eLivermore.com - By Bill Nale

 

Halloween / Fall Activities 2023
for Livermore, Pleasanton, and the Tri-Valley

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Contents:
All Events in Chronological order
Special Events
Places to Visit
Religious Celebrations
See Also:
October Event Calendar   Holiday Information
See also Our Christmas Events Page Livermore History Section
This page is a community service of eLivermore.com

Halloween Trick or Treating:

There are no "Official Hours" for Trick or Treating according to both the Livermore and Pleasanton Police departments.
7:00 to 8:00 is probably the prime time.  After 9:00 should be avoided.

Sundown is at 6:09, so it will be dark for most of this time.  The moon will be at its first quarter, and will be out in the evening, so there will be moonlight.  Sun and moon information is available on our calendar pages

All Events in Chronological order
Click links for details below
     
Sept 29 - Oct 31 See schedule below Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
Sept 30 - Oct 29 every day except Mondays (Open Oct 9) Joans Farm and Pumpkin Patch
Sept 30 - Oct 29 Open Wed-Sun G&M Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Oct 4 Wednesday Witches Night Out - Martini Tasting
Oct 15, 22 Steam
Oct 21 Diesel
Saturday, Sunday Niles Canyon Steam and Diesel Trains
Oct 13, 14, 20, 21
Oct 28 - Virtual
Friday, Saturday
Saturday
Pleasanton Ghostwalk
Oct 14-15 Saturday, Sunday Alden Lane Fall Festival
Oct 21 Saturday Pumpkin Carving Campfire (LARPD)
Oct 21 Saturday Pumpkin Patch and Splash (LARPD)
Oct 27, 28, 31 Friday, Saturday, Tuesday Frightmare Home Haunt
Oct 28 Saturday Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day
October 31 Saturday Reformation Day
October 31 Saturday Halloween

 

Special Events

 

Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
 

Sept 29 to Oct 31, 2023 (See Schedule below)

 

Pirates of Emerson - Haunted Themed Park

The award winning Pirates Of Emerson are bringing chills, thrills a cut throat terror to the Bay Area for the 28th year. Consuming over 4 acres including 4 haunted Attractions:
Demented Dolls, Pirates of Emerson, Halloween Hell, Seesawz Circus

In addition to the Haunted Attractions, tickets include: Live Music, Mazes, Misfortune Tell, Frightmares Sideshow, Nightly Entertainment, and more.

Location:  Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
Times:  See below
Admission: Note:  ALL tickets on online.  NO onsite tickets.
General Admission - $40.00.  Access to all four of our Haunted Houses.

Speed Pass Admission - $60.00.  Access to all four our Haunted Houses. Speed Pass Ticket holders have their own entrance lines, which are generally much, much shorter than General lines. These are normally only needed on busy weekends. Also included in a Speed Pass ticket is entrance to our Oddities Attraction.

VIP Admission:  $80.00.  Access to all four of our Haunted Houses. VIP ticket is like a super Speed Pass Ticket. You not only have access to all of the Speed Pass lines, but you can also go thru the Haunts as many times as you like (time permitting) in a night!  Also included in a V.I.P. ticket is entrance to our Oddities Attraction.


More info: Pirates of Emerson website - Alameda County Fairgrounds,

 

 

2023 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
          Sept 29
7:05-10:00
Sept 30
7:05-10:00
Oct 1
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7:05-11:00
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7:05-11:00
       

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Niles Canyon Steam and Diesel Trains
Oct 15, 22  Steam Trains
Oct 21 Diesel Trains

 

Niles Canyon Railway.
Steam and Diesel Trains
Location:  Departs from Sunol only.
Times: Saturdays: 10:30am
    Sundays:  1:00pm
Admission: 
     Steam (Oct 15, 22):  $25 adults;  $15 Seniors (62+) and Children (3-12)
     Diesel (Oct 21):  $25 adults;  $15 Seniors (62+) and Children (3-12)

eLivermore Photos.
More info: Niles Canyon Railroad

 

Witches Night Out
October 4, 2023 - 4pm to 9pm
Wednesday

Witches Night Out
Get Ready for a Witching Good Time!

Grab your crew and head downtown for a bewitching experience of moonlit shopping and dining!

Our Shops, Bars, and Restaruants are conjuring up majical specials for an evening of moonlit shopping and dining.  Shop witchy steals and deals and book your dining experiance!  Tickets are available by scanning the QR code or online at Livermore Downtown Association.  No tickets?? You can still dress up and have a night out Downtown!  Restaurants, bars and shops are ready for you!!

Enter the Virtual Witches Hat context!

Visit Livermore Downtown Association for entry rules!
DEADline to enter is Oct 2nd - Winner annouced Oct 4th.
Winner "sashed" at Witches Night Out from 4-5pm at Lizzie fountain!

