Halloween 2026 in Turlock and Modesto: Trunk-or-Treats, Haunts and Pumpkin Patches

Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday. That gives Turlock families a full night for costumes and candy, but some of the best outings happen earlier: a ghost tour through downtown buildings, a dog costume contest on Tegner Road, pumpkin painting at the library and a hayride through the dark in Riverbank.

Some outings are free; others need tickets or an RSVP. Start with the quick picks, or jump to your town, pumpkin patches or decorations. All times below are Pacific.

In This Guide

• Quick Picks and Dates to Save
• Turlock Trunk-or-Treats and Halloween Night
• Downtown Turlock Ghost Walk
• Modesto Events for Families
• Ceres, Hughson, Hilmar, Oakdale and Nearby Towns
• Library Crafts and Halloween Parties
• Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
• Haunted Houses and Riverbank’s Hayride
• Halloween Movies, Theatre and Grown-Up Nights
• Home Displays and Neighborhood Decorations
• Four Ways to Plan an Outing
• Practical Questions Before You Go

Quick Picks and Dates to Save

If you only have room for one outing, start with the kind of Halloween your group actually enjoys:

• A daylight candy stop in Turlock: Smith Chevrolet, Saturday, October 24, noon-3 p.m. Details.
• A free evening with costumes and dogs: Top Notch Pet Resort, October 24, 6-8 p.m. Details.
• Local history with a spooky setting: Downtown Turlock Ghost Walk, October 23-24. Four departures each night; tickets are $35. Details.
• A sensory-friendly option: Butterfly Effects in Modesto, Friday, October 23, 3-5 p.m., with a quiet area and non-food goodies. Details.
• A free historic-setting outing: McHenry Mansion Spooktacular, Tuesday, October 27, 4-7 p.m. Details.
• Halloween itself with younger children: Crossroads in Turlock, October 31, 4-6 p.m.; Oakdale’s parade and festival is earlier, 1-3 p.m. Turlock / Oakdale.
• For people who want a proper scare: The Brady House in Modesto has seven remaining October dates, and Riverbank’s Haunted Hayride runs October 23-24. Compare them.

For another view of the dates, use our Events Calendar. The listings below cover upcoming events; the Carnegie pumpkin party and downtown Turlock trunk-or-treat from October 16-18 have already taken place.

Turlock Trunk-or-Treats and Halloween Night

Smith Chevrolet: A Daytime Trunk-or-Treat

Saturday, October 24, noon-3 p.m. Smith Chevrolet hosts an afternoon of decorated trunks, treats and family activities at 1601 Auto Mall Drive, Turlock. The daytime hours make this an option for families who want costumes and candy without a late bedtime.

Event details are available through the Turlock Chamber. Admission pricing is not published. For questions, call Smith Chevrolet at 209-632-2593.

Top Notch Pet Resort: Candy and a Dog Costume Contest

Saturday, October 24, 6-8 p.m. Free entry. This is the Turlock choice that includes a dog costume contest alongside family activities. Head to 1118 S. Tegner Road, Turlock. The organizer’s Chamber announcement also mentions activities and discounts. For dog participation details, contact the resort at 209-656-1960.

Trick-or-Treat with the Police

Thursday, October 29, 4-6:30 p.m. The Public Safety Facility at 244 N. Broadway, Turlock hosts trick-or-treating with officers and community partners. The department’s official event announcement includes Halloween safety tips and encourages costumes.

This event is two days before Halloween, leaving Saturday open for a neighborhood candy route.

Cogir of Turlock: Pumpkin Painting and a Candy Bus

Friday, October 30, 3-5 p.m. RSVP by October 29. Cogir of Turlock is planning pumpkin painting, a children’s costume contest, a photo area and a candy bus, with appetizers and beverages. The community is at 3791 Crowell Road, Turlock.

Reserve through Cogir’s event page or call 209-633-9723 by October 29. Admission pricing is not published.

Crossroads Church: An Early Halloween-Night Festival

Saturday, October 31, 4-6 p.m. Crossroads’ public festival announcement places the event in the church park at 1360 N. Johnson Road, Turlock. It is for children from birth through sixth grade, with games, candy and free hot dogs, nachos and popcorn.

The organizer asks for no scary costumes. With an early finish and food available at the park, this can be the whole Halloween outing for a younger child.

Downtown Turlock Ghost Walk

Friday and Saturday, October 23-24. Tours depart at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m.; each walk lasts 90 minutes. Tickets: $35. The Turlock Historical Society’s Ghost Walk trades a parking-lot candy line for downtown buildings and the stories attached to them.

