Free and Cheap Sonoma County Halloween Events 2009

Looking for free and cheap Halloween events in Sonoma County for 2010? Go here.

Sonoma County has dozens of free or cheap ($10 or less) ways to celebrate Halloween—there is something for just about every age,  running from this weekend through to Halloween itself. There are pumpkin farms (of course) and art projects, parties, spooky (or not-so-spooky) stories, and more. I’ve organized them here by date. If I’ve missed any, please add a comment, or email me at lisa(at) sonomaonthecheap.com. Thanks!

Oct 2-31, 2009

Dragon’s Head Haunt

Tickets are available at the door for $10 a person or in advance from dragonsheadinn.com for $8 a person. For more details, see this Dragon’s Head Haunt post. Hours: Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10 – 7 pm to 9 pm October 16, 17, 23, 24 – 7 pm to 10 pm October 29, 30, & Halloween – 7 pm to Midnight

631 West Spain St. in Sonoma

October 3, 2009-October 31, 2009

Extreme Yard Haunt

Last year, several families on Jose Ramon Ave. (in West Santa Rosa, close to Fulton and West 3^rd ) created a Halloween display including synchronized music and light show. It’s back this year (and bigger than ever) starting October 3, 2009 and will run Sun. – Thur. 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fri. – Sat. 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Halloween night will be the show of all shows, with real people in costume roaming the graveyard it will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 12:00 midnight. Gotta love this neighborhood.

October 8-11 and 15-18, 2009.

Tolay Fall Festival

Native American Village with demonstrations, “From Earth to You” hands-on children’s area & Kiddie Corral, Night Time Creatures Barn with Creep Crawly Critters room, live animals, nature hikes and giant straw maze. Take a free Ranger-led hay ride that even those in wheelchairs can enjoy. Pick your own pumpkin in the huge pumpkin patch. Come watch a blacksmith in action as he crafts various iron pieces. Pumpkin Seed-spitting contests. The festival is free, but pumpkins cost extra and parking costs $6 (free with park pass).  Tolay Regional Park used to be Cardoza’s Pumpkin Farm.

Thursday & Friday 9 am – 3:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm.

Tolay Lake Regional Park, 5869 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma

Oct. 13, 2009- Oct. 31. 2009 dusk- 10 or 11 pm

Hopper House of Horror

Proceeds from the holiday spook-out will benefit local charities. NO children under 7 years of age or under 42 inches tall. The Blood Bank of the Redwoods will be on hand to accept donations of your bloodon Oct. 26th 6:30-9:30 pm.

Hopper House of Horror

3785 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa

707-239-5272

$10/Online, $15/Door

Oct. 13, 2009- Oct. 31. 2009 Dusk to 11 pm

Dr. Evil’s House of Horror

The Haunted House plays every Friday & Saturday Night in October in Guerneville at 16101 Neeley Road (J’s Amusements). Tickets $10 and gates open at dusk. The show is very scary  and not appropriate  for kids under 12.

On Halloween Night there will be a safe & free Haunted Maze for littler kids from 6:30-8:30 pm.

October 10, 2009 11 am to 1 pm

Budderball the Clown does free face painting

Budderball will be at Ryan O’Shannan Farms (and Pumpkin Patch) on Oct 10.

U- Pick organic pumpkins and the Sunflower Maze Challenge.

5360 Bodega Avenue (5 miles west of Petaluma)

October 17-18, 2009

Ukiah Country Pumpkinfest: “Pumpkinfest goes Hollywood”

The Country Pumpkinfest blends a Harvest and Music Festival into the Halloween holiday in this annual two-day event. Enjoy haunted house, beer and wine tasting, arts & crafts, free children’s activities, 3-on-3 hoop tourney, Scout-O’-Rama, pet costume contest, Scarecrow City and pumpkin pie bake-off. Downtown Ukiah. Parade at 10 a.m. on Sat. starting at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.

Parade starts at 10 a.m. Free. (707) 463.6231

October 17, 2009 10 am to 4:30 pm

Annual Fort Ross Harvest Festival

During the morning, we will gather the harvest in our historic Fort Ross orchard. In the afternoon, within the walls of the fort, join us where we will be juicing, baking, and the “Russian House Kedry” will share traditional Russian song and dance. $7 per car, $6 for seniors.

Fort Ross State Historic Park, 19005 Coast Highway 1, Jenner

October 18, 2009  11 am-2 pm

Petaluma Mothers’ Club Fall Carnival

Costume contest for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers at 12:30 (register by noon); Live Snake Show;   North Bay Children’s Museum “Museum on the Go”; Music by Miss Kitty Petting Zoo Lil’ Kickers Soccer Demo, Carnival Games, Jumpy Houses, and more.  Free.

Kenilworth Junior High, 800 Riesling Rd, Petaluma

Sunday, October 18, 2009 – 12 pm

Copperfield’s first annual Zombie Walk through downtown Sebastopol meets at 11:30 am on the sidewalk in front of the Sebastopol Memorial Lawn Cemetary. Come in Zombie costume. Walk begins promptly at noon. Zombie entourage and gawkers are welcome to guide the Zombies and protect the Sebastopol citizenry. The walk ends at Copperfield’s Books in Sebastopol for a full-on Zombie Party complete with prizes and gory treats.  Start at the Sebastopol Memorial Lawn Cemetery, 7951 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol

Sunday Oct. 18, 2009 3 pm- 5 pm

Free balloon animals by Budderball the Clown and Halloween cartooning with Gene Hamm at Early Works Toy Station.

90 Sycamore  Lane, Petaluma

707-765-1993

Thursday October 22, 2009  3:30- 5pm

2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest for Teens

Pictures will be taken of each pumpkin and posted for the public to vote for. Prizes will be given out to the top three pumpkins. Pumpkins are provided. For more information please contact Tiffany at 537-0162 ext. 5. Rincon Library, Santa Rosa.

Saturday, October 24, 2009 10 am – 4 pm

Railroad Scare!

The Scarecrows  at Play Festival in Historic Railroad Square, Santa Rosa, offers a 10 am magic show, an 11 am childrens costume parade with Snoopy and pals, a 1;30 Scare-dy Dog parade (register at 1 pm) awards for the favorite scarecrows (vote for your favorites displayed in Depot Park and the Railroad Square shops). trick or treating at Railroad Square merchants (for both kids aand dogs),  live music, the children’s museum, and face painting.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Incredible Magic Circus Halloween Show.

11 am Guerneville Library

2 pm Rincon Library

Enjoy Benny the wizard as he performs Halloween Magic. Wear your costume to parade through the library.

Saturday, October 24, 2009 10 am – 11 am

Lowe’s Build & Grow clinic for kids.

Make a Frankenstein Magic Trick Kit. Sign up in advance. Lowe’s Cotati.

Saturday Oct 24, 2009 Noon to after dark

Pumpkin Pike Day at Tara Firma Farms

Food and all the pumpkins you can carve for $10 a person or $20 a family. Pumpkins will be hoisted onto pikes adn lit at dusk, followed by a bomfire adn s’mores. You bring carving tools, a side dish or dessert to share, and drinks. RSVP at 707-765-1202 by OCT 16.

Saturday, Oct 24, 2009  1:00 pm

Howl-o-Ween at Petco

Get your photo taken with your costuemd pet for $3.95 starting at 1 pm and sign up for the 2 pm pet and  parent costume contest ( or just stop by to watch the festivities). All participants get a free 1 lb bag of Hills Science Diet dog treats while supplies last. Petco stores are in Petaluma at 165 North McDowell Boulevard and Santa Rosa at 2765 Santa Rosa Avenue.

Saturday Oct 24, 2009 1pm -2 pm

Free Face Painting

At Beverly’s Craft Store on the Rohnert Park Expressway  in RP ( near Target) .

Saturday, Oct 24, 2009  3:00 pm

7th Annual Canine Costume Contest at Petaluma Village Premium Outlets

7th Annual Canine Costume Contest with prizes, Redwood Kennel Club information booth and Petaluma Village Premium Outlets gift card raffle from 11am—3pm. Call (707) 778-9300 x 0 for more information

Sat., October 24, 2009 1 pm-4 pm

Pellegrini Harvest Halloween Party

Come celebrate a bountiful harvest and enjoy some ghoulish fun at the 7th Annual Halloween Harvest Party at Olivet Lane. Trick or treat for Halloween fare, and taste some of our award-winning wines. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and prizes will be given in the following categories: best overall costume, best group costume, best wine-inspired costume, and best wine-inspired group costume. VIP tours will be offered, and a costume prize ceremony will take place at 2pm. Reservations required by October 19. 4055 West Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, Free admission but reservations required.

(800) 891.0244 ext. 4

Saturday October 24, 2009  11 am

Boo! Not So Scary Stories with Pam Brown

Ages 2-5 Rohnert Park – Cotati Library

Saturday, October 24, 2009 12 noon– 3 pm

Fall Festival & Costume Parade at Howath Park

For kids. (age 12 & under) Dress in your best costume and join the parade. Then trick-or-treat at various locations around the park. Only friendly ghosts and goblins allowed! Registration: Begins at noon by the snackbar. Parade: Starts at 12:30 pm, please line up by the snackbar. Trick-or-Treating: Starts at 12pm ends at 3pm. Howath Park, Santa Rosa.

Saturday, October 24, 2009 4pm – 8pm

Holloween Party

Free Community Event for kids 12 and under hosted by the Eagle After-School Martial-Arts Program  Bounce house 4-6 pm, 7-8 pm 6-7 pm raffle, and Martial Arts Demonstrations. 7-8 pm, Costume contest, games, prizes, coloring contest, face painting, and more. 5146 Old Redwood Hwy Santa Rosa. (707) 544-2302 www.eagleamp.com

October 25, 2009, 1 pm – 3 pm

Halloween T-Shirt Event at Michael’s

Make a special Halloween t-shirt that is sure to spook. Just purchase the t-shirt of your choice and decorate it free using their paint supplies Purchase of t-shirt required.

Michael’s Craft Stores

1359 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma

2775 Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa

Sunday Oct. 25, 2009  1 pm- 3 pm

Free Adult Mask Making Demo

Michael’s Craft Stores

1359 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma

2775 Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa

Monday, October 26, 2009  6:30 pm

Not-so-scary stories for the whole family.

Wear your costume! Sebastopol Library

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:30- 3:30 pm

Teen Pumpkin Carving Contest

Pumpkins and carving tools provided. A gift card prize awarded to most creatively carved pumpkin. Free. All teens welcome 7th grade and up. Healdsburg Library

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 7 pm

Halloween Storytime

Children are invited to come dressed in their Halloween costumes to hear hardly-scary stories! Books, puppets, feltboard stories, and songs will be mostly funny, with just a touch of creepiness. For young children accompanied by parents and caregivers. Free. Petaluma Library.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 7 pm

Spine-tingling Tales

Scary stories to make you shiver. Costumes welcome. Older children only, please (age 7-12). Free. Windsor Library.

Wed., October 28, 2009  11 am

Halloween Story Time for preschoolers

Ages 3-5 Guerneville Library .

Wed., October 28, 2009  11 am

Not-very-scary-storytime

For ages 2-5, costumes welcome. Windsor Library

Wed., October 28, 2009  3 pm

Incredible Magic Circus Halloween Show.

Enjoy Benny the wizard as he performs Halloween Magic. Wear your costume to parade through the library. Free. Cloverdale Library.

Wed., October 28, 2009 7 pm

Magic Circus

Show with a Halloween Theme. For all ages. Healdsburg Library.

Thursday October 29, 2009 4 pm

Incredible Magic Circus Halloween Show.

Enjoy Benny the wizard as he performs Halloween Magic. Wear your costume to parade through the library. Free. Central Santa Rosa Library.

October 29, 2009 4pm to 6 pm

Carnival cupcakes class for teens

In this free class for teens, you’ll make creative Halloween cupcakes for the Chops Halloween Carnival cakewalk. Must be a Chops Teen Club Member (memberships cost $1 per year.)

Chops Teen Club Corner of West 6^th and Adams St, Santa Rosa (near Railroad Square).

Thursday, Oct 29, 2009 4pm  to 5 pm

The Incredible Magic Circus Halloween Show

At the Santa Rosa Central Library, Santa Rosa. Free Enjoy Benny the wizard as he performs Halloween Magic. Wear your costume, and we’ll parade through the library.

Friday, Oct 30, 2009  7:30p

Sonoma State Wind Ensemble Halloween Spooktacular

Thrill to J.S. Bach’s sonorous Fantasia in G Major and the hauntingly beautiful Allerseelen by Richard Strauss. Chill to Daniel Bukvich’s wildly theatrical Voodoo and selections from Harry Potter. Come in costume Price: $8 – $12 at Everett B. Person Theater, Rohnert Park. (707) 664-2353

Friday October 30, 2009 7 pm

Free Halloween Movie Night

Kids and their families are invited free, not-too-scary Halloween movies for the whole family. Northwest Santa Rosa Library.

Friday October 30th  8pm to 11:30pm

Jungle Vibes Costume if You Can Party on.  Featuring DJ Tony pumpin’ the Reggae roots vibe all night long.  They will have special visiting hula hoop and Poi dancers to join in the crowd.  No alcohol and older kids are welcome with their parents.  There will be room inside for hooping, dancing and doodlebugging. Free.  136 Petaluma Blvd North.  Petaluma 707-781-9311

October 30, 2009 4pm to dusk

Occidental Harvest Market Festival

Hosted by the Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market. Festival attractions include pumpkin painting, Dia de los Muertos activities, gourmet food, artisan crafts, live music and performances, and more. Free.

Fri., October 30, 2009 8pm -Sat. October 31st 1 am.

Night Before Halloween Party, Flight of the Bloody Corkscrew.

Come Celebrate Halloween early with La Dolce Vita. Wine and Dine while watching your favorite Halloween Classic Films.  Indulge in their bloody wine flight, screaming sangria, and ghoulish witches’ wart brew.  Costumed creatures welcome, and prize for the best costume will be awarded that night. La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge, 151 Petaluma Blvd South, Suite 117, Petaluma 707-763-6363.

