Dress up for a Halloween train ride and enjoy pumpkin decorating, character photos, live entertainment, bounce houses and a bubble station. The event runs on selected weekends Oct. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25; reserve a train departure time.

Attention all ghouls and ghosts! 🧛‍♂️🕷️ Enjoy a hauntingly good time as you trick-or-treat your way through downtown Watsonville businesses! 🎃💀 Save the date and fill your bags with treats and memories that will last a lifetime! No pre-registration is required — just show up! For ages 13 and under. Please bring your own candy collecting container.

Enjoy costumed dancers performing Michael Jackson’s Thriller, first downtown and then beside the bay at the Wharf.

Settle in for an outdoor screening of the PG-rated Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. Bring chairs, blankets and warm layers for a movie beside the bay.

Join the costume parade behind a fire engine and the Soquel High Senior Band. The route winds through the village to Esplanade Park, followed by trick-or-treating at participating shops.

Celebrate the day of the dead in beautiful downtown Watsonville. Enjoy family friendly activities, local arts vendors, community ofrendas, art installations and more October 30th from 3-7 pm. Coco screening in the plaza from 7:00 to 9.

Drop in to decorate a mask inspired by animals, nature or something spooky. All ages are welcome to make a creative addition to their Halloween costumes.

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Collect candy from participating Boardwalk businesses and enter the costume photo contest. The package includes a collectible candy bag and a MyBoardwalk Card for games.

Put on your favorite costume and join friends and neighbors for a Halloween celebration with candy and festive fun in Aptos Village.

The Halloween Aptos Chamber Parade is creeping into town, and you won’t want to miss it! Enjoy a fang-tastic time behind the New Leaf Community Market in the Aptos Village as the ghouls and goblins take over the streets. Dress up in your most creative and spine-chilling costumes and bring your family and friends.  There will be costumes, candy, and…

Every Halloween, the Santa Cruz Police Department and the City of Santa Cruz close down Pacific Avenue for kids to trick or treat! Watch for signs in the windows of participating businesses.​

Trick-or-treat at Wharf businesses, enjoy a festive photo backdrop and watch a Thriller dance performance. Families can also take part in the Great Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt.

It’s your Fur Baby’s time to shine!! Sign up your dog to model their costume on the Abbott Square stage during the Halloween Dog Costume Contest. Prizes for best costumes.  Follow the link in the orange button above for more details.

Bring the kiddos for trick-or-treating around the market With delicious food, festive drinks, live music, and plenty of Halloween cheer, this is one downtown celebration you won’t want to miss.

Calles Libres transforms downtown Watsonville into a vibrant, car-free space where people of all ages can walk, bike, roll, dance, connect, and celebrate everything that makes Watsonville unique. Inspired by Día de los Muertos, this free community event honors culture. Together you will: • 🚴 Bike, walk, skate, and roll through car-free streets • 🎶 Enjoy live music, dance, and…

Celebrate the holidays at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on select dates with festive decorations, light shows, rides, arcade games, photos with Santa and seasonal treats. The Boardwalk lists the event from Nov. 26 through Jan. 3, noon–7pm, on select dates.

Ride vintage excursion cars decorated with thousands of holiday lights through Santa Cruz streets. The 60-minute trip includes holiday sing-alongs, live music, hot cider and a Santa visit. Trains depart from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at 5pm and 6:30pm; additional departures may be added.

Shop a holiday outdoor market along West Cliff with local makers, artists and seasonal gifts. Check the event page for vendor and weather updates.

Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain, sip hot cider, greet Santa and enjoy winter-themed activities in the town of Roaring Camp.

Bundle up in your tackiest holiday sweater and head to downtown Boulder Creek for arts and crafts, live music, food and drinks, plus an ugly sweater contest.

Celebrate the season in Downtown Santa Cruz with a festive community parade featuring local groups, music, performers and holiday spirit. A family-friendly downtown tradition.

Watch beautifully decorated power and sailboats parade through the Santa Cruz Harbor shortly after sunset. Viewing is available from harbor paths and the East Harbor launch ramp; allow extra time for parking.

Shop local craft vendors, enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, take photos with Santa, watch performances and gather for the holiday tree lighting in Aptos Village.

Gather with family and friends for a holiday market with vendors, children’s activities, Santa, wine and seasonal fun at Hallcrest Vineyards.

Celebrate the season at historic Wilder Ranch with a Victorian-style holiday experience and family activities. The event is free; state park day-use parking is $10.

Enjoy holiday decorations and Wharf specials, see Santa arrive by vintage fire engine, take photos with Santa, play in a snow area, and enjoy balloons, face painting and other family activities.