The Turlock Journal’s September report describes costumed “ghost hosts” and access to buildings including the former Geer Building, the Sierra Building and the Berg Building. The tour mixes local history with ghost stories: the Sierra Building once held a small hospital, and the Berg Building has its own tale of lingering cigar smoke.

The event location is the Turlock Historical Museum at 108 S. Center Street, Turlock. Buy tickets at Main Street Antiques, 208 E. Main Street, Turlock. The Historical Society’s event page has organizer updates; the shop’s number is 209-669-7000. Ask which departure still has seats before planning dinner around it.

For more on the buildings and people behind the stories, browse our History of Turlock pages. The tour is a walking outing that enters older buildings, so ask the organizer about the particular route if stairs, distance or access would affect your visit.

Modesto Events for Families

Butterfly Effects: A Sensory-Friendly Trunk-or-Treat

Friday, October 23, 3-5 p.m. Free, all ages. At 605 Standiford Avenue, Modesto, Butterfly Effects is offering decorated trunks, games, hands-on activities and family photos, with a sensory quiet area for breaks.

The organizer also promises non-food goodies such as stickers and fidget toys. Costumes are optional, and families can join one activity, watch or take a break. Those specifics make this worth considering for a child who finds a crowded Halloween event overwhelming. Use the organizer’s free Eventbrite listing for registration and its attendance questions.

Modesto Halloween Extravaganza

Saturday, October 24, 2-4 p.m. The Modesto Halloween Extravaganza at James Marshall Park, 440 Sutter Avenue, Modesto, includes crafts, bounce houses, photo booths, games and a costume contest. Admission pricing is not published.

Woofstock Monster Mash at Stanislaus Animal Services

Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Stanislaus Animal Services Agency’s outdoor festival at 3647 Cornucopia Way, Modesto adds a trunk-or-treat to dog and cat adoptions, a petting zoo, live music and vendors. Costumes are encouraged, according to the City of Modesto’s October newsletter. There is enough on the schedule to combine a candy stop with time among the animals.

McHenry Mansion Spooktacular

Tuesday, October 27, 4-7 p.m. Free; ages 2-17 and their families. The city and county library bring story times, Halloween songs, activities and trick-or-treating to the grounds outside McHenry Mansion, 906 15th Street, Modesto. Candy, craft supplies and giveaways are available while supplies last.

The Spooktacular takes place outdoors on the mansion grounds, with activities organized for children. The 4 p.m. start gives families a school-night outing before dinner.

Ceres, Hughson, Hilmar, Oakdale and Nearby Towns

Ceres: Trunk-or-Treat at Whitmore Park

Saturday, October 24, 1-4 p.m. Free. Ceres Recreation’s annual event fills Whitmore Park on Third Street, Ceres with decorated vehicles and booths. The Ceres Courier reports music, food and craft vendors and a photo booth, as well as candy. Both adults and children are encouraged to dress up.

Hughson: Trunk, or Tent and Treat Downtown

Friday, October 30, 4-7 p.m. Hughson’s annual Trunk, or Tent and Treat takes place on Hughson Avenue in Downtown Hughson, according to the September 28 city agenda. For event arrangements and street closures, contact the city at 209-883-4054.

Hilmar Covenant: Halloween-Night Trunk-or-Treat

Saturday, October 31, starting at 6 p.m. Hilmar Covenant Church is inviting families to collect candy at 20056 American Avenue, Hilmar. The announcement does not give an ending time, so check the church’s updates if you plan to arrive later.

Oakdale: Halloween Parade and Festival

Saturday, October 31, 1-3 p.m. The City of Oakdale recreation page lists the Halloween Parade and Festival at Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Avenue, Oakdale. The daytime window leaves the evening free for a neighborhood walk or another event.

Escalon: First Responder Leadership Trunk-or-Treat

Wednesday, October 28, 6-8 p.m. Escalon High School’s First Responder Leadership program is organizing the community trunk-or-treat. The school’s October 5 bulletin confirms the 2026 date and hours and links to vehicle-host registration. The campus is at 1528 Yosemite Avenue, Escalon. The bulletin does not publish a visitor admission price; check the school’s event instructions for where to enter.

