October is finally upon us, and with it comes some of our favorite fall sports: pumpkin picking, scary movie watching and trick-or-treating. Halloween happenings abound this year in Sonoma County, from carnivals and costume contests to film screenings and haunted tours.
Read on below to find local Halloween events throughout the month. Stay tuned for our roundup of all the Día de los Muertos events in Sonoma County.
Pumpkins in the Parks: A Santa Rosa Scavenger Hunt, Oct. 1-31
Throughout October, locals are invited to visit any Santa Rosa park to hunt for laminated pumpkin cutouts, which include directions on how and where to collect prizes. Prizes include a variety of treats and specials from Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks, Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice. An adult must be present to claim the prize. City staff will re-hide the pumpkin cutouts for others to find. The last day to collect a prize is Oct. 31. Santa Rosa parks, 707-543-3737, srcity.org
Blind Scream Haunted House, Oct. 10 — Nov. 1 (weekends)
Blind Scream, Sonoma County’s ultimate haunted house, will run from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 10-12, 16, 19, 23 and 26; and from 7-11 p.m. on Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1 in Santa Rosa. New this year at the 20,000-square-foot attraction is a “blackout” experience, in which guests will need to traverse through the dark haunted house with just a single glow stick to guide their way. General admission to the haunted house is $30, admission for the blackout experience is $25, and admission to both is $40. Fast passes are available. Purchase tickets online. 98 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, 707-953-3909, blindscream.com
Halloween Zombie Crawl, Oct. 11
Santa Rosa’s Halloween-themed beer crawl will begin between 5 and 5:30 p.m., Oct. 11, at the Blind Scream haunted house. Participants will collect wristbands and treasure maps at Blind Scream before embarking on the crawl. The Zombie Crawl will include several spooky specials at participating bars and restaurants, such as a free shot and brew at Beer Baron, and sangria and bites at El Coqui. Shady Oak, Ausiello’s, La Rosa and Belly Left Coast will also be serving specials during the Zombie Crawl. Crawlers will also receive VIP entry to Blind Scream. Tickets are $40; purchase online. 98 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, 707-953-3909, blindscream.com/zombie-crawl
Boo-tanical Pot & Sip, Oct. 12
Cotati’s Ladybirds Flora and Adornments will team up with Lady Blume Microbakery + Coffee for a “Boo-tanical Pot and Sip” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 12, in the Lady Blume Courtyard in Cotati. The event will feature potting plants and the opportunity to enjoy beverages and pastries by Lady Blume. Ladybirds will provide a custom coffin planter, two 2-inch plants and miniature spooky decor to decorate with. Soil and potting supplies will be provided. Tickets are $50, plus fees. Purchase on Eventeny. 8059 La Plaza, Cotati
Dinner and Divining: An Evening with a Medium, Oct. 17
Altamont General Store will host a seasonal dinner along with a group reading by local medium Tara Mantone, titled “Dinner and Divining: An Evening with a Medium,” from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 17, in Occidental. A two-course dinner, plus a light sweet, will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the medium reading at 6 p.m. General admission is $66. Purchase tickets online. 3703 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-6053, altamontgeneralstore.com
Halloween at The Lodge at Sonoma, Oct. 17
The Lodge at Sonoma will celebrate Halloween with a complimentary outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus as part of its first ‘Movie Night at The Lodge’ from 6-8 p.m., Oct. 17, at The Lodge’s Stone Lawn. The free showing starts at 6:15 p.m. and there will be popcorn, sweet treats and beverages available for purchase. The Lodge’s on-site restaurants — Benicia’s Kitchen and Wit & Wisdom — will offer takeout to enjoy during the film, including new fall menu items such as sticky orange duck wings and a lemon raspberry Napoleon dessert. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite. 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-935-6600, thelodgeatsonoma.com
Halloween at Mystic Theatre, Oct. 17, 31, Nov. 1
Emmy Award-winning stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race will perform in Witch Perfect, a comedy parody of the Disney film Hocus Pocus, on Oct. 17 at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $48.97. Must be 21 or over to attend.
