Halloween in San Francisco 2026: Go Out, Stay In, Either Way It’s Spooky

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, giving you the whole weekend to get into the spirit. From family-friendly festivals and costume contests to haunted attractions and Halloween nightlife, San Francisco has plenty of ways to celebrate. Or, if horror movies on your own couch sound more appealing, we can help you with that that, too.

Here’s what’s happening around the city, plus a few ways to make Halloween fun at home.

What’s Happening Around SF This Halloween

A few confirmed events are already on the calendar:

• Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
  Saturday, October 24, 12–5 p.m.
  Want to get into the Halloween spirit before the big weekend? Thrive City’s annual Thrill-O-Ween brings a costume contest, trick-or-treat stations, a mini pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and a screening of E.T.

• Scaregrove at Stern Grove
  Friday, October 30, 3–9 p.m. | Free
  Kick off Halloween weekend at Stern Grove with a family-friendly celebration featuring a haunted house, carnival rides, a hay maze, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and food for sale.

• SFMOMAween
  Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Included with museum admission
  SFMOMA is getting into the Halloween spirit with an all-ages celebration featuring art making, a costume contest, drag performance, and puppetry. The costume contest starts at 1:30 p.m., with registration opening at 12:30 p.m.

• Chinatown Halloween Festival
  Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Free
  Waverly Place turns festive for the 12th annual Chinatown Halloween Festival, with a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, games, family-friendly activities, and a costume contest.

• Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
  Saturday, October 31, 12–3 p.m. | Free
  Head to the Children’s Garden for a family-friendly Halloween afternoon for kids under 10 and their grown-ups, with costumes encouraged and plenty of Halloween fun.

• Terror Vault at the San Francisco Mint
  For something considerably less family-friendly, Terror Vault returns to the historic San Francisco Mint with Slashed: Return to Hellville, putting guests inside a living 1980s slasher movie.

Looking for pumpkins or trick-or-treating? The Chinatown Halloween Festival has a pumpkin patch, and Thrill-O-Ween has trick-or-treat stations and a mini pumpkin patch.

More events may be announced as Halloween gets closer, so check the event pages for the latest information.

Pick Your Halloween Neighborhood

San Francisco gives you plenty of options depending on the kind of Halloween night you’re after.

• The Castro: Costumes, nightlife, and plenty of people-watching.
• Chinatown: A daytime, family-friendly option centered around the Waverly Place festival.
• SoMa and Downtown: Nightlife, attractions, and a later-night crowd.
• The Mission: Restaurants, bars, and a more casual night out in costume.
• The Outer Sunset: A more residential feel if you’d rather keep the night low-key.

In past years, neighborhoods like Bernal Heights and the Outer Sunset have closed streets for trick-or-treating. Street closures and neighborhood events can change, so check SFMTA’s Travel & Transit Updates closer to October 31 to see what’s planned this year.

Staying In? Make Your Apartment Halloween-Ready

Not every Halloween needs to end with a late night out. Make your apartment the destination instead.

• Movie night: Pick a theme, from cozy classics to ’80s slashers, and let everyone vote.
• Costume pregame: Get ready together, take the photos, then decide if you’re leaving.
• Pumpkin decorating: Put down some newspaper or a drop cloth and make an afternoon of it.

Decor That Won’t Cost You Your Deposit

• Removable adhesive hooks and strips for lightweight garlands, paper bats, and window clings
• Battery-powered string lights for your window or door
• Flameless candles instead of open flames
• Pumpkins on the stoop or windowsill, where building rules allow

Getting Around on Halloween Night

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so expect busy streets and crowded popular areas.

• Take Muni or BART when it makes sense.
• Check SFMTA’s Travel & Transit Updates for event-related closures and reroutes.
• Don’t assume your usual stop or line will operate normally.
• If you’re heading out at night, plan your ride home before you need it.

A Few Renter-Friendly Reminders

• Keep hallways, stairwells, and exits clear of decorations.
• Check building rules before decorating common areas.
• Keep noise reasonable if you’re hosting.
• Use decor that won’t damage walls, doors, or windows.
• Choose flameless candles over open flames.

Make Yourself at Home This Halloween

Whether you’re heading out for Halloween festivities or settling in for a horror movie marathon, home is a pretty great place to end the night. Looking for a place to call home in San Francisco?

Explore available RentSFNow apartments and find your own cozy spot for Halloween weekend.