Get your costumes prepped, candy buckets ready, and calendars marked – because the East Bay is bursting with spooky-good fun! Whether you're trick-or-treating, trunk-hopping, or sipping spiced cider under the stars, this newsletter has your entire Halloween lineup covered. From haunted parades to block parties and everything in between, it's time to get out, dress up, and celebrate the season in full fright mode.

Let’s make this Halloween unforgettable — scroll down, pick your haunts, and let the festivities begin! 🎃🕸️🕷️

Spotlight
🧙 Benicia Halloween Costume Contest & Sidewalk Stroll – Benicia
🗓 Sat, Oct 25 | 10am–2pm
📍 First Street (Downtown Benicia)
💵 Free

Benicia Main Street is hosting its fun-filled costume contest and sidewalk stroll on First Street. Kids of all ages are invited to strut their spookiest or silliest costumes as local shops hand out treats – it’s “a great time for kids of all ages” with merchants decking out the block in Halloween cheer. Expect pumpkin decorating, photo-ops and plenty of candy as Downtown Benicia comes alive with festive frights (and delights) for the whole family.

Catch Twin Oaks Real Estate for the Halloween Stroll on 1st Street in Benicia! We’ll be passing out treats and goodies to families and kids as they stroll by and yes, costumes are encouraged! 🎭It’s one of the most fun community events of the year — with tons of families, kids in costumes, and even a dog costume contest! 🦶

Don’t miss this free community event – bring a bag and get ready to trick-or-treat along First Street!

Halloween fun awaits—see you there! 🎃

🎃 Officer’s Row Halloween Block Party – Vallejo
🗓 Sat, Oct 25 | 4pm–8pm
📍 Walnut Ave (Officer’s Row, Mare Island)
💵 Free (pre-registration recommended)

Gather the family (and even the dog!) for a block party on Vallejo’s historic Mare Island. Officer’s Row will be spookily lit up for Halloween, featuring trick-or-treating down Walnut Avenue, creative pumpkin decorating, face painting and costumes contests for kids and pups. Food trucks, hot chocolate stations (and even a beer/wine garden for the grown-ups!) will keep everyone energized. This free, family-friendly fiesta promises dancing to Halloween tunes and complimentary goodie bags for the little ones – come in costume and join the after-school fun on Mare Island!

🍺 Downtown Pleasanton Halloween “zom-Brew Crawl” – Pleasanton
🗓 Sat, Oct 25 | 5pm–8pm
📍 Downtown Pleasanton (Main Street)
💵 $ – Ticketed event (includes tasting glass)

Pleasanton’s Downtown Association invites beer lovers to a unique Halloween bash. At the “zom-Brew Crawl,” you’ll hop between 20 downtown spots sampling some of the best local brews under a spooky moon. Every attendee gets a commemorative tasting glass – sip your way through haunted pubs while enjoying live music and ghoulishly-themed activities along Main Street. Mark your calendar, don a costume, and toast to fright night – it’s a one-of-a-kind Halloween beer fest you won’t forget!

👻 Downtown Martinez Halloween Spooktacular – Martinez
🗓 Sat, Oct 25 | 11am–2pm
📍 Downtown Martinez (Main Street & City Plaza)
💵 Free

Downtown Martinez throws a “ghoulishly delightful” Halloween party for the whole family. This annual Spooktacular turns Main Street into a candy-filled wonderland: creatively decorated car trunks line the street for an epic trunk-or-treat, local businesses hand out treats to costumed kids, and there are crafts and games galore. Little goblins and ghosts can try their hand at spooky crafts and play games at various spots along the route. With dancing skeletons and candy around every corner, this free, kid-focused festival promises a “boo-tiful” time for all ages.

🎃 Antioch Rivertown Trunk-or-Treat – Antioch
🗓 Sat, Oct 25 | 11:30am–2pm
📍 Downtown Antioch (A Street & 2nd Street)
💵 Free

Antioch’s historic Rivertown is transformed into a Halloween playground. Starting at 11:30am, a pet costume contest gets tails wagging, followed by a kids’ costume contest at noon. Store-to-store trick-or-treating kicks off right after, as Costumed kids visit local shops for candy and goodies. The family-friendly fair also features monster truck rides, a kids’ zone with games and activities, plus music and vendors – an all-ages spookfest that’s completely free. Don your best costume (and bring a trick-or-treat bag) for this downtown candy crawl!

🎶 Oakland Grown: Student Art & Music Festival – Oakland
🗓 Sat, Oct 25 | 12pm–4pm
📍 Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland
💵 $25+ (tickets, includes museum admission)

Celebrate Oakland’s young talent at this upbeat arts festival. The kid-powered Oakland Grown event features art displays and live music by students from local public schools, culminating in a headline concert by Oakland Rising – a band of emerging teen and young adult musicians. This family-friendly fest raises funds for arts education in Oakland schools, with tickets that also grant full museum entry. Bring the kids to create, dance, and explore – it’s a heartwarming showcase of the next generation of Oakland artists!

👻 Rockridge Halloween Parade – Oakland
🗓 Sun, Oct 26 | 11:00am–2:00pm
📍 Rockridge District (College Ave. & Shafter Ave, Oakland)
💵 Free

Oakland’s beloved Rockridge district hosts its largest annual event: a free Halloween parade and trick-or-treating extravaganza. Families gather on Sunday morning to trick-or-treat at over 40 local shops and eateries, each handing out candy and surprises to costumed kids. The sidewalks will be buzzing with spooky music, free crafts, and even a haunted Market Hall experience. The Rockridge Library kicks off the fun with games and puppet shows, and the big outdoor “fun hub” at College Avenue Presbyterian Church turns into a dance party with DJs, pumpkin decorating and more surprises. It’s a safe, festive way to celebrate Halloween – don’t forget to grab the free commemorative tote bag for all your treats!

