Santa Barbara Halloween Guide
Halloween in Santa Barbara has a little of everything: pumpkin patches in Goleta, trick-or-treating on Coast Village Road, a ballet at the Granada and rooftop parties downtown. We put together our favorites for the week, from family outings to grown-up evenings, plus a few indoor options in case the weather turns. However you celebrate, we hope to see you out in costume.
If It Rains
Dracula, A Dark Shadow: Gothic, cinematic and brand new: State Street Ballet's take on Dracula, with the Kronos Quartet playing Philip Glass live. Learn More.
Friday, October 30th – Saturday, October 31st | Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 pm | The Granada Theatre (1214 State St)
Planetarium Show: Witch's Ride: A thrilling show under the planetarium dome, with the Natural History Museum's resident witch flying you through the night sky. Learn More.
Saturday, October 31st | 12 pm & 3 pm | SB Museum of Natural History (2559 Puesta del Sol)
Halloween Storytime at Godmothers: A Little G's storytime with Midnight Manor, a delightfully spooky picture book for kids and grown-ups alike. Learn More.
Saturday, October 31st | 11 am – 12 pm | Godmothers (2280 Lillie Ave, Summerland)
Trick-or-Treating
Halloween at the Public Market: Grab a meal and enjoy a full day of indoor trick-or-treating, with candy from every vendor and a costume contest for all ages. Learn More.
Saturday, October 31st | 11 am – 9 pm | Santa Barbara Public Market (38 W Victoria St)
Ghost Village Road: Take a trip down Coast Village Road this Halloween afternoon for trick-or-treating fun! Coast Village businesses will be decorated and dressed up, ready to hand out candy to families. Learn More.
Saturday, October 31st | 3 – 6 pm | Coast Village Road, Montecito
Trunk-or-Treat: Join a free evening of Halloween fun with SB Parks & Rec. Dress up and stop by to collect candy, explore decorated trunks, and vote for your favorite! Learn More.
Thursday, October 29th | 5 – 7:30 pm | Spencer Adams Parking Lot (1235 Chapala St)
Family-Friendly Fun
Boo at the Zoo: A staple Santa Barbara tradition! Families can trick-or-treat throughout the grounds, take a ride on the "Boo-Choo-Choo" train, and enjoy costume contests and candy stations set against ocean views. Learn More.
Daily through Saturday, October 31st | 10 am – 3 pm | Santa Barbara Zoo (500 Niños Dr)
Spooky Movie Nights: Bring blankets and chairs to the Paseo Nuevo parking garage rooftop for a free spooky movie and complimentary popcorn. Friday's movie: Halloweentown! Learn More.
Friday, October 30th | 7 – 9 pm | Paseo Nuevo (651 Paseo Nuevo)
Boo-Cara Halloween Celebration: A one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration for families, with property-wide trick-or-treating, family games, hands-on art projects, and a haunted house. Tickets required. Learn More.
Friday, October 30th | 5 – 7 pm | The Ritz-Carlton Bacara (8301 Hollister Ave, Goleta)
Pumpkin Picks
Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch: Take a hayride, explore tractors and farm equipment, view educational displays, or try making it out of the iconic corn maze. And of course, choose your very own pumpkin to take home! Learn More.
Daily through Saturday, October 31st | 12 – 7 pm (Oct 31: 10 am – 5 pm) | Lane Farms (308 S Walnut Ln)
Big Wave Dave's: Shop a wide variety of pumpkins under the big tent on Upper State, plus gourds, corn stalks, and hay bales for the porch. Learn More.
Daily through Saturday, October 31st | 11 am – 8 pm, Fri 10 am – 9 pm (Oct 31: 10 am – 6 pm) | La Cumbre Plaza (3865 State St)
Montecito Country Mart Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkins on the honor system. Choose your pumpkin, pay at the drop box, then grab a coffee or do some shopping at the Country Mart! Learn More.
Daily through Saturday, October 31st | 10 am – 6 pm | Montecito Country Mart (1016 Coast Village Rd)
Spooky Experiences & Traditions
Santa Barbara Ghost Tours: A spooky walk exploring local folklore, ghost stories, and haunted tales tied to historic Santa Barbara sites, including El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. Learn More.
Year-round | Dates & times vary | Downtown Santa Barbara
Annual Witchy Paddle: Join dozens of paddleboarders and kayakers in full witch and wizard garb as they cruise through the Santa Barbara Harbor. A silly, fun Halloween tradition by the beach! Learn More.
Saturday, October 31st | 10:30 am – 12 pm | Paddle Sports Center (117 B Harbor Way)
Poison Garden Murder Mystery Dinner Party: Join a suspenseful yet lighthearted evening of intrigue and laughter. This interactive murder mystery, hosted by They Improv, includes a prix-fixe buffet dinner, a cash bar, and a mystery to uncover. Learn More.
Friday, October 30th | 6:30 pm | The Steward (5490 Hollister Ave, Goleta)
Evening Parties & Nightlife (21+)
Santa Barbara Zombie Crawl: Grab some friends and dress up for this annual Halloween bar crawl. Centered on Downtown's Lower State Street, the crawl takes you to several local nightlife venues, like EOS Lounge. Learn More.
Friday, October 30th – Saturday, October 31st | 7 pm | Lower State Street
"Bass to the Bone" Halloween Party: A Halloween rooftop rave with DJ Thee-O, spooky sips and bites, and dancing under the stars at the Kimpton Canary Hotel. Learn More.
Saturday, October 31st | 6 – 9 pm | Kimpton Canary Hotel (31 W Carrillo St)
Halloween at Carr Winery: A bone-chilling Halloween in the Funk Zone! Enjoy happy hour specials and the special release of Carr Winery's Pink Monster wine. Learn More.
Friday, October 30th – Saturday, October 31st | 12 – 6 pm | Carr Winery (414 N Salsipuedes St)