San Francisco rock and folk band The Sam Chase & The Untraditional will perform a 21-and-over show at the Mystic on Halloween night, with heavy metal band Coffin Hunters opening the show. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Tickets are $29.38. Costumes are encouraged.
Bay Area rock band Animal Liberation Orchestra, more commonly known as ALO, will perform a “Halloweekend Haunt” with San Francisco rock band Big Light on Nov. 1 at the Mystic. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $43.85. 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-765-2121, mystictheatre.com
Healdsburg Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, Oct. 18
In partnership with the city of Healdsburg, the Humane Society of Sonoma County will host its annual pet costume contest and parade from noon to 2 p.m., Oct. 18, in Healdsburg’s Town Square. The Howl-o-ween Pet Parade will include raffles, a kids’ corner with games and prizes for the winning dog costumes. Water stations will be available for people and pups, and Black Oak Coffee will provide coffee. The event is free to attend. Check-in and registration for costumed pups is from noon to 12:45 p.m. Healdsburg Town Square, humanesocietysoco.org
Parade Garden’s Nostalgic Halloween Barn Party, Oct. 18
To “make the night feel like we’re a bunch of kids celebrating Halloween again,” local rock band Parade Garden will host a Nostalgic Halloween Barn Party from 6 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 18, at a location given by request. The Halloween house party is sure to be a rollicking affair, as band member and Lagunitas’ “Party Legend” Max Cacciatore will be in attendance, along with two other local bands, Osito and Neon Lotus, performing live. The event will also include Halloween games and a costume contest with prizes. The prize for the best costume is a free tattoo by Sebastopol artist Alicia Silva. In addition to a $10 ticket (paid via Venmo to @Max-Cacciatore), guests must be wearing a costume to enter. BYOB. Message the band on Instagram, @theparadegarden, for the address and more details.
Witchie Poo Halloween Extravaganza 2025, Oct. 18, 19, 25, 26
Sebastiani Theatre will present a double weekend production of its annual Witchie Poo Halloween Extravaganza at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26. Tickets are $12 for children 12 and under and $15 for adults. Purchase tickets online. 476 First St. E., Sonoma, 707-996-9756, sebastianitheatre.org
The Rocky Horror Show at California Theatre, Oct. 23, 24, 25
Santa Rosa’s California Theatre is doing the time warp again with three productions of Richard O’Brien’s 1973 musical The Rocky Horror Show on Oct. 23, 24 and 25. Doors and bar open at 7 p.m., showtime starts at 8 p.m., and a Halloween dance party with a DJ starts at 10 p.m. The kitchen will be open with a new menu. Costumes are highly encouraged. General admission is $55, plus fees. Learn more and purchase tickets online. 528 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-664-7529, caltheatre.com
FUNtazmagoria, Oct. 24-26
The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County will host its annual kid-friendly Halloween event, FUNtazmagoria, from 4-8 p.m. on Oct. 24, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 25-26. The three-day event will include a “Mad Scientist Lab” with interactive experiments; live music from the School of Rock House Band; a variety of hands-on crafts and activities; a “Lil’ Pumpkins Patch” with small pumpkins and gourds for toddlers and young children; and local food trucks along with brews from Cooperage Brewing Company. Costumes are encouraged. General admission tickets are $24 and free for infants 11 months and younger. 1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-4069, cmosc.org
Healdsburg Farmers Market Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 25
The Healdsburg Farmers Market will host its annual Pumpkin Festival from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Oct. 25, at the West Plaza Parking Lot in Healdsburg. The event will feature three competitions divided by age groups (7 and under, 8-15 years old, and 16 and over). The contests are pumpkin decorating with wheels (must be able to roll), pumpkin carving (contestants can bring a carved pumpkin from home or carve one at the market) and a costume competition (no commercial kits). Registration for the competitions is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the day of the market. Winners will receive “market bucks” as well as prizes donated by local businesses. West Plaza Parking Lot, Healdsburg, 707-824-8717, healdsburgfarmersmarket.org
Halloween at Howarth, Oct. 25
