Looking for the scoop on Bay Area Halloween events? We all know the Bay Area is big on creativity, but it's especially true on Halloween. Unsurprisingly for the cultural capital of the country, other region has such a diverse, extravagant variety of Halloween events. We’ve got all the glamour and glitz of a New York City Halloween, plus a host of memorable events for those with more eclectic tastes. Whether you like your Halloween events New York, Hollywood, or Burning Man style, the Bay Area aims to exceed your expectations. Here’s a list of our favorite Bay Area Halloween events happening this year!
1. A Nightmare on Van Ness
The number one Halloween event is San Francisco, this spectacular party transforms the Regency Center into a living nightmare you won’t want to wake from! With its Gothic architectural detail, Beaux-Arts flair, and 35 ft. ceilings, the 100 year old art-deco theater is basically Halloween porn. On Oct. 26th, it will feel almost magically transformed into a multi-dimensional nightmare (or the stuff of your wildest dreams, depending on your vision).
Bringing you three levels of non-stop entertainment, A Nightmare on Van Ness is one of the hottest Halloween traditions in San Francisco. Its larger-than-life, state-of-the-art decorations are eerily realistic...and very Instagrammable. If that’s not enough to lure you in, consider the performance history over the last several years. A Nightmare on Van Ness has featured star-studded performances by Far East Movement, Dev, LMFAO, and too many other headliners to count. Aside from some of the hottest performers right now, the event also has seven live Top 40 DJs, 4 hours of open bar time for VIPs, and state of the art light and sound production. Best of all (at least in our opinion), you can enter a fun costume contest to win $500!
It’s the ultimate in Halloween debauchery...so naturally, it sells out quickly. Tickets run anywhere from $29 to $89- not bad for such a star quality night!
EVENT INFO:
Oct. 26th
9 PM- 2 AM
The Regency Center
1300 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco
2. Superheroes vs. Villains at the W San Francisco
In your wildest fantasies, are you the superhero or the villain? At this most theatrical of luxury Halloween events, you get to choose your alter ego. It’s also a fantasm of house and EDM music, featuring Justin Credible, EC Twins, Kryoman, and Made Monster. Don your most elaborate costume- you can be as super-sweet or deliciously evil as your heart desires! Especially for the ultra-creative Bay Area, Halloween is a time to step out of reality and into a fantasy for a day! This annual Bay Area Halloween event gives you a fun opportunity to fully embrace your alter ego, and dance until you drop.
To lay it all out for you, the 1st floor is where the DJs make their magic. The second floor is exclusive to VIPs, and is known as the “Secret Layer”. So if you want to delve even deeper into the mystery of the night, enter at your own risk. Just kidding- the second level is actually a svelte, exclusive lounge and industry room, featuring a balcony overlooking the 1st floor. The music on this level is our personal favorite of the evening: Top 40 with some old school hip-hop mixed in for nostalgia’s sake.
On the third floor in Area 51, the magic of Halloween (and state of the art sound production) transforms the area into a ballroom straight out of a fairy tale. With Top 40 hits and ultimate club mixes by Justin Credible and Kryoman, this area will keep you dancing all night long. Who knows- the mood may even get the superheroes mixing with the villains! The 3rd floor also features Area 52, which will turn into a Latin, Moombahton, and Raggaeton paradise as the night blazes on. We love how this super fun event combines multiple party atmospheres, offering something for every unique superhero and villain.
EVENT INFO:
Sat., Oct. 26th
9 PM to 2AM
W San Francisco
181 3rd St.
San Francisco, CA
3. Speakeasy San Francisco Halloween Party Cruise
Is your idea of the ultimate Halloween to be transported back in time? If so, the luxurious Fume Blanc is granting your wishes this year. Step aboard the spacious ship and straight back into the 20s! Have you ever wondered what it was like to indulge your sins during the Prohibition Era? Now you can find out aboard this fun cruise while taking in some of the most iconic spots in the city. Indulge your inner wild child and experience all the glitz, glamour, and drinks a’la the 1920s. But don’t worry- you’re not limited to this era! All costumes are welcome aboard, so if you’re not a flapper at heart, don’t sweat it.
The glorious bay views under a dazzling, moonlit sky adds a serious nostalgia factor to this party. The cruise also has tourist appeal, including some of the most classic Bay Area views: Treasure Island, Alcatraz, The Bay Bridge Lights, Golden Gate Bridge, and of course the breathtaking San Francisco skyline.
Like the ladies and gentlemen you are, you’ll be greeted with a flute of champagne upon arrival. Once the party gets going, two of San Francisco’s top DJs will be playing Open Format all night. In our opinion, this event has just the right amount of elegance and flair.
