With the fall season, the weather cools and Halloween brings the perfect mix of festive and fun celebrations for everyone. There will be plenty of daytime gatherings for families and kids, late-night dance parties, raging bar crawls and costume contests. And because Halloween will be on a Thursday this year, many events are happening over the weekend on October 25th and 26th. So, without further delay, here’s our list of amazing high-energy events to celebrate Halloween in SF.

Breakaway Music Festival
October 25th & 26th @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

The final stop of a nationwide dance music festival concert tour, co-produced by Another Planet, comes to the Bay Area, headlined by trap and bass specialist RL Grime and electronic producer Marshmello, with additional performances by Alok, SoCal-based DJ Anabel Englund, and Australian artist Wax Motif, among many others. The event runs 6pm – 1am each day. Tickets start at $108.04 including fees for a single day and $164.69 for a two-day general admission pass, with VIP and Ultra VIP options available.

Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City
October 26th @ Thrive City at Chase Center

This daytime all-ages experience in the plaza outside the home of the Golden State Warriors starts at noon and goes until 5pm, with plenty of activities to enjoy. There will be trick or treat stations, a mini pumpkin patch, costume contest, photo booth, slime making, and ballon art. Both a live DJ and magic show will keep the energy high, and starting at 3:15pm there will be a movie screening of Despicable Me 4 on a 75-foot video board.

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Desert Hearts presents Haunted Hearts
October 26th @ Public Works

Those 21 and up can embrace the house, techno, love mantra of the Desert Hearts crew. They’ve been throwing boutique festival events for the past decade, led by the quartet of Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Marbs, and Porky. This fun-loving crew will deliver a spooky, good vibe evening from 9:30pm – 3am at Public Works.

For more background and early roots information of this brigade, check out our interview with Mikey Lion and Marbs from back in 2015.

San Francisco Halloween Pub Crawl
October 25th, 26th or 31st @ starting at Mayes Oyster House

Those looking to cruise around bars in full costume have three different evening options on Friday, October 25th, Saturday October 26th, and on Halloween proper, Thursday, October 31st. Tickets start at $12, which get you a wristband for free entry at all participating venues, special drink prices, and a map to guide your evening. Check-in occurs between 6-9pm and participating spots include El Lopo, Mcteagues, R Bar, Piroo, Lush Lounge, Route 101, Amsterdam Cafe, and Wreck Room, among others.

Halloween Costume Party (Jinja)
October 26th @ Origin SF

Another 21 and up event is being held at the boutique nightclub, Origin SF. It should be an evening of spooky festivities, with DJ music, dancing, and a costume contest. Early bird tickets start at $24.48 with fees, and there are options for VIP and VIP tables.

Toasted Life’s Halloween Costume Day Party
October 26th @ The Grand Nightclub

Not all over 21 parties have to be at night. This hip-hop / R&B day party at The Grand runs from 3pm – 8pm. Early bird tickets start at $12.26, with options for an 8-person group VIP that requires a two-bottle minimum.

Nightmare on Montgomery Steet Halloween Party
October 26th @ Barbarossa

This street party also happens inside with two floors of dancing, decorated with Carnival theme décor. Live DJ performances by Ibarra and HVFF, along with spine-chilling themed cocktails ensure that the evening will run late into the night. Individual early bird tickets start at $23.18, with even cheaper options for groups of five. VIP booths and bottle service packages are also available in limited quantity.

Harry Potter Trivia Night in San Francisco
October 26th @ Patriot House

Those looking for a relatively low-key but still fun evening should consider Harry Potter-inspired trivia at the Irish pub Patriot House located at Embarcadero Center. Go solo and join a group, or gather friends to test your knowledge of the Harry Potter books and movies for fun and prizes. There will also be a prize for the best costume. Team check-in and seating occurs at 6:30pm, quizzing begins at 7pm, and it wraps up around 9pm. Individual tickets, which will likely sell out, start at $12.51, with pricing options for various group sizes up to a table of six for $65.87.

Day Of The Dead Halloween Party
October 26th @ Novela

Known for cocktails with character and literary-themed ambiance, the folks at Novela are hosting a Dia De Los Muertos theme Halloween party with live DJ music, Dancing, themed drinks and snacks. Beginning at 8pm and running until 2am, attendees are encouraged to wear costumes while they enjoy DJ Mikey Tan spinning Top 40, club hits, 80s, mashups, and hip-hop music. Limited free admission tickets are available if entering before 10:30pm, while general admission tickets start $44.52. Plus there lots of table options, and even a semi-private room package with a dedicated bartender.

• Tag: bar, costume, crawl, dancing, DJ, halloween, live, party