Santa Rosa’s 19th annual Halloween at Howarth will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 25, at Howarth Park. Children ages 12 and under are welcome to trick-or-treat through the park at treat stations hosted by local businesses. The event will also include a fun zone with face painting, a photo booth, train and pony rides, and arts and crafts. A basic pass is $7 and a deluxe pass is $20. Purchase tickets in person at Finley Community Center (2060 W. College Ave.), by phone at 707-543-3737 or online. Howarth Park, 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-543-3298, srcity.org
Yappy Howl-O-Ween at Foppiano, Oct. 25
Foppiano Vineyards will host its Halloween dog costume contest from 2-4:30 p.m., Oct. 25, at its Healdsburg estate. The event will include a raffle, “bark-uterie” treat bags for pups and prizes for best costumes. Hot dogs will be available for $5. An $11 entry fee includes one glass of wine, and you can enter your dog in the contest for $5. Proceeds benefit the Paws For Love Foundation. Purchase tickets on Tock. 12707 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707-433-7272, foppiano.com
Halloween Carnival at Coppola, Oct. 26
Francis Ford Coppola Winery will host its annual Halloween Carnival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 26, at its Geyserville estate. The family-friendly carnival will include interactive games with prizes, an opportunity to meet reptiles and other critters, and the traditional Wheel of Deals. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15 for each child 13 and under, and no charge for people 14 and over. Log in or create an account on the winery website to purchase tickets. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1400, francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition, Oct. 28
Charbay Distillery and The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley will host the seventh annual Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for general admission on Oct. 28 at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. A mix of Wine Country’s top bartenders will compete to craft the best original cocktail made with Charbay Blood Orange Mandarin Vodka and a Perfect Purée flavor of choice. Among the competing teams are bartenders from Lo & Behold, The Matheson, Little Saint, Brewsters Beer Garden, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, Waterhawk Lake Club and more. Attendees can sample handcrafted cocktails, and food will be available for purchase. The event is a benefit for local nonprofits Una Vida and Petaluma Active 20-30. Must be 21 or over to attend. Presale tickets are $40, tickets at the door are $45, and VIP admission is $65. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Brewsters Beer Garden, 229 Water St., Petaluma, wizardsofelixirs.com
Halloween at Montage Healdsburg, Oct. 28-31
Montage Healdsburg has a few unique Halloween events for the whole family this year from Oct. 28-31. For those interested in spooky sports, there will be a Pumpkin Bullseye experience where guests can take a private archery class with pumpkins for targets. Reservations are required for the one-hour class and are exclusively available to resort guests eight and older. Space is limited. Tickets start at $45. Book online.
Montage’s Paintbox Pumpkin Pals will be available for resort guests with children aged 5-12 years old. The Halloween edition of Paintbox, the estate’s signature children’s program, will include pumpkin carving and other arts and crafts. The four-hour experience will consist of a meal, and a Paintbox counselor will be present. Tickets are $150 per guest. Book online. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg
A Taste of Halloween at Jordan Winery, Oct. 28 — Nov. 2
Jordan Vineyard & Winery will host its annual Halloween soirée — which will honor the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby with jazz music and lavish 1920s decor — at 1 p.m. from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 at its chateau in Healdsburg. The event will include a welcome glass of Jordan Cuvée paired with Jordan Chef’s Reserve Caviar, followed by a walking winery tour and a seated food and wine pairing, prepared by executive chef Jesse Mallgren. The Halloween tour and tasting menu includes Waldorf salad, spiced ham deviled eggs, fried chicken sandwich and a lemon icebox cake, all paired with estate wines. Tickets are $95, with special pricing for wine club members. Purchase tickets online. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Cotati Candy Land Halloween, Oct. 31
The city of Cotati will host its sixth annual Cotati Candyland Halloween Trick or Treat event from 2-5 p.m., Oct. 31, at La Plaza Park and throughout Cotati. The free event will include vendors and feature trick-or-treating at local businesses, where candy will be handed out. Head to the Cotati headquarters booth in La Plaza Park for a map of all the participating companies. The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County will be in attendance, providing family-friendly activities. La Plaza Park, 8167 La Plaza, Cotati, cotaticity.gov
Did we miss a local Halloween event? Email maci.martell@pressdemocrat.com to let us know!