Waterford: Downtown Candy on Halloween Night

Saturday, October 31, 6-8 p.m. Love Waterford and the city bring trunk-or-treating to Bentley Street, Waterford. The organizer’s event page lists costume contests, food trucks and free corn dogs from the Lions Club. For the costume contest, come to the stage at 7 p.m.; no advance registration is needed. There are individual, group and pet categories, plus awards for decorated trunks.

Atwater: Trunk-or-Treat at The Tarmac

Friday, October 23, 5-8 p.m. Blaker Brewing’s official calendar puts a trunk-or-treat at The Tarmac, 1930 Airdrome Entry, Atwater. Check that you are heading to the Atwater venue: Blaker’s Ceres taproom has its own calendar. The listing does not state a cover charge.

Merced: Zoo Boo and Cops for Critters

Zoo Boo: October 23-25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. each evening. Applegate Zoo adds trick-or-treating, costumes and animal encounters at 1045 W. 25th Street, Merced. The city’s Zoo Boo flyer lists $7 for ages 14-59, $6 for ages 3-13 and $5 for ages 60 and older; ages 2 and younger are free. Bring cash: the Los Banos Enterprise’s event report specifies cash-only payment. Use these special-event prices when budgeting for the evening.

Cops for Critters: Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free for spectators. Merced Police Department combines a car show with candy, costumes and vendors outside the station at 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced. The event announcement distinguishes free public attendance from paid vehicle and vendor registration, with proceeds supporting the local zoo.

Livingston and Los Banos: Two More Candy Stops

For families visiting farther south or west, the Los Banos Enterprise’s October 14 roundup lists Livingston United Methodist Church’s trunk-or-treat on Saturday, October 24, 3-7 p.m., at 11695 Olive Avenue, Livingston. The Los Banos Chamber has its free trunk-or-treat on Sunday, October 25, 5-9 p.m., along Sixth Street in Downtown Los Banos, with costumes, candy and a decorated-trunk contest. The Chamber’s event number is 209-826-2495.

Library Crafts and Halloween Parties

The Stanislaus County Library’s October calendar offers several shorter outings:

• Turlock, October 20, 4 p.m.: Spider Webs for children 8 and younger; a separate Maker Space Web Engineering program serves tweens and teens.
• Turlock, October 27, 4 p.m.: Painted Pumpkins for younger children and a separate ages 9-18 session. Materials are provided while supplies last. Wear clothes that can get messy.
• Hughson, October 27, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: An all-ages Haunted Party with games, crafts and treats; costumes encouraged.
• Riverbank, October 31, 2 p.m.: A costume parade, candy, slime craft and a snack while supplies last.

Find Turlock Library at 550 Minaret Avenue, Turlock; Hughson Library at 2412A Third Street, Hughson; and Riverbank Library at 3442 Santa Fe Street, Riverbank. The county’s branch directory has hours and phone numbers. Our Turlock Library guide explains the local branch and its history.

Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

R.A.M. Farms in Turlock

At 716 N. Daubenberger Road, Turlock, the patch and parking are free. Most children’s patch activities come with a pumpkin purchase, and Farmer Ron’s Scary Shed is free to enter. The corn maze requires a separate ticket.

The farm’s 2026 season information lists hours of 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Regular maze admission is $10 for ages 5-11 and $12 for ages 12 and older. Freaky Flashlight Nites lists $14 for ages 12 and older.

Flashlight nights begin at dusk on Fridays and Saturdays. Bring your own flashlight. Minors need an adult chaperone, and the farm does not recommend the night experience for children under 5. Read the patch details and current ticket options before choosing between a daytime pumpkin stop and a night in the maze.

Dutch Hollow Farms in Modesto

Dutch Hollow’s 2026 season runs through November 1 at 2500 Santa Fe Avenue, Modesto. Enter from Santa Fe Avenue. The farm lists 10 a.m.-7 p.m., with last entry 30 minutes before closing and possible late-season extensions on its social pages.

Parking and the pumpkin patch are free to enter. Attraction admission is $15 on weekdays or $20 on weekends; ages 2 and younger are free. Seniors 65 and older and military visitors with ID pay $10 weekdays or $12 weekends. The attraction ticket includes the corn maze, wagon ride, animals, pig races, jump pillow and other activities listed on the farm’s 2026 information page.

One useful ground-surface detail: the farm says it uses almond and walnut shells throughout the grounds for dust control. Families planning for allergies, mobility equipment or a stroller can ask the farm specific questions at 209-287-6010.

Fantozzi Farms in Patterson

Fantozzi’s fall season continues through November 1 at 2665 Sperry Avenue, Patterson. This is the corn-maze and pumpkin-patch location, not the separate summer fruit stand.