Oct. 31, 2009  10 am to noon

Kids Halloween Fun at Michaels

Come and get your free trick-or-treat pail, enjoy a free coloring activity, free Crayola Model MagicFusion and a Make-It Take-It Halloween frame. Children will also receive a balloon and candy. While supplies last.

Michael’s Craft Stores

1359 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma

2775 Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa

Oct. 31, 2009 Noon- 3 pm

Trick or Treat Parade with Geoffrey the Giraffe

The Toys R Us Store on Santa Rosa Ave will give away reusable trick or treat bags and treats (as supplies last) to kids in costume. There will also be a costume parade through the store, lead by Geoffrey the Giraffe.

Oct. 31, 2009  1 pm-4 pm

Landmark Winery’s Howloween Celebration

Free gelato, live music and a human and dog costume contest.

October 31, 2009   1 pm to 4 pm

Howl-O-Ween Pet Party

Join the Humane Society of Sonoma County for their Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Party. Spend the afternoon with your pooch (on leash) browsing pet-related booths and enjoying howloween treats & games. All proceeds benefit shelter animals. 5345 Hwy 12 West, Santa Rosa Fee: $10 donation per dog, people are free. (707) 542.0882

Petaluma Farmer’s Market Harvest Fair 2 pm- 5 pm

Halloween will be the last Petaluma Farmer’s Market for the year. There will be a costume parade at 3:30 with a  raffle drawing for prizes for all children in costume.  “Treats” will be provided for all children in costume. There will also be a festival put on by “El Dia de los Muertos” featuring Traditional Sugar Skulls making ( you’re invited to learn this and other traditional  activities). There will also be a “sing-a-long” from 2 pm to 5 pm.  Petaluma’s Walnut Park.

October 31, 2009 4 pm

2009 Annual Harvest Festival Petaluma Valley Baptist Church

Carnival games, Trunk-or–Treat, cake walk, hot dog dinner, tattoo booth, face painting, popcorn balls,  caramel apples, candy, helium balloons, etc.  Everything is free, including food.

Petaluma Valley Baptist Church

580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma

Saturday, October 31^st, 11 am – 1 pm

The Annual Bill Soberanes Halloween Trick or Treating at The Plaza North and Plaza South Shopping Centers in Petaluma.

October 31, 2009 5:30- 7 pm

Kid Friendly Ghost Hunt at the Slaughterhouse Haunted House

Face painting, photo ops, trick or treats, and a ghost hunt for ages 2 and up $4. The Slaughterhouse is open for most of October in the evening for older kids andadults  ($3 for adults, $9 for 16 and under).

15 Copeland, Petaluma (between Grocery Outlet and the Transit Mall)

707-332-6171.

Oct. 31, 2009 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Dr. Evil’s House of Horror Free Haunted Maze for Kids

On Halloween Night there will be a safe & free Haunted Maze for littler kids from 6:30-8:30 pm. (Dr. Evils Haunted House is open Friday and Saturdays in Oct for kids over 12, see listing above for Oct 13).

16101 Neely Road, Guerneville (J’s Amusements)

Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 5:30 pm to 9 pm

14th Annual Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating

Free trick-or-treating at Petaluma Village Premium Outlets at participating stores. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 707-778-9300 for more information.

Oct 31. 2009 2pm +

Halloween at Tara Firma Farms

Scarecrow making contest, pumkin carving,  sack races, hay maze, corn maze, petting zoo, old-fashioned ice cream making and a bonfire at dusk.  Tara Firma Farms (off San Antonio Road west of Hwy 101 between Novato and Petaluma)

3796 I St ext. Petaluma 707-795-1202

October 31, 2009 3 pm- 5:30 pm

Petaluma Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Parents, gather your little ghosts & goblins, and join the participating downtown merchants for the annual “Trick or Treat Trail” (follow the orange & black balloons) Merchants will be handing out candy to costumed children. Call 707-762-9348 for more information. Free.

October 31, 2009 5 pm to 9 pm

Chops Halloween Carnival

Trick or treating, jumpy house, game booths, face painting, costume contest, mask making , cake walk, and more. $3.

Chops Teen Club Corner of West 6^th and Adams St, Santa Rosa (near Railroad Square).

Saturday, October 31st, 2009 7 pm- 11pm

Jenner Community Club Day of the Dead/Halloween Dance Concert

Sonny Lowe & 100 Proof featuring Evan Morgan will play, there will be a Ofrenda – Day of the Dead Altar (Bring photos to welcome returning souls); Costume Ball (Prizes) Treats and a No Host Bar. $13.00 at the door Kids 13 and under free. Proceeds benefit the Jenner Creek restoration and bridge replacement project. For more information, call 707-865-2771