris Gallery in Burlingame.
November Makers Market: Nov. 8 Little Green hosts a market featuring goods from local artists and businesses, plus live music and refreshments available.
Quique Escamilla: Nov. 8 The award-winning singer-songwriter blends traditional Mexican styles with rock, reggae, ska, jazz, cumbia and more and addresses social and political issues through his music.
Nightfall at Filoli: Through Nov. 10 Glowing mushrooms, a meadow full of pumpkins, spooky scarecrows and more await visitors to Filoli after dark during its Nightfall takeover, during which folks can stroll the estate by moonlight and find seasonal fun.
Friends of the Menlo Park Library Book Sale: Nov. 14-15 Find a bonanza of books, puzzles, games, music and more.
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