As darkness falls and the harvest moon rises, treat yourself to a spooktacular series of Halloween activities themed perfectly for a bewitching getaway to the Santa Barbara South Coast. From boo-tiful crafts and carnivals to haunted tours and tastes of the season, Santa Barbara has a full calendar of Halloween events taking place throughout October.
Make sure to keep this page handy, as more events are added on a weekly basis.
Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
Big Wave Dave’s Pumpkin Patch, Now-Oct. 31 from 10-9 p.m.
Big Wave Dave’s is a great spot for picking that perfect pumpkin or festive gourd. Located at La Cumbre Plaza, this local patch offers a variety of kids activities, photo opportunities and an abundant selection of pumpkins to choose from. If you’re looking to add harvest décor to your home, pick from a variety of squash, ornamental gourds, corn stalks, hay bales and more.
Cost: Admission is free
Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch, Now-Oct. 31, Monday-Friday from 12-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (12-5 p.m. Halloween Day)
Lane Farms has everything you need to get into the Halloween season with hayrides, farm animals, a corn maze, loads of pumpkins and the perfect backdrop for that festive, Instagrammable fall photo. Sept. 30 through Oct. 31, embark on an afternoon of autumn activities that are safe and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Admission is free
Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch, Now-Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Pumpkins, gourds, squash, oh my! The Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch returns for its annual autumn extravaganza with one-pound pumpkins and festivities galore, including corn stalks, hay bales, kids maze and a 10-acre corn maze.
Cost: Admission is free
Halloween Events & Activities
Spooky Tours with Santa Barbara Ghost Tours, Ongoing
Did you know that Santa Barbara is the city of friendly ghosts? For a fun, spooky scare, join Professor Julie Ann Brown as she tours you through the streets of Downtown Santa Barbara sharing the stories of the local resident ghosts. Santa Barbara Ghost Tours offers a variety of tours including the Downtown Paranormal Wine and Spirits Tour, Legends, Myths and Mayhem Tour, Dead of the Night Tour and more. For an elevated experience, the VIP Historical Dinner Tour provides exclusive access to a private, membership-only club for an elegant dinner with your guide. Storytelling begins over dinner and then continues with a historical walking tour.
Cost: $35 to $150 per person, depending on the tour selected
Santa Ynez Scarecrow Fest, Now-Oct. 31 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Solvang is set to usher in the season with authentic autumn flair as it launches the 14th Annual Solvang Scarecrow Fest and Contest. Spanning the entire month and culminating on Halloween, local Solvang enterprises and groups will join the festivities, showcasing uniquely crafted scarecrows at their respective venues.
Cost: Admission is free
Outdoor Spooky Movie Nights at Paseo Nuevo, Oct. 6-27 from 6:30-9 p.m.
Experience the open-air thrill of Outdoor Spooky Movie Nights! Every Friday in October, watch a spooky movie (think: Coco, The Addams Family, Maleficent and Hocus Pocus) for free atop the South Side parking garage at Paseo Nuevo. Complimentary popcorn will be provided—just bring blankets, chairs and some warm layers to snuggle up for the film.
Cost: Free
Pumpkin-Decorating Workshop at Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, Oct. 15 from 2-4 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the essence of fall at this delightful family-friendly event hosted by Inclusive Arts Clubhouse. Amidst the amber hues of of the season, handpick your pumpkin and let your creativity flow, transforming it into a hauntingly enchanting décor or a timeless centerpiece for your seasonal soirees. Each ticket includes a pumpkin, artistry essentials and a curated selection of autumnal treats and libations to savor.
Cost: $50 per person
Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 20-29 from 5-8 p.m.
Get ready for a fun and festive Halloween spell-ebration at the Santa Barbara Zoo. While visiting the animals, discover frightfully fun décor, photo ops and trick-or-treating. The ticket for this event includes a Zoo Train ride, mad science experiments, scare zone, dance party, creepy-crawly animal encounters and bounce houses. Additionally, no costume head or face masks will be permitted. Since this is a kid and family-friendly event, please keep costumes child-friendly and do not include gore or realistic weapons.
