Eight great events that scare up some Halloween fun
Halloween Haunt
Oct. 18 From exploring a hay maze to picking through a pumpkin patch, little ones can enjoy plenty of Halloween-themed fun inside the miniature 3.5-acre city of Safetyville. Other highlights include watching a magic show, strutting in a costume parade and playing games like ring toss. $6 (free for kids 2 and under). 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Safetyville USA. 3909 Bradshaw Rd. 438-3351. safetycenter.org
Monster Bash
Oct. 18 In addition to grooving to DJed tunes and taking photos in their crazy costumes, kids can explore exhibits in the Sacramento Children’s Museum and view its new installation: a creepy-crawly bug made from recycled materials by local artist Ben Newman. $15. 6-8 p.m. Sacramento Children’s Museum. 2701 Prospect Park Dr. Rancho Cordova. 638-7225. sackids.org
Night of 1,000 Pumpkins
Oct. 24 Historic Folsom plays ghost host to hundreds of youngsters as they meander through the district’s jack-o’-lantern-lined streets, trick-or-treating at the shops along the way. Other activities include a costume parade and screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Free. 6-10 p.m. Sutter Street. Folsom. 985-7452. historicfolsom.org
Safe and Super Halloween
Oct. 24-26 This year, Fairytale Town’s annual Halloween affair will be themed after Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Throughout the evenings, little ones can explore fantastical settings like Polyphemus’ lair and Medusa’s garden, as well as visit trick-or-treating stations and watch puppet shows (tickets are an additional $2). $12 ($10 in advance; free for ages 1 and under). 5-9 p.m. Fairytale Town. 3901 Lank Park Dr. 808-7462. fairytaletown.org
Midtown Halloween Festival and Pooch Parade
Oct. 25 Both families and Fido can take part in midtown’s annual Halloween festivities—two-legged attendees can go trick-or-treating and costumed canines can walk in a Halloween parade and play in the neighborhood’s popular pop-up dog park. Free. 3-6 p.m. Marshall Park. 915 27th St. exploremidtown.org
Wee Halloween
Oct. 29 At this annual pre-Halloween affair, wee ones ages 5 and under can craft handmade treat bags and explore the Crocker Art Museum’s collections, visiting trick-or-treat stations and watching music and dance performances along the way. $15 (free for siblings under 18 months). 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Crocker Art Museum. 216 O St. 808-7000. crockerartmuseum.org
Boo at the Zoo
Oct. 30-31 The Sacramento Zoo will be brimming with spooky fun for children, who can move and groove at a costume dance party, fill up at about two dozen trick-or-treat stations, and explore the “Under the Sea” room, where they’ll be greeted by pirates and can meet a mermaid or fish for candy. $12 ($10 until Oct. 29). 5-8 p.m. Sacramento Zoo. 3930 West Land Park Dr. 808-5888. saczoo.org
Treat Trail Halloween Celebration
Oct. 31 Little ghosts and ghouls can trick-or-treat at downtown Davis shops and restaurants, catch free screenings of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown at the historic Varsity Theater (every half hour starting at 2:30 p.m.) and watch for pop-up dance performances of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Free. 2 to 4:30 p.m. Downtown Davis. 530-756-8763. davisdowntown.org
Related Links
—Fall into the new season at these 10 Sacramento-area pumpkin patches
—Halloween costume photo essay at Fairytale Town
