Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this Halloween weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, October 26

• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
  Santa Rosa
  Friday–Sunday, 9 am–10 pm
  Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch offers eight acres of pumpkins, a huge seven-acre corn maze, kiddy corn mazes, hay and sunflower mazes, jack-o-lantern tether ball, tire swings, a 10-bale-high hay pyramid, a huge jumpy pillow, pedal trike races, a corn play box, a petting zoo, face painting, and more. Location: 5157 Stony Point Road (at Rohnert Park Expressway). Event details
• Peter Pumpkin Patch
  Spring Hill Jersey Farm, Petaluma
  Friday–Sunday, 9 am–6 pm
  Pick your own organic pumpkin, dig for potatoes, take a tractor ride, visit farm animals, taste homemade ice cream and Spring Hill cheese, milk a cow, and get lost in the hay maze. Peter Pumpkin Patch also offers fresh fruits and vegetables and picnic baskets. Activities are free and so is the parking. This is a wonderful and fun pumpkin patch on a real working farm. Location: 4235 Spring Hill Road (off Bodega Ave.). Event details
• Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch offers a wide variety of certified organic pumpkins spread out in an expansive meadow on the farm. Kids activities: jumpy houses, inflatable slide, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, farm animals to visit, a climbing wall, and face painting. Some of these attractions have an admission fee, and some are available only on weekends and select days. Shaded seating area with picnic tables, so you can relax and take in the scenery, listen to some great live music, and even eat lunch. Tim Cain performs on Sunday from 11 am to noon. Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio. Read our review here.
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
  550 Stony Point Road
  Friday & Saturday, 10 am–10 pm, Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Over 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as a 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze (admission $6, 5 and under free; $9 on Friday and Saturday nights 6–10 pm), farm animals, a zip line, weekend pony rides, face painting, jumpy houses and inflatables, food vendors, covered snack area, and more. Some of these attractions have an admission fee. Event details
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch
  St. Vincents, Marinwood
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  This long-time favorite pumpkin patch at St. Vincent's near Marinwood offers a variety of pumpkins as well as attractions and activities like bounce houses, a hay pile, face painting, snack shack, and a picnic area. Groups welcome. Read our review of St. Vincent's Pumpkin Patch. Event details
• Halloween Magic Show
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Friday, 4 pm
  Thrills and chills await us with his Halloween magic show. Our magician combines comedy, audience participation and amazing magic to create a spooktacular 45 minutes show for goblins ages 3 to 103. Cost: $9 general, free for kids 3 and under. Purchase tickets here. Location: 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Trunk or Treat at the Center
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Friday, 4:30–6 pm
  Bring your children to the Community Center Parking Lot for a fun, safe and community Halloween event! Face painting, food truck, treating, games & more! Free. Location: parking lot, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Tam Valley Haunted House
  Tam Valley Community Center, Mill Valley
  Friday–Sunday, 5–9 pm
  TCSD's annual Tam Valley Haunted House celebrates a decade of scary fun! The Haunted House has three different tours: 3:30–4:30 pm: Not Scary, for children under 8 with all the lights on and a fun tour of the different areas; 5-6:30 pm: Scary, for children over 9; closed 6:30–7:30 pm to feed the volunteer monsters then back open 7:30–9 pm for a truly horrifying experience. Cost: $6 per person. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details
• Halloween Scream on the Green
  Downtown Novato
  Friday, 5:30–9 pm & Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  
• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
  Snoopy's Home Ice, Santa Rosa
  Friday, 6–8:30 pm
  Join us for crafts, a trick-or-treat trail, food and lots of family fun! There will be two movies will be shown on the big outdoor screen. Children of all ages are welcome. Attendance is free. There will be a Public Skate Session at the Arena from 7:30 - 9 PM with regular admission and skate rental ticket prices. Location: 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details
• Spooky Spaghetti Bingo
  Corte Madera Rec Center
  Friday, 6–9 pm
  Enjoy a buffet-style spaghetti dinner from 6 to 7, then Bingo for prizes until 9! Fun for the whole family! $15 per person admission includes 3 Bingo cards. Event details
• The Addams Family Musical
  Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley
  Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 2 & 7 pm and Sunday, 2 pm
  Everyone’s favorite kooky family is coming to town!  A spectacular musical comedy, The Addams Family features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Perfect for the entire family. Tickets: $15–$35. Purchase tickets here. Location: 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Novato Horsemen Haunted House
  Novato
  Friday & Saturday, 7–10 pm
  Bring the kids out for a night of scare and fun at the Novato Horseman Haunted House in Novato. Admission is $5 per person. Event details

Saturday, October 27

• Halloween 5K
  Sports Basement, Presidio SF
  Saturday, 9 am
  Have you heard? We're putting on our very own 5K, and in classic SB fashion, we're going all out! This is no everyday 3.1 mile run; there'll be a costume contest, a kids-only 1 mile run, and a spoooooky after party featuring food trucks, music, games and more! Best of all, 100% of proceeds from this event will go to support Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Location: 610 Old Mason Street, San Francisco. Learn more and register today!
