Not everyone likes the same treats for Halloween. Some crave Candy Corn and Sour Patch Kids; others hold out for Reese’s Cups and Snickers.
Just as tastes differ in treats, so they vary in Halloween entertainment. Fortunately, Silicon Valley arts groups, night spots and local businesses have put forth a packed program of seasonal events to choose from.
Even the biggest players on the cultural scene have some pumpkin-spiced programs this week. First up, cue the screeching violins of the Psycho soundtrack, which have been putting listeners on edge since the Hitchcock film was released in 1960. This composition by Bernard Herrmann is just one of the haunting earworms to be performed at Symphony San Jose’s Symphonic Spooktacular. Conductor Peter Jaffe leads the musicians through J.S. Bach’s Toccata & Fugue, Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, Schubert’s Die Erlkönig, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and three pieces by John Williams. A costume contest adds to the fun, with shows on Oct. 26 at 7:30pm and Oct. 27 at 2:30pm at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose. Tickets are $35–$115; call 408.286.2600 or visit symphonysanjose.org.
Also getting into the spirit of Halloween is New Ballet, which is celebrating a big treat with its Halloween Dance Party, sponsored by Amazon (a title sponsorship secured by board member and former District 3 council rep Raul Peralez). Taking place 7–10pm on Oct. 26 at the top of the Hammer Theatre Center, the event offers a preview of the 2024-25 performance season, a silent auction, a costume contest, a dance party with tunes provided by DJ Jay Torres of Latizmo Hip Hop Productions Silent Auction, and catered treats, including pizza from in-kind sponsor Pizza My Heart. Costumes encouraged but not required.
New Ballet’s most important fundraising event of the year, the event provides new costumes and refreshed set pieces for The San José Nutcracker, scholarships for local youth, viewing opportunities for families from local Title 1 Schools, and a shush-free preview for families affected with cognitive and sensory disabilities. For more information, visit newballet.com/halloween.
A leading force in Silicon Valley’s literary scene, Menlo Park–based Kepler’s is hosting a Halloween party for adults from 6–9pm on Oct. 31. Expect drinks, games, prizes, a literary-themed costume contest and readings of work by spooky authors. Tickets are $29.34+ on Eventbrite.com.
Bars & Clubs
The Quarter Note in Sunnyvale doubles down on All Hallow’s Eve, throwing one party starting at 8pm on Oct. 25, with live music by Skeleton Cru and a “Scary-oke” open mic. The fun goes on noon–8pm on Oct. 26 with live music, barbecue, and a car show. The action continues into the night.
Number 1 Broadway hosts its annual Halloween Party starting at 7pm on Oct. 26 with live music by Neverland Band, plus a mix from DJ Aaron E. There will be a costume contest with prizes. Tickets are $20 adv/$30 door.
The national website PubCrawls.com hosts a bar-hopping bash Saturday, Oct. 26 in downtown San Jose. Tickets for the San Jose Pubcrawl Halloween Party are available on Eventbrite.
Fans of reggaeton can celebrate the holiday early with DJ Playboi at Perreo SJ Halloween, kicking off at 10pm on Oct. 26 at the Corinthian Ballroom (19 N. 3rd St., San Jose). Tickets start at $17.85 on Eventbrite.
Mike’s Place on Camden Avenue in San Jose is more than ready for Halloween, throwing a Scarryoake Party on Oct. 26 at 7pm and a Haunt-Rockin’ DJ Halloween Party at 7pm on Oct. 31. One can expect costume contests, prizes and ghostly drinks.
Those in search of the supernatural can make a connection at Courts Lounge on Oct. 30, when the Bay Area Tarot Lady makes her weekly visits to the Campbell bar from 7–11pm at 2425 S Bascom Ave, Campbell.
Club Fox in Redwood City hosts a Halloween Bash Costume Party on Oct. 26 featuring cover band Pop Fiction. And then on Oct. 30, the Daniel Castro Band keeps the Halloween spirit going with a blues jam starting at 6pm. Tickets on Eventbrite.com.
Olla Cocina raises spirits with free mezcal tastings for Halloween from 3–7pm on Oct. 31, with face-painting available to augment costumes. More information is available on Eventbrite; plus, the restaurant is celebrating Dia De Los Muertos on Nov. 2.
The BottleShop in Redwood City hosts a Halloween Beetleguise Bash, with DJ music, passed appetizers and wine, running 6pm to 1am on Oct. 31.
Ludwig’s Biergarten in Mountain View is hosting an all-day party on Oct. 31, with special cocktails for grownups and treats for kids. Also in Mountain View, Fred’s Place puts on a Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 31, with spooky drinks, karaoke and a costume contest.
On Halloween itself, join Bosco from RuPaul’s Drag Race for a drag tribute to Rocky Horror Picture Show at San Jose Improv. Audience participation—singing, dancing, wearing costumes—is encouraged. The show begins at 8pm on Oct. 31. Tickets are $31.14–$113.80. Get details at improv.com/sanjose or 408.280.7475.
Kid Stuff
Families are invited to downtown Campbell for two seasonal happenings: Thrill the World Zombie Crawl, presented by Adira Dance and Costume, with dancers performing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” moves in various spots downtown on Oct. 26 between 7 and 9pm. The next day, Creepy Crawly Halloween welcomes costumed visitors to downtown Campbell, where they can stroll the streets from 4 to 6pm on Oct. 27, show off their costumes and pick up some sweet treats.
California’s Great America offers a Halloween treat, with reduced admission through Oct. 26 at the Santa Clara amusement park, plus Halloween activities, live shows, a costume contest, and seasonal food and treats. cagreatamerica.com
At Happy Hollow’s Green Halloween, the park and zoo unleashes an alliterative load of sustainable fun 11am–2pm on Oct. 26, with a Creepy Crawly Critter Show, cute crafts, ghoulish games and decomposing decor, along with animated animal encounters throughout the zoo.
The opulent gardens and interior of the Filoli mansion are on display for Nightfall, held 5:30–9pm Wed.–Sun. through Nov. 3. The historic Woodside estate has been transformed for the season, with a candlelit walk through the house followed by a garden stroll illuminated by jack-o’-lanterns and dramatic lighting, plus thematically appropriate libations at Jack’s Bar. filoli.org
The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park is offering Guild-o-Ween on Oct. 31, an all-ages night of comedy and magic that starts at 6pm. Emcee Robert Strong—a musician and comedian—presides over a night of entertainment featuring magician David Martinez, juggler Jefferson Freire, and clowns Jamie Coventry, Natasha Kaluza and Sterling Johnson. Tickets are $49.83–$191.20.
Businesses along The Alameda celebrate Hallowmeda on Oct. 31, starting with Storytime With the San Jose Library at the corner of Shasta Avenue and The Alameda at 10:30am, followed by trick-or-treating with participating businesses from 10am–5pm and a Culture Night Market from 4–10pm at Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center.
