Sonoma County Halloween Events 2010

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As always, there’s plenty of haunted happenings in Sonoma County, many free or cheap (some are pricier). I’ve also tossed in a few harvest or Day of the Dead events. Here is a listing of what’s available (you can click on the date below to be brought down to the events that occur on that day):

All Month

Saturday October 2, 2010
Friday October 8, 2010
Saturday October 9, 2010
Sunday October 10, 2010
Thursday October 14, 2010
Friday October 15, 2010
Saturday October 16, 2010
Sunday October 17, 2010
Thursday October 21, 2010
Friday October 22, 2010
Saturday October 23, 2010
Sunday October 24, 2010
Monday October 25, 2010
Tuesday October 26, 2010
Wednesday October 27, 2010
Thursday October 28, 2010
Friday October 29, 2010
Saturday October 30, 2010
Sunday October 31, 2010

All Month

Oct 2-Halloween

Wicked West Ghost Town. This year’s Haunt on Jose Ramon Ave is based in the legend of the Rosa witch.  This neighborhood really knows how to put on a show. Animatronics and lights turn on October 2, 2010. They run Sun. – Thur. 6:30 p.m. to 9:00p.m. and Fri. – Sat. 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Halloween night will be the show of all shows with real people in costume hiding within the Wicked West Ghost Town waiting for you brave trick or treators. It will start 6:00 p.m. and end at around 12:00 midnight.

Dragonshead Inn Haunt
Carny Carnage – $ 7, Zompyres – $ 7, Combo Ticket – $ 12
Discount tickets available at:
Sonoma  Tops and Trophies  - 18315 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma
Black Bear Diner – 201 West Napa St.  Sonoma
Christa Granton Insurance – 255 West Spain St.   Sonoma
Or print out a discount coupon for $2 off here ( for up to 6 tickets).

Dr Evil’s House of Horrors
Every weekend throughout the month of October, historical J’s Amusement Park property at 16101 Neely Road, will be transformed into Dr. Evil’s House of Horrors. This  haunted house is teeming with loads of live actors, poking, prodding, ankle-grabbing, shoulder-clawing and head taping throughout Sonoma County’s scariest haunted house.  $10 per person every Friday and Saturday night throughout the month of October from dusk until done with the final send off on Sunday, October 31st, Halloween Night. 707-695-7591.

Blind Scream and Doc’s Horrortorium. Open at dusk ( approx 6:45) many days from Oct 8-31 ( see this calendar to see if it is open the day your want to go, or call ahead). May be too frightening for small kids. Prices range form $12 for just the Horrortorium to $25 for a fast pass to both the horrortorium and the Blind Scream. at the Manly Honda Superstore, 2770 Corby Avenue
Santa Rosa.

Oct 1-31
Petaluma Corn Maze & Pumpkin Farm. Oct 3 & 4 and 10 & 11, pony rides $5. Jumpees on weekends. 4 acre Corn maze, age 6 and  over $5, under 6 free. Friday and Saturday nights 6-9 pm $9.

Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch. Daily 9 1m to dusk. Pumpkins for sale hay fort, gourds, corn and cornstalks, heirloom and mini pumpkins, farm animals, corn patch, 17740 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg

Ryan O’ Shannan Farms. Sunflower maze, organic pumpkins for sale, feed a calf, make your own butter, educational farm and organic Clover Dairy tours at 2 pm. Ice cream, brick oven pizza and barbeque for additional cost. Thursday-Sat 10 am to 6;30 pm. 5360 Bodega Ave, Petaluma

Anderson’s Organic Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Patch, U-Pick pumpkins, hayride (extra cost ) , mini train ride (extra cost), corn maze (extra cost) , climbing hay pyramid, hay maze with tunnel, picnic area.4588 Bodega Avenue, Petaluma.

Muelrath Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin slingshots, free hayrides, pumpkins for sale. Friday Nights in the  Pumpkin Patch: every Friday from 5pm to 9pm through the month of October. “Campfire in the Corral” – roast a hot dog or marshmallows, have some hot cider and cookies, and take a night time hay ride. Admission $10. Space is limited so please call ahead for reservations 707-585-2195.

Windsor Oaks/Olufs Ranch Pumpkin Patch, Fall Gourd & Pumpkin Patch with hayrides, hay maze & pyramid, petting zoo, face painting and jumpys.  3 pm to 7 pm.  899 Shiloh Road, Windsor.

Petaluma KOA Campground Spooktacular all weekends in October. Enjoy Halloween themed activities, arts & crafts, Parades, Hay Rides, Petting Farm time, Movie Time, Scavenger Hunts. Another advantage of camping here (or staying in their little cabins)  in October is that it’s almost across the street from the big corn maze.

Oct 2-31
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom transformed into a shadow land of zombies, ghosts and ghouls starting October 2 and running Saturdays and Sundays through Halloween Day, October 31 (also open Friday, October 29). During the day, enjoy family-friendly activities including trick or treating, shows and entertainment and at night, brave haunted mazes, themed scare zones and spooky theatrical productions. Price: $49.99 general park admission; extra fee for haunted mazes. Phone: (707) 643-6722.

Oct 8-31
Punky’s Pumpkin Lot. Free 30′ slide, hay bale maze, and jumpies. Organic pumpkins for sale. Weekedays 11 am to 9pm; Weekends 9 am to 9 pm. 50 Mark West Springs Rd. Santa Rosa.

Oct 9-31
Adobe Pumpkin Farm.
On weekends, the pumpkin Fairy Godmother will read stories, there will be  hayrides ($4, kids under 2 free) , small haunted barn ( suitable for small kids,$3), DeMille Manor ( $5 for older kids and adults), pony rides ($5) , jumpee for kids ($2) , face painting, balloons, inflatables, food for sale, corn maze, and of course, pumpkins for sale. 2478 East Washington, Petaluma.

Oct 14-17 and 21-24
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

Saturday October 2, 2010

10 am to 2 pm
Duck Tape Costume Demo at Michael’s Craft Stores. Learn how to make a costume with Duck brand duct tape. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

11 am
Room on a Broom, a Halloween story by Julia Donaldson, performed as a puppet play for kids 3-5 years of age, by the Kindergarten teachers of Live Oak Charter School. Free at the Petaluma Regional Library.

Friday October 8, 2010

7 pm to 9 pm
Heebe Jeebe Halloween and ChickABoom Vintage are hosting a Halloween Arts and Craft Show, Fashion Show, and Cupcake Contest. Dress in costume,. Sales benefit the family of a little girl named Ella who had surgery for a brain tumor. At the Heebe Jeebe Halloween Store, 145 Kentucky S. Petaluma.  707-773-1044

Saturday October  9, 2010

10 am to 11 am
This week’s free Lowe’s Kid’s Build & Grow clinic gives kids a chance to build a flapping bat that would be a great halloween decoration. Sign up online in advance.

10 am to 2 pm
Great Pumpkin Event at Michael’s Craft Stores. Art project with purchase of pumpkin. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

10 am to 4 pm
The SRHS Ag Department is hosting Family Fun at the Alba Lane Farm. Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, face painting & barbeque, popcorn & pies.  For more info, or to pre-order 2009 SRHS Panther Chardonnay for pickup at Farm Days, call Rhonda at 526-9224.

Sunday October 10, 2010

10 am to 4 pm
The SRHS Ag Department is hosting Family Fun at the Alba Lane Farm. Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, face painting & barbeque, popcorn & pies.  For more info, or to pre-order 2009 SRHS Panther Chardonnay for pickup at Farm Days, call Rhonda at 526-9224.

Thursday October 14, 2010

9 am to 3 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

Friday October 15, 2010

9 am to 3 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

5 pm to 9 pm
“Campfire in the Corral” at Muelrath Ranch Pumpkin Farm – roast a hot dog or marshmallows, have some hot cider and cookies, and take a night time hay ride. Admission $10. Space is limited so please call ahead for reservations 707-585-2195. 3800 Walker Avenue, Santa Rosa

Saturday October 16, 2010

11 am to 5 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

Noon- 5 pm
Fall Festival at Adobe Creek Center: Children’s Costume Parade 2 pm. Dog Costume Parade 3 pm. Trick-or-Treating. Art for Kids. Magic from The Amazing Caine. The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County Museum-On-The-Go, and more. Admission free. Lakeville Hwy and South McDowell Blvd, Petaluma.

1 pm to 3 pm
Wilton Halloween Treats Demo at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

Sunday October 17, 2010

11 am to 5 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

Thursday October 21, 2010

9 am to 3 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

Friday October 22, 2010

9 am to 3pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

5 pm to 9 pm
“Campfire in the Corral” at Muelrath Ranch Pumpkin Farm – roast a hot dog or marshmallows, have some hot cider and cookies, and take a night time hay ride. Admission $10. Space is limited so please call ahead for reservations 707-585-2195. 3800 Walker Avenue, Santa Rosa

Saturday October 23, 2010

10 am to 11 am
Lowe’s Build and Grow clinic for kids 1st-5th garde. Kids can make a flapping bat, free, but sign up in adavnce ins strongly encouraged.

10 am to 2 pm
Boo-tiful T-shirt Make-It, Take It (purchase t-shirt) at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

11 am to 5 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

11:30 am
Zombie madness spreads to Petaluma. Now you can leave your brains at home, don your zombie gear and join the  first annual Zombie Walk through downtown Petaluma. Meet at 11:30 on the sidewalk at Walnut Park. Walk begins promptly at noon. Zombie entourage and gawkers are welcome to guide the Zombies and protect the Petaluma citizenry. The walk ends at Copperfield’s Books in Petaluma for a full-on Zombie Party complete with Zombie games, music, prizes and gorey treats.

2 pm to 4 pm
Free Halloween Glow Explosion Make-It Take It at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

2 pm to 11 pm
Halloween at Tara Firma Farms.  Pumpkin Carving, Pumpkins on pikes. Food, Fun Bonfire and S’Mores. Bring Your Musical Instrument for a Barn Jam Session  Pumpkin Lighting at Sunset. Purchase tickets in advance onlyat brownpapertickets now. $10 per person ~ $20 per family ~ kids under 12 are free RSVP by October 15th.

5 pm – 9 pm
Howl-O-Ween. Food, haunted house, games, raffle and more. Fundraiser will benefit the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue program. $5 Ages 11 & up/$3 Ages 6-11/5 & under. For more information, call (707) 484-6889. 403 Mecham Road, Petaluma.

Sunday October 24, 2010

8:30 am
Kiwanis Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast (see Windsor Farmer’s Market below). Kids eat free.

10 am to 2 pm
Windsor Farmers Market. Pumpkin Festival,”Worlds Largest Pumpkin Pie”, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin carving, owls by Bird Rescue, Jumpys, Oops The Clown, The Mighty Chiplings Band,  CW singer Fred McCarty and a Kiwanis Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast. 10 am to 2 pm. (Kiwanis Pumpkin pancake Breakfast at 8:30 am kids free).

11 am to 5 pm
Tolay Fall Festival
The Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, $1 for kids 12 and under. Parking is $6 per car, or free with a Park Pass.

11 am to 2 pm
Petaluma Mothers’ Club Fall Carnival. Free Admission, open to the Public Children 0-5, Older Siblings Welcome. Tickets purchase (cash only) for game booths and food. Costume Contest at 12 pm. Museum on the Go Jumpy House, Music with James K, Petting Zoo Bake sale, Games & Activities, Food & Drinks and more! Kenilworth Jr. High School 800 Riesling Road, Petaluma. For more info, call (707) 364-2806

11:30 am
Leave your brains at home, don your zombie gear and join  the second annual Zombie Walk through downtown Sebastopol. Meet at 11:30 on the sidewalk at Ives Park. 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 Zombie games, music, prizes and gorey treats.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Spooky Crafts all week for kids and families in the Healdsburg Library (no time specified).

11 am
Special Halloween Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5 with a parent or caregiver). Wear your costume. Northwest Santa Rosa Library.

6 pm to 8 pm
Free Halloween Glow Explosion Make-It Take It at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Spooky Crafts all week for kids and families in the Healdsburg Library (no time specified).

6 pm to 8 pm
Free Halloween Quick & Easy Costumes Make-It Take-It at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

7 pm
Halloween storytime at the Petaluma Library. Wear your Halloween costume.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

10 am- 5 pm
Sixth Street Theatre Costume rentals and sale. 52 W 6th Street, Santa Rosa
11 am
Special Halloween storytime for preschoolers age 2-5, with a caregiver. Wear your costumes. Guerneville Library.

11 am
Halloween Silly Storytime and Costume Party (ages 1-5).Celebrate Halloween with an extra special storytime and costume party for the little ones. Rincon Valley Library.

11:30 am
Halloween Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5 yrs).Not-so-scary Halloween stories and songs for children aged 2-5 years and their parent or caregiver. Wear your costume if you’d like. Call 838-1020 x6 for more information. Windsor Library.

6-8 pm
Halloween Party at Corks. Come in costume. Free Pasta Dinner and Caesar Salads for all. Free treats for the kids. Free entry in costume contest for kids (adults need to buy a glass of wine for entry in the adult costume contest.) Bring your own pumpkin and enter the jack-o-lantern carving contest. Corks, Russian River Vineyards, 5700 Gravenstein Highway North, Forestville. (707) 887-3344.

7 pm
Winnie the Witch  presented by Puppet Art. Cotati/Rohnert Park Library.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Spooky Crafts all week for kids and families in the Healdsburg Library (no time specified).

4 pm to 5:15 pm
Magic Circus Magic Hat Show, Central Santa Rosa Library.

6 pm to 8 pm
Free Halloween Mask Make-It Take-It at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

Friday October 29

The Blood Bank of the Redwoods will be at Dragonshead Inn with their blood mobile ready to take all the blood they can get. Donate, and you’ll get a free pass to the Haunt.

Spooky Crafts all week for kids and families in the Healdsburg Library (no time specified).

On October 29th, 2010, kids ages 12 and under can get a FREE Scary Face pancake at IHOP. Call first to make sure your local IHOP is participating. (Petaluma IHOP 792-9110; Rohnert Park IHOP 586-3698; Fourth St Santa Rosa IHOP  579-4000; Fulton Road IHOP 542-4467)

4 pm- dusk
The Occidental Harvest Market Festival
Pumpkin painting, Dia de los Muertos activities, gourmet food, artisan crafts, live music and performances, etc. (707) 793-2159

5 pm to 9 pm
“Campfire in the Corral” at Muelrath Ranch Pumpkin Farm – roast a hot dog or marshmallows, have some hot cider and cookies, and take a night time hay ride. Admission $10. Space is limited so please call ahead for reservations 707-585-2195. 3800 Walker Avenue, Santa Rosa

6 pm
“It’s  the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” will be aired free on a large outdoor screen at the Snoopy Ice Arena at 1667 West Steele Lane in Santa Rosa. There will be kids activities, Arts & Crafts and a trick or treat trail. Movie starts at 7 pm, gates open at 6pm.

6 pm to 8 pm
Free Halloween Treat Bag  Make-It Take-It at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

8 pm
Creepy Almost-Late Night stories, an open-mic for storytellers; the only requirement is that the ghost stories must be TRUE.  Every night will have a winner for best tale told. Prizes will be gift certificates and coveted T-shirts. My Friend Joe, 1810 Mendocino, Santa Rosa.

Saturday Oct 30, 2010

All day
Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program and get a free pass into the Dragonshead Inn haunt in Sonoma.

9 am to noon
Healdsburg Farmer’s Market pumpkin festival featuring pumpkin car races and pumpkin carving. 1 Block West of the Plaza (at Vine & North Streets).

10 am
Day of the Dead Story Time
For kids and families in both English and Spanish. Petaluma Library

10 am to 3 pm
Petaluma Wildlife Museum Hoots & Howls Open House. Costumed docents leading tours of the museum in the dark.  The tours will focus on nocturnal animals and will begin every hour on the hour.  Reservations are required for groups of 10 or larger, and a $5.00 donation per person is requested.  Children 5 and under are free. 201 Fair Street on the Petaluma High School Campus. (707) 778-4787.

10 am- 5 pm
Sixth Street Theatre Costume rentals and sale. 52 W 6th Street, Santa Rosa

10 am to 2 pm
Free Family Halloween Event at Michael’s Craft Stores. (Santa Rosa: 591-9382, Petaluma 766-9418)

11 am
Halloween Magic with Benny and Bebe (ages 4-12). Northwest Santa Rosa Library

11 am
Border Books Annual Spooktacular Kids Event for ages 3 to 8. Come in costume. 2825 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa 569-0991

11 am-1 pm
Trick or Treating at The Plaza North and Petaluma Plaza Shopping Center merchants. North McDowell & East Washington, Petaluma.

Noon- 2 pm
Harvest & Halloween Carnival at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Geyserville. Free admission. Carnival games, face painting. etc.

Noon to 3 pm
Halloween at Howath Park. For ages 12 and under, must be in costume. Trick-or-treat around the Land of Imagination playground and the park. $5 for a pumpkin pass that includes train and carousel, trick or treating and parade, for $8 you can add a pony ride and ice cream treat. Howath Park, Santa Rosa.

Noon to 5 pm
Jungle Vibes Halloween. Comepet the wild critters of Bonnie Cromwell’s Classroom Safari and Doug Hall’s Hands On Snakes at Jungle Vibes. Treats. 134 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.

12:30-1:30
Pumpkin Fun Run for Kids (age 4-12) $20, sign up in advance. This is a costumed race through the vineyards at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Kids will run one or two laps (each lap is 1/4 quarter mile) depending upon their age. Fee includes t-shirt and healthy trick or treat bag. Prizes for best costume.

2 pm
Halloween Magic with Benny and Bebe (ages 4-12). Northwest Santa Rosa Library

2 pm- 5 pm
The last day of the Petaluma Farmer’s Market includes trick or treating and free kids craft project. (Also music by James K.)

3 pm- 4 pm
Dia de los Muertos craft: Sugar Skulls. Celebrate Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead by decorating sugar skulls. Children will learn how to make sugar skulls and have fun decorating them.  Sugar skulls are a traditional folk art from Central and Southern Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead. Rincon Valley Library.

4 pm to dusk
Occidental Harvest Market Festival. Pumpkin painting, Dia de los Muertos activities, gourmet food, artisan crafts, live music and performances, and more.  Free.  For more info:  (707) 793.2159

4 pm to 7 pm
2010 Annual Harvest Festival. Petaluma Valley Baptist Church. 580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, all activities free. Carnival Games, Cake Walk, Bounce House. Dinner, Buki the Clown, Tattoo Booth and Face Painting, Prizes and Treats, Popcorn Balls and Caramel Apples, Balloons. At 7 pm Trunk – or – Treat: a parking lot full of cars, all dispensing treats from their trunk.

5 pm to 8 pm
Halloween Carnival at CHOPS. All ages welcome. An evening of safe and ghoulish fun. Activities include trick or treating, a jumpy house, game boths, face painting, costume contest, mask making, cake walk and more. $4.

6 pm
Traditional Day of the Dead Candlelight Procession with giant puppets. Starts at the Water Street Bistro (at Water Street along the river)  in Petaluma and goes to the Petaluma Arts Center where there will be music and folkloric dance. ( food, beverages, and folk art  for purchase).

6:45 to 8:30 pm
Point Reyes Halloween Howl. Story walk $16.29-$19.29 (Reservations required.)

8 pm
6th Street IMPROV Halloween theme show $14 per person.6th Street Playhouse, 52 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa. 707-523-4185

8 pm
Creepy Almost-Late Night stories, an open-mic for storytellers; the only requirement is that the ghost stories must be TRUE.  Every night will have a winner for best tale told. Prizes will be gift certificates and coveted T-shirts. My Friend Joe, 1810 Mendocino, Santa Rosa.

9:30 pm- 1 am
ClubAqus Monster Mash at Grafitti’s Restaurant. Dancing and costume contest. Tickets are $15 and available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134498
or in advance at Graffiti and Aqus Cafe. Proceeds benefits the Carousel Fund for Petaluma families battling catastrophic health issues.

Sunday Oct 31

Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program and get a free pass into the Dragonshead Inn haunt.

Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol is offering a complimentary tasting for anyone (adults, I presume)  that comes  to the winery dressed in a costume on Halloween. 9786 Ross Station Rd. Sebastopol.

Noon to 3 pm
15th Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating at Petaluma Outlet Mall. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

3 pm-5:30 pm
Petaluma Downtown Trick or Treat Trail
Participating downtown Petaluma merchants will be handing out candy to costumed children for the annual “Trick or Treat Trail” (follow the orange & black balloons). Free.

4 pm to 6 pm
Raining? Try trick or treating at the Coddingtown Mall. Stop by Simon Guest Services for a special treat. No masks on kids over 12. Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa.

8 pm
Creepy Almost-Late Night stories, an open-mic for storytellers; the only requirement is that the ghost stories must be TRUE.  Every night will have a winner for best tale told. Prizes will be gift certificates and coveted T-shirts. My Friend Joe, 1810 Mendocino, Santa Rosa.

Did I miss any? Let me know: leave a comment below or email me— lisa ( at) sonomaonthecheap.com