• Monday-Thursday: 4-7 p.m.; regular admission $15.
• Friday: 4-10 p.m.; regular admission $16.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; regular admission $16.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; regular admission $16.
• Children 2 and younger: free with a paying adult.

Regular admission covers the corn mazes and courtyard attractions. The farm’s admission page lists extra charges for corn cannons, zombie paintball and cow-train rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The haunted maze has its own $5 admission listing and runs 7-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights in October.

For a daytime costume outing, the 2026 schedule has a costume contest and parade for ages 2-12 at noon on Sunday, October 25. The farm also plans a Dia de los Muertos celebration for its November 1 closing day. For more year-round stops, use our local farms and farm stands guide.

SONS Pumpkin Village in Oakdale

For an evening built around decorations and photos, Visit Oakdale highlights SONS Pumpkin Village at 1936 E. F Street, Oakdale. Entry and parking are free. The Pumpkin House, Flower Wall and Pumpkin Pond give you several places to stop, and Light the Night illuminates the village from dark until 8 p.m.

The farm’s own contact page lists Pumpkin Village hours of 8 a.m.-8 p.m., separate from the fruit stand’s hours. Specialty attractions can cost extra. Call 209-988-3901 for current activity prices.

Haunted Houses and Riverbank’s Hayride

The Brady House in Downtown Modesto

The Brady House occupies The Century’s basement at 927 10th Street, Modesto. The 2026 event listing gives these remaining hours:

• October 23: 6-11 p.m.
• October 24: 7-11 p.m.
• October 25: 7-10 p.m.
• October 28: 7-10 p.m., quieter Family Night.
• October 29: 7-11 p.m.
• October 30 and 31: 6-11:50 p.m.
• Closed: October 26 and 27.

Regular nights have live scare actors, sudden scares, darkness, narrow passages, loud sounds, theatrical lighting and fog. Family Night has few or no scare actors, but it remains a haunted-house environment. The basement requires stairs; there is no elevator or wheelchair-accessible route.

Regular admission on the October 23 ticket page is listed at $20 general admission or $30 priority entry. The October 28 Family Night page lists regular tickets at $15 general admission or $25 priority entry. Checkout charges can add to the listed ticket price. Choose your date in the organizer’s full event directory.

Riverbank’s Haunted Hayride at Jacob Myers Park

Friday and Saturday, October 23-24, 7-10 p.m. Riverbank’s trail becomes a series of volunteer-built scare sites, with creatures and surprises along the ride. The park’s event address is 23655 S. Santa Fe Road, Riverbank.

The city’s 2026 event calendar lists $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and younger are free with lap seating. Arrive early: gates may close before 10 p.m. if the event reaches capacity.

Expect a deliberately scary trail ride. For riding, boarding or access questions, contact Parks and Recreation at 209-863-7150.

Halloween Movies, Theatre and Grown-Up Nights

The State Theatre: Matinee, Shadow Cast or Vampire Party

The State is at 1307 J Street, Modesto. Its Halloween schedule ranges from morning movies to late-night audience participation:

• Corpse Bride, October 24 at 1 p.m.: The PG-rated stop-motion film is a daytime alternative to an outdoor haunt. Tickets are sold through the theatre.
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show, October 24 at 9 p.m., doors at 8: An R-rated screening with Barely Legal shadow cast and audience participation. The theatre bans outside food, water, fish, rice and similar props; use its approved survival kits and event rules.
• Bites, Booze & Bloodsuckers, October 30: A 21-and-older evening with a $50 ticket covering light bites, a party, costume contest and The Lost Boys. The party starts at 6 p.m.; the theatre lists the film at 7:30 p.m.
• Casper, October 31 at 10 a.m.: The PG-rated 1995 film runs 100 minutes. This Halloween-morning screening finishes well before the afternoon candy events.

Night of the Living Dead Live! in Merced

Playhouse Merced takes the zombie story onto the stage at 452 W. Main Street, Merced. The theatre’s ticket page lists the final performances on October 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., and October 25 at 2 p.m. The production is rated PG-13. Section 3 is the splash zone, where the theatre says audience members will get very messy. Choose seats accordingly.

Costumes for a Cause in Turlock

Thursday, October 29, 5-9 p.m.; 21 and older; $50 donation entry. Lifestyle Realty’s Haunted Mansion fundraiser benefits Jessica’s House, with music, an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The organizer’s ticket page gives the location as 2051 Geer Road, Turlock. Costumes are encouraged. This is an adult fundraising party, not a children’s trunk-or-treat.

