Happy Halloween!​

Local Family Friendly Events

• Downtown Trick or Treat: 

  Go trick-or-treating in downtown Santa Cruz on Saturday, October 25, starting at 2:00 PM. 

• Scotts Valley Food Truck Friday: 

  Enjoy a Halloween-themed Food Truck Friday with a movie at Skypark in Scotts Valley on October 24, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. 

• Santa Cruz Wharf "13 Days of Halloween": Take part in a Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, visit a photo booth, and enjoy specials on the wharf from October 19–31. 

• Free Halloween Dance Party: 

  Dance to spooky music with DJ Big Fun at the Museum of Art & History (MAH) on October 31, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 

• October 26, 2025: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Halloween Celebration: Features trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and special Boardwalk entertainment. 

• Boulder Creek Downtown Trick or Treat: 

  Go trick-or-treating through Boulder Creek on Halloween night, October 31, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

• Scotts Valley Trunk or Treat: The Scotts Valley Sheriff's Office will host a trick-or-treating event on October 24 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 

• Friday, October 24, 2025Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Details: Hosted by the Santa Cruz County Probation Department in collaboration with the District Attorney's Office. Includes decorated trunks, candy, games, and food vendors.

• Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office Headquarters: Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Details: The annual Trunk or Treat with decorated trunks, candy, games, and food vendors. Free parking is available at the Capitola Mall with METRO service provided to the event. 

​

Halloween Safety 

 

Costume and visibility

• Ensure visibility: 

  Equip children with flashlights, glow sticks, or reflective tape, especially on dark costumes. 

• Prioritize fit: 

  Choose costumes that are the right size and not too long to prevent tripping. Hem any long parts. 

• Opt for safety over masks: 

  Use non-toxic face paint or makeup instead of a mask that can obstruct vision or breathing. 

• Check materials: 

  Use costumes made of flame-retardant materials and avoid anything with flammable decorations or accessories. 

• Wear safe footwear: 

  Make sure children have comfortable, well-fitting shoes that won't cause them to trip. 

Trick-or-treating

• Supervise young children: 

  Young children should always have a parent or trusted adult with them. Older kids should go in groups and have a set route. 

• Stick to safe routes: 

  Only go to houses with their porch lights on. Stick to well-lit, familiar neighborhoods and walk on sidewalks whenever possible. 

• Practice street smarts: 

  Teach children to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street, and to make eye contact with drivers. Remind them to walk, not run, across streets and never dart out from between parked cars. 

• Eat treats safely: 

  Parents should inspect all candy before children eat it. Discard any suspicious-looking items. 

• Be prepared for weather: 

  Plan for the weather and ensure your child is warm enough in their costume. Layers can be worn underneath. 

At home and online

• Secure your home: 

  Remove any tripping hazards from your walkway and ensure your porch is well-lit for trick-or-treaters. 

• Keep pets safe: 

  Keep pets indoors or in a separate, secure area to prevent them from being stressed by trick-or-treaters. 

• Limit social media sharing: 

  Avoid posting photos with identifying information like street names or house numbers. Turn off location tagging and consider delaying real-time route updates.