Witching hour - photo op and witchy warm up!
Stop by the "Witching Hour" to kick things off!  4-5pm at Lizzie Fountain.
Joya Yoga will do a special and FUN witchy warm-up downtown, high-heels welcomed!  We'll also have a spppktacular backdrop for you and your ghouls to take pics with!
Be sure to tag us @livermoredowntown @ #WNO2023 and tag our witchy team @caratti.jewelers  @woodnwallflowers  @joya_yoga

Free SNO "Witches Brew" Beer Coozie.
Beer Coozie pick up is from 4-9pm at Caratti Jewelers only.

TIMELINE:

4:00-5:00pm - Witching hour at Lizzie Fountain with Livermore Downtown Inc & Joya Yoga!

4:00-9:00pm - Shop Witching Steals and Deals with our Retailers!

5:30-7:00pm - First Seatings with participating restaurants. Not dining yet? Shop those Witchy good deals and steals and visit participating businesses!

7:30-9:00pm - Second Seatings with participating restaurants. Already dined? This is your last chance to take advantage of those steals and deals and visit participating businesses!

Sponsor: Livermore Downtown Association
Location:  Downtown Livermore
Times:  5:00pm to 9:00pm
Admission: $20 to $80 depending Number if people (2, 4, 6, or 8)
More info: Livermore Downtown Association (925) 583-5242

 

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Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day
October 28, 2023
Saturday

Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day
Livermore’s Favorite Family Tradition, for families with children 5th grade and under. The day includes our Costume Contest, Trick or Treating at participating downtown businesses and fun kids' games and activities and even MORE trick or treating at Stockmen's Park!

We'll share a "Trick or Treat Trail" flyer before the event where we highlight participating businesses! There will be trick or treating at our participating Downtown Businesses as well as an additional trick or treating experience at Stockmen's Park! It's all happening Oct 28th, 10am - 1pm

Costume Contest 11am-1pm at Stockmen's Park - 29 S. Livermore Ave.

Come participate in our Costume Contest - FREE to all attendees!

Sponsor: Livermore Downtown Association
Location:  Downtown Livermore
Times:  10:00am to 1:00pm
More info: Livermore Downtown Association (925) 583-5242

 

See Photos from: 2002 - 2003 - 2016 Photos

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Pleasanton Ghostwalk
October 13, 14, 20, 21, 2023
Virtual: October 28
Friday, Saturday

Ghost Walk 2023 - Museum on Main

Meet the ghosts of Pleasanton's past in this uniquely spooky annual event held by Museum on Main. Ghost Walk is a two hour guided walking tour of Pleasanton’s most haunted sites along Main Street in the downtown area...and you never know what spirits you might encounter along the way!

​After a short introduction about the history of paranormal activity in the area, your Ghost Host will guide you on this haunted tour of the things that go bump in the night! This family-friendly tour, held for over sixteen years, continues to be a popular event during the Halloween season!

In-Person tours depart the museum every 30 minutes between 6pm and 8pm on the nights of Ghost Walk. Most of the tour’s stops are outside, but in a few locations groups may be able to go inside the haunted buildings. There may be two stops that require the use of stairs to access the ghosts. The walks take place rain or shine - so dress appropriately! Costumes are encouraged!

Tickets for In-Person tours will be kept at Museum on Main Will Call. Please arrive at Museum on Main, 603 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566 at least 10 minutes prior to your tour time to collect your tickets and check in.

Group Ticketing:

For Ghost Walk large group ticketing (10 people or more), please email us with your preferred date and time. We will work with you to set a tour time that is suitable for your group.​ There is no group discount as this program is a fundraiser for the museum.

Sponsor: Museum on Main Street
Location:  Museum on Main, 603 Main Street, Pleasanton       Lynnewood Methodist Church, 4444 Black Avenue, Pleasanton
Times:  In-person tours depart ever 30 minutes between 6pm an d8pm.  Virtual tour:7:30pm
Admission: In-person: $20 adults, $15 childern (Ages 12 & Under)Virtual tours: $25 per scream screen.
More info:  Museum on Main Street at (925) 462-2766


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LARPD Halloween Programs

 

Pumpkin Carving Campfire
Oct 21 (Saturday)

We’ll spend the evening carving this squash into works of art, or horror, depending on your point of view. Please bring your own pumpkin and carving tools if you have them (there will be a few tools to lend).

Carving stencils will be provided.

BYOP - Bring your own pumpkin

RSVP required: 925-960-2400 or natureprograms@larpd.org

 

Sponsor: Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District (LARPD)
Location:  Sycamore Grove Park
Times:  4:30pm 
Admission: Free
More info: Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District (LARPD)
 

Pumpkin Patch and Splash
Oct 21 (Saturday)

Bring your family and friends to our Pool Pumpkin Patch and Splash event! Choose a pumpkin floating in our pool patch, then carve or paint it.
Registration fee includes entrance to the event and a pumpkin.

Sponsor: Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District (LARPD)
Location:  Robert Livermore Aquatic Center
Times:  1-4pm
Admission: $15 per person
More info: Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District (LARPD)
 

 

   

Frightmare Home Haunt
Oct 27, 28, 31, 2023

Walk through haunted house near Granada High School.