Blaker’s Ceres Vendor Night

Friday, October 30, 5-10 p.m. Blaker Brewing’s Halloween ReUp Vendor Night is at the Ceres taproom, 1063 Montclaire Drive, Ceres. The brewery describes the vendor event as family-friendly, with 20 vendors, costumes and candy from vendors. It also lists separate Halloween music parties, so use the correct event when making plans with children.

Home Displays and Neighborhood Decorations

FrightMaps lists these three home displays with 2026 season dates and evening hours. The directory rates all three as “Creepy Thrills,” so expect a spookier yard rather than a scare-free pumpkin display:

Benjamin Way Haunt, Turlock

Benjamin Way Haunt lists 7:30-10 p.m. nightly through October 31, free admission, moving animatronics, lighting and a walkable bridge at 71 Benjamin Way, Turlock.

911 Monsterous Manor, Turlock

At 911 Martinez Street, Turlock, 911 Monsterous Manor lists a free animatronic yard haunt for October 1-31, starting at 7 p.m. Look for figures along the fence and an illuminated driveway. Closing times vary by night in the listing.

Shadows by the Sidewalk, Hughson

Shadows by the Sidewalk lists a free display through October 31 at 1816 Thomas Taylor Drive, Hughson. Its listing describes ghostly figures and animatronics, with evening hours starting at 7 p.m.

Modesto’s College Area and La Loma

In a current October 2026 discussion among Modesto residents, people recommend Magnolia and the wider College neighborhood, including Sycamore near West Morris and Enslen Park. Others mention La Loma and the neighborhood near Orchard School. These are resident leads for a neighborhood walk, not a scheduled festival or a guarantee that every household is participating.

Park legally, keep sidewalks and driveways clear and follow the homeowner’s posted boundaries. A front-yard display can be enjoyed from the sidewalk without entering a yard or ringing a bell after its lights are off. If you are only looking at decorations, there is no need to turn it into a door-to-door candy stop.

Four Ways to Plan an Outing

• Keep it short with younger children: Choose the October 24 Smith Chevrolet afternoon or October 31 Crossroads festival. Crossroads specifies birth-sixth grade and no scary costumes, so its expectations are clearer than a generic “all ages” haunt.
• Make October 24 a Turlock day: Smith Chevrolet runs noon-3 p.m.; Top Notch runs 6-8 p.m. There is a long break between them. You can do both without racing from one candy line to the next, or simply choose the time that suits your household.
• Plan a downtown evening for older kids or adults: Reserve a Ghost Walk departure on October 23 or 24, then arrange your meal around its 90-minute duration. A 7 p.m. tour is a different dinner plan from an 8:30 p.m. departure.
• Budget for a farm afternoon: R.A.M. and Dutch Hollow allow a free-entry pumpkin-shopping visit, while mazes or attraction wristbands add cost. For two adults and two children ages 5-11, R.A.M.’s regular maze totals $44. Four standard Dutch Hollow attraction tickets total $60 on a weekday or $80 on a weekend, before pumpkins or other purchases.

If you will use the bus, plan the return trip before choosing an evening event. Our first-time Turlock Transit guide explains routes, fares and how to find your last ride home.

Practical Questions Before You Go

When Is Halloween in 2026?

Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2026. Many organized trunk-or-treats happen earlier, especially October 23-25 and October 29-30. Check the date as carefully as the venue; a photograph from last year can look like this year’s invitation when it is shared without its original caption.

Which Outings Have Free Admission?

Confirmed free choices in this guide include Top Notch’s trunk-or-treat, Butterfly Effects, Woofstock, the McHenry Mansion Spooktacular and Ceres’ Whitmore Park trunk-or-treat. The Los Banos Chamber event is also listed as free. Free entry to a pumpkin patch means you can visit the patch; it does not include every attraction or a pumpkin to take home.

Which Events Are Better for Someone Who Dislikes Scares?

Butterfly Effects gives the most specific sensory accommodations in its announcement: optional costumes, a quiet area and flexible participation. Library crafts and the outdoor Spooktacular focus on activities. Crossroads asks visitors to avoid scary costumes. The Brady House’s October 28 Family Night reduces the actors, but still takes place in the basement haunt.

What Should Families Bring?

A treat bag, comfortable shoes and a layer for the evening cover most outings. Bring a flashlight for R.A.M.’s flashlight maze. Choose costumