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, Oct. 1-31 from 10 a.m.-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, Sept. 28-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. This harvest season, embark on an afternoon of autumn activities that are safe and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Admission is free
Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch, End of September-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: Tours starting at $35 per person
Santa Ynez Scarecrow Fest, Oct. 1-31
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
Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 18-27 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
Mission Movie Night: “Coco,” Oct. 19 from 6-9 p.m.
In celebration of All Souls Day, All Saints Day and Dia de los Muertos, the Old Mission Santa Barbara invites you to a special free outdoor screening of the beloved film “Coco.” Gather your family and friends for an enchanting evening under the stars on the Mission’s front lawn. Bring a blanket, relax and enjoy the cozy atmosphere with food and refreshments available for purchase.
Cost: Admission is free
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, Oct. 22 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Experience the magic of Candlelight concerts in Santa Barbara, where music inspired by Halloween comes to life under the glow of candlelight. Join the Listeso String Quartet at The New Vic for a performance featuring classics like “Thriller,” “The Addams Family” and “Night on Bald Mountain.” Tickets available now for ages eight and up; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $41 per person
Halloween Craft & Movie Night, Oct. 25 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Join Yellow Bird Music Inc. for a fun-filled Halloween event where you can hand-paint your own ghost to take home, watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and enjoy Halloween games.
Cost: $50 per person
Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Santa Barbara, (date and time TBA)
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, (date and time TBA)
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 2024, Oct. 26 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. 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
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 Pub Crawl, Oct. 25 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Kick off Halloween at Santa Barbara’s Halloween Pub Crawl. Start at EOS Lounge in costume, then explore over 10 bars and nightclubs with an all-access pass. Your kit includes free shots, drink discounts and nightclub entry. Begin the night with a pre-party, then roam State Street for an unforgettable Halloween celebration.
Cost: $15-$35 per person
Fields of Funk, Oct. 26 from 12-10 p.m.re
Moon-walk your way over to Elings Park, and get your groove on with Neil Frances, Mayor Hawthorne, OMNOM, Reggie Watts and more. 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. 26 from 7 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 EOS Lounge, 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
Dia de los Muertos Haunted Ball, Oct. 26 from 6-10 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: Price TBA
Halloween Painting Class, Oct. 31 at 6 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: $45 per person
Comedy is a Drag: Halloween Show, Oct. 31 from 7:30-9 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 p.m.).
Cost: Tickets start at $9.85 per person
