Spirits of the Halloween season in and around San Francisco
October 17, 2007
Although best known for its raucous costume parties and outrageous street fairs, San Francisco is also a rich ground for those seeking the more spirited side of the Halloween season. Ghost hunters have plenty of historical sites to haunt in their search for the paranormal, while people of all cultural backgrounds can share in the honoring of loved ones past at Dia de los Muertos festivals around the city. The best part is, all you need to attend many of these haunted gatherings is a comfortable pair of shoes and warm jacket.
For those looking for more traditionally festive fare, San Francisco and its outlying areas also have a plethora of kid-friendly events for your little ghosts and goblins. From mask-making to trick-or treating there’s sure to be something to please even the most finicky frightener.
October 21
Pumpkin Time!
Marin Headlands Visitor Center (a short walk from the Marin Headlands Hostel)
Free
Bring the whole family — and a pumpkin or two — as we celebrate an Irishman named "Stingy Jack" and his immortal soul, the jack-o’-lantern. With Ranger Bob, learn to paint, carve, and decorate this popular fruit (no, it’s not a vegetable!) and share some Halloween folklore and recipes that are truly scary. parksconservancy.org
October 26-November 17
Dia de los Muertos "Almas y Corazones" Altar Exhibition
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco
Free; $5 for opening night reception on Nov. 2
The annual month-long exhibition of Dia de Los Muertos altars — both traditional and modern — adopts the theme this year of "Almas y Corazones" ("Hearts and Souls"). The opening night reception for the exhibition is on November 2, and includes projections of "Digital Offerings" (online altars), live performances by Danza Azteca, and a sugar skull-making workshop. Snack on "pan de los muertos" ("bread of the dead") and Mexican hot chocolate while listening to La Catrina’s "calavera" ditty poems. Additionally, the fourth annual "Mole to Die For" competition is November 7. missionculturalcenter.org
October 27
City of the Dead Hike
City of Colma (Meet at Daly City BART station.)
Free
Join members of the Sierra Club’s San Francisco Bay Area chapter for an all-day educational walk through the many cemeteries of Colma, the "City of the Dead," just south of San Francisco. sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org
October 27
Fall Harvest Festival
Ferry Building, San Francisco
Free
Harvest activities at the Saturday market include apple variety tasting, apple pressing, butter churning, and wool spinning, seasonal cooking demonstrations, and more. cuesa.org
October 28
Children’s Garden Halloween Costume Walk
Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco (5 blocks from the San Francisco Downtown Hostel)
Free
Hosted by Derique the High-Tech Clown, and featuring live music by the Women of the World ensemble, children under 10 and their families are invited to parade in Halloween finery around the rooftop gardens at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens. The Costume Walk also features musical chairs and interactive games for kids. Yerba Buena neighbors the Metreon, Zeum, Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center, and Mo’s Grill will provide free treats and discounts for trick-or-treaters in costume. Kids in costume can also trick-or-treat at Yerba Buena neighborhood cultural institutions and businesses. ybgf.org
October 28
Harvest Festival and Halloween Mask Workshop
Marin Headlands Visitor Center (a short walk from the Marin Headlands Hostel)
Free
Make masks and brooms for the season using non-native materials found around the Marin Headlands. Sample heirloom apples and delicious cider. parksconservancy.org
October 28
Haunted Hostel Halloween Festival
Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel, Montara
Suggested donation: $8 Adults / $4 Children
Grab your best ghoul and slither down to the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel for their fifth annual Haunted Hostel Halloween Festival! Kids of all ages can participate in the grand costume parade, the activity scavenger hunt, and live Halloween monster bingo. Tricks, treats, music, raffle prizes, and other creepy surprises are in store for all. Don’t miss this spirited once-a-year spooktacular! pointmontarahostel.org
October 28
Pumpkin Pandemonium
Pier 39, San Francisco
Free
Ghoulish and giddy behavior is part of the fun as kids in costume trick-or-treat throughout Pier 39’s Pumpkin Pandemonium. Children 12 and under are welcome to visit the shops, restaurants, and attractions to gather sweets. Pumpkin carving demonstrations and face painting will be available, as well as photos with frightful characters. Children can also wander through the pumpkin patch to pick one free pumpkin. pier39.com
October 30
Palace Hotel Ghost Walk
Palace Hotel, San Francisco (5 blocks from the San Francisco Downtown Hostel)
Free
Kings and presidents died here; romances ended tragically. Perhaps that explains the enduring stories of spectral visions and mysterious occurrences. Join San Francisco City Guides for a tour of the unknown and supernatural. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart. sfcityguides.org
October 31
City Hall Ghost Walk
San Francisco City Hall (5 blocks from the San Francisco City Center Hostel)
Free
Disinterred remains, assassinations and other ghostly lore form the focus of this free tour offered by City Guides. The history and architecture of this handsomely restored building are revealed, plus little-known facts such as the cemetery once located here. Who (or what else) might be walking beside you? sfcityguides.org
October 31
The Haunted Presidio
The Presidio of San Francisco
Free
Take a walk on the wild side with spine-tingling tales of the Presidio’s history. Dress warmly, wear comfy shoes, and bring a flashlight (optional) for this unforgettable Halloween park adventure. parksconservancy.org
November 2
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Festival of Altars
Garfield Park, San Francisco
Free
Dia de los Muertos is an annual Meso-American holiday dedicated to ancestors and loved ones now gone, and has been celebrated in San Francisco’s Mission District for 29 years. Drawing thousands of participants each year, the festival seeks to create a community-wide sacred space with art installations, a walking procession, and performances. While the ceremony remains true to its Latino roots, the festival actively encourages participation by people of all origins. The procession begins at the corner of 24th and Bryant at 7 p.m. It continues on Bryant Street to Mission Street, and ends at Garfield Park, where five local artists have been commissioned to build a large scale altar installation. Participants are invited to bring flowers, photos, food and/or drink, and other mementos to place on the altars in celebration of the lives of those now gone. dayofthedeadsf.org
November 2
November 3 (Spanish-speaking)
Day of the Dead: Legends of the Night Walk
Crissy Field Center, San Francisco
$8
Face painting and spine-tingling tales on a lantern-lit walk invite the sharing of family traditions and stories. For families with children seven and up, the event includes refreshments of Mexican hot chocolate and Day of the Dead bread. crissyfield.org
November 4
Day of the Dead: Art Adventures
Crissy Field Center, San Francisco
$8
Hear stories about Dia de los Muertos and create Day of the Dead art, decorating a traditional calaca to add to a personal Day of the Dead altar. crissyfield.org