This week in Oakland: Halloween edition

Halloween week is here, and with it, plenty of events to celebrate the spooky holiday for kids and adults alike.

This weekend, the weather forecasts a slight chance of showers on Halloween night, though of course, that may change. If you plan on heading out to go trick-or-treating with your little ones, or there’s an outdoor event you’re thinking of attending, make sure to check the forecast to see if you need to grab a raincoat and umbrella.

For this week’s roundup, we have gathered Halloween events taking place across Oakland for you to enjoy. We even added an extra event to check out. As a reminder, in addition to outdoor events, we are also now including indoor events where proof of vaccination and mask-wearing are enforced.

If there’s an event you think we should feature, email me at azucena@oaklandside.org, or fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

Here’s this week’s roundup of local happenings to check out. Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Halloween Movie Night at Clinton Park

Bring your picnic blankets and chairs to catch a free screening of the movie Casper. Make sure to stop by one of the many restaurants in the Eastlake Little Saigon neighborhood to grab some food or snacks to bring to the movie screening. Peter’s Kettle Corn will provide popcorn, and Asian Health Services will offer free COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Kids and adults are encouraged to wear a costume for a chance to win prizes. Although this is a free event, attendees are encouraged to RSVP.

Friday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m, free, Clinton Park, 6th Avenue and International Boulevard.

Driveway Follies Halloween puppet show

For over a decade, the late puppeteer Larry Schmidt would open up his Trestle Glen home where he built a stage and hosted an annual spooky marionette show. Although he passed away in 2019, Driveway Follies, a local nonprofit created in his honor to help preserve the lost art of marionette puppetry, will be hosting two shows this weekend in person after having to go virtual last year. Kids and adults alike will get the chance to check out a free Halloween puppet show outside on both October 30th and Halloween night starting at dusk and ending around 10 p.m. Witches, ghouls, zombies, and human families are all invited to attend, and please wear a mask.

Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., free, 3854 Greenwood Ave.

Día de los Muertos Fiesta at Peralta Hacienda

Through the pandemic, the team at this historical park in East Oakland has continued providing food and services for the community in need. As restrictions have been lifted, the team has also added cultural programming for families to enjoy. This weekend, Peralta Hacienda is teaming up with the Oakland Ballet for a special preview performance of Luna Mexicana, the Day of the Dead show, which will return to the Paramount Theatre next month. While this preview performance is free, people who want to attend need to register online. In addition, the event will feature a Q&A with members of the ballet, face-painting, art-making stations, and trick-or-treating for the kids in attendance. This is an outdoor event, so it’s a good idea to dress warmly.

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., free, Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave.

Trunk or Treat in the East

Join City Councilmember Loren Taylor and the Bay Area Classic Car Club, East Bay Chevs, and East Bay Stepsiders Truck Club at Eastmont Town Center (Liberation Park) where trick-or-treaters will be able to collect candy from car club members. Kids will also be able to partake in carving pumpkins, sugar skull face painting, and other activities. In addition, parents can grab food from participating vendors, and roller skaters can roam around the skating rink.

Saturday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m to 6:30 p.m., free, Eastmont Town Center, 6955 Foothill Blvd.

Dogs of Eli’s Costume Contest

Dress your canine with its best Captain America, Aquaman, Chucky, or Mike Myers get-ups! The costume possibilities are endless. Come hang at the back patio to enjoy a beverage while you judge what other doggie parents choose to dress their pups up as. This event takes place in the afternoon, which leaves you plenty of time to drop off your fur trick-or-treater at home and continue the ghoulish celebrations elsewhere.

Sunday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m to 6 p.m., free, Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

If you like to dress up for Halloween, don’t think that we’ve forgotten about you. This party is your chance to show off your Halloween costume skills and have the opportunity to win a cash prize. Four local DJs: Lady Ryan, Lexapeel, Kream, and Dreams will be behind the turntables. If you want to only be a spectator and not dress up, you can also attend even if you’re not wearing a costume. Don’t forget that this venue requires proof of full vaccination (must be two weeks past the second dose) or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours from the time of entry to the venue.

Sunday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., $15-$20, The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave.