10 Ways to Celebrate Halloween
If you’re as happy for Halloween as we are, then check out these sometimes-ghoulish, always-fun events.
The Hangtown Music Festival is back in full force for their 10th anniversary. From October 21-24 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, you’ll get to some amazing music from over 20 bands, in addition to late-night shows, themed costumes, craft beer, artisanal cuisine, pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, yoga, and more. There will also be a KidZone for monster art, dance parties, and the like. Young or young at heart, there’s something for everyone. hangtownfestival.com
Tired of searching in dusty fields for your perfect pumpkin? Wade through the waters of Mike Shellito Indoor Pool instead, at the Floating Pumpkin Patch on October 24 from 1-4 p.m. Once you pick your pumpkin, decorate it at the decorating station, and enjoy the rest of the day with games, bounce houses, and story time. Costumes are encouraged! roseville.ca.us/residents/city_events/floating_pumpkin_patch
Crawl, slither, or limp your way to Spooky Street (East Bidwell Street and Riley Street) on October 31 from 5-7 p.m. for an evening of costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carvers, a DJ dance party, and more. Each child will receive a pumpkin and trick-or-treat bag and donations from the craft station will benefit Twin Lakes Food Bank. heartoffolsom.com
FestiFall is calling this Halloween (October 30) with good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, fun and games, and treats of all kinds at participating merchants on Historic Folsom’s Sutter Street. Enjoy a preview of Annie at 2 p.m. and a kids’ costume contest at 3 p.m. at the amphitheater. Come donned in your most ghoulish, garish, and glamorous costumes! historicfolsom.org/events-schedule
Don’t let the scarecrows at the Palladio at Broadstone scare you away! Check out the displayed submissions for the Scarecrow Contest that will benefit breast cancer campaign, Paint Sacramento Pink, and tune into the judging of the top 20 submissions on October 24—where five winners will receive cash prizes and gift cards. There will also be costumed characters and trick-or-treating to amp up the fun. gopalladio.com
Take a walk on hallowed grounds with American River Conservancy’s Halloween Cemeteries Walking Tour on October 30 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You’ll visit four historic cemeteries (Smith Flat Cemetery, Old Uppertown Cemetery, Old City Cemetery, and Saint John’s Catholic Cemetery) and investigate gravestone markers dating back to the 1850s. Ages 10+ are welcome; pre-registration is required. app.donorview.com/V13Go
Roseville Parks, Recreation, & Libraries has a jam-packed Halloween-themed month with activities for children of all ages. Monster Mash Halloween Bash (October 23 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.) is for ages 2-5 and involves tot-friendly crafts and treats; Halloween Pumpkin Party (October 30 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.) will also have themed crafts and treats for ages 6-9; and LEGO Haunted House Workshop (October 30 from 10 a.m.-noon) will have kids ages 7-12 engineer their own trap then see if their LEGO minifigure can go through and make it out of the haunted house. roseville.ca.us/government/departments/parks/programs_classes
Ghosts abound at the Old Town Auburn Ghost Tour on October 23, October 30, and November 6 from 6:30 p.m. onwards. Explore Auburn’s rich history through 10 different stops and learn of its ghostly haunts. You’ll also get to meet fascinating people such as the legendary Alma Bell, Rattlesnake Dick, and Big Dip. Ages 8+ are welcome. sites.google.com/view/goldcountryghosttours
Bacchus House Bistro’s Halloween Jam on October 30 promises a howlin’ good time with its tribute to classic Hollywood movie monsters. Specialty spirits, tricks, and treats will be in abundance, along with live music, giveaways, and prizes for a costume contest. The fun (and dinner) begins at 5 p.m. Call 916-984-7500 to RSVP. bacchushousebistro.com
Spirits, Brews, & Bites
Shop, sip, and nibble your way through Sutter Street with Spirits, Brews, & Bites on October 23 from 2-5 p.m. This grown-up trick-or-treating event brings local breweries and distilleries to the historic district. Sample eats and drinks at the barbers, the blacksmiths, and along balconies and back patios. There will also be live music throughout the district and a costume contest. historicfolsom.org/events-schedule
