Best Halloween Events for Kids Around Santa Clara in 2026

Halloween gets busy fast when you have young kids. Instead of making parents open a dozen calendars and event pages, this guide brings together officially confirmed 2026 options around Santa Clara and nearby cities.

I created the ACE Community Guide as a longtime Santa Clara resident, father of two young children, and someone who enjoys finding useful local places and activities worth knowing about. The goal is simple: make local information easier to use.

Before you go: Event details can change. Use the official link on each listing to confirm current times, registration availability, weather notices and last-minute updates.

Best Santa Clara pickChildren's SpooktaClara Best free nearby optionTrick-or-Treat the Row Best evening optionCupertino Monster Mash Best small free activitySunnyvale Pumpkin Painting

How we chose these events

This is an editorial guide, not a paid ranking. Events were included based on proximity to Santa Clara, family fit, usefulness for younger children, cost/value, availability of current 2026 information, and whether an official organizer page could be verified. Listing order is mostly chronological so the guide is easier to use. No business or organizer paid for placement.

2026 Halloween events around Santa Clara

Santa Clara • Free • Ages 10 & under

1. Children's SpooktaClara Halloween Party

Santa Clara's Parks & Recreation Department lists Trick or Treat Row, a Pumpkin Walk, carnival games, crafts, music, food and sponsor activities at Central Park.

DateSaturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Time12–4 p.m.

WhereCentral Park, 909 Kiely Blvd.

CostFree

Age10 and under

ParkingMultiple free lots listed by the City

Why it stands out: Local, free and built specifically for younger children.

Official event details Directions

Verified from the City of Santa Clara on Sept. 26, 2026.

San Jose • Registration required

2. Glow-in-the-Dark Pumpkin Paint Night

Evergreen Community Center offers two pumpkin-painting sessions plus themed crafts and a movie, with an optional haunted-house add-on.

DateFriday, Oct. 9, 2026

Time6–8:30 p.m.

WhereEvergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Rd.

RegistrationRequired

Official event details

San Jose • Free • Family

3. Roosevelt After Dark

A free family evening with a spooky haunted maze, roller skating, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch and costume contest at Roosevelt Community Center.

DateFriday, Oct. 16, 2026

Time6:30–8:30 p.m.

Where901 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose

CostFree

Official event details

San Jose • $5 • Family

4. The Scooby Boo Bash

Bascom Community Center lists art, crafts, haunted rooms, carnival games and a scavenger hunt. Children under five get an early-entry window.

DateFriday, Oct. 23, 2026

Time5–7:30 p.m.

Where1000 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose

Cost$5 per person; age 2 and under free

Official event details

San Jose • Free • Family

5. Trunk-or-Treat at Willow Glen

A free community event with candy, games, crafts and a bounce house at Willow Glen Community Center.

DateFriday, Oct. 23, 2026

Time5–7 p.m.

Where2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose

CostFree

Official event details

Cupertino • Paid • Ages 2–12

6. Cupertino Monster Mash

Cupertino's annual event at Quinlan Community Center includes games, trick-or-treating, crafts and pumpkin decorating.

DateSaturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Time5–8 p.m.

Where10185 N. Stelling Rd., Cupertino

Early priceResident $17 / nonresident $21 before Oct. 19

Official event & registration

Sunnyvale • Free • Grades K–5

7. Pumpkin Painting at Sunnyvale Public Library

Children can decorate a mini pumpkin at the Sunnyvale Main Library. Registration is not required, but space is limited.

DateMonday, Oct. 26, 2026

Time4–5 p.m.

Where665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale

CostFree

Official library details

Location photo: The Sands of Time 0 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.

San Jose • Free • Daytime

8. Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival

Santana Row's annual family festival lists live music, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, stilt walkers and balloons.

DateTuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

Time10 a.m.–noon

WhereSantana Row, San Jose

CostFree

Official event listing

A Halloween thank-you to Santa Clara's firefighters and police officers

Halloween can also be a simple opportunity to help children recognize the firefighters, police officers, dispatchers and other public-safety staff who serve the community.

Current accuracy note: Santa Clara has documented Fire and Police participation in past children's Halloween events, but their participation at the 2026 SpooktaClara event is not yet confirmed on the current event page. We do not recommend unannounced visits to operational stations.

Fire DepartmentStation visits are available by advance request

Tour agesAll participants must be at least 4

Tour sizeUp to 25 total people

Police outreachCommunity Services Unit works with youth and community events

Easy family idea: Have children make a small "Thank you for helping Santa Clara" card or drawing and bring it to an officially announced first-responder booth, community event, open house or scheduled station tour.

Request a fire-station tour Police Community Services Unit

Bonus: Need a costume?

Sunnyvale is holding a free children's Halloween Costume Swap on Oct. 14 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Columbia Middle School, 739 Morse Ave. Registration is not required, and each child may choose one costume while supplies last.

Costume Swap details

Quick planning tips for parents

Check the official page the day before. Outdoor events may post weather or parking changes.
Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. Several events distribute treats while supplies last.
Watch registration deadlines. Cupertino Monster Mash charges a higher price after Oct. 19.
For younger children, consider timing. Scooby Boo Bash offers early entry for children under five, while SpooktaClara is specifically for ages 10 and under.
Do not try to do everything. Pick one larger festival and one smaller activity that fits your family's schedule.

Why I started the ACE Community Guide

I have lived and worked in the Santa Clara community for many years. As a father of two young children, I am often looking for good places to eat, useful activities, family outings and local resources. I am also a longtime foodie who enjoys discovering neighborhood favorites and places worth a short drive.

The goal of this guide is to make useful local information easier to find and easier to act on—with direct links to official sources whenever possible.

Editorial disclosure: This article is independently prepared. No listed organizer paid for placement. "Dr. Lee's Pick" is not used unless a place or experience has been personally confirmed by Dr. Lee. Event information was checked against official organizer sources on Sept. 26, 2026.