Feeling a bit ghoulish these days? Richmondside has you covered when it comes to finding fun things to do for Halloween in Richmond.
Here are 13 hopefully NOT unlucky Halloween-related events taking place through Oct. 31.
For more events news, read our weekly What’s Up column, published every Thursday, and our free public calendar, which you can add your listings to.
- Ghostly historical tour of downtown Point Richmond
You can learn about Point Richmond’s history during a guided walk through downtown.
The 8th Annual Haunted Halloween History Hike will take place on Sat., Oct. 26, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants will gather at the Sentinel statue in the downtown triangle at Park Place and Washington Avenue to start the kid-friendly, dog-friendly tour.
The hike ends at the Biancoverde Restaurant at Hotel Mac, 50 Washington Ave.
Along the way, actors portraying famous Point Richmond characters such as Juan Bautista Alvarado and Martha Crichett will recount their lives.
There will also be ghost stories told at some of the historic buildings. The story of the Ghost of the Bathing Lady will be shared at the Biancoverde Restaurant.
Tickets are $20 in advance.
- Haunted house returns to Macdonald Avenue
A haunted house will open this week to offer screams and scares in downtown Richmond.
Leftside Printing is hosting its annual haunted house this Thursday through Sunday and on Halloween, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at 1418 Macdonald Ave.
Tickets are $10 or buy a $50 package for six brave souls.
- Richmond Police haunted house
The Richmond Police Department is organizing a little frightful fun for the Halloween season.
The Richmond Cops and Goblins haunted house will be open on Sat., Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police substation at 1701 Regatta Blvd.
The free event includes a barbecue lunch cooked up by police grill masters as well as trick-or-treating for kids and, of course, a trip through a haunted house.
There will also be an outdoor resource fair providing information for community members.
- Community Halloween costume party
A potluck and costume contest will be part of a Halloween party in Point Richmond.
The free event is on Thurs., Oct. 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Parents, Resources and More (PRAM) RC Fieldhouse at 110 E. Richmond Ave.
Participants are encouraged wear costumes and bring a dish to share.
Prizes will be awarded in the following age categories: Baby, 1-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-13. The best family costume will also be recognized.
- Halloween show, dancing and potluck on Saturday
You can enjoy a Halloween-themed party and help a good cause this weekend.
The October Show and Pot Luck is being held on Sat., Oct. 26, at the Hidden City Ballroom, 304 Washington Ave. in Point Richmond. The event is free, but a donation of $15 is requested to benefit UNICEF.
The program begins at 2 p.m. with Halloween decorating and snacks. It’s followed by dancing at 2:30 p.m..
At 3 p.m. there will be a Thrill the World Dance Performance where party-goers dance along with thousands of others worldwide with the same moves at the same time.
A line dance instructing participants how to do Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance begins at 3:30 p.m.
The festivities close out at 4:30 p.m. with a costume contest.
- Costume contest going to the dogs
The Point Isabel Dog Owners (PIDO) organization is sponsoring a Halloween costume contest for dogs.
The annual Barktoberfest celebration is on Sun., Oct. 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. There is a parade in addition to the costume contest.
The event is free to PIDO members and their friends.
Participants are asked to gather in the field north of the Mudpuppy’s Sit and Stay Café at 1 Isabel St.
- Halloween for horses, too
Dress up yourself and your horse and enjoy a ride through the park.
The Halloween Trail Ride is being held on Sun., Oct. 27, beginning at 11 a.m. in Point Pinole Regional Park, 5551 Giant Highway in Richmond.
Participants are encouraged to wear a costume and also dress up their horse.
The event is sponsored by the Tri-Cities Horsemen Association.
- Solve puzzles and escape from a room this Halloween season
The Richmond library system has been celebrating Halloween every Wednesday this month with free escape room-style puzzle-solving events.
The next BreakOut E.D. Boo is on Wed., Oct. 30, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the main library, 325 Civic Center Plaza.
The puzzles are designed for middle school and high school students, but all ages are welcome to give them a try.
“BreakOut Edu are portable escape room challenges and puzzles that are designed for educators to help students to build social-emotional skills like teamwork, empathy, problem-solving, perseverance, and a growth mindset. Each week we are offering a different fun spooktacular challenge. Participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, bring their friends, and see how fast they can solve the puzzles,” library officials said.
- Pumpkin patches — or pumpkin paintball!
It’s not Halloween without a pumpkin on the porch, right?
While local grocery stores sell them, it’s not quite the same as taking the kids to a pumpkin patch. You can have that experience at The Backyard Wine and Beer Garden, 205 Cutting Blvd., where there’s a small urban pumpkin patch set up for toddlers to play in while their parents socialize. The patch is open Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Halloween.
Another city-style pumpkin patch is open at Golden State Farms at Hilltop Mall. This patch has the usual array of stacked pumpkins along with inflatable slides and a pumpkin paintball arena. Golden State Farms is open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
- Jack-o-lanterns lead way to school festival
A pumpkin patch will highlight a Halloween celebration that benefits a local school.
The Pumpkin Patch Festival is being held on Sat., Oct. 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Wildcat Community School, 3800 Clark Road in El Sobrante.
Visitors can follow a trail of lighted jack-o-lanterns to treat-or-treat stations that include games and hidden treasures.
Organizers ask those attending to avoid wearing scary costumes and to leave play weapons at home. Bring a bag to collect goodies.
Tickets bought in advance are $12.51, including fees. Tickets at the gate are $17.85, including fees. Proceeds go to Wildcat Community School.
- Costume contest and candy on Solano Avenue
Kick off Halloween evening with trick-or-treating and a costume contest on Solano Avenue.
The Halloween on Solano Avenue event features a contest for best Halloween costumes, beginning at 5 p.m. at Solano-Peralta Park, 1559 Solano Ave.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
Most stores and offices on Solano Avenue will be giving out candy from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- ‘Trick or Trunk’ celebration in San Pablo Thursday
San Pablo will celebrate its annual City Hall-o-ween with a car-centered celebration Thursday.
The festivities will include a “trick or trunk” event where the trunks of city vehicles are transformed into Halloween creations.
Families are invited to dress in costumes and check out the festivities.
The free event is Thurs., Oct. 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave.
13. Pickleball in the dark!
Ever try to play pickleball in the dark?
You can get your chance at a Spooky Pickleball Dash that on Sat., Oct. 26, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South.
The event, which features glow-in-the-dark pickleballs, also includes a costume contest and games.
The Pickleball Dash is $25 for Craneway Pavilion members, $35 for non-members and $15 for children ages 5 to 12.
Find Halloween fun in your neighborhood
If the above dozen ideas aren’t enough, get the scoop on celebrating Halloween using the NextDoor app.
The app has a special trick-or-treat map of where the fun might be in your neighborhood.
You can hunt for the best decorated homes or check out who is giving out treats. In addition, you can add your house as well if you’re participating in the Halloween fun.
