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👻 Celebrate Halloween in San Francisco Halloween kids Events: What to Expect in 2025
October in San Francisco brings cool weather, golden leaves, and a festive spirit that lights up the city. For families, it’s one of the most magical times of the year. The San Francisco Halloween kids experience includes pumpkin patches, school parades, trick-or-treating in charming neighborhoods, and unique cultural celebrations.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, this guide is your go-to source for family-friendly Halloween fun across San Francisco in 2025.
🎉 Best Family-Friendly San Francisco Halloween kids Events in San Francisco
1. Boo at the Zoo – San Francisco Zoo
A spooky-but-sweet celebration with themed activities every weekend in October. Children come dressed in costume and collect candy at themed stations throughout the zoo.
Features:
- Pumpkin carving demos
- Spooky animal feedings
- Trick-or-treating and hay maze
Tip: Arrive early to avoid crowds and get the best photo ops.
2. Scaregrove at Stern Grove
One of the city’s most anticipated Halloween events for children. Enjoy a spooky (but not too scary) haunted house, carnival games, rides, and live performances.
Ideal For: Ages 4–12
Admission: Free with some low-cost activities
3. Noe Valley Harvest Festival
Celebrate the season with mini-pumpkin decorating, live music, and a kid-friendly costume contest. A great low-key event that emphasizes fall fun.
4. Japantown Halloween Carnival
Perfect for kids who love dressing up, this event includes trick-or-treating at local businesses, cultural games, and a cosplay contest with fun prizes.
Bonus: Indoor activities in the Japantown Center for rainy weather.
5. Randall Museum’s Halloween Fest
A delightful mix of art, science, and Halloween. Kids can create their own spooky crafts and explore nature exhibits with a Halloween twist.
Activities Include:
- Halloween mask-making
- Owl and bat education stations
- Slime science demonstrations
6. Exploratorium After Dark (Family Hours Special Edition)
While most After Dark events are 18+, the museum often hosts kid-centered Halloween hours with glowing science displays and creepy (educational!) experiments.
🎭 Top San Francisco Halloween kids Parades and School Events
Glen Park Elementary Parade
Students in costume march through the streets, joined by teachers, parents, and musicians. A wonderful community event that welcomes all.
Yerba Buena Gardens Halloween Family Parade
Free event with interactive performances, face painting, crafts, and a costume showcase. Great for kids under 10.
Mission District Halloween Walk
A festive neighborhood-wide event with a Latinx twist—expect colorful costumes, calaveras (sugar skulls), and music-filled streets.
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in San Francisco
Trick-or-treating is alive and well in the city—especially in these safe, family-friendly neighborhoods:
Cow Hollow & Marina District
Wide sidewalks, lighted porches, and charming townhouses make this an excellent early-evening stop.
St. Francis Wood
Beautiful homes decorated to the nines. This neighborhood feels like a Halloween movie come to life.
West Portal
Friendly merchants and community booths offer candy and cider, making this a warm, welcoming area.
Noe Valley
Tree-lined streets and an engaged parenting community mean lots of decorations and full treat bags!
Bernal Heights
Perfect for toddlers, this neighborhood offers shorter walking distances, gentle hills, and festive local events.
Suggested Image:
Kids in costume walking with parents down a decorated San Francisco neighborhood.
Alt Tag: Children trick-or-treating in a safe San Francisco neighborhood.
🎃 Pumpkin Patches and Mild Haunted Houses for Kids
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch (Fort Mason)
A San Francisco tradition since the 1940s. Hayrides, photo ops, and dozens of pumpkin varieties. Open daily in October.
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm (Half Moon Bay)
Worth the short drive—families enjoy a full fall day with corn mazes, food trucks, pony rides, and plenty of space to roam.
Randall Museum’s Haunted Nature House
A gentle take on the haunted house concept, with educational twists around local critters and ecosystems.
🍬 Indoor Halloween Fun: For Rainy Days or Little Ones
Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito (Spooky Science Week)
Children’s Creativity Museum (Monster Mash Dance Party & Crafts)
San Francisco Public Libraries (Storytimes in costume, Halloween book giveaways)
🧩 Bonus Ideas: Low-Cost Halloween Crafts at Home
- Make Your Own Monster Slime
- Toilet Paper Roll Bats
- Paper Plate Pumpkins
- DIY Candy Bags from Old T-Shirts
These activities are great after school or as part of a weekend Halloween prep party!
❓ Extended FAQ – San Francisco Halloween Kids
Q: Are Halloween events free for kids in San Francisco?
A: Many events like library storytimes, Noe Valley Harvest Festival, and neighborhood trick-or-treating are completely free. Larger venues like the zoo or museums may charge standard admission but often include Halloween extras at no additional cost.
Q: What time should kids start trick-or-treating in SF?
A: Most families begin around 5:30 to 6:00 PM to enjoy daylight hours and beat the bedtime rush.
Q: Can I bring toddlers to haunted houses?
A: Only select haunted houses are toddler-appropriate. Choose gentler options like the Randall Museum or special “light fright” hours at some community centers.
Q: Are costumes required for Halloween events?
A: While not mandatory, dressing up enhances the fun. Many events even offer costume contests with fun prizes!
Q: What if it rains on Halloween?
A: No worries! Check out indoor options like Japantown Mall Trick-or-Treat, Children’s Creativity Museum, or Bay Area Discovery Museum’s covered exhibits.
Q: Are pets allowed at Halloween events for kids?
A: It depends on the event. Outdoor festivals often welcome leashed dogs in costume, but always check the event’s official page first.
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