San Francisco does Halloween with real neighborhood spirit: whole blocks close to cars, porches go all out, and museums and plazas throw free parties for little ghouls. Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday, so expect bigger, earlier crowds. Here’s where to trick-or-treat, which family events to put on the calendar, and where to pick a pumpkin without leaving the city.
Family Halloween events
Trick-or-Treat at the Ferry Building · Thu, Oct 29, 5–7pm
A family trick-or-treat through the Ferry Building Marketplace, with candy handed out while supplies last. Free.
Randall Museum Family Halloween Day · Sat, Oct 24, 10am–2pm
Free admission to games, crafts, tricks and treats, costume awards and live entertainment at the city’s kid-focused museum on Corona Heights.
Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City · Sat, Oct 24, noon–5pm
Trick-or-treat stations, a mini pumpkin patch, crafts, a costume contest and an outdoor screening of E.T. next to Chase Center. Free (RSVP).
SuperNatural at Cal Academy · Sat, Oct 24, 6:30–9pm
The Academy’s family Halloween night, with trick-or-treat stations, live animal demos, face painting, a silent disco and a teen lounge. Every adult ticket must come with a child. Adults $60, ages 3–17 $45, 2 and under free.
Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens · Sat, Oct 31, noon–3pm
The 26th annual Hoopla in the Children’s Garden is made for kids under 10 and their grown-ups, with Circus Bella performers, a live trio and a costume parade to finish. Free with RSVP.
Chinatown Halloween Festival · Sat, Oct 31, 11am–3pm
The 12th annual block party on Waverly Place has a pumpkin patch, crafts, games and a costume contest. Free.
Fillmore After Dark Halloween Night Market · Sat, Oct 31, 4–9pm
A free night market at 1500 Fillmore St with a Kids Scream Zone: spooky bounce houses, trunk-or-treating, costume contests (including best family group), classic cars and a food and maker bazaar.
Still to be announced for 2026: SF Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo, Ghirardelli Square’s Halloween event, and the Día de los Muertos procession in the Mission (Nov 2). We’ll add them to the events calendar once dates are confirmed.
Where to trick-or-treat
Neighbors apply to close their own blocks each year, so the official 2026 list of street closures appears on the SFMTA website in late October. These neighborhoods have been family favorites in recent years (times below are from 2025):
Belvedere Street, Cole Valley
The city’s most famous Halloween block, with houses that go all out and thousands of pieces of candy. In 2025 it closed to cars from 17th Street to Parnassus, 4–10pm. Go early: it’s steep, packed, and candy runs out.
Noe Valley (Fair Oaks Street)
Flat, stroller-friendly Fair Oaks Street (22nd–26th) closed 5–8:30pm in 2025, and the 24th Street area joins in too.
Bernal Heights (Cortland Avenue)
Cortland Avenue and nearby side streets closed 4:30–8:30pm in 2025, with merchants handing out treats along the main strip.
NoPa (Grove Street)
A neighborhood block party with a haunted house and kids’ costume contest. Residents ask visiting families to chip in candy.
Glen Park
Chenery Street closed 4–9:30pm in 2025. It’s a small-town main street lined with carved pumpkins, and easy to reach on BART.
Marina, Inner Sunset & Presidio Heights
Avila Street in the Marina, 12th Avenue in the Inner Sunset (near Clancy’s pumpkin patch), and Lake Street at Presidio Terrace all closed for trick-or-treaters in 2025.
Pumpkin patches in the city
Clancy’s Pumpkins · Inner Sunset
A neighborhood pumpkin lot at 1620 7th Ave (at Lawton), open daily 9am–9pm from October 2 to 31. Note: Clancy’s has just one location this year.
You’ll also find mini pumpkin patches at Thrill-O-Ween (Oct 24) and the Chinatown Halloween Festival (Oct 31).
Tips for a smooth night
- Take Muni. Riders 18 and under ride free, and parking near the famous blocks is nearly impossible.
- Dress for fog. Pick costumes that fit over warm layers, and add reflective tape or a light for dark, hilly streets.
- Want to close your own block? SFMTA’s trick-or-treat closure permit starts at $56 if you apply early, with neighbor sign-off required.
More family events this fall
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival
Fiesta de las Américas
Plaza Palooza Festival
San Francisco Turkish Festival
Kite by the Bay
Event details checked in September 2026. Street closures change every year; check SFMTA’s list before you go.
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