Halloween events on the Central Coast
Drive-in Movies
Monterey County Fairground- The fairground will host drive-in showings on Oct. 31 of "Coco" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Gates open for Coco at 11 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m. for The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk- On Oct. 31, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will host a showing of "Hocus Pocus" at 7 p.m. Presales are sold out, but a limited number of tickets will be available at the gate.
Haunted Halloween Cinema- The City of Gonzales will be hosting free movies in Centennial park on Halloween, but everyone must stay in their cars. They will be playing Hocus Pocus at 6 p.m. and The Corpse Bride at 8:30 p.m.
Haunted Houses and Trails/Mazes
Artichoke Festival Haunted House- The Artichoke Festival is hosting a haunted house at the Monterey County Fairgrounds every Friday and Saturday night in October, including Halloween night. It is open to everyone aged 12 and up, but will be required to follow social distancing protocols and wear a face covering. It is open from 5 to 10 p.m.
Trail of Lights & Frights- The Trail of Lights & Frights at Swank Farms allows guests to take a walk on a starry trail. The event is held on Fridays and Saturdays from dark until 10 p.m. through Nov. 1. It is open to all ages. Read more about Swank Farms here.
Trick or Treat/Trunk or Treat
Halloween at the Boardwalk- From noon to 7 p.m. on Halloween, participating food and shopping locations will be filling collectible candy bags. It is part of the Boardwalk's trick-or-treat package that includes an $8 MyBoardwalk Card for games and entry into the costume contest. It costs $10, and county health guidelines will be enforced.
3rd Annual Trunk or Treat- The King City Recreation Department will be hosting its annual Trunk or Treat event at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds on Oct. 31 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. This year will be a drive-thru event, and organizers will enforce health guidelines.
Drive Thru Treat Street- Hollister Recreation will be hosting a drive thru event on Halloween this year. Kids between the ages of 12 and 2 can order a free goodie bag to fill up at the event that extends between noon and 2 p.m. at the Hollister Municipal Airport. Register for the event on the City's website.
Trick-or-Treat Drive Thru for Special Needs Families- The drive thru trick-or-treat event held at the Boys & Girls Club in Salinas is for families with children or young adults with special needs. It will happen between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Halloween, and face coverings will be required. Participants must pre-register online.
Halloween Ranch-Thru- Hidden Hills Ranch is hosting an event that allows participants to trick-or-treat with the animals. They can dress up and drive thru, and the animals will be showing off their costumes too. Candy will be individually wrapped, and caramel apples and popcorn will be available to buy. It lasts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $5 per car. Schedule a time to drive thru here.
Parties and Other Events
Drive Thru Halloween Party- Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District and Boy Scouts will be hosting a drive thru celebration on Halloween. Cars will have 10 minutes to drive through scenes, receive glow sticks and receive goodie bags for each kid. The celebration will include a Thriller dance, the Periwinkle band performing, decorations and haunted scenes and photos of each car and family. The event lasts from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 15685 Forest Hill Drive in Boulder Creek. Learn more about how to RSVP for a time slot here.
Halloween Lane- The City of Salinas is hosting a drive-thru Halloween Lane event on Oct. 31 from noon to 2 p.m. Children will get a free treat bag while supplies last, and participants are encouraged to wear costumes and decorate their vehicles. The event will be held at the Salinas Sports Complex on N. Main Street.
Capitola Halloween Car Cruise- The City of Capitola Recreation Division is hosting a car cruise in the city that allows everyone to stay in their cars. It will begin at the Capitola Mall at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 before going through Capitola Village and ending at the Capitola Community Center. Participants can decorate their cars and dress in costumes, and children will receive a goodie bag at the end of the cruise. To register for the event, call 831-475-5935.
Health Department Guidance
Monterey County- Gatherings and parties with people outside of the same household or outside of social circles are not allowed. Live entertainment and indoor haunted houses are also not allowed. Door-to-door trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating where children go from car to car are not recommended. Online events and car parades are allowed and encouraged.
Santa Cruz County- Lower-risk activities involve staying home and keeping celebrations small. Drive-thru attractions, decorations and outdoor pumpkin patches are suggested. One-way trick-or-treating, small outdoor costume parades or movie nights and themed outdoor dining are considered moderate risk. Health officials are asking residents to avoid traditional trick-or-treating and traveling to events outside your community. Attending crowded parties, haunted houses and trunk-or-treat events that involve going from car to car are not allowed.
San Benito County- Health officials strongly discourage traditional trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating that involves going from car to car. Gatherings with people from different households, live entertainment and haunted houses are not allowed. They suggest movie nights, creating a haunted house at home, online parties, dressing up, car parades, meals at outdoor restaurants and pumpkin patches instead.