• North Bay Science Discovery Day
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  This event is designed to inspire children and raise awareness of the importance of STEM in everyday life. This free event features local organizations like Buck Institute for Research on Aging, California State Parks, the Marin County Free Library the Pacific Coast Air Museum, Play-Well TEKnologies, and many many more. Plan on staying all day to experience all the fun! Free admission and parking. Location: 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Event details
• Halloween Spook-tacular
  Safari West, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 10 am
  Each attendee of this annual event receives a “Wild Card” and a chance to explore the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Explore the trail and fill out your Wild Card as you learn about amazing animal adaptations. Once completed, visit the Safari West Pumpkin Patch and redeem your card for a special prize. While you’re at the pumpkin patch, you can also purchase a pumpkin for yourself, or to donate to one of our animals! Money spent will be donated to the  Vulture Conservation Foundation who work to protect some of the world’s most amazing and least appreciated birds. Cost: Adults $50; Children (4-12) $25. Reservations required. Event details.
• Open House & Pumpkin Patch
  Greenwood School, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Come to our Fall Open House, meet our teachers & Head of School, get to know current parents, tour the classrooms, and pick out a pumpkin! RSVP to [email protected], call to (415) 388-0495, or get your free ticket here! Location: 17 Buena Vista Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Jack O’Lantern Jamboree
  Children's Fairyland, Oakland
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Come in costume and enjoy a spooktacular extravaganza with unlimited rides, a parade, goody bags for kids, arts and crafts, pirate school, clowns and magicians, and much more. Cost: $10 ($5 members). Event details.
• Happy Creepy Hall-oween
  Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
  Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  Start your Halloween early and celebrate all weekend long during Happy Creepy Hall-oween. From pumpkin lifts in the Ingenuity Lab to giant trebuchet demonstrations with UC Berkeley’s Pioneers in Engineering program, you’re sure to find the perfect way to celebrate with science. Free with paid admission. Event details.
• Halloween Festival
  Montessori de Terra Linda, San Rafael
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Join the fun for our Annual Halloween Festival! Run by the Upper Elementary students for the younger students and sibilings, there are non-scarey games, activities, food and decorations. Delicious treats, baked goods and drinks are available for puchase and tickets won in the game booths can be traded in for a fabulous selection of used childrens' books. This fabulous event is not to be missed! Please RSVP to Jennifer: 415-479-7373 x103 Location: 610 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael. Event details.
• Pixie Park Halloween Social
  Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Get on your costume and come enjoy treats, activities, and the annual Halloween parade at Pixie Park! Location: 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. Event details.
• Greenwood School Open House & Pumpkin Patch
  Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Greenwood School’s autumn Open House and Pumpkin Patch is Saturday, October 27 from 10 am to noon. Come meet our Head of School and our teachers, take a tour of the classrooms and school, and pick a pumpkin from our pumpkin patch! Refreshments available. Parents and children ages 3 years and above are welcome. Please RSVP via phone (415) 388-0495, email [email protected], or on our Facebook Page.
