Haunted houses, trick-or-treating at local businesses, costume contests, free pumpkins, blacklight art shows, a floating pumpkin patch, and a chalk festival.
To say that Halloween in Alameda is amazing is not an exaggeration. People travel from around the Bay Area for the annual Gold Coast extravaganza, and it certainly does not disappoint. But that’s just one part of our hometown Halloween. This year’s festivities will go on throughout the weekend leading up to the 31st, with all kinds of family-friendly events. In addition to adorably costumed kids and pets trick-or-treating at local shops, we’ve got everything from a spooky haunted house designed by local teens to a floating pumpkin patch in our community pool. The fun starts Friday afternoon and doesn’t stop until Monday night when the last neighborhood trick-or-treater gives up the ghost. Here are a few of our picks.
Daytime trick-or-treating for kids
Halloween falls on a Monday this year, so for those who’d rather not take their little ones around the neighborhood on a school night, daytime trick-or-treating at local shops on Saturday, October 29, is a good bet.
Trick-or-treating starts earliest on the West End, with Webster Street shops handing out treats from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the kickoff party that includes other activities for kids and parents as well.
Park Street shops have no special event planned, according to the Downtown Business Association, but those with signs in their windows welcome costumed trick-or-treaters accompanied by an adult from noon to 4 p.m.
South Shore Center is sponsoring a special Halloween Family Fest from 1 to 4 p.m., and shops with orange balloons will welcome trick-or-treaters during that time.
Teen Haunted House — Enter if you dare!
Expect to be spooked when you walk through the door of the 17th Annual Teen Haunted House at South Shore Center this weekend. Themed “Creature Features” after the 1970s television show that focused on horror/monster movies, the Haunted House will present spine-chilling takes on ten popular movies and shows, starting this Friday night.
Located at the former Carter’s location at South Shore Center, across from the back side of Kohl’s, the house will be open for those who dare to enter on Friday, October 28, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, October 29, 3 to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, October 30, 3 to 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for age 17 or younger, and $7 for age 18 and older. Cash only. The event is not recommended for anyone under 5 years old.
“Alameda middle and high school volunteers began planning and designing the Haunted House in late September, and construction has been happening after school every day during the month of October,” noted Alameda Recreation & Park Department (ARPD) Recreation Supervisor Shawn Smith. “This year, there are 87 youth volunteers from ARPD’s Alameda Youth Committee and Teen Haunted House volunteer programs. In addition to earning community service credits for their efforts, the Teen Haunted House serves as a valuable and fun leadership program.”
Sponsors of the Haunted House include ARPD, Alameda Friends of the Parks Foundation, Alameda County Industries (ACI), and the Alameda Youth Committee.
Party on the West End
Get a jump start on trick-or-treating and family fun at the free Halloween on the West End party on Saturday, October 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Al Fresco Dining Park at the corner of Webster Street and Taylor Avenue.
Kids will get treats at the small local businesses that line Webster Street while adults enjoy little bites along the way. Furry friends are invited to come along and show off their Halloween costumes as well.
Meanwhile, there will be games and interactive crafts to keep the little monsters and fairy princesses entertained while DJ Boyofsummer spins spooky background music for the party. And don’t forget the free pumpkin patch, provided by Alameda Grocery Outlet.
The event is sponsored by the West Alameda Business Association and Friends of the West End.
Pumpkin Giveaway
Alameda’s chapter of the firefighter’s union, IAFF Local 689, is holding their Annual Free Pumpkin Give-Away on Friday, October 28. Children under 12 and their families are invited to gather from 2 to 5 p.m. on the west lawn of Franklin Park along Morton Street. While supplies last, every child will get a free pumpkin if they are an Alameda resident and attend with a parent or guardian. In addition, the organizers will provide Halloween crafts, candy, costumes, and games.
This is the twenty-first time the giveaway has been held. Video from the 2018 event is available on Instagram.
Family Fest at South Shore
Expect to see a lot of orange balloons at South Shore Center’s free Halloween Family Fest on Saturday, October 29. Trick-or-treat time is 1 to 4 p.m. Your first stop should be center court, where kids in costume can pick up free Halloween tote bags. Then head to the shops displaying the orange balloons, where kids can pick up treats to fill those bags.
Meanwhile, spooky stilt-walkers will be roaming about, and kids can participate in other fun activities, including “frightening face painting” and a fun photo booth. It’s a family-friendly outdoor event—and there are plenty of places to get a bite to eat if you or the kids get hungry for something more substantial than a fun-size Hershey bar.
Studio 23 glows in the dark
After the sun sets and the little ones are tucked in bed, it’s time for the adults to get out and have some fun. Check out the Halloween Blacklight Art Show on Saturday, October 29, 7 to 10 p.m., at Studio 23, 2901 Encinal Ave. The studio describes the show as “an experience best suited to the time of year when the veils grow thin between worlds, and other dimensions seep through in deceptively cheery colors to blind you beyond science.”
Several special indoor and outdoor installation pieces will be on display, along with live music, film animations, and Halloween treats by Shannon Cooks. Costumes are encouraged. “Studio 23 is transformed from a mild-mannered mecca of artistry into a pulsing powerhouse of spirits gathering force to unleash unholy havoc upon preconceptions where the love of art rules over all,” the organizers promise. If that’s not Halloween, what is?
The event is free but a donation of $5 to $10 is suggested. Donations support the nonprofit ArtPush.org
This is an all-ages event, but organizers note that they often have full body painting and other adult-themed activities, so bring kids at your own discretion.
Strut your stuff at Almanac
Make like a supermodel and strut on down the costume runway Saturday, October 29, 6 to 9 p.m. at Almanac Beer Company, 651 West Tower Ave., on Alameda Point. The costume is for the whole family with separate rounds for kids, pets, and adults. The best costumes can win cash prizes!
While you’re there, those who are age 13 and older are invited to check out Almanac’s first-ever haunted house. “Dare to peek inside the mad doctor’s Malediction Manor,” the advertisement taunts. The “terrifying tour of epic frights” is free and will be open Saturday, October 29, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 30, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Swim with the pumpkins
It’s not just a pumpkin patch, it’s a pumpkin patch in a pool. And you’re invited to dive in and go for a swim. Alameda Recreation and Parks (ARPD) is hosting a Pumpkin Patch Pool Party on Sunday, October 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Emma Hood Swim Center, 1327 Oak St., Alameda High School.
As you might imagine, space is limited in a pumpkin-filled pool, so swim times are divided into five time slots. In order to swim, you must register on the event website. The $13 admission fee includes one pumpkin per guest, crafts, games, and swim time.
The outdoor pool is heated and has six short lanes.
Chalk it up
If your kids like to chalk up the sidewalks, take them to the Chalk Festival & Halloween Spooktacular at Alameda Landing, near Panda Express, on Sunday, October 30, noon to 4 p.m.
You can watch local artists create life-sized chalk murals on the pavement, and then the kids can create their own chalk masterpieces at the Kids Chalk Zone Area. The Chalk Festival ends at 3 p.m., but the fun continues at the Halloween Spooktacular until 4 p.m. Activities include an arm painter and a balloon maker.
The event is free and includes a goodie bag with treats while supplies last.
Copy Editor Liz Barrett writes about the community for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Liz-Barrett/.