Hangtown Music Festival
The Hangtown Music Festival is back in full force for their 10th anniversary. From October 21-24 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, you’ll get to some amazing music from over 20 bands, in addition to late-night shows, themed costumes, craft beer, artisanal cuisine, pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, yoga, and more. There will also be a KidZone for monster art, dance parties, and the like. Young or young at heart, there’s something for everyone. hangtownfestival.com
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Tired of searching in dusty fields for your perfect pumpkin? Wade through the waters of Mike Shellito Indoor Pool instead, at the Floating Pumpkin Patch on October 24 from 1-4 p.m. Once you pick your pumpkin, decorate it at the decorating station, and enjoy the rest of the day with games, bounce houses, and story time. Costumes are encouraged! roseville.ca.us/residents/city_events/floating_pumpkin_patch
Crawl, slither, or limp your way to Spooky Street (East Bidwell Street and Riley Street) on October 31 from 5-7 p.m. for an evening of costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carvers, a DJ dance party, and more. Each child will receive a pumpkin and trick-or-treat bag and donations from the craft station will benefit Twin Lakes Food Bank. heartoffolsom.com
FestiFall is calling this Halloween (October 30) with good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, fun and games, and treats of all kinds at participating merchants on Historic Folsom’s Sutter Street. Enjoy a preview of Annie at 2 p.m. and a kids’ costume contest at 3 p.m. at the amphitheater. Come donned in your most ghoulish, garish, and glamorous costumes! historicfolsom.org/events-schedule
Don’t let the scarecrows at the Palladio at Broadstone scare you away! Check out the displayed submissions for the Scarecrow Contest that will benefit breast cancer campaign, Paint Sacramento Pink, and tune into the judging of the top 20 submissions on October 24—where five winners will receive cash prizes and gift cards. There will also be costumed characters and trick-or-treating to amp up the fun. gopalladio.com
Halloween Cemeteries Walking Tour
Take a walk on hallowed grounds with American River Conservancy’s Halloween Cemeteries Walking Tour on October 30 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You’ll visit four historic cemeteries (Smith Flat Cemetery, Old Uppertown Cemetery, Old City Cemetery, and Saint John’s Catholic Cemetery) and investigate gravestone markers dating back to the 1850s. Ages 10+ are welcome; pre-registration is required. app.donorview.com/V13Go
Roseville Parks, Recreation, & Libraries has a jam-packed Halloween-themed month with activities for children of all ages. Monster Mash Halloween Bash (October 23 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.) is for ages 2-5 and involves tot-friendly crafts and treats; Halloween Pumpkin Party (October 30 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.) will also have themed crafts and treats for ages 6-9; and LEGO Haunted House Workshop (October 30 from 10 a.m.-noon) will have kids ages 7-12 engineer their own trap then see if their LEGO minifigure can go through and make it out of the haunted house. roseville.ca.us/government/departments/parks/programs_classes
Old Town Auburn Ghost Tour
Ghosts abound at the Old Town Auburn Ghost Tour on October 23, October 30, and November 6 from 6:30 p.m. onwards. Explore Auburn’s rich history through 10 different stops and learn of its ghostly haunts. You’ll also get to meet fascinating people such as the legendary Alma Bell, Rattlesnake Dick, and Big Dip. Ages 8+ are welcome. sites.google.com/view/goldcountryghosttours
Bacchus House Bistro’s Halloween Jam on October 30 promises a howlin’ good time with its tribute to classic Hollywood movie monsters. Specialty spirits, tricks, and treats will be in abundance, along with live music, giveaways, and prizes for a costume contest. The fun (and dinner) begins at 5 p.m. Call 916-984-7500 to RSVP. bacchushousebistro.com
by Tara Mendanha
Spirits, Brews, & Bites photo by Menka Belgal. Hangtown Music Festival photo by Susan J. Weiand. Cemetery Tour photo by Monica Udvardy. Old Town Auburn Ghost Tours photo by Thaddeus Toste. Other photo courtesy of its respective company or organization.