Weekend Guide: Things to Do in Santa Cruz & Monterey, October 31 - November 1
Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, and Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties are throwing the whole weekend at it: the Boardwalk runs Halloween at the Boardwalk with trick-or-treating until 8 PM, the Wharf closes out its 13 Days of Halloween with an evening of candy and a Thriller flash mob, the Aptos Village Halloween Parade fills the Village Green, and Felton and Boulder Creek merchants hand out treats all evening. Then the calendar flips to November and the celebrations turn to remembrance: Watsonville's Día de Muertos weekend fills the Plaza with altars, dance and music, North Salinas honors the dead at MILPA's free celebration in Ensen Park, and Pajaro Valley Arts opens its Day of the Dead exhibition. Add monarchs gathering by the thousands at Natural Bridges, the otters and shorebirds of Elkhorn Slough, farmers markets on both days, and a live music lineup from Felton Music Hall to the Rio Theatre, and this is a weekend worth planning around. This is your share-ready guide, from someone who has called this coast home for more than 50 years.
I am Kieron Bery, a REALTOR® and Pricing Strategy Advisor with Century 21 Masters, and every event on this list was verified as current this week. One honest note for the North Monterey County crowd: Aromas, Prunedale, and Royal Oaks are keeping this weekend deliciously quiet, so your best bets down that corridor are the Castroville trunk-or-treat and the Day of the Dead celebrations up Highway 101 in Salinas. Costumes out, ofrendas ready, here is your plan for October 31 - November 1.
Saturday, October 31: Halloween Day
Saturday Farmers Markets
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Scotts Valley Farmers Market at Graham Plaza, 219 Mt. Hermon Road: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market, Mission Street Extension at Western Drive: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Three Saturday markets, all running Halloween morning. Aptos at Cabrillo is the county's big weekend ritual and runs year-round, Scotts Valley keeps its season rolling at Graham Plaza through late November, and the Westside market is a Santa Cruz original. Late October is peak winter squash, pomegranate, and apple season, so stock the pumpkin bread ingredients first, then get to the candy crawl.
Halloween at the Boardwalk
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street | Boardwalk admission free
The Boardwalk goes full Halloween: trick-or-treating runs from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM with a $12 Trick-or-Treat Package that includes a collectible Boardwalk candy bag and a MyBoardwalk Card for games, plus an Alex Ramon Magic Show and a Fright Walk through the beachside Boardwalk. Snap a photo at the Main Entrance costume-contest banner to enter, rides and the arcade run all day, and regular admission stays free. Candy by the beach, costumes encouraged.
Trick-or-Treating on the Wharf & the 13 Days Finale
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Halloween day | Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf | Free
The Wharf's 13 Days of Halloween (October 19-31) ends with its biggest day: trick-or-treating 3:00 to 6:00 PM along the Wharf, with participating shops and restaurants handing out candy and special guests in costume. Thrill the World Santa Cruz performs its free Thriller flash mob at Wharf Commons at 3:00 PM, and the Great Pumpkin scavenger hunt closes out all 13 days. Free, on the water, and the most Santa Cruz sunset of the year.
Downtown Santa Cruz Trick or Treat on Pacific Avenue
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Pacific Avenue, Downtown Santa Cruz | Free
Downtown merchants roll out the candy on Pacific Avenue for an afternoon of store-to-store trick-or-treating in the heart of the city. Pair it with the Boardwalk and the Wharf for a full day on foot along the waterfront and downtown.
Aptos Village Halloween Parade
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, line-up on the Village Green | Aptos Village Green, 161 Aptos Village Way | Free
The Aptos Chamber of Commerce hosts Halloween on the Village Green in front of New Leaf Community Market: costumes, candy, trick-or-treating at local businesses, face painting, crafts, and vendors, with treats from CHP and Central Fire in the mix. Small-town, free, and exactly the neighborhood Halloween I grew up with.
San Lorenzo Valley Merchant Trick-or-Treats
Downtown Felton Trick-or-Treating, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Felton merchants, Downtown Felton | Free
Downtown Boulder Creek Trick or Treat, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Boulder Creek Business Association, Downtown Boulder Creek | Free
The San Lorenzo Valley keeps Halloween wonderfully old-school: Felton's downtown merchants stay open to hand out candy, and the Boulder Creek Business Association lines up trick-or-treating starting at the table in front of the Sheriff station, with candy from downtown shops as you wind through town. Grab dinner at a felton favorite or stop for cocoa and make an evening of the redwoods.
North Monterey County & the Highway 101 Corridor
Halloween Fun, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM | North County Recreation Center, 11261 Crane Street, Castroville
The North County Recreation and Park District throws the big family afternoon on the Castroville side of North Monterey County: a Kids Costume Contest, a Catrina & Catrín costume contest, Trunk or Treat, carnival games, and face painting. This is the one for families from Prunedale, Royal Oaks, and Aromas, just a short drive up the corridor.