The event starts at 8, but all guests are expected to arrive at 7:15 for check-in. You’ll be welcomed aboard at Pier 40 at the foot of Townsend Street.
EVENT INFO:
Oct. 26th
8 PM
Pier 40- South Beach Harbor
San Francisco
4. Halloween Alcatraz After Dark: Prison Break Scavenger Hunt
If you celebrate Halloween hardcore and live for the thrills and chills of the holiday, this mind-blowing meetup will satisfy...and scare even the most fearless of revelers. Alcatraz after Dark offers you a chance to step out of the box (and your comfort zone). We don’t need to tell you that Alcatraz is one of the most famously haunted historic sites in American history.
If you’ve ever- and we’re not saying you have- wanted to see the ghastly beauty and grandeur of the bay through the prisoners’ eyes, this is your chance. Hey, it’s Halloween. Why not venture into the macabre? And besides, this event has cultural appeal. Who would have thought at learning experience on Halloween could be so titillating?
This Bay Area Halloween event is an Instagrammable adventure that will go down in history- or, in fact, already has. As a prison guest, you’ll be escorted down the eerie halls and given a history of the horror of what this prison was like in its day. Venture into the cell block, gun gallery, and a hospital straight of out your worst sci-fi nightmares...only it was real back in the day. Why watch horror movies on Halloween when you can live one?
One more interesting tidbit: Some of the attendees are already going dressed as inmates. But if that’s not your thing (and trust us, we don’t blame you), you can dress up in anything you want, including your PJs. Seriously.
EVENT INFO
Oct. 31st
5 PM
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco
5. Black Diamond Mines Halloween Hike
Nature lovers, take heart: there’s a Bay Area Halloween event just for you. You don’t have to be a pro to hike the trails of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve- they’re easy to moderate, and rich with natural beauty and history. While coal mining and nature preservation might seem at odds, this Halloween hike brings them together with stunning views and a walk back in time. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like when the Bay Area first emerged as an industrious community, you’ll be easily able to imagine it on this hike.
It’s not an educational event- just a quaint relaxation hike during which you can muse about the Bay Area’s famed coal mining history- or not. It’s mostly a chance to get some fresh air and enjoy the holiday with friends in a beautiful setting. Some of the sights to see: fertile grassland, foothill woodland, stream vegetation, an evergreen forest, and exotic plantings grown by coal miners and sustained by natural ecosystems.
We know- Halloween is typically all about thrills and chills, so many people who prefer more relaxing celebrations skip out on it altogether. If you’re into quiet, meditative enjoyment but still want to celebrate the holiday, this low-key, enriching adventure might be just right for you.
EVENT INFO:
Sat., Oct. 26th
9 AM-11 AM
Black Diamond Mines
5175 Somersville Rd.
Anticoch, CA
6. 22nd Annual Brazilian Halloween Ball
In association with Tuko Events, KBLO is hosting one of the most exciting events of the season in San Francisco. The Audio nightclub will be throbbing and pulsing with bright lights and the best variety of club anthems, Brazillian top hits, and Baile funk in the city. The Brizillian Ball will also feature Live Roda de Samba to get you on the floor. DJ Djkblo and DJ Double D will infuse the club with sizzling hot energy and sultry beats to make you melt. If your idea of the ultimate Halloween celebration is to dress up in your sexiest attire and dance the night away, this event will take you by storm.
EVENT INFO:
Sun, Oct. 27th
3 PM
Audio Nightclub
San Francisco
7. The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show
What’s Halloween without a bit of mystery? While some like to spend the spooky holiday in pulsing nightclubs, wearing costumes that leave little to the imagination, others prefer a quieter narrative- and that’s perfectly fine. The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show has all the elements- comedy, mystery, theatrics, and delectable food. The culprit could be anyone in the room- he or she could be right behind you, indulging in delicious pan roast chicken and herbed cauliflower. You never know where the actors are...until the mystery is solved right before your eyes. If you love a good old-fashioned interactive murder mystery, this rendition of a classic tradition will thrill and chill you- from the comfort of your seat at the table!
This event will be held at the luxurious Omni Hotel in the heart of San Francisco. With its Old World charm and iconic views of the San Francisco skyline, this venue is a longstanding tourist destination. So if you’re traveling this Halloween, why not treat yourself to dinner and a mystery? The hotel’s cable car takes guests on a tour of the city, from the Bay Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and Union Square. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, taking in the sights and sounds of this city never gets old. And Omni Hotel San Francisco neighbors Embarcadero Shopping Center, so you can make a shop stop before enjoying an elegant dinner Halloween-style.
EVENT INFO:
Sat., Oct. 26th
6 PM
Omni San Francisco Hotel
San Francisco