🎃 Halloween Fun in Montclair Village – Oakland
🗓 Sun, Oct 26 | 10:00am–2:00pm
📍 Montclair Village (Mountain Blvd. & La Salle Ave.)
💵 Free

Montclair Village goes all out for Halloween with a “bounty of treats” for families. Join the neighborhood farmers’ market and local shops for trick-or-treating along the street. Live music will entertain the crowd, while face painters, balloon artists and a spooky photo booth keep the fun rolling. Kids can participate in a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt at the market and make crafts at community tables. Every young ghoul gets a free keepsake trick-or-treat bag to fill up with goodies – a perfect (and free!) way to spend Sunday afternoon in Oakland.

🏫 Harvest Festival Art & Craft Show – Pleasanton
🗓 Fri, Oct 24–Sun, Oct 26 | 10:00am–5:00pm (Sun until 4pm)
📍 Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton
💵 $9 (Adults; kids 12 & under free)

Get in the fall spirit at Pleasanton’s Harvest Festival – a three-day showcase of creativity and craftsmanship. At the fairgrounds you’ll find hundreds of booths of artisans selling handmade treasures: wall art, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, gourmet foods and more. It’s the perfect family outing – browse unique gifts and home décor, enjoy live music and food vendors, and support talented local creators. With kids under 12 in free, it’s an affordable way to kick off the season. Don’t miss this annual celebration of art, community, and autumn vibes!

🎃 Alameda Landing Halloween Spooktacular – Alameda
🗓 Fri, Oct 31 | 4:00pm–6:00pm
📍 Alameda Landing Shopping Center (5th St between Clementine & Oak, Alameda)
💵 Free

Trick-or-treat at Alameda Landing’s family-friendly Spooktacular! This free neighborhood bash features face painting, a balloon artist, festive music and games for kids. Little ones can pick up free goodie bags (while supplies last), and everyone is encouraged to come in costume. It’s all happening in the shopping center parking lot (near Habit Burger and Panda Express), turning Alameda Landing into a fun Halloween carnival. Get there early – the first 500 costumed kids receive treats as they roam the mall’s shops for candy and surprises!

🧹 Spooktacular Halloween Party – Livermore
🗓 Fri, Oct 31 | 6:00pm–9:00pm
📍 Wood Family Vineyards, 2407 Research Dr, Livermore
💵 $10 (Wine Club $5)

Livermore’s wine country throws a disco-themed fright night. Slip on your grooviest costume and head to Wood Family Vineyards for live music by East Bay Grooveline – think funky 70s disco, R&B and soul hits spun in a winery tasting room. The space will transform into a Halloween dance party complete with DJ, wine pours and a fun costume contest (with prizes for the best dressed). Admission is just $10 ($5 for wine club members), and includes the Halloween festivities alongside wine tasting. Come for the music and costumes, stay for the wine – it’s a spooky soirée not to miss!

📍1535 Olympic Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Looking for a taste of Halloween with a tropical twist? Tiki Tom’s in Walnut Creek delivers island vibes with a side of spooky! This 5-star favorite is dripping with vintage tiki charm — think flickering torches, glowing skulls, bamboo booths, and Halloween decorations that would make a pirate ghost feel right at home. Sip on smoky rum cocktails (served in skull mugs or set aflame) and nosh on island-style bites like coconut shrimp, Kalua pork sliders, or ahi poke nachos. Around Halloween, the place takes on an even more hauntingly festive glow, with costumed bartenders, creepy-chic cocktails, and just enough eerie energy to get you in the spirit. It’s a perfect post-event hangout or themed dinner spot where the undead dance under tiki lights and everyone’s welcome to raise a haunted toast. 🌺💀🍍

✔️ Bring a Bag (or Bucket!) – Whether you're trunk-or-treating or downtown hopping, make sure each ghoul and goblin has something to carry all that loot!

✔️ Dress for the Weather – October evenings can get chilly. Layer those costumes and bring a jacket for after-dark haunts.

✔️ Flashlights & Glow Sticks – Keep your little monsters visible with fun glow sticks, necklaces, or mini flashlights. Safety first, fun always!

✔️ Respect the Decor – Some homes or trunks might go all-out spooky. Remind younger kids they can skip stops that feel too scary.

✔️ Say “Thank You!” – Kindness is the best treat. Encourage kids to thank each candy-giver – it keeps the Halloween magic alive!

✔️ Double-Check Event Details – Times and locations may change last-minute. Check event websites or social media for any updates before heading out.

✔️ Charge Your Phone – You’ll want plenty of battery for photos, directions, and that group costume selfie!

Have a safe, sweet, and unforgettable Halloween! 👻🍬🕸️

Looking to make a move? Whether you're buying or selling, we've got you covered:

Start your personalized home search with just one click.

Curious about your home’s value? Get a quick estimate right here.

Hope you had a blast planning your Halloween week with us! From haunted block parties to pumpkin patches and tiki cocktails, there’s something spooky (and sweet) for everyone. If you made it to an event — snap a pic, tag Twin Oaks Real Estate, and share the festive vibes!

Missed anything? Don’t worry — the treats don’t stop here. We’ve got another round of local fun and East Bay goodness coming up next week.

Stay local & stay inspired,

Ryan DeAmaral

Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider

[email protected]