Downtown Salinas Trick or Treat, from 11:00 AM | Downtown Salinas | Free
Malloween at Northridge Mall, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Northridge Mall, Salinas
Up Highway 101, Salinas does Halloween all day: Downtown Salinas merchants start trick-or-treating at 11:00 AM, and Malloween at Northridge Mall keeps it going from 4:00 to 8:00 PM with trick-or-treating, costume contests, and a science show.
Monterey: Halloween on the Wharf, Trick-or-Treat by the Bay
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Old Fisherman's Wharf, 201 Washington Street, Monterey | Free
Old Fisherman's Wharf brings back its eighth year of Trick-or-Treat by the Bay: candy at wharf businesses, a costume contest with cash prizes, and the harbor sparkling behind it all. Free, family friendly, and the easiest Halloween plan on the Peninsula.
Live Music & Halloween Nightlife
Jerry's Middle Finger "Halloween Ball" at Felton Music Hall, 8607 Highway 9, Felton: doors 7:00 PM, show 8:00 PM
The Grateful Dead-inspired favorite throws its annual two-night Halloween Ball up in Felton, with Saturday night costumes very much encouraged. Get tickets ahead, this one fills the redwood room.
Rave at the Grave at The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz: 7:00 PM
The Catalyst's Halloween-themed party night brings the beats downtown Saturday evening. Costumes mandatory-ish, dancing non-negotiable.
AJ Lee & Blue Summit at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz: 8:00 PM
The acclaimed bluegrass band plays a Halloween show at the Rio, one of the sweetest rooms in town. High-energy picking for a Saturday night.
Steel Bonnet Brewing Co., Santa Cruz: "Tails on Tap: Paint Your Pet with Suzy Rad," 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Brewery fun with a dog-friendly twist: sip, paint your pet, and enjoy the taproom with the whole crew.
Sunday, November 1: Día de los Muertos
Sunday Farmers Markets
Live Oak/Eastside Farmers Market, 15th Avenue at East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Marina Certified Farmers Market, Marina Village Center, 215 Reservation Road: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Carmel Valley Certified Farmers Market, Mid-Valley Shopping Center, 9550 Carmel Valley Road: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Live Oak is the only Sunday market in Santa Cruz County, so treat it like the institution it is: grab the fall haul and walk two blocks to the water. Marina keeps the Sunday market going just off Highway 1, and Carmel Valley brings the season's harvest to the Mid-Valley center.
Watsonville Día de Muertos: A Full Day in the Plaza
Calles Libres: Día de los Muertos celebration, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Around Callaghan Park and Brennan Street, Watsonville | Free
Watsonville Día de Muertos Festival, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Watsonville Plaza; some 2026 listings point to Callaghan Park, 225 Sudden Street | Free
Watsonville dedicates the whole day to remembrance. First, Calles Libres turns the streets around Callaghan Park into a free car-free celebration with biking, a bike rodeo, art, wellness activities like Zumba and yoga, family games, food vendors, music, and a community altar. Then the Watsonville Film Festival's annual Día de Muertos festival takes over in the early evening with about 15 community ofrendas honoring local residents, live music and dance from folklorico, mariachi and Aztec performers, face painting, sugar-skull decorating, an artisan market, food, and a free outdoor screening of "Coco." Free, moving, and the most meaningful evening on the Central Coast this time of year. Check watsonvillefilmfest.org for the final venue before you head out.
Pajaro Valley Arts: "Mi Casa es Tu Casa 2026: Caminos de Recuerdo / Paths of Remembrance," opening reception 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Pajaro Valley Arts gallery, Watsonville
The gallery's annual Día de los Muertos exhibition opens Sunday with a reception and stays on view through December 7. Local artists, community altars, and the stories of the Pajaro Valley, all in one beautiful room.
North Salinas: MILPA Día de los Muertos
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Ensen Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas | Free
MILPA's free community celebration of Día de los Muertos fills Ensen Park on the north side of Salinas with community altars, arts and crafts, food, and family activities. Just up Highway 101 from the North Monterey County towns, and a beautiful way to bring the weekend's meaning home.
Sunday Outdoors
Monarchs at Natural Bridges State Beach, 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz: self-guided tours 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, daily through the season
The monarchs are back and gathering by the thousands in the eucalyptus grove at California's only State Monarch Preserve. Park staff welcomed thousands of migrating butterflies this past week, and the free self-guided tours run daily with guided tours on weekends. Bring binoculars, walk the bluff trail, and see the season turn gold.
Elkhorn Slough Reserve at the Watsonville-Moss Landing border, 1700 Elkhorn Road: guided walks at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, Saturday and Sunday | Free
Free naturalist-led hikes into one of California's great estuaries, with sea otters, harbor seals, and shorebirds likely, and sign-up at the Visitor Center front desk first come, first served. Kayak outfitters along the slough keep the paddling dream alive all weekend, too.
