Halloween Events in Carlsbad: Parties, Trick-or-Treating + Things to Do
Updated October 13, 2026
Halloween in our house starts October 1, when my girls start debating costumes, and doesn't end until every last piece of candy has been traded. This year it lands on a Saturday, which means the whole weekend is fair game. Whether your crew is all about candy, costumes, a little scare or a grown-up night out, Carlsbad has a way to celebrate.
Here's where we're going, and everything else worth knowing about: the big Village trick-or-treat, free light shows, costume contests (for kids and pups) and a few spooky nights out.
Halloween at a Glance
Select nights Oct 15 to 31: The Nightmare Before Blitzen's pop-up bar at Omni La Costa
Fri, Oct 16: Harvest Party at North Coast Calvary Chapel (free, not-so-scary)
Sat, Oct 17: Halloween Boo-Nanza at Plaza Paseo Real and Pumpkin Plunge at Alga Norte
Sun, Oct 18: Pet Costume Contest at Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Fri, Oct 23 and Sat, Oct 24: Trunk or Treat at Windmill Food Hall
Sun, Oct 25: Yappy Hour Halloween Costume Contest at Windmill Food Hall
Thu, Oct 29: Pure Project Howl-O-Ween and Buckets + Booze at The Crossings
Oct 30 + 31: The Haunted Courtyard Spook-easy at Omni La Costa
Sat, Oct 31: Halloween in the Village and Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch
All month: Bressi Ranch Halloween houses, free light shows, LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat, Fantasy Fright + Jurassic Fright
Trick-or-Treating in Carlsbad
Halloween in the Village
The big one. On Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Carlsbad Village turns into one giant, walkable trick-or-treat route. Start at CalRes Homes (2691 State Street), where the first 250 kids get a pumpkin candy bucket. Then follow the candy stops through the Village, with crafts and games at the Boys & Girls Club and a costume contest at Village Faire Shopping Center (300 Carlsbad Village Drive). Sign up by 11:30 AM and the contests starts at noon.
Good to know: Lily Field Realty hosts sensory-friendly activities and allergy-friendly treats, a thoughtful option for kids who need a calmer Halloween. Go early, since the free buckets go fast.
Our take: This whole experience is so much fun for the whole family. The kids collect candy the entire way (last year, a favorite stop was the free book from the Carlsbad City Library), and as a parent, I love discovering shops and businesses I've missed or that are new to me. Going with friends, or running into them along the way, makes it even better.
Bressi Ranch Halloween Houses
The neighborhood that goes all out. Bressi Ranch's HOA allows decorations starting October 1, so the whole month is fair game for a walk-through. Park near Peppertree Way and Nygaard Street (there's a playground there, which makes a great meeting spot), then wander down toward Peppertree Way and Greenhaven Drive for more homes.
Good to know: You can drive it, but walking is half the fun. If your kids scare easily, go during the day. It's more mellow, and you can always skip a house and head straight to the park. Grab dinner nearby at Board & Brew, The Corner Pizza, Mendocino Farms, Rubio's or Casero Tacos.
Our take: This is one of our family traditions. We start with a big group of friends, somehow lose everyone by the end of the night, and it's all good. The excitement is real. We usually kick things off with dinner at Board & Brew or Rubio's, then walk our way through Bressi Ranch.
Trunk-or-Treats
Halloween Boo-Nanza, Plaza Paseo Real: Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Trick-or-treat stations, crafts and festive fun. An easy morning for little ones.
Trunk or Treat, Windmill Food Hall: Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th at 6pm. Grab dinner from one of the food stalls while the kids collect candy.
Free Halloween Light Shows
The Camp Store: Nightly at 6:30 p.m. at the Carlsbad campground, and it runs twice a night. This year's theme is aliens. Get there before sunset to grab a table, and plan to park in the Ralphs lot off Avenida Encinas.
Good to know: Firepit and Table Reservations are available online. In October they have Local Mondays in the kitchen. Any Pizza + Any Draft Beer for $20 combo is back.
Our take: We love how open and casual this spot is, with a breathtaking view that feels like home. It's a happy night out with friends: the kids get a little freedom to explore the outdoor dining area, the grown-ups get good food and a beer, and the fire pit makes it cozy even if you aren't sitting right next to it. You can't beat that fresh ocean air.
Ammonite Place: A neighborhood light show at 6997 Ammonite Place. Tune your car radio to 104.1 FM and drive through slowly, or park and walk the cul-de-sac for the full experience. Please be respectful, since it's someone's home street.
