By Six Fifty staff
Where last year brought us an entirely socially distanced Halloween, 2021 offers more options to celebrate this spookiest season. Here’s a sampling of Peninsula events to celebrate Halloween. And of course, with the pandemic still lurking, for in-person events, check for COVID-19 protocols before you go. Some venues require a vaccination card or proof of a negative test result within 72 hours.
Los Altos
Halloween Spooktacular: Annual trick-or-treating event in downtown Los Altos for children sends them on a quest to find stores displaying an orange pumpkin. (Bring your own treat bag.) Includes fun games and balloon artist spooky crafts.
When: Oct. 29. Trick-or-treating begins at noon. Halloween fun and games at Veterans Community Plaza set for 2-4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Los Altos.
Cost: Free.
Trick-Car-Treat Drive-Thru: Decorated cars on display. Costumed volunteers will hand out treats and toys to the parade of cars at this free annual event hosted by Bridges Community Church. Participants are invited to wear costumes and are encouraged to wear face coverings.
When: Oct. 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Bridges Community Church, 625 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos.
Cost: Free.
Los Altos Hills
Movie Night at Purissima Park: A screening of the “The Addams Family” animated film for the family, popcorn included. Guests should bring blankets, lawn chairs and flashlights and are invited to wear Halloween costumes. RSVP required.
When: Oct. 29, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Purissima Park, 27500 Purissima Road, Los Altos Hills.
Cost: Free.
Menlo Park
Trick or Treat Walk Thru: Menlo Church hosts trick-or-treat stations, an inflatable slide and an open-air bounce house.
When: Oct. 30, 5-7 p.m.
Where: 950 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
Cost: Free.
Mountain View
Fright Night at The Ameswell Hotel: Spooky-themed movie, cocktails and games on the hotel’s lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket. Event is dog-friendly.
When: Oct. 30, 4-9 p.m.
Where: The Ameswell Hotel, 800 Moffett Blvd., Mountain View.
Cost: $10.
Halloween at the Hyatt: A dance floor, DJ and a costume party, with prizes for the spookiest and sexiest costumes. The event is 21+ (suggested age is 35 and over). Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required.
When Oct. 30, 6 p.m.-midnight
Where: Hyatt Centric Mountain View, 409 San Antonio Road
Cost: $28 or $40 at the door.
Halloween in Downtown Mountain View: Halloween on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View is sure to be an attractive Halloween haunt for family ghosts and goblins this year when businesses open their doors to offer treats and other goodies. Decorated storefronts, candy and treats for trick-or-treaters, and discounts and specials for those who come in costume. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Association Mountain View and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. Businesses will be adhering to COVID-19 safety precautions.
When: Sunday, Oct. 31, noon-6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Mountain View.
Cost: Free.
Mountain View Monster Bash: Fall festival features a twisty maze, Halloween-themed games, music, stilt walkers, a bubble show and a roaming magician.
When: Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Rengstorff Park, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View.
Cost: Free.
Palo Alto
Jack-O-Jaunt: Pumpkin carving competition and display hosted by the city of Palo Alto. Participants can carve pumpkins at home or during a carving workshop.
When: Oct. 29, 6-8:30 p.m. (workshop takes place Oct. 29, 3:30 p.m.)
Where: Lytton Plaza, University Avenue and Emerson Street, Palo Alto.
Cost: Free.
Suspense Movie Night: Midpen Media will be hosting a one-night-only virtual free screening of “Dementia 13,” a 1960s suspense/horror film about a recently widowed woman trying to intercept her ex-husband’s family’s money. Includes complimentary popcorn and sweets. Costumes are encouraged. Voice chatting hosted on Discord, and text chat will be open for those who prefer to keep their mics off. The film will be available to view on Midpen Media’s Facebook page and local cable Channel 30.
When: Oct. 29, 7 p.m.
Where: Midpen Media Center, 900 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto; movie can also be viewed online through the center’s Facebook page.
Cost: Free.
Dead Music in the Park: Special Halloween show of live Grateful Dead tunes in the park performed by One Man Gone, with dancing. Family-friendly event; bring a chair or picnic blanket, snack or picnic. Social distancing and city of Palo Alto park rules apply.
When: Oct. 30, noon-3 p.m.
Where: Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto.
Cost: Free.
El Camino Reelers Halloween Picnic and Dance: Three of the Reelers’ liveliest “un-dead” callers will lead celebratory square dances. Picnic at 1:30 p.m.; dancing from 2-4 p.m. Admission is free. Bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or email a copy to [email protected]. Masks are optional, costumes encouraged.
