Halloween Haunts

Every Halloween, parents load up the kids in the minivan/station wagon/SUV and take them to trick or treat. That, or they pull out those flashlights and walk them door to door. Either way, Campbell Patch's got you covered.

Here is a comprehensive list of Halloween haunts, trick or treat destinations and places to have a good time (and scare) in and around the Orchard City, starting Thursday, Oct. 27.

1. Westmont's Haunted House (Fright at the Museum).

Why not get scared for a good cause? How about for the Westmont High School Drama department? Starting tonight, Oct. 27 through Saturday, Oct. 29 the Westmont High School Performing Arts Center kicks off Fright Night at the Museum.

Tours are $10 and begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue until 9:30 p.m. Kid-friendly tours are FREE on Friday, Oct. 28 from 3-4 p.m. Children are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes to the "no to blood/gore/scare factor, yes to candy" tours!

All proceeds benefit Westmont Drama Department.

2. Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Campbell.

On Friday, Oct. 28, parents and children can head to downtown Campbell for the annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., rain or shine.

Between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., downtown restaurants, shops, and boutiques will be open their doors and hand out special treats.

From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. the costume contest takes place. Bring the kids, yourself, and your pets dressed in their best digs. The contest features multiple categories, prizes and is free. Meet on the lawn of The Courtyard, on Campbell Avenue between Central and First streets.

Cost: Free.

3. 9th Annual Spooky Night at Campbell Historical Museum.

On Friday, Oct 28th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., the Campbell Historical Museum opens its doors for a spooky and fun Halloween crafts and activites day. 

This event is held in conjunction with the Downtown Campbell Trick-or-Treat Night and costumes are encouraged.

Decorate a trick-or-treat bag, participate in old-fashioned Halloween games and make spooky crafts!

Cost: $5 per person; free for Museum members.

4. 20th Annual Kirkwood Plaza No Tricks, Just Treats.

Nothing like going to the local shopping plaza all dressed up and leave with your candy sacks full!

On Saturday, Oct. 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kirkwood Plaza presents its 20th Annual No Tricks, Just Treats.

The kids costume contest starts at 12:30 p.m. for kids 10 years and younger and is broken down into three categories:

• Group A: up to 3 years old
• Group B: 4 years old to 6 years old
• Group C: 7 years old to 10 years old

And as a bonus, the winner in each age group receives a $100 Kirkwood Plaza gift certificate.

Cost: Free.

5. Marshall Lane 40th Annual Pumpkin Walk Carnival.

It's been 40 years and Marshall Lane just knows how to throw a spooktacular party.

On Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. on the school campus, there will be games, food, home-made baked goods, a haunted house and or course, a costume parade.

And not only is this a fun event to attend, it also benefits the school, so why not?

Cost: $28 for wristband = unlimited games and rides. Food is pay-as-you-go. Tickets are $28 for 40 or 75 cents each. Good for food, drinks, bake sale, concessions, spin art, photo booth, face painting and pay-as-you-go games and rides.

6. Trunk N Treat.

On Halloween (Oct. 31), from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. parents can just drive their costumed little ones over to the for their Trunk-or-Treat.

Cars are decked out in holiday decor. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Along with the goodies, there wil also be refreshments for the ghosts and gobblins.

The Campbell Church of Christ is between San Tomas Expressway
and San Tomas Aquino Road. Parking is available off of Victor Avenue behind the church campus.

Cost: Free.

Outside of Campbell:

7. Halloween Festival, Kids' Concert, and Kidical Mass Bike Ride.

Not far from Campbell, Willow Glen's Treehouse in the Glen is kicking off a Halloween festival, kids' concert and Kidical Mass Bike Ride.

This event on Saturday, Oct. 30 from noon to 3:15 p.m. is aimed at the whole family, just make sure you're all in your spookiest attire.

The day is broken down like this:

• Noon: Meet at the Treehouse courtyard. There, have fun doing festive arts and crafts, play games and take a photo in the giant pirateship photo booth. The PapaHugs characters will be there.
• 1:00 p.m.: Kids' concert by David Sharpe & Tha PapaHugs Band.
• 2:00 p.m.: Kidical Mass Bike Ride, in honor of Halloween bring your bikes, come in costume, get some exercise and have fun.
• 3:00 p.m.: Awards for Treehouse's Halloween costume contest.

The Treehouse in the Glen is located at 1275 Lincoln Ave, Suite 2

Cost: Free.

8. 5th Annual Haunt the Hollow - Trick-or-Treating at Happy Hollow.

Trick or treating with the animals? What's not to love. On Sunday, Oct. 30 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Whole Foods Campbell will join others at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. to hand out goodies to children dressed up for the day.

Prices include admission into Happy Hollow from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Trick-or Treating from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $3 for Happy Hollow Members and History San Jose Members, $9 All Reciprocal Members , $12 Non-Members / General Admission.

9. Halloween in Boo-tiful Downtown Willow Glen.

Trick-or-treat on the official day to do just that: Oct. 31, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Participating businesses between Coe and Minnesota avenues along Lincoln Avenue in San Jose with trick-or-treat posters on display in their windows will have goodies for kids in costumes.

Remember to use crosswalks with lights and follow the trail signs on the sidewalk. Volunteers wearing orange vests will be on hand to help guide children and parents along the trail and across the street.

Trick or treaters can start at any place along the trail but must maintain the same direction of foot traffic.

This event is sponsored by the Willow Glen Business Association.

Cost: Free.

10. Valco Treat or Treat

It's a win-win! Cupertino's Valco Shopping Center is getting into the howliday spirit and participating stores will be passing out candy on Monday, Oct. 31 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

And a bonus, show off your costume and receive a free 5X7 photo! All the festivities take place on the second level of the mall, in front of the Macy's.

Cost: Free.