Best 2014 Halloween Events For Kids In The East Bay
Boo At The Zoo (credit: Oakland Zoo)
Ever popular with kids, Halloween is the one time of year when children can dress up as anything they desire and eat all of the free candy they can get their hands on. Beyond trick-or-treating, it can be hard to find a ghoulish event that is kid-friendly. Here is a list of five East Bay Halloween events that are perfect for younger ones. With many events before the weekend of Halloween, kids have all sorts of opportunities to extend their holiday fun.
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Road
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 632-9525
www.oaklandzoo.org
Date: Oct. 25-26, 2014
On the weekend before Halloween, kids have the opportunity to don their costumes and spend the day at the zoo. In addition to all regular animal exhibits, there will be a costume parade and special treat stations throughout the zoo. There will be a variety of other fun activities with everything from face painting to a scavenger hunt. Kids who come to the zoo in costume will receive a free ticket for the rides area. Make sure to check out the zoo's festive Spooky Boo Train.
Downtown Livermore
22 S. L St.
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 373-1795
www.livermoredowntown.com/halloween
Date: Oct. 25, 2014
The Saturday afternoon preceding Halloween, downtown Livermore will host the 6th annual Halloween Carnival. The carnival is perfect for families of elementary-school-age children. There will be carnival games, live entertainment and a costume contest. In addition, there will be a fall arts and crafts fair with many locally-made handiworks for sale.
Downtown Albany
Solano Ave.
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 527-5358
www.solanoavenueassn.org/halloween
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
Come visit downtown Albany on Halloween to enjoy some festive family fun. Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., all Solano Avenue businesses will be open for free trick-or-treating. At 5 p.m., there will be a costume contest, which is open to the public. There will be separate categories for adults and children, a sizable cash grand prize and numerous second prizes.
Grove Park
1730 Oregon St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 981-6671
www.510families.com
Date: Oct. 26, 2014
The Saturday before Halloween, there will be a special kid-friendly Pumpkin Patch Dash race in Berkeley's Grove Park. The race is open to all kids grades Pre-K through 8th, and only requires a $6 entry fee. In addition to the race, there will be a kids' carnival, complete with face-painting, games and prizes. Race participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and goodie bag upon registration. Racers will also receive a certificate, and the fastest in each category will be awarded a Berkeley Recreation medal. Register on-site the morning of the race.
Danville Community Center
420 Front St.
Danville, CA 94526
(925) 314-3400
www.danville.ca.gov
Date: Oct. 24, 2014
Come to the Danville Community Center the Friday evening before Halloween for some holiday fun. Kids will enjoy on-site trick-or-treating, face painting, carnival games and craft projects. Children are encouraged to arrive in costume. The event is best for children 9 and under and pre-registration is required due to space limitations.
