12 Halloween Events and Activities in Pasadena to Experience in 2026
Looking for the best Halloween events in Pasadena in 2026?
October brings an entire month of spooky celebrations to Pasadena and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. Families can spend the afternoon trick-or-treating, explore illuminated pumpkin displays after dark, dress their dogs for a Halloween parade, celebrate Día de los Muertos, or turn up the scare factor with haunted tours and immersive escape experiences.
Some festivities even begin in September and continue into November, making Pasadena a great home base for an entire season of fall activities.
Whether you are searching for family-friendly Halloween events in Pasadena, Halloween date night ideas, trick-or-treating, pet-friendly events, or scary things to do for adults, here are 12 events worth adding to your 2026 calendar.
Quick tip: Popular Halloween events can sell out, especially on weekends. Check the individual venue's website for current ticket availability, pricing, parking information, and schedule changes before visiting.
Halloween Events in Pasadena 2026 at a Glance
Event | Date | Best For |
Halloween at Kidspace | Sept. 18 to Oct. 31 | Families and young kids |
Return to Woodsboro | Oct. 2 to 4 | Horror and Scream fans |
Carved at Descanso Gardens | Oct. 2 to Nov. 1 | Families, couples, photos |
Halloween Spooktacular | Oct. 3 | Families |
Barks & Boos | Oct. 10 | Dog owners |
Bark in the Park | Oct. 25 | Pets and families |
Día de los Muertos at the Arboretum | Oct. 25 | Families and culture |
Día de los Muertos at Villa Parke | Oct. 30 | Community celebration |
Strange Science | Oct. 30 to 31 | Adults and older visitors |
Old Pasadena Trick-or-Treating | Oct. 31 | Kids and families |
Haunted Pasadena Walking Tour | Select dates | History and ghost stories |
The Bunker Experience | Throughout October | Thrill seekers |
1. Halloween at Kidspace Children's Museum
When: September 18 to October 31, 2026
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Where: Kidspace Children's Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena
For families with younger children, Halloween at Kidspace is one of the easiest ways to enjoy spooky season without making things too scary.
Children are encouraged to arrive in costume and join Kidspace's Halloween parades alongside superheroes, pirates, fairies, mermaids, and plenty of other costumed visitors.
Activities include a spooky trike experience, monster-themed activities, imaginative play, and other Halloween surprises throughout the museum.
Best for:
Young children, families, daytime Halloween activities, and parents looking for something festive without the scares.
2. Return to Woodsboro: Celebrating 30 Years of Terror
When: October 2 to 4, 2026
Where: Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green Street, Pasadena
Horror fans have a major reason to visit Pasadena this October.
Return to Woodsboro: Celebrating 30 Years of Terror commemorates the 30th anniversary of Wes Craven's 1996 horror classic, Scream.
The multi-day event is expected to include celebrity appearances, panels, props, vendors, exclusive merchandise, photo opportunities, and other surprises celebrating the movie's legacy.
Best for:
Scream fans, horror movie lovers, collectors, and anyone looking for a Halloween event geared toward adults and older fans.
3. Carved at Descanso Gardens
When: October 2 to November 1, 2026
Hours: 6 PM to 9 PM
Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
One of Southern California's most photogenic fall traditions returns for another season.
Carved at Descanso Gardens transforms the gardens into an illuminated Halloween trail filled with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, massive hand-carved pumpkins, colorful light installations, and towering wood sculptures.
The 2026 experience features a new route along with the popular Descanso Railroad, wood spirits created by Chainsaw Jenna, and the "Rhizome" light installation by Tom and Lien Dekyvere.
The event is designed for all ages and takes place rain or shine.
Best for:
Date nights, families, fall photography, Halloween lovers, and visitors who prefer magical over scary.
4. Halloween Spooktacular at One Colorado
When: October 3, 2026
Hours: 10 AM to 2 PM
Where: One Colorado, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena
Families can kick off October with a Halloween celebration right in the heart of Pasadena.
The Halloween Spooktacular at One Colorado features Bob Baker Marionettes performing a Halloween-themed show with kid-friendly versions of Dracula, witches, and other classic spooky characters.
Capacity may be limited, making advance reservations a good idea.
Best for:
Families, toddlers, younger children, and anyone looking for a daytime activity in Old Pasadena.
5. Barks & Boos at the Los Angeles County Arboretum
When: October 10, 2026
Hours: 11 AM to 4 PM
Where: Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
Halloween costumes are not just for humans.
Barks & Boos brings Halloween fun to the LA County Arboretum with a pet costume contest, dog agility activities, adoption opportunities, and other pet-friendly festivities.
The pet costume contest is scheduled for 2:30 PM.
Best for:
Dog owners, families, pet lovers, and anyone who wants to spend Halloween surrounded by very cute animals in costumes.
6. Bark in the Park: Howl-o-ween
When: October 25, 2026
Hours: 11 AM to 2 PM
Where: Playhouse Village Park, 701 Union Street, Pasadena
Didn't get enough costumed dogs at Barks & Boos?
Playhouse Village has another opportunity.
Bark in the Park: Howl-o-ween is a free community event featuring a dog costume parade and contest, treat stations, pup bites, and activities for both pets and their humans.
Best for:
Dog owners, families, free activities, and anyone who appreciates an exceptionally good Halloween costume on a corgi.
7. Día de los Muertos at the Arboretum
When: October 25, 2026
Hours: 4 PM to 8 PM
Where: Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
The LA County Arboretum's Día de los Muertos celebration combines culture, remembrance, music, and community inside its beautiful gardens.
Visitors can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, live music, colorful decorations, and spaces dedicated to honoring loved ones who have passed.
Best for:
Families, cultural experiences, live entertainment, and visitors looking for a meaningful community celebration.
8. Día de los Muertos at Villa Parke
When: October 30, 2026
Hours: 5 PM to 8 PM
Where: Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa Street, Pasadena
Pasadena Parks, Recreation, and Community Services will host its annual Día de los Muertos celebration at Villa Parke Community Center.
Expect traditional and contemporary dance performances, arts and crafts, food, community activities, and beautifully decorated ofrendas honoring loved ones.
Best for:
Families, community celebrations, arts and culture, and anyone interested in learning more about Día de los Muertos traditions.
9. Strange Science at The Huntington
When: October 30 to 31, 2026
Hours: 6 PM to 10 PM
Where: The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
Looking for something a little different from pumpkins and candy?
Strange Science at The Huntington takes guests on an imaginative journey from ancient civilizations to dystopian futures.
The Halloween experience includes performances, talks, music, dancing, and science-inspired entertainment throughout the evening.
Best for:
Adults, couples, groups of friends, science lovers, and visitors looking for a unique Halloween night out.
Where Can You Go Trick-or-Treating in Pasadena?
10. Trick-or-Treating in Old Pasadena
When: October 31, 2026
Where: Old Pasadena
One of the most family-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween in Pasadena is the annual Old Pasadena Treat Trail.
Children can wear their costumes and walk from participating business to participating business collecting candy and Halloween surprises.
Treats are generally available while supplies last, so arriving earlier can be helpful.
Families can also stop at the Halloween-themed photo area for a festive picture before heading home to inspect the candy haul.
Best for:
Children, families, traditional trick-or-treating, and anyone looking for a walkable Halloween activity.
Scary Halloween Activities in Pasadena
Not every Halloween activity needs to be kid-friendly.
For older teens and adults looking for something creepier, Pasadena has several ways to explore its spooky side.
11. Haunted Pasadena Walking Tour
When: Select Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 PM
Starting Location: Performer Statue outside The Stand, 36 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena
Pasadena's elegant architecture hides some surprisingly strange stories.
The Haunted Pasadena Walking Tour takes guests through Playhouse Village, the Civic Center, and Old Pasadena while sharing stories about local mysteries, unusual historical events, eerie locations, and legends from the city's past.
Best for:
Ghost story fans, history lovers, date nights, visitors, and anyone who enjoys seeing a different side of Pasadena after dark.
12. The Bunker Experience
When: Available throughout October
Where: 20 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena
Want something more intense?
The Bunker Experience combines escape-room puzzles with an immersive post-apocalyptic storyline inside a historic basement in Old Pasadena.
Groups navigate dark rooms, solve challenges, and attempt to complete their mission before time runs out.
It is one of the more immersive Halloween activities available near Pasadena throughout October.
Best for:
Groups of friends, escape-room fans, thrill seekers, date nights, and older Halloween enthusiasts.
What Are the Best Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Pasadena?
Families have several options in 2026.
For younger children, Halloween at Kidspace and the Halloween Spooktacular at One Colorado offer daytime activities without heavy scares.
For an evening experience, Carved at Descanso Gardens offers glowing pumpkins and immersive displays suitable for a wide range of ages.
Families looking for traditional Halloween fun can also head to Old Pasadena on October 31 for trick-or-treating.
Pet parents can join Barks & Boos or Bark in the Park: Howl-o-ween.
What Halloween Events Are Good for Adults in Pasadena?
Adults looking for spooky season plans have plenty of choices too.
Horror fans can attend Return to Woodsboro, while couples and groups may enjoy Carved at Descanso Gardens, Strange Science at The Huntington, or a nighttime Haunted Pasadena Walking Tour.
For something more interactive, The Bunker Experience combines puzzles, horror elements, and an immersive storyline.
When Do Halloween Events Start in Pasadena?
Halloween celebrations around Pasadena begin well before October 31.
In 2026, Halloween at Kidspace begins September 18, while several major events launch during the first weekend of October.
Activities continue through Halloween night, with Carved at Descanso Gardens continuing through November 1.
That means visitors have roughly six weeks to fit Pasadena's fall and Halloween attractions into their schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween in Pasadena
Is Pasadena good for Halloween?
Yes. Pasadena and nearby communities offer a wide variety of Halloween activities including trick-or-treating, illuminated pumpkin displays, children's events, haunted experiences, pet costume contests, cultural celebrations, and special nighttime events.
Where can kids trick-or-treat in Pasadena?
Old Pasadena hosts Halloween trick-or-treating on October 31, with participating shops and restaurants handing out treats while supplies last.
Are there Halloween activities for toddlers in Pasadena?
Halloween at Kidspace Children's Museum and the Halloween Spooktacular at One Colorado are among the most approachable choices for families with younger children.
Are there scary Halloween activities in Pasadena?
Yes. Adults and older visitors can check out the Haunted Pasadena Walking Tour, The Bunker Experience, Return to Woodsboro, and other seasonal activities.
Are there dog-friendly Halloween events in Pasadena?
Yes. Barks & Boos at the LA County Arboretum and Bark in the Park: Howl-o-ween both include activities centered around dogs and Halloween costumes.
Do Pasadena Halloween events require tickets?
Some do and some are free. Popular ticketed attractions such as Carved, Kidspace events, and specialty Halloween experiences may have limited availability, so advance reservations are recommended.
Plan Your Pasadena Halloween Weekend
With pumpkin displays, trick-or-treating, dog costume contests, horror celebrations, cultural events, haunted stories, and immersive experiences happening throughout the month, there is no shortage of things to do for Halloween in Pasadena in 2026.
Save this guide while planning your October calendar, and always confirm event times, tickets, age restrictions, parking, and availability directly with the organizer before visiting.
Happy haunting! 🎃👻
Disclaimer: Event dates, times, pricing, ticket availability, and activities are subject to change. Please check each event’s official website or social media page for the most current information before attending. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the featured venues or event organizers.
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