Halloween Events , Harvest Festivals and Dia de los Muertos Events in SoCo

A listing of Halloween events, harvest festival, El Dia de los Muertos events and other fall traditions that celebrate autumn and the cycle of life and death.

See also:
• Haunted Houses

October 9 - 12 and 16 - 19 : Tolay Fall Festival
One of Sonoma County’s main fall traditions. Guided tours of this stunning park with wonderful views, kids area and activities, live animals, chose a pumpkin, much more. Formerly known as Cardoza Ranch. Read more here.
Petaluma

October 10 : Opening Night for Hopper House of Horror.
Largest local haunted house event for 2008. Read more here.
Santa Rosa

October 16 - 19 : Tolay Fall Festival
Final weekend to see one of Sonoma County’s main fall traditions. Guided tours of this stunning park with wonderful views, kids area and activities, live animals, chose a pumpkin, much more. Formerly known as Cardoza Ranch. Read more here.
Petaluma

October 17 - November 2 El Dia de los Muertos in Petaluma
El Dia de Los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a big annual event in Petaluma. The two-week celebration, spearheaded by the Petaluma Arts Council, includes various art shows, performances, workshops, and the traditional candlelight procession with giant puppets and mariachis. This year, some highlights include: Remembering Frida Kahlo with John Zarobell, Phd, Assistant Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art who will present a review of the traveling exhibit of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s work, recently on view at SFMOMA; lecture/ demonstration with Peruvian Master Retablo Artist Claudio Jimenez Quispe; workshop in making traditional sugar skulls, performance by the Ballet Folklorico Netzahualcoyotl, and Day of the Dead Alters have been created throughout Petaluma.

October 18 : Petaluma Oktoberfest
Beer tasting, food, dancing featuring the Steve Balich Polka Band, bier garten, kids games, family fun, special silent auction.
Petaluma Fairgrounds

October 18 : Day of the Dead Art Show
Boomerang Gallery features works by a diverse group of local artists that will pay homage to deceased loved ones. Artist’s reception on October 18th, 7 – 9 pm. The show runs from October 18 through November 8. At 46 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, (707) 773-3222.

October 19 : Petaluma Mothers’ Club Annual Fall Carnival & Costume Contest
Costume contest, live performances, carnival game, jump houses, toddler races, facepainting, 11 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. 338-3724.
Kenilworth Jr. High, Petaluma.

October 22: Halloween Swamp Tour at Jelly Belly Factory
A detour from the regular Jelly Belly factory tour with some kid-friendly and sweet surprises. Through October 31. Free. On October 25 : Munchkin Masquerade Costume parade for children under 10 that marches through the Halloween Swamp. 10 a.m.–10:30. Free. (800) 953-5592
.Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield.

October 24 : Haunted Houses: A Baking Class
Make and decorate cookies and Halloween houses. 6:30–9 p.m. $33, plus $13 materials fee. (707) 543-3737
Finley Center, Santa Rosa

October 24 : Librarians Read Stories To Make You Shiver!
Readings of eerie stories by Ray Bradbury, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, H.P. Lovecraft and others. Best suited for teen to adult. Not appropriate for young children. 7 p.m. Free. Santa Rosa Central Library. (707) 543-0831 ext. 539.

October 24 : Halloween in Cotati
Ghoulish fun for kids of all ages. 6 pm at the Ray Miller Community Center, 216 East School St. Activties in every room! (707) 765- 3939

October 24 : My Gym Halloween Party
Fun playtime, games, tumbling and more.
Santa Rosa

...Go to Part 2 of the Halloween Events Calendar.