The spooky season in 2025 just keeps going. Parties were already under way last weekend, and now with the double header of Halloween on Friday and Day of the Dead on Saturday, spirits are high everywhere, with fun for families, parties for grown-ups and Dia de los Muertos ofrendas set up all around the South Bay.
Read more about these events:
Deadhead Halloween, a benefit Halloween show at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City that will raise money for the Grateful Guitars foundation.
A concert by Ozomatli at Avenida de los Altares, one of the biggest Dia de los Muertos events in the South Bay.
Neighborhood Bars
Four Nights of Halloween—The Quarter Note in Sunnyvale goes all out for the holidays, starting with Scary-oke on Oct 29, a live jam night with cash and prizes on Oct 30, the Skeleton Cru Band on Oct 31, and the Invariable Band on Nov 1. Pizza, chickens and fries served 8pm to midnight. No cover. Quarter Note Bar & Grill, 1214 Apollo Way, Sunnyvale. 408.732.2110. quarternote.com
Halloween Bowling—Celebrate the spooky season with a fun night of bowling. Enjoy a spooktacular bowling experience filled with costumes, ghosts, pumpkins, and festive vibes. $6 per game/$40 per hour/$70 for two hours. Oct 29-31, 10am-11pm. Homestead Bowl & The X Bar, 20990 Homestead Rd, Cupertino. 408.255.5700. homesteadbowl.com
Halloween Spooktacular—Every hour is happy hour with spooky drinks, trivia, karaoke and nine beers on tap. Oct 31, noon-2am. Fred’s Place, 2534 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View. 650.940.9838.
Halloween Party Place—Costume contest, spooky drinks, pool, darts, 13 flatscreens and 12 beers on tap. Oct 31, all day. Sportsmen’s Lounge, 2368 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara. 408.244.4600.
Halloween Party and Costume Contest—Willow Glen’s venerable neighborhood tavern celebrates the season for two nights, with a $300 gift certificate going to the winning costume. Oct 31-Nov 1, 11pm. Willow Den, 803 Lincoln Ave, San Jose. 408.271.1880.
Noche de Hechiceras—Four vinyl selectors—La Gitana, Franchutes, Lil Treasure and Moonchild—spin dark wave, spooky cumbias, Halloween tunes and rock en español, plus a costume contest. No cover. Oct 31, 9pm-1am. The Caravan, 98 S Almaden Ave, San Jose. 408.995.6220.
Live Entertainment
Houserockin’ Halloween Concert—A night of dancing, wine, and fun amid the vines at Guglielmo Winery with a mix of rock, funk, soul, and R&B from the Houserockers. Wine, beer and champagne available for purchase. Bring dinner or visit on-site food trucks. $59. 21 and over. Nov 1, 5-10pm. Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E Main Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com
Halloween Bash—Come in costume and enjoy live music by the Soft Lights. Free. Oct 31, 5-9pm. Bubbles & Brew Bistro, 17105 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. bubblesandbrewmorganhill.com
Blues Halloween—Fans of the blues can celebrate at the annual Halloween Costume Bash, with vocalist Lara Price heading up a blues jam. Oct 29, 6pm. $13.38. 21 and over. 2209 Broadway St, Redwood City. 831.334.1153. clubfoxrwc.com
Deadwood Halloween—See page 10. Oct 31, 7:30pm. Fox Theatre, 2221 Broadway St, Redwood City. 650.443.7822. foxrwc.com
Halloween Comedy Night—Join in as Hapa’s Creekside opens a comedy blind box, featuring a secret lineup and secret headliner. We’ve got a special halloween edition of the show, come in costume for an extra treat! $12 adv/$15 door. 18 and over. Nov 1, 7-8:30pm. Hapa’s Creekside, 59 Barack Obama Blvd, San Jose. eventbrite.com
Halloween Bash with Sound Decision—Little Lou’s promises great BBQ and smokin’ music. Free. All ages. Oct 31, 7:30-10:30pm. Little Lou’s BBQ, 2455 S Winchester Blvd Campbell. littlelousbbq.com
Heavy Lemon Halloween—Pacing, Friendship Games Christian Francisco and Later Alligator cos-play as other bands at this all-ages show. $15-$20. Oct 31, 7:30pm. Art Boutiki, San Jose artboutiki.com
Halloween Concert—The Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Wind Symphony team up to present the annual Halloween Concert in Dinkelspiel Auditorium with a dramatic repertoire appropriate for the season. Don’t forget a costume. $27-$32. Oct 31, 7:30-9pm. Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Dr, Stanford. events.stanford.edu
Short Fuse 20th Anniversary Party—The Caravan’s Halloween party weekend continues with live music by Short Fuse, Angerhead and Burden of Oath. No cover. Nov 1, 9pm-1:30am. The Caravan, 98 S Almaden Ave, San Jose. 408.995.6220.
Nightclub Bashes
Assassin’s Greed—Pure Nightclub presents Sequence, offering a mix of Top 40, hip hop and EDM. $1000 group costume contest. $15 adv. 21 and over. Oct 31, 10pm. Pure Night Club, 146 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale. 408.732.2121. purenightclub408.com
Bollywood Halloween Party—Immersive Bollywood music experience featuring Hindi, Top 40, hip hop, Punjabi and TikTok trends. Plus, a costume contest with a $500 prize. 21 and over. Ticket prices “dynamic”; students $10. Nov 1, 10pm-2am. Aura Nightclub, 389 S 1st St, San Jose. eventbrite.com
Bollywood Thriller Costume Party—DJ Prashant from Seattle and DJ Prince spin Bollywood, Hindi, Desi Afrohouse, BollyTech and Top 40 bangers. Alpha Colors teams up with Jai Ho! Dance Party for a night where East meets West, with surprise performances & collabs. $23.15 adv/$45.31 door. Oct 31, 10pm-1:30am. Opal By Arena, 251 Castro St, Mountain View. eventbrite.com
Bollywood Halloween Bash—DJ Manny and DJ Vassi spin Bollywood and American Top 40, and hip hop artist Ron Deazy performs. Full bar and food, costume contest and photo booth. $28.52+. All ages. Oct 31, 7-11pm. Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Cupertino, 19429 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. 408.573.7307. eventbrite.com
Euro Halloween—Presented by Vadik & Karina with DJs Casparone and Pollux, this event transforms Era Lounge into a ghostly campground with eerie décor, spooky creatures, and an upscale Euro-Dance experience. Price varies. 21 and over. Nov 1, 10pm-2am. Era Lounge, 386 S 1st St, San Jose. 415.830.2777. eventbrite.com
Foreverland Halloween Show—Club Fox presents a tribute to the music of Michael Jackston. Oct 31, 9pm. $63. 2209 Broadway St, Redwood City. 831.334.1153. clubfoxrwc.com
Ghouls Night Out—Come ready to sip festive cocktails, dance to live DJ beats, and enter a costume contest during this Halloween party at Cobre + Clay. The most creative look of the night will win a grand prize one-night stay at San Jose Marriott (blackout dates apply). Oct 31, 5-11pm. San Jose Marriott, 301 S Market St, San Jose. 408.280.1300. event.marriott.com
Halloween at the Granada Theatre—Join a late-night Halloween Bash featuring DJ Dare Run G, a costume contest, and some seriously strong cocktails. Costumes encouraged. $15. 21 and over. Oct 31, 9pm-1am. Granada Theatre, 17440 Monterey Hwy, Morgan Hill. eventbrite.com
Halloween Costume Party—DJ Basura and DJ Bit spin new wave, alternative, indie, old school and disco. Costume contest with cash prizes. $15 adv/$20 door. 21 and over. Oct 31, 8pm. The Ritz, 400 S 1st St, San Jose. theritzsanjose.com
Halloween Night Massive—Featuring J Espinosa mixing Top 40, EDM, hIp hop and more, plus sets from MytyMyke, WYA Music, Plus 1 and Kymi. Early-bird discounts. Oct 31, 9:30pm-1:30am. 21 and over. The GlassHouse SJ, 84 W Santa Clara St, Suite 100, San Jose. eventbrite.com
Haunted Circus—DJs spin spine-chilling beats all night long, with a creepy circus theme—haunted clowns, fortune tellers and freak-show vibes. $17.85. 21 and over. Oct 31, 9am-1pm. Sushi Confidential, 26 N San Pedro St, San Jose. 209.275.9117. eventbrite.com
Mas Loco Halloween—Party at the restaurant and sports bar all night long. Costumes required. $20. Oct 31, 10pm-1:30am. Mas Loco Cantina, 98 S 2nd St, San Jose. eventbrite.com
Perreo Halloween—Five-plus DJs celebrate both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos at this booming Latin reggaeton party featuring J Espinosa. $44.52/door. 21 and over. Nov 1, 10pm-1:30am. The GlassHouse SJ, 84 W Santa Clara St, Suite 100, San Jose. eventbrite.com
Purani Haveli—The seventh annual Bollywood Halloween Bash at the Continental offers tunes from DJ Brown Buoy, costumes, bangers & spooky vibes. $7.18-$350. 21 and over. Oct 31, 9:30pm-1:30am. Continental Bar Lounge & Patio, 349 S 1st St, San Jose. 323.482.7070. eventbrite.com
Riot Halloween—Pure Nightclub and Dj Playboi bring a mix of hip hop, Top 40 and EDM. Costume contest with $500 prize. $10 adv. 21 and over. Nov 1, 9:30pm-1:30am. Pure Night Club, 146 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale. 408.732.2121. purenightclub408.com
Sinners Halloween—Join in on an encore Halloween event with DJ Skratchy and visiting Las Vegas local Jerid Choensookasem, better known as DJ Five. $12.51+. 21 and over. Nov 1, 9pm-1:30am. SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant, 72 N Almaden Ave, San Jose. 415.737.5772 eventbrite.com
Family Fun
Zoppé Family Circus—Though it’s not specifically a Halloween event, what better way to keep festive spirits alive than a trip to the circus? Zoppé Family Circus, visiting from Italy, returns to Redwood City for the 18th year, with two-hour performances in an 500-seat tent for an intimate one-ring circus driven by a central story augmented by acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, clowning and audience participation. $12-$35. Shows Nov 1-30; schedule varies. Main Library Parking Lot, 1044 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org/zoppe
Trick or Treat at Illusive Comics—Bring the kids for candy or gaming treats, where they can choose between candy or a 10-sided die and a Pokemon energy card. Awesome costumes welcome. Free. All ages. Oct 31, 11am-9pm. Illusive Comics & Games, 5245 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.985.7655. illusivecomics.com
Spooky Candy House Engineering Workshop—Craft a haunted candy house. Can your ghostly structure survive a monstrous earthquake test? Advance reservations required. $10. All ages. Nov 1-2, 3-6pm. Tech Interactive, 201 S Market St, San Jose. thetech.org
The Bride of Frankenstein—3Below Theaters celebrates the 90th anniversary of this classic film with two screenings, offering a chance to enjoy a rare horror sequel that’s even better than the original. A gothic masterpiece of terror and tragedy presented how it was originally intended to be seen: on the big screen. $15. All ages. Oct 31, 9pm & Nov 1, 3:45pm. 3Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S 2nd St, San Jose. 408.404.7711. 3belowtheaters.com
Halloween at the Museum—Looking for something to do with the family? At the Museum of American Heritage, do a “ghost hunt” in the museum, learn about electric quack medicine and spiritualism and enjoy other activities. Free. All ages. Oct 31, 5-9pm. Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave, Palo Alto. moah.org
Halloween Night at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum—As twilight descends upon Rosicrucian Park this Halloween night, the veil between worlds begins to thin. Join in an unforgettable evening of mythological death and rebirth, music and dance, and a rare chance to explore over 4,000 Egyptian artifacts under the enchantment of a very special night. $20 adv/$30 door. Oct 31, 6-9pm. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 1660 Park Ave, San Jose. egyptianmuseum.org
Festival Fright Nights—In honor of the spooky season, Winchester Mystery House debuts three haunted attractions, themed food and beverage offerings, and access to never-before-used spaces. $54.99+. Through Nov 1, 7-10:45pm. Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose. festivalfrightnights.com
The Phantom of the Opera—3Below Theaters celebrates the 100th anniversary of the original film based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel—famed in large part for the dramatic makeup that Lon Chaney wore as the titular Phantom. $15. All ages. Oct 31, 7:15pm & Nov 1, 2pm. 3Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S 2nd St, San Jose. 408.404.7711. 3belowtheaters.com
Dracula—This new adaptation brings the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. $49.08-$57.08. Oct 30, 7:30pm; Oct 31-Nov 1, 8pm; Nov 2, 2:30pm. Runs through Nov 9. Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E Remington Dr, Sunnyvale. sunnyvaleplayers.org
Dia De Los Muertos
Avenida de Altares—Every year, the School of Arts and Culture organizes Avenida de Altares (Avenue of the Altars), a free event celebrating Dia de Los Muertos. This year’s festivities will be heightened with a concert by the Grammy-winning band Ozomatli (see page 8). In addition to perusing the 40 altars that are set up throughout the area, visitors can participate in art activities, find creative work by local artisans at the vendor market, get tarot readings, watch the catrina costume contest, and thrill to the daring feats demonstrated in lucha libre matches. Free. Nov 1, 5:30pm. Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose. schoolofartsandculture.org
Art of Remembrance Ofrenda Exhibit—Local artists display their Day of the Dead ofrendas through Nov 4. AAACNA Studies Center, 5th Floor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, San Jose State University. library.sjsu.edu
La Ofrenda Festival—South County’s signature Día de los Muertos event with altars, live performances and vendors. Enjoy lucha libre demonstrations, live music, the Calavera Bike Cruise, an Arts, Culture and Wellness Mercado, and a series of ofrendas to honor Day of the Dead: La Gran Ofrenda, Lowfrendas and Camino de Ofrendas. Nov 1, 1-7pm. Downtown Gilroy. laofrendafestival.com
Dia de los Muertos Celebration—Observe the tradition, honoring departed ancestors and loved ones. Children will participate in sand painting with stencils, listen to stories, and watch giant skeleton puppets and a Calaveras procession led by Teatro Familia Aztlán. $18. Nov 1, 9:30am-4:30pm. Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. 408.298.5437. cdm.org
Community Day: Dia de los Muertos—The San Jose Museum of Art presents a day of live entertainment, cultural demonstrations and crafts. Los Lupeños de San José dance at 11:30am, Lincoln High Mariachi takes over at 3pm, and Roaming Calacas Dancers will perform throughout the museum from 2:30 to 4:30pm. And don’t miss the altar by artist Lissa Jones on the first floor. Free. Nov 1, 11am-4pm. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. sjmusart.org
Magical Bridge Playground—A morning celebration features a short procession outside the playground and family-friendly activities in the Outdoor Classroom, such as face painting, balloon art, art projects and open mic. Nov 1, 9:45am-noon. Magical Bridge Playground, 171 W. Edmundson Ave, Morgan Hill. morganhill.ca.gov
Machu Picchu Gallery Ofrenda—In the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, an ofrenda has been constructed at Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas by gallery founder Olga Enciso Smith and son Brian M. Smith—a tradition at the gallery since 1986, when the first ofrenda was dedicated to two Latino children and a college student who had died in car accidents. Relatives or friends who wish to have a loved one’s memory commemorated are invited to bring a photo of him/her for the dedication, which will take place Nov 7, 5-9pm, at Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas, located at Citadel Art Studio, 199 Martha St, Suite 115, San Jose. 408.529.2296.
