Haunts and Howls: Your Guide to a Spirited Halloween in Alameda

With only a week before little ghosts and goblins begin ringing doorbells and demanding treats, the calendar has filled up with Halloween-flavored events in Alameda.

Here's what we have collected. (Plus we've included some Oakland events at the end — at the Oakland Zoo, Children's Fairyland and the Oakland Museum of California.) If we've missed a local event, please add it in the comments section below the article.

ONGOING

Alameda — Haunt Your House! contest and canned food drive. Deadline for entries: Sunday, Oct. 27 at midnight. Benefits the Alameda Food Bank. Entry details here.

West End Pumpkin Patch, through Oct. 30, weekends 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekdays 3:30-7 p.m. Corner of Pacific Avenue and Webster Street. Sponsored by West Alameda Business Assn. and West End schools. The largest pumpkins will be delivered Friday, Oct. 25. School fundraising competition and best-tasting pie contest on Oct. 30.

10th Annual Teen Haunted House, Friday, Oct. 25, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, 4-9 p.m. South Shore Center, Park Street and Otis Drive (next to Loard's Ice Cream and across from Daiso Japan). $5 per person for ages 5-17, $7 for ages 18 and up, payable at the door. Presented by the Alameda Recreation and Park Department and Alameda Teens; proceeds benefit teen programs.

Halloween activities at South Shore Center. Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-6 p.m. in the Neptune Court. Face painting, henna, bounce house, trick-or-treating at participating merchants and restaurants. Children's costume parade at 3 p.m.  both days.

Harbor Bay Haunted House, Saturday, Oct. 26, 6:30-10 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Less scary preview for younger children, 4-6 p.m. both days. 322 Sweet Road, on Bay Farm Island near the Harbor Bay ferry terminal. $3  ($2 if you bring a can of food to donate); all proceeds benefit the Alameda Food Bank. Presented by a group of Lincoln Middle School students and friends.

FRIDAY, OCT. 25

Halloween-Samhain concert, 7 p.m., Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden, 1223 Park St. $10 suggested donation. Four Shillings Short performs music for the Celtic New Year.

SATURDAY, OCT. 26

Halloween ComicFest 2013, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Alameda Sportscards & Comics, 1515 Webster St. Trick-or-treat comic giveaway of mini comics; limit of two per person.

Halloween Bingo Bash, 12 noon (doors open at 10 a.m.), Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. $5 each for first two packs. Snack bar available.

Howl-o-Ween and Pet Costume Contest, 1:30-4 pm., Dog Bone Alley, 1342 Park St. Judging for cats and small dogs (30 lb. and under), 2 p.m.; for large dogs, 3 p.m. Arrive at least 10 minutes before scheduled judging time.

Scared Stiff: Costumes, Pinball Comedy and Dancing, 7:30 p.m.-midnight, Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster St. $20 per person at the door or through eventbrite.com. No-host soft drinks and beer, free snacks.

SUNDAY, OCT. 17

Halloween Courtyard Festival and Hometown Supper, 3:30 p.m., First Congregational Church of Alameda, Alameda, 1912 Central Ave. (at Chestnut). Admission: $10 adults; $5 ages 4-12; under 4 free. Afternoon carnival with bouncy houses, costume parade, haunted houses, followed by supper with spooky desserts, live music, silent auction.

TUESDAY, OCT. 29

Haunt Your Ride/Haunt Your Stride, 5:30 p.m., Franklin Park, 1432 San Antonio Ave. Join Bike Walk Alameda for a pre-Halloween look at the decorated Gold Coast homes. Meet first at the park for cider, then walk or cycle with the group starting at 6:30 p.m. See this listing for details of what to bring and wear, and how to equip your bike.

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

Costume Ball for Adults 50 Years and Older, 1-3:30 p.m., Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. $2 per person. Music, dancing, costume contest, refreshment.

OAKLAND EVENTS

OAKLAND ZOO

Boo at the Zoo, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Included with zoo admission: adults $15.75; children and seniors $11.75; under age 2 free. $8 parking fee (free for zoo members). Stroll the Zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train and join the costume parade. Get your face painted, make treats for the animals, and see how the animals at Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween. Kids in costumes receive a free ride ticket.

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Jack o'Lantern Jamboree, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, 10 a.m.5 p.m., Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. (at Lake Merritt), Oakland. $10 per person. Parades, unlimited rides, treat stations, special performances and puppet shows, separate jumpers for little and big kids, pirate school.

OAKLAND MUSEUM

Days of the Dead Community Celebration, Sunday, Oct. 27, noon-4:30 p.m., Oakland Museum of California, 1999 Oak St., Oakland. Included with general admission: $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, $6 youth (ages 9-17), free for age 8 and under. Craft activities, tasty food, dance and music groups, demonstrations of traditional Mesoamerican arts and cooking, Days of the Dead merchandise by local artisans. Visit the special exhibition, The Tree of Life and Death: Días de los Muertos 2013, on view in the Gallery of California Natural Sciences. Included with museum admission. 

See the Alameda Patch events calendar for more Halloween events in the East Bay and beyond.

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