As the fog rolls in and the city’s shadows lengthen, so too does San Francisco transform into a spooky, fun playground for Halloween. We are a city born to dress up and do much of that way before the 31st — and after, for that matter. The Bold Italic has found a ton of opportunities this Halloween season that range from frights and thrills to dance parties. Castro Halloween is now back with us, too. Here are our selections:
Terror Vault: Fatal Abduction
WHEN: October 16 — November 2, 2024, at various times (Typically between 5 PM and 9:30 PM)
WHERE: The San Francisco Mint — 88 Fifth St, San Francisco, CA 94103
More details: Terror Vault; also check out our review
Set in the historic and eerie halls of the San Francisco Mint, this interactive experience combines theater, haunted mazes, and 4D effects for a truly spine-chilling adventure. This year’s Terror Vault theme, Fatal Abduction, immerses guests in a terrifying journey where humanity’s fate is at risk. Brave souls must confront otherworldly horrors and attempt to save the planet from an impending alien threat.
NIGHTMARE: House on Franklin St.
WHEN: October 18, 19, 25, 26, 31, and November 1, 2024, at various times in the evening
WHERE: Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St., SF
More details: Nightmare SF
Experience a 45-minute terrifying journey through an abandoned mansion, hosted by a depraved family and their disgruntled staff. This psychological nightmare, created by the minds behind Unhinged at Winchester Mystery House and The Speakeasy, promises unspeakable horrors in this immersive haunted house. Group discounts are available for parties of 6 or more.
Spooky Cocktail Night
WHEN: October 18, 2024, 6 PM — 8 PM (doors at 5:55 PM)
WHERE: 3108B Fillmore St, SF
More details: Eventbrite
Join this spooky cocktail workshop and learn how to craft four hauntingly delicious horror-themed cocktails, led by a San Francisco bartender. Costumes are optional, and all supplies are provided, including a complimentary shaker and a choice of an Aura Photograph, Spooky Charm Bracelet, or Necklace. Premium spirits and liquors are included for all cocktails.
San Francisco Halloween Haunted House
WHEN: October 19–26, 2024, various times in the evening beginning at 5:30 PM
WHERE: Gregangelo Museum, 225 San Leandro Way, SF
More details: Eventbrite
This immersive haunted house experience allows just 8 guests per show to explore a haunted dollhouse filled with ghostly dolls and eerie activities. The experience includes themed chambers, macabre spectacles, and balloon twisting by sinister clowns, ending with a tea party and a cleansing ceremony to ensure spirits don’t follow you home.
Boo at the Zoo
WHEN: October 26–27, 2024, starting at 10 AM
WHERE: San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Blvd at the Great Highway, San Francisco, CA
More details: SF Zoo
Boo at the Zoo features Halloween fun for all ages, including a costume parade and contest at 12 PM, a Franken-stomp Dance Party at the playground, and the Haunted Nature Trail filled with spooky decorations. Visitors can also enjoy Halloween-themed enrichment treats for the animals and creepy crawlers in the Insect Zoo.
Like A G6 Halloween: A 2010s Costume Bangers Nite
WHEN: October 25, 2024
WHERE: DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, SF
More details: DNA Lounge
This Halloween party brings back the best of 2010s club anthems, with a costume contest at midnight. Expect hits from artists like Rihanna, LMFAO, and Calvin Harris as you dance the night away.
Princess Halloween: BOO! Ball
WHEN: October 25 and 26, 2024, doors at 10 PM both nights
WHERE: OASIS, 298 11th St, SF
More details: Eventbrite
A two-night Halloween event at OASIS featuring themed dance floors, including Dracula’s Ballroom Disco, with a midnight drag show and costume contest. Frankenstein’s Groove Lab will offer specialty potion cocktails, while the Wolf Man’s Woof-Top will host aerialists, fire dancers, and a mummy bar. Both nights will feature immersive vintage Halloween decor across the venue.
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
WHEN: October 26, 2024, starting at 12 PM
WHERE: Thrive City at Chase Center, SF
More details: Chase Center
Kick off the fall season with a family-friendly Halloween event featuring trick-or-treat stations, a pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and a costume contest. Activities include slime making, face painting, balloon art, and a special screening of Despicable Me 4 at 3:15 PM on the 75-foot video board. Registration is highly recommended for priority access.
SuperNatural Halloween at the California Academy of Sciences
WHEN: October 26, 2024, 5 PM (VIP/Early Admission) | 6:30 PM (General Admission)
WHERE: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr, SF
More details: California Academy of Sciences
A Halloween event featuring activities like a giant pumpkin carving, a special coral reef dive program, spooky skulls and specimens, a silent disco, scavenger hunts, and sweets. Families can participate in costume parties and explore various Halloween-themed science exhibits.
San Francisco Halloween Pub Crawl — Crawloween
WHEN: October 25 and 31, 2024, 6 PM — 10 PM; October 26, 2024, 2 PM — 10 PM
WHERE: Starting at Mayes Oyster House, 1233 Polk St, SF
More details: Crawloween
The Halloween Pub Crawl spans three nights of spooky fun across over 40 bars, featuring drink specials, music, and costume contests. Participants can enjoy free party bus shuttles, and lively Halloween celebrations with themed drinks and prizes for the best costumes.
SF Halloween Party Cruise — Pier Pressure Black Pearl Yacht
WHEN: October 26, 2024, 9:30 PM — October 27, 1 AM
WHERE: San Francisco Spirit, Pier 3, San Francisco, CA
More details: Eventbrite
Enjoy a Halloween yacht party with three decks of music, dancing, and drinks. The event offers a nighttime cruise across the bay, with music from open-format and house music DJs, for a costumed evening.
Haunted Hearts
WHEN: October 26, 2024, 9:30 PM — 3 AM
WHERE: Public Works, 161 Erie St, SF
More details: Eventbrite
Desert Hearts hosts this Halloween-themed house and techno event, bringing their signature energy to San Francisco for a spooky night of music and dance. Featuring headliners Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Marbs, and Porky, the night promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with house and techno beats.
Lost Kings: Halloween 2024
WHEN: October 26, 2024, 10 PM — 2 AM
WHERE: Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard St, SF
More details: Eventbrite
The EDM duo Lost Kings will take over Temple Nightclub for a Halloween party featuring their signature house grooves and pop-infused beats. Expect a high-energy night with an impressive lineup of guest DJs.
Candlelight Concert: Halloween Classics
WHEN: October 26, 2024, 6:30 PM and 9 PM
WHERE: Bayview Opera House, SF
More details: Candlelight Halloween Concert
Experience a Halloween-themed concert performed by a string quartet in an intimate, candlelit setting. Enjoy classics such as Thriller, The Exorcist, and Psycho as you soak in the atmosphere. Just so you know — they’re not real candles but LEDs. The initial marketing for this event made it look like all the performers would burn alive, which sorta sounds like a Halloween twist anyway.
Castro Halloween Returns
WHEN: October 26, 2024, evening
WHERE: Near the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St, SF
More details: Read our story
Halloween in the Castro is back for its second year since the event’s return in 2023. While it’s not the wild block party of the past, it remains a community-driven event with some local flair. This is the nighttime party with decorated bars and lots of costumed antics on the streets.
Glow in the Streets
WHEN: October 26, 2024, 6 PM
WHERE: Noe and Beaver Streets, SF
More details: Comfort & Joy event on Facebook
Comfort & Joy’s Glow in the Streets returns with its annual costumed, glowing festivities. This free event features DJs, performers, and a vibrant atmosphere as the streets light up for a Halloween celebration. Expect an evening filled with creativity, costumes, and community spirit.
Castro Merchants Daytime Halloween Party
WHEN: October 27, 2024, 12 PM — 5 PM
WHERE: Noe Street between Market and Beaver, SF
More details: Castro Merchants
This family-friendly Halloween event features costume contests for kids, pets, and adults, along with trick-or-treating throughout the Castro. Activities include face painting, tarot reading, drag performances, DJs, and a pie-eating contest, all hosted by Castro Merchants.
Daft Disko: Halloween
WHEN: October 31, 2024, 9 PM
WHERE: Audio, 316 11th St, SF
More details: Eventbrite
This Halloween party, Daft Disko, is inspired by the music of Daft Punk, Justice, Cassius, and other iconic French house and disco acts. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and dance the night away to classic electronic beats at this festive event.
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