• Boo at the Zoo
  Oakland Zoo
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
  Stroll the Oakland zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train and join the dance party. Plus, get your face painted, make treats for the animals, and see how the animals at Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween. Kids in costumes receive a free ride ticket. Event included with regular zoo admission. Event details
• Little Folkies Family Band Halloween Concert
  Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10:30 am (doors open at 10 am)
  Join us at our spooky and super fun Halloween concert at Sweetwater Music Hall! Doors at 10 am, show begins at 10:30 am. This concert features Irena Eide, and the amazing Little Folkies Family Band, singing and playing old-time and bluegrass tunes and songs from our Fall Collection! Tickets: $17 Advance/ $19 Day of the event (plus fees). Purchase tickets here.
• Jeepers Jack-o-Lanterns
  Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
  Saturday, 11 am–1 pm
  Join ranger staff at Paradise Beach Park in carving your own spooky Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween! A limited amount of pumpkins will be available on a first-come, first-served basis (or you’re welcome to bring your own). This event is ideal for all ages. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget to bring water and snacks. No pets (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Event details
• Safe Trick-or-Treat Downtown Novato
  Grant Avenue, Novato
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  The Downtown Novato Business Association will host its annual Safe Trick-or-Treat event along Grant Avenue in downtown Novato. Every year this Halloween event is popular with kids and their parents. Businesses along Grant Avenue will give out candy and there will be a variety of other fun activities at various locations downtown. This is a fun event for the entire family. Event details
• First 5 Marin Healthy Family Fun Fair
  McNears Beach Park, San Rafael
  Saturday, 11 am–3 pm
  Join First 5 Marin at it celebrates its 20th anniversary at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael on Saturday October 27 from 11 am to 3 pm. Enjoy kid-friendly activities—including the First 5 Express—kids' karaoke, bilingual storytime, music and movement, arts and crafts, bubbles and balloons, healthy snacks, free children's books, kits for new parents, mini pumpkins, and more! This is a free community event sponsored by First 5 Marin and Marin County Parks. Location: 201 Cantera Way, San Rafael. Event details
• Halloween Festival!
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  Meet us at the Mart for all the treats and none of the tricks this Halloween! Alongside our usual farmer's market funtivities of pony rides & face painting, we will have Halloween crafts, make-your-own caramel apples, and a Pumpkin Patch, plus a full schedule of events: 11am: Costume Contest for Kids & Dogs! 11:30am: Scavenger H(a)unt All day: Guess the weight of our 3 giant pumpkins to win a prize! Location: Larkspur Landing, Larkspur. Event details.
• Halloween at Howarth
  Howarth Park, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 11:30 am, 12:45 & 2 pm
  Children ages 12 and under will trick-or-treat through the park at treat stations hosted by local Santa Rosa businesses and organizations and can then enjoy Howarth Park's many other attractions. Cost: $6 basic pass includes trick-or-treating and access to the Fun Zone; $15 deluxe pass includes same as basic plus a train, carousel, and 1-lap pony rides. This event usually sells out to register in advance. Location: 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. For more info and to register, visit their website.
• Halloween at the Village
  The Village at Corte Madera
  Saturday, noon–3 pm
  Participating retailers will hand out candy to costumed trick-or-treaters on Saturday from noon–3 pm. Look for strolling costumed characters who will have treats to pass out as well. Event details.
• Halloween Festival
  Saint Raphael School, San Rafael
  Saturday, noon–4 pm
  Bring the family for some ghoulish games, freaky fun, a haunted house, and frightening food. Bring canned food for the needy and receive 2 free tickets for games. Location: 1100 5th Avenue, San Rafael. Event details
• Halloween Fun at Ghirardelli Square
  San Francisco
  Saturday, noon–4 pm
  Ghirardelli Square will be celebrating Halloween in the West Plaza with free children’s activities like face painting, balloon art, caricatures, a magician, and trick-or-treating from participating stores. Dress up in costume for some fun. Event details.