When: Oct. 30, 1:30-4 p.m.
Where: Robles Park, 4116 Park Blvd., Palo Alto
Cost: Free.
Halloween Bray Parade: Barron Park donkeys Perry and Buddy will lead Halloween revelers on a parade that starts at Bol Park. The parade will travel along Laguna Avenue, go up Paradise Way, continue on the bike path and end at the donkey pasture. All ages and costumes are welcome. Face coverings are recommended as a safety precaution. The event is sponsored by the Barron Park Association and the Barron Park Donkey Project. And yes, the donkeys will be in costume.
When: Oct. 31, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Bol Park, 3590 Laguna Ave., Palo Alto.
Cost: Free.
Spooky Haunted House Lego Workshop: BrickTech event where participants build a spooky haunted house out of Legos. Costumes are encouraged but not required to participate. Costumes with face coverings or accessories containing weapons will not be allowed. Classes will conform to state and county mask guidelines for youth programs.
When: Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
Where: Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
Cost: $60.
Redwood City
Halloween Hoopla: Halloween event with creepy crafts, a spooky dessert and ghoulish games for children in grades K-5. Costumes welcome.
When: Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Red Morton Community Center, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City.
Cost: $35, preregistration required.
Hip-hop Halloween: Peninsula Ballet presents a spooky show danced by classic Halloween characters, including Frankenstein’s monster, The Mummy and werewolves, set to music by Bay Area DJs. Includes guest performance by the Tribe Dance Company.
When: Oct. 29, 7 p.m. and Oct. 30, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City.
Cost: $30-$40. No ticket sales at the door.
LEMO Halloween Fest: The LEMO Foundation’s first Halloween bash includes sports activities, carnival games, food and a chance to win a $125 Nike gift card. All proceeds help fund the LEMO Champion Scholarship Fund, which provides opportunities for student athletes to participate in LEMO programming all year round. For families with children ages 3-14.
When: Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 1-5 p.m.
Where: LEMO Foundation, 2575 E. Bayshore Road, Redwood City.
Cost: Tickets start at $35.
A Nightmare on Edison Street: Live DJs, dance party, costume contest. Ages 18 and older. Proof of vaccination or of 72-hour negative COVID-19 test and masks required.
When: Oct. 30, 8:30 p.m.-midnight.
Where: SportsHouse, 3151 Edison Way, Redwood City.
Cost: $10 advance; $15 at the door.
San Carlos
Halloween Kids’ Carnival: Who doesn’t want to see a pumpkin dropped from a helicopter? A haunted hangar display and special kids’ activities like aircraft checkouts and cockpit exploration round out the carnival. Costumes are encouraged.
When: Oct. 30, 5-6:30 p.m., and Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-noon. Pumpkin drops are scheduled for 6:20 p.m. Oct. 30 and noon Oct. 31. The haunted hangar decorations are up now for those who can’t make the carnival; the museum is open weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
Cost: $11-$18. Free for children 4 and under.
Boo Friday: Devils Canyon Brewing Company hosts a Halloween beer bash, complete with live music from the 515 band, food trucks and a costume contest with prizes. (And yes, your dog can be part of the contest.)
When: Oct. 29, 4-10 p.m.
Where: Devils Canyon Brewing Company, 935 Washington St., San Carlos
Cost: Costs for food and drink vary.
Goblin Walk: Trick or treat down Laurel Street for kids 7 and under who are accompanied by an adult.
When: Oct. 29, 4-5 p.m.
Where: Laurel Street, downtown San Carlos
Cost: Free
Stanford
War of the Worlds at Stanford Live: A drama inspired by Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ sci-fi novel “The War of the Worlds” about a Martian invasion presented by Rhum and Clay Theatre Company. All patrons must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to arrival on-site. All patrons are required to wear a mask at the performance.
When: Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford.
Cost: $15, $32 and $64.
Stanford Symphony Halloween Concert: The Stanford Symphony Orchestra and the Stanford Wind Symphony’s annual Halloween concert with music from film and TV, including “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Jurassic Park” and “Star Trek,” ending with a costume competition. The winner serves as guest conductor for the encore.
When: Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Drive, Stanford.
Cost: General $13-$18 in advance; $18-$23 day of performance.
Queer Horror Gravest Hits: Carla Rossi, “Portland’s premier drag clown,” hosts an evening of international horror short films. The films are drawn from the Queer Horror movie nights hosted by Rossi at Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre.
When: Nov. 5, 9 p.m.
Where: Bing Studio, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford.
Cost: $23.