Location:  697 Sonoma Ave, Livermore
Times:  Oct 27, 28:  7:00 to 11:00pm; 
     Oct 31:  7:00-10:00pm
Admission: Free
More info:  On Facebook

 

 
   

 

Places to Visit

Alden Lane Fall Festival
October 14-15, 2023
Sat & Sun

Alden Lane Fall Festival
Come and enjoy these activities each weekend:

  • Free Kid’s Crafts
  • A Farmer’s market with farm fresh apples from Dave Hale’s Apple Farm in Sebastopol.
  • Alden Lane grown pomegranates plus decorative gourds & corn stalks.
  • Nana Jean’s FREE book giveaway while supplies last.
  • Guide Dogs for the Blind & 4-H will have animals here.
  • Out of the Box Quilters will have a display.
  • Live music by Blind Dog both Saturday & Sunday from 1:00pm-3:00pm.
  • Native Bird Connections will be joining us for education and the chance to see live raptors. (Saturday only)
  • Ray & Victoria will be here from Erickson’s Ranch with their delicious home grown and hand made jams. (Sunday only)
  • Pipo’s Grill will be here selling Mexican food. Plan for lunch with us!
  • Whole fresh pies (apple, berry & pumpkin) for sale.
  • Fall photo ops
  • Fall gardening classes (see descriptions below)!
  • And the nursery will be filled with the “orange orbs of happiness” – pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!

Sponsor: Alden Lane Nursery
Location:  981 Alden Lane, Livermore
Times:  10am to 4pm
Admission: Free
More info: Alden Lane Nursery

See additional eLivermore.com photos:  Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

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Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Sept 30 to Oct 29, 2023
Daily Except Mondays (open Oct 9)

 

A wonderful family experience on the farm never to be forgotten!

Variety of pumpkins from mini to very large and several types of fall items such as indian corn, gourds, wheat bundles. Friendly staff to help you and your family pick out the “just right” pumpkin and offer you many different and unique photo opportunities.

We offer many different and unique photo opportunities to capture these memories!

 

AMENITIES AND ACTIVITIES

  • Snack Shack offers shaved ice, hot dogs and pumpkin pie, soda, water, nachos, etc.
  • Sweets and Treats
  • Hay bale maze
  • Pumpkin bowling
  • Little blue train
  • Feed the farm animals
  • Large inflatable slide
  • Old West Town
  • Old farm equipment museum
  • Picnic areas
  • Portable restrooms
  • Many varieties of pumpkins and other fall items
  • Covid compliant: Please maintain social distance and wear masks when appropriate
  • Cash only, ATM available on-site


Location:  4351 Mines Rd in Livermore
Times:  10-6.  Closed Mondays except for Oct 9.  Activities close at 5:45
More info:  Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch

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G&M Farms
Fall Pumpkin Patch
Sept 30 - Oct 29, 2023
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
 

It’s the G & M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Livermore, the farm that is so fun it has been featured TWICE on the David Letterman Show! Bring the whole family – there’s harvest fun for all ages at G&M Farms, and it’s easy to find, right off I-580 at Airway Drive in Livermore.

Find your way through the maze, then enjoy G&M Farms’ huge Pumpkin Patch with pumpkins of all sizes – the kids can pick their own! For Mom, there’s fresh produce, decorative gourds and Indian corn. Your little ones will love G&M’s farm animals and the free straw bale maze, pony rides on the weekends, and don’t forget to ride G & M Farms’ famous Cow Train!

G & M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch was voted “Best Seasonal Attraction” in the East Bay by Diablo Magazine, and when you see it, you’ll believe it!

2006 maze is shown.
Location:
  487 East Airway, Livermore
Times:
    Pumpkin Patch:
          Wed-Fri:  3pm-7pm (morning reserved for field trips)
          Sat: 10:00am to 7:00pm
          Sun:  10:00am to 6:00pm
    Corn Maze:
          Wed-Thurs:  3pm-7pm
          Friday: 3-7pm
          Saturday: 10am-9pm
          Sunday:  10am-6pm
Admission:
    Corn Maze:
       Adults: $10    Child: $9
       5 and under are free.
   Pumpkin Patch:  free admission


More info: G&M Farms


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Religious Celebrations
 

Reformation Day
October 31

October 31 is Reformation Day!!
On Saturday, October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.  This set in motion the Protestant Reformation, although Luther's intention was to reform the church.  It may have never happened if it were not for an unrelated invention at about the same time:  Guttenberg's Printing Press brought Luther's writings to a much wider audience.  The date is significant, as it was on the eve of the All Saints Festival.

Reformation Sunday is always the last Sunday of October.

For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:28)

Luther the Movie is available on VHS and DVD.  This 2003 production chronicles the life of Martin Luther.


All Saint's Day
November 1

Celebration of all Saints.  Started in 835 by the Roman Catholic Church.  Also known as "All Hallows Day".  Thus the origin of "All Hallows Eve"
All Saint's Sunday is the first Sunday in November, although this varies by denomination.  Some denominations will celebrate it on Oct 30 or 31 if they fall on a Sunday.
 

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