• Spooky Poekie Party
  Mill Valley
  Saturday, noon–5 pm
  Spooky House, Mysterious Food, Things to Make Everywhere! Come to our interactive, hands-on Spooky House and make spooky projects. Regular drop-in rates apply during the party. Free unlimited Spooky House visits when dropping in for 2 hours or more. Cost: $10 per person for one 20 minute Spooky House visit without drop-in. Note: be prepared for a short wait if you’re just coming for the Spooky House. Location: 247 Shoreline Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Holloween Cookie Decorating
  teeny cake, Novato
  Saturday, 1–3 pm
  Decorate A Spook-tacular Cookie Creation to Celebrate Halloween!  Come in anytime between 1–3 pm, get your cookie and decorate.  Cost: $6 in advance plus service fee. All ticket sales are final for this event. Get your tickets online here. Location: 7400 Redwood Blvd., #101, Novato. Event details.
• Downtown San Rafael Trick-or-Treat
  Fourth Street, San Rafael
  Saturday, 1–3 pm
  Come to the 34th Annual Downtown San Rafael Trick-or-Treat event, a FREE festive Halloween celebration along the 4th Street corridor.  The day's festivities include trick or treating in the participating downtown shops, free candy bags in City Plaza, and live music. Event details
• Halloween Party
  San Rafael Public Library
  Saturday, 1–3 pm
  The Teen Advisory Board is hosting a fun Halloween party! Enjoy crafts, games, treats, and face painting. Costumes are encouraged (there might be prizes…)! This program is for children and teens of all ages. Drop-in event; no registration required. Location: 1100 E Street, Downtown San Rafael. Event details.
• The Addams Family Musical
  Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 2 & 7 pm and Sunday, 2 pm
  Everyone’s favorite kooky family is coming to town!  A spectacular musical comedy, The Addams Family features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Perfect for the entire family. Tickets: $15–$35. Purchase tickets here. Location: 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Pumpkins on Pikes
  Tara Firma Farms, Petaluma
  Saturday, 2–10 pm
  The festivities start in the afternoon with great food, music and pumpkin carving. Everyone will get the chance to display their Jack-O-Lantern on a pike in the corn field. When the sun goes down the pumpkins are lit. It is a truly heart warming feeling looking over the glowing corn field to see the individual creations of all who attend. Free pumpkin with admission. Cost: $20 per person, children 6 and under are free. You can also purchase a $10 BBQ plate. Location: 3796 I Street, Ext, Petaluma. Event details
• DOGtoberfest
  Strawberry Village, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 3–6 pm
  Strawberry Village will host its 2nd annual DOGtoberfest featuring interactive pet related activities and resources for pet lovers and their four-legged family friends. Festivities will include free pet photos, pet sketch artist, animal rescue organizations and adoptions, police K-9 unit and more! Plus, there will be a Howl’oween Pet Costume Contest as well as free Center-wide trick or treating for kids and their families. They can pick up a trick-or-treat bag in the Piazza, located near Woodlands Pet Food & Treats (while supplies last) and go on a hunt for fun, games, and goodies provided by participating stores. Event details.
• Annual Corte Madera Larkspur Mothers Club Halloween Boo-Fest
  Corte Madera Community Center
  Saturday, 3:30–6:30 pm
  Grab your mask, a wand, or broom and join CMLMC for a frightfully fabulous, fun-filled event with other families from our local community. Admission: $40 per family at door for CMLMC members, $50 per family at door for non-members. There is a $10 discount if you purchase advance tickets before October 19. All-inclusive event (including food and adult beverages!). Event details
• SuperNatural Halloween 2018
  California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
  Saturday, 5–9 pm
  Grab your costume and have yourself a ghoulishly great time trick-or-treating your way through the Academy at night, among spooky skulls and spine-tingling specimens! Early admission for benefactors at 5 pm; general admission at 6:30 pm. Tickets: $55 adults, $40 kids. Event details
• 10th Annual Santa Venetia Halloween Party
  Santa Venetia Neighborhood, San Rafael
  Saturday, 5:30–8:30 pm
  Featured as one of the top places to trick-or-treat in Marin County. Come check out what is brewing in the Witches Kitchen, wander though the Spooky Graveyard, explore the Haunted Yard, groove to a local band and check out the Massacre Disco and Game House. Not to mention there will be lots of trick-or-treating. The SRFD will be there too with the fire truck for all to check out. Location: Adrian Way between Meadow and Mabry, San Rafael.
• Costume Campfire Family Program
  Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma Valley
  Saturday, 5:30–6:30 pm
  It is that time of year again for our “special” campfire event. Kids are invited to come in costume for a HOWLING good time. The focus is on nature and the season of fall along with Halloween songs and a spooky marshmallow roast!! No charge for this event. Location: 5729, 20 East Spain Street, Downtown Sonoma Square. Event details.
• Halloween Activities & Graveyard Stroll
  Lucas Valley Field, San Rafael
  Saturday, 6–8:30 pm
  Join the Open Space rangers for a fun and spooky evening at the Lucas Valley Field Office. From 6–7 pm enjoy Halloween crafts and face painting. WildCare will also have some ambassador animals on hand to see up close and learn fascinating facts about. At 7:15 we’ll begin our Graveyard Stroll which will include both scary and less scary routes. This event is ideal for all ages. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and treat bag. We’ll provide all related supplies. We request that no pets (except service animals) attend. Rain will cancel. Event details
• Halloween Activities & Graveyard Stroll
  Lucas Valley Field, San Rafael
  Saturday, 6–8:30 pm
  Join the Open Space rangers for a fun and spooky evening at the Lucas Valley Field Office. From 6–7 pm enjoy Halloween crafts and face painting. WildCare will also have some ambassador animals on hand to see up close and learn fascinating facts about. At 7:15 we’ll begin our Graveyard Stroll which will include both scary and less scary routes. This event is ideal for all ages. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and treat bag. We’ll provide all related supplies. We request that no pets (except service animals) attend. Rain will cancel. Event details
• Peter Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Novato Horsemen Haunted House (see Friday for details).

Sunday, October 28

• Civic Center Farmers' Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. Event details.
• Not-Too-Spooky Halloween
  Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
  Sunday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
  Come to our not-too-spooky celebration for infants, toddlers and preschoolers! The Museum will be transformed into a Halloween playground, play miniature golf in the Garden Graveyard, visit the witches' apothecary in the grocery store, scoop up spooky ducks in the waterplay area and paint miniature pumpkins in the Art Studio! Come celebrate with us by coming in costume! Location: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley. Event details.
• Music Time with Megan
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Sunday, 10:30–11 am
  Join us every Sunday morning at Book Passage from 10:30-11am for all live music, singing, dancing and playing instruments with popular children's musical artist Megan Schoenbohm! Admission is FREE. This is an ongoing weekly class, so drop in as often as you can! Location: 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. Event details.
• Halloween Faire
  Strawberry Recreation District 
  Sunday, 11 am–12:30 pm
  Come in costume to celebrate All Hallows Eve with other wizards, witches, fairies, astronauts, and cartoon characters. Play carnival games, bounce in the jump house, enjoy the candy and prize hunt and costume parade! Admission: $9 per child; free for adults. Event details
• Halloween Hoopla
  Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, San Francisco
  Sunday, noon–2 pm
  Our 18^th annual Halloween Hoopla features interactive performances and games for kids under 10 and their adults, and the return of the Yerba Buena Pumpkin Patch display! The program culminates in the eagerly awaited Halloween Costume Parade, where everyone is welcome to show off their Halloween finery. Location: 799 Howard Street, San Francisco. Event details.
• Trick-or-Treat at the Town Center
  Corte Madera Town Center
  Sunday, 12–3 pm
  Bring the kids in costume to trick-or-treat at the Town Center. Don't miss the Magic Circus Family Show from 2:30–3 pm. Goodies provided by participating merchants. Event details
• Celebrate Halloween with Charity and the JAMband
  Park Chalet, San Francisco
  Sunday, 3–5 pm
  This free family concert for all ages features dancing in disguise, a costume parade, and, of course, some candy. Make sure you wear a costume you can really move in. Grown-ups are encouraged to dress up, too. Location: 1000 Great Highway, San Francisco. Event details
• Peter Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• McClelland's Dairy Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Boo at the Zoo SF (see Saturday for details).
• Annual Pumpkin Patch & Train Festival (see Saturday for details).
• Boo at the Zoo Oakland (see Saturday for details).