Cost: $25 per adult, $18 per child
Scarecrow Fest & Day in the Country, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Head over the hill for the day to Los Olivos for a day in the country this Halloween season, where attendees can experience a fall parade, a Fun Run and food, live music, wine, beer and more from over 100 local vendors. The Scarecrow Festival runs throughout the month of October, so while you’re exploring a Day in the Country, don’t forget to vote for your favorite scarecrow in town.
Cost: Admission is free
Funk Zone Halloween Comedy Night, Oct. 25 from 7-9 p.m.
Get ready for a spooky night of comedy at Validation Ale. Join Hoopla Comedy for a top-notch evening of free comedy, featuring locally brewed beer, exquisite dining options and nonstop laughter. Veteran producer and comedian Uriah Wesman carefully curated a diverse lineup of talented comedians perfect for this bewitching show.
Cost: Admission is free
Santa Barbara High School Theatre Presents: Dracula, Oct. 26-Nov. 4
This Halloween season, take a trip into the past and experience Bram Stoker’s Dracula like you’ve never seen it before. In a version adapted by local legend Eric Lehman, Santa Barbara High School Theatre Department is bringing a fresh take to an archetypal story of love, revenge, loyalty, fear and power.
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 for students and seniors.
’90s Halloween Party at Kimpton Canary Hotel, Oct. 27 from 7-10 p.m.
Embrace the nostalgia of the ’90s atop the Canary Rooftop this Halloween. Set against the backdrop of Santa Barbara’s most captivating city views, guests can sway to the beats curated by DJ Darla Bea, indulge in exquisite sips and bites from Finch & Fork and participate in a ’90s-themed costume contest for your chance to win a one-night stay at Kimpton Canary Hotel.
Cost: $10 per person
Santa Barbara Boo Bash, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Prepare for an enchanting escapade at the Santa Barbara Boo Bash, presented by the Rotary Santa Barbara North Club. Dive into the whimsy of a dog Halloween costume showcase, a charming children’s attire competition and revel in festivities that resonate with the spirit of giving back to the Santa Barbara community.
Cost: Admission is free
Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Santa Barbara, Oct. 28 from 3-6 p.m.
Join the eerie excitement with your young ghosts and goblins and explore downtown establishments adorned with orange “Trick-or-Treat” signs and lively balloons during the official Downtown Santa Barbara Trick-or-Treating event. Don’t forget to dress up in your spookiest costumes; they’re highly encouraged!
Cost: Admission is free
Paddle Sports Center’s Witchy Paddle, Oct. 29 from 11a.m.-12 p.m.
Enjoy a bewitching paddle tour with Paddle Sports Center this Halloween! Glide between boats and explore the Santa Barbara coastline with your spellbinding crew. Arrive in costume and receive 25% off your rental.
Cost: $35 per hour (before discount)
Thriller 2023, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.
Join World Dance for Humanity at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens for a free, family-friendly thrills and chills daytime dance fest. Come in costume and watch dance groups perform their own spooky choreographies or perform your own! Leading up to the event, World Dance for Humanity invites you to learn a new Halloween dance medley. World Dance for Humanity has even organized a series of flash mobs in October to show off your new moves. No need to be a trained dancer, all ages and experience levels are invited to participate.
Cost: Admission is free
An Evening of Practical Magic, Oct. 30 from 5-8 p.m.
Gather at Pura Luna Apothecary for a magical night to remember! As dusk falls and stars light up the heavens, come celebrate the mystique of All Hallow’s Eve. This event promises a delightful mix of mysticism and amusement with midnight margaritas, tarot readings, spell crafting, manifestation practices and candle blessings.
Cost: $30 per person
Glow & Flow at Sol Seek Yoga Studio, Oct. 30 from 7-8 p.m.
Dim the lights. Turn up the tunes. Radiate energy in this invigorating glow-in-the-dark yoga session at Sol Seek Yoga Studio. Get ready for ghoulish rhythms, enjoyable company, and a Halloween-themed flow. Attire that shines under blacklight (neons and sharp whites are most vibrant) and glow-in-the-dark body paint is highly encouraged.
Cost: $25 per person
BOOcara at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.
The annual BOOCara at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is a fun-filled Halloween featuring property-wide trick-or-treating, games and more! Guests, members and locals alike are invited.
Cost: Admission is free
21+ Halloween Events & Activities
Harvest Season Wine Tours, Now-Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Let Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours whisk you away during one of the most enchanting times of year in the Santa Ynez Valley: harvest season. Enjoy wine tastings at three local wineries, lunch in the Santa Ynez Valley, door-to-door shuttle service and a knowledgeable guide for the day. At each stop, the winery staff will share information about different blends and what makes each varietal unique.
Cost: $195 per person
Halloween Drink Specials at Dusk, Oct. 16-31 from 3-10 p.m.
Join Drift Santa Barbara at Dusk for a spooky good time featuring Halloween-themed craft cocktails like the Rest in Peach, Children of the Corn, Room 524, Nightmare on State Street and From Dusk till Dawn.
Cost: Varies per menu item
Comedy is a Drag: Halloween Show, Oct. 21 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Live comedy just got spookier: Join Bear Cave Comedy for a night of ghoulish giggles at The Wildcat Lounge, where the drinks and the jokes will be flowing all night long (well, until 9:30 p.m.).
Cost: $25 per person for general admission, $35 per person for VIP
The Molly Ringwald Project: Halloween Bash! Oct. 27 at 9 p.m.
The Molly Ringwald Project, hailing from the Central and South Coasts of California, is a top drawing ’80s tribute band. Paying homage to all the songs stuck in their heads from the days of yore, Molly Ringwald Project brings an unparalleled energy to every show and venue they play in. Join the band for a special (and spooky!) show at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club on Oct. 27.
Cost: $15 per person
Fields of Funk, Oct. 28 from 12-10 p.m.
Moon-walk your way over to Elings Park, and get your groove on with Boombox, Fleetmac Wood and STRFKR. Fields of Funk is a Halloween music festival, and what better than to don your favorite costume, lay out some lawn chairs and picnic blankets and dance the evening away? Don’t miss the silent disco, roller skating, art installations, food trucks and full bar.
Cost: Tickets start at 60 per person
Santa Barbara Zombie Crawl, Oct. 28 from 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
One pass to the Santa Barbara Zombie Crawl will get you access to over 10+ bars and nightclubs in downtown Santa Barbara. Beginning at Backstage Dueling Piano Bar, your ticket to this all-night event includes a free welcome shot (at select venues), drink discount coupons, free nightclub entry passes and a crawl map to participating locations. Costumes are encouraged.
Cost: $15-$35 per person
Creep the Halls: Into the Abyss, Oct. 28 from 6-9 p.m.
Experience a magical circus of surprises during this adults-only Halloween celebration at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Come in costume to crawl its creepy halls and spooky woods in a party complete with food and beverages, performers, a live band, dancing and a spectacular finale to boot.
Cost: $125 per person
Dia de los Muertos Haunted Ball, Oct. 28 from 6:30-10 p.m.
This Halloween, Sunstone Winery metamorphoses into a spectral sanctuary echoing the vibes of Dia de los Muertos. Sip on cocktails infused with Day of the Dead themes, savor tasty morsels and groove to the beats of DJ Fess in the wine cave. Pay tribute to the departed by donning your finest costume. Awards await those who stand out in three categories: Best Group, Most Distinctive and Top Couple.
Cost: $129 per person
Halloween Painting Class, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Mixing wine with painting has never sounded spookier with the addition of this specialty Halloween class, where students can paint a Halloween scene and sip the night away at The Painted Cabernet.
Cost: $40 per person
Mystical Mixology at Pearl Social, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Halloween night at Pearl Social will be a night to remember! Mark your calendars for an electrifying DJ lineup to set the vibes and explore the mystical mixology of the Cocktail Crypt by sipping on elixirs and potions made by skilled mixologists.
Cost: $25 per person