All Weekend: Outdoors, Family & Fall Flavors
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf, Finale Weekend
Through Saturday, October 31 | Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf | Free
All 13 days, the Wharf has hidden pumpkins through its shops and restaurants for the Great Pumpkin scavenger hunt, kept a photo booth by the Wharf Stage, and run Halloween specials up and down the pier. It all ends Saturday with trick-or-treating 3:00 to 6:00 PM and the Thriller flash mob at 3:00 PM. Free, on the water, and the perfect walk between markets and shows.
Halloween at the Boardwalk, All Day Saturday
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street
Trick-or-treating all day with the $12 candy bag package, a magic show, the Fright Walk, and a costume contest at the Main Entrance. Rides and games are pay-per-play or day-pass; admission is free.
Community News Worth Knowing
A few things around town worth sharing this week: Natural Bridges welcomed thousands of migrating monarchs this past week, with the season's best viewing still to come through early December. Watsonville's Día de Muertos weekend is the biggest cultural moment of the fall in the Pajaro Valley, with the Calles Libres open-streets celebration in the afternoon and the Film Festival's altar-filled evening in the Plaza. The Wharf's 13 Days of Halloween wraps Saturday night. And in soccer, Monterey Bay FC closed its regular season with a home win and now heads into the USL Championship playoffs, with the conference quarterfinals landing this weekend, so check montereybayfc.com for the schedule. And the honest word for Aromas, Prunedale, and Royal Oaks: the country corridors are gloriously quiet this weekend, so the plan is markets, the slough, and a short drive to Castroville or up 101 to Salinas. This is the Santa Cruz I know and love, in its favorite season.
Shareable Social Captions
Planning to post about the weekend? Here are some ready-to-copy captions for Instagram and Facebook, written the way I would share my own plans with friends.
Halloween in Santa Cruz is a whole-day affair: the Boardwalk runs candy and magic shows from 11, Pacific Avenue goes trick-or-treating at 2, the Wharf hands out candy 3 to 6 with a Thriller flash mob at 3, and the Aptos Village Halloween Parade fills the Green at 1. Costumes on, candy bag ready. I will be the one with the pumpkin bread and a very excited kid. 🎃 🍬 #SantaCruzEvents #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #WeekendInSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
Small-town Halloween done right: Felton and Boulder Creek merchants hand out treats 5 to 7, Castroville's North County Recreation Center runs trunk-or-treat, costume contests and carnival games 1 to 5, and Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey does Trick-or-Treat by the Bay with a costume contest at 4. No big-box anything, just communities showing up for the kids. 🧶 🎃 #SantaCruzEvents #WeekendInSantaCruz #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #MontereyBay #SantaCruzLife
Sunday is for Día de los Muertos, and Watsonville does it best: Calles Libres turns the streets around Callaghan Park into a free car-free celebration at noon, then the Watsonville Film Festival's Día de Muertos festival fills the Plaza at 4 with ofrendas, Aztec dancers, marigolds, and a free "Coco" screening. Pajaro Valley Arts opens its Day of the Dead show at noon too. Bring the family, bring a flower, stay for the music. 🌼 🇲🇽 #SantaCruzEvents #WeekendInSantaCruz #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
North County friends, your weekend is sorted: Castroville runs the big family Halloween Fun 1 to 5 Saturday, Downtown Salinas starts trick-or-treating at 11 and Malloween runs 4 to 8, then MILPA's free Día de los Muertos fills Ensen Park in North Salinas 2 to 5 Sunday. Aromas, Prunedale, Royal Oaks: the slough and the markets are waiting, and 101 is right there. ⚽ 🌺 #MontereyBay #SantaCruzEvents #WeekendInSantaCruz #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
My full Halloween weekend script: Aptos market at 8, Boardwalk candy by noon, the Aptos Village Parade at 1, Thriller on the Wharf at 3, Felton music at 8. Sunday: Live Oak market, monarchs by the thousands at Natural Bridges, otters at Elkhorn Slough, and Watsonville's Día de Muertos under the lights. October on the Central Coast is the best month in California, and I am not keeping it a secret anymore. 🍂 🎃 #WeekendInSantaCruz #SantaCruzEvents #MontereyBay #SantaCruzLife #ThingsToDoSantaCruz
Enjoy the weekend, everyone. Whether you are filling a Boardwalk candy bag, watching the Thriller flash mob on the Wharf, cheering the Aptos Village parade, honoring loved ones at a Día de Muertos ofrenda in Watsonville or North Salinas, or just walking the monarch trail at Natural Bridges, I hope this weekend gives you exactly what you need. And if you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Santa Cruz or Monterey County, I would love to hear from you. Call me at (831) 247-5719 or visit the contact page. I want you to make informed decisions, and I love helping people find their place in this beautiful corner of California.
Talk soon.
Kieron Bery, REALTOR® with Century 21 Masters
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