Updated October 15, 2026.
Halloween 2026 lands on a Saturday, which means the East Bay’s merchant trick-or-treats, parades, and candy crawls are spread across 2 full weekends. Good news if your kids want more than one bucket refill.
Below is every kid-friendly trick-or-treat event in Oakland and the East Bay we could confirm for 2026, in date order, with times, addresses, and what it costs. Most are free.
2026 East Bay trick-or-treat events at a glance
Sun., Oct. 18 — Truck-or-Treat at Benioff Children’s Hospital (Oakland)
Sat., Oct. 24 — Lakeshore Candy Crawl & Harvest Festival (Oakland)
Sat., Oct. 24 — Piedmont Ave Halloween Celebration (Oakland)
Sun., Oct. 25 — Rockridge Halloween Parade (Oakland)
Fri., Oct. 30 — Trunk or Treat at Lake Merritt (Oakland)
Fri., Oct. 30 — Chinatown Trick or Treat Trail (Oakland)
Sat., Oct. 31 — Mad Magic at Children’s Fairyland (Oakland)
Sat., Oct. 31 — Fourth Street Trick-or-Treat & Halloween Fest (Berkeley)
Oakland trick-or-treat events
Truck-or-Treat at Benioff Children’s Hospital
Touch-a-truck meets trick-or-treat. Kids can climb into construction and emergency vehicles, collect candy, make Halloween crafts, and play games. Costumes are encouraged, and there’s a prize for the best ones.
When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 9am-1pm
Where: 744 52nd St, Oakland (Temescal)
Cost: Free. Everyone signs a waiver at check-in. No pets (service animals OK).
Best for: Truck-obsessed toddlers and little kids
Lakeshore Candy Crawl & Harvest Festival
Crafts, games, and a corn dog lunch, then a Halloween parade that trick-or-treats its way down Lakeshore Avenue’s businesses. Co-produced with Lakeshore Baptist Church.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 10am-12pm
Where: 3534 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (Grand Lake)
Best for: A morning warm-up before the afternoon events
Piedmont Ave Halloween Celebration
The 39th annual. Trick-or-treat at participating Piedmont Ave merchants, then hit the haunted houses, pumpkin patch, and live local bands at the plaza.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11am-1pm
Where: Key Route Plaza, 41st St & Piedmont Ave, Oakland
Cost: Free
Best for: All ages. Pairs easily with Lakeshore the same morning.
Rockridge Halloween Parade
The 34th annual and the biggest merchant trick-or-treat in Oakland: 40+ stops along College Ave from Broadway to Alcatraz, plus costume contests for kids AND pets. The Rockridge Library hub has crafts, trick-or-treat bags (while supplies last), a puppet show at 11am, live music at noon, and storytime at 1pm.
When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 11am-2pm
Where: Starts at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave, Oakland
Cost: Free
Getting there: Take BART to Rockridge and walk to College Ave. Parking will be rough.
Trunk or Treat at Lake Merritt
Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development lines up decorated car trunks by the lake for candy, music, games, and activities. It’s built for the littlest trick-or-treaters (ages 0-5), but all ages are welcome.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 11am-2pm
Where: Edoff Memorial Bandstand, 664 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
Cost: Free
Best for: Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
Chinatown Trick or Treat Trail
Follow the signs to participating Oakland Chinatown businesses and organizations, then stick around for the family costume contest at 3:30pm. The top 3 win gift cards. Hosted by the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2-4pm
Where: Check in at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St, Suite 290
Cost: Free
Mad Magic at Children’s Fairyland
Fairyland’s Halloween party: trick-or-treating around the park, mad science experiments, live performances, and a fun house.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 12-7pm
Where: Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
Cost: $28, free for members
Berkeley trick-or-treat events
Fourth Street Trick-or-Treat & Halloween Fest
Fourth Street merchants hand out candy on Halloween afternoon, plus a magic show, costumed characters, face painting, live music, and a bubble show. Very tot-friendly.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 3-5pm
Where: Fourth St & Delaware St, Berkeley
Tips for trick-or-treating in the East Bay
Do 2 in one morning. On Oct. 24, Lakeshore (10am) and Piedmont Ave (11am) are a short drive apart.
Go early. Merchant candy and free trick-or-treat bags run out, especially at Rockridge.
Take BART when you can. Rockridge and Chinatown (12th St/Lake Merritt) are both an easy walk from a station.
Check before you go. Times and lineups can change, so hit the event link the day before.
FAQ
What day is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31.
Are East Bay trick-or-treat events free?
Most are. The Benioff Truck-or-Treat, Piedmont Ave Halloween Celebration, Rockridge Halloween Parade, Trunk or Treat at Lake Merritt, and Chinatown Trick or Treat Trail are all free. Mad Magic at Children’s Fairyland is $28 (free for members).
What’s the best trick-or-treat event in Oakland for toddlers?
Trunk or Treat at Lake Merritt (Oct. 30) is designed for kids ages 0-5. The Benioff Truck-or-Treat (Oct. 18) and Fourth Street in Berkeley (Oct. 31) are also very little-kid friendly.
Where is the biggest trick-or-treat event in Oakland?
The Rockridge Halloween Parade, with 40+ trick-or-treat stops along College Ave on Sunday, Oct. 25.
More Halloween in the Town
Grown-ups need plans too. See our guide to East Bay Halloween parties, and get every Oakland event happening this weekend →
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