Family Halloween Fun
Harvest Party at North Coast Calvary Chapel: Friday, October 16, 4:30 to 8 p.m. A free family night with animal shows, bubble shows and around 30 barrels of candy. Costumes are welcome, but no scary ones, which makes it perfect for little kids. Parking is limited, so carpool if you can and enter from Aviara Parkway.
Our take: My kids have loved this for years, and it's one of our favorite fall traditions. The people at this church throw the absolute best party. No scary costumes is a big win for us.
Pumpkin Plunge at Alga Norte: Saturday, October 17, 5 to 8 p.m. Pool games, floating obstacles and a floating pumpkin patch (kids take home a pumpkin), plus a splash pad, bounce house and lawn games. Register ahead, because it sells out.
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat: Weekends through November 1, included with park admission. New this year: Brick or Treat Street, a walk through six life-size LEGO monster houses. Not too scary, perfect for little kids.
Fantasy Fright + Jurassic Fright: Two monster and dinosaur mazes at Carlsbad Strawberry Company, through November 7 and 8. Daytime is kid-friendly; nights are spookier.
Monster Mash Musician Showcase: Saturday, October 24, at 5 p.m. Carlsbad Village Music students and staff put on a night of spooky music. Costumes encouraged, and family and friends are welcome.
Halloween Playdough Bar at Kids & Coffee: Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. to noon. A sweet, low-key Halloween morning for little ones. Reservations recommended.
Halloween Movie Nights at Pumpkin Palooza: 7 p.m. under the stars. Oct 23 Corpse Bride, Oct 24 The Nightmare Before Christmas, Oct 25 Hocus Pocus, Oct 28 Monster House, Oct 29 Hotel Transylvania, Oct 30 Coco.
For the Grown-Ups
The Nightmare Before Blitzen's at Omni La Costa: The resort's holiday pop-up bar gets a Halloween makeover, with themed cocktails, festive bites and spooky surprises. October 15 to 17, 22 to 24 and 29 to 31, 6 to 9 p.m. Open to locals.
The Haunted Courtyard Spook-easy at Omni La Costa: October 30 and 31, with entry at 7 or 8:30 p.m. A ticketed experience with cocktails, ghostly encounters and a few surprises in a tucked-away corner of the resort. Childcare can be added when you buy tickets.
Buckets + Booze at The Crossings: Thursday, October 29, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Free admission, festive eats and games at the driving range, plus a large bucket and two beers for $24. Costumes encouraged, golfer or not.
The Speakeasy in the Cornfield: A pop-up bar tucked inside the corn maze at Carlsbad Strawberry Company. Follow Pacific Coast Spirits on Instagram for the nightly password.
Haunted Food Tour with Carlsbad Food Tours: Select dates in October. A spooky walk through the Village's history, with bites along the way.
Not into Halloween? Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight: Saturday, October 31, at Redeemer by the Sea. A string trio plays "Dreams," "Landslide" and more by candlelight, with shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The perfect plan if your idea of Halloween is skipping the costumes entirely. Ages 8 and up.
Bring the Dog
Pet Costume Contest at Carlsbad Strawberry Company: Sunday, October 18 (rescheduled from Oct 11). Judged by Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn. Arrive by 12:50 p.m. to enter.
Yappy Hour Halloween Costume Contest at Windmill Food Hall: Sunday, October 25, 2 to 4 p.m. A DJ set, drink specials, prizes and raffles.
Howl-O-Ween Costume Party at Pure Project: Thursday, October 29. Check-in at 6 p.m., pup costume contest at 6:30 p.m.
Día de los Muertos
Leo Carrillo Ranch: October 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. The historic hacienda is dressed in marigolds with a traditional ofrenda, music and crafts. A beautiful, calmer way to spend the holiday weekend.
The Brubaker Table at Omni La Costa: Sunday, November 1, 6 to 8 p.m. An intimate Día de los Muertos dinner hosted by Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, with a collaborative menu honoring tradition and remembrance. Open to locals.
After Halloween: Candy Buyback
Got more candy than anyone in your house needs? Carlsbad Village Orthodontics is hosting its annual Halloween Candy Buy Back on Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kids get $1 per pound of candy plus a goodie bag, and the office donates $1 per pound to your child's school too (up to $10 per participant). Bring friends and family. Know a local dentist or orthodontist hosting a buyback this year? Send it our way and we'll add it to the list.
My Pick
Our plan this year: an October weeknight at the Camp Store light show (it's less crowded), Halloween in the Village during the day on the 31st, then dinner and trick-or-treating through the neighborhood with friends that night. Then home to trade candy of course.
Planning more fall fun? See our Fall in Carlsbad guide and our guide to pumpkin patches in and near Carlsbad.
Dates and times were checked in October 2026 and can change, so confirm with each event before you go.
