San Francisco is gearing up for a thrilling week filled with a mix of spooky festivities and exciting activities as Halloween approaches. From immersive haunted houses to lively markets and music festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Kicking off the festivities, Terror Vault: Hexed, an immersive haunted house experience, will take over the historic SF Mint. Here, participants can expect witches, dark rituals, and over 100 live scare actors working across 35 intricately designed sets to create an hour-long theatrical nightmare.
On the same evening, fans of classic cinema can attend the Sundown Cinema featuring “Edward Scissorhands.” Set in the Presidio, this special spooky installment invites attendees to dress up for a Halloween costume contest, with winners receiving reserved seating access right by the screen.
Friday nights in San Francisco are sure to be lively as the Bhangra & Beats night market transforms four blocks of downtown into a vibrant dance party. Featuring DJs, live performances, and a variety of subcontinent food trucks and vendors, this festive event cultivates a joyful atmosphere for all ages.
For golf enthusiasts, the BoxWorld golf & music fest at the Ferry Building will offer next-gen golf simulators and mini-competitions, alongside live music performances by artists including Jayceeoh, Noodles, and J Espinosa. It promises to be an engagement between sport and music, drawing in crowds from across the city.
In celebration of the Halloween spirit, Crawloween pub crawl will see over 40 bars across the Marina, Polk, and North Beach uniting for a grand costumed pub crawl. Shuttle buses will be provided between neighborhoods, making it easy to hop from one festive spot to another.
For a more unique experience, Shoes Off! sober dance party will bring a South Asian-inspired celebration to York Street Collective. With DJs, immersive visuals, and homemade parandas, attendees will find an engaging evening that offers fun without the need for substances.
Those looking to immerse themselves in deep beats can catch Belgian live-electronic collective Stavroz performing at Public Works. Their blend of jazz and deep house creates a dreamlike dance floor atmosphere that promises to be a memorable experience.
As the night unfolds, residents can also enjoy the Bodega Rave hosted by NYC’s MUNDO crew at the Mission’s Mr. Liquor store. Attendees can look forward to late-night Latin beats by Dos Flakos, ensuring the party keeps going late into the night.
Continuing the weekend, the Psyched indie punk festival will bring together a lineup that features Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Vivian Girls, Shannon & The Clams, and many more. Over the course of 10 days, 20 different venues will host this eclectic mix, reminiscent of a mini SXSW festival.
Families looking for fun with a Halloween twist can visit the Chinatown Halloween festival. This urban pumpkin patch will offer lion dancing, free goodie bags, costume contests, and various enjoyable activities for all ages.
A free block festival known as the Homecoming festival will take place on Alabama Street, offering a day full of art tours led by graffiti legend Sirron Norris, TED-style talks focused on culture and generosity, local concerts, and opportunities to tour historic buildings.
For those in need of a last-minute costume, the Cherry Bomb vintage market at Mirage Tattoo provides an epic vintage shopping opportunity. Attendees can browse for unique finds while enjoying DJs, discount racks, and even tooth gemming before Halloween.
Another highlight is the North Beach Halloween Night Market, where participants can gather last-minute costumes and decorations amid a street fair atmosphere featuring local art, food, live music, and family-friendly Halloween activities.
Literature lovers should not miss the Lit Crawl reading festival, an annual decentralized literature and poetry event. This year, 250 authors will showcase their work in bars, bookstores, and tattoo parlors throughout the Mission, creating a vibrant atmosphere of pop-ups and inspired readings.
For those seeking a more clandestine experience, the NYX Whispers in the Dark rave is a secret-location warehouse party set to pulse with house and techno music, starting late at 2 a.m.
On Sunday, partygoers can head to a rooftop darty featuring Keinemusik’s Alan Dixon, allowing them to unwind while taking in stunning skyline views with minimal house music in the background.
Sunday also offers the Howl-O-Ween dog fest at Spark Social. Dog lovers can dress up their pets and join in the festivities, which include a puppy parade, corgi meetup, pup-cup races, and a costume contest.
Early risers and coffee enthusiasts will want to participate in the 415 Coffee Club dance party featuring unlimited specialty coffee, DJ sets, and engaging activities designed to start the day right. With the option to participate in drinking games, it promises to be a lively gathering in a secret SoMa location.
Rounding out an action-packed weekend is the Sunset Sound System Halloween Boat Cruise, which operates from the evening until the early hours of the next day. It offers a unique way to experience the holiday festivities while enjoying the bay views.
This week in San Francisco promises an array of choices that cater to varying tastes and interests, ensuring that there will be no shortage of fun activities leading up to Halloween.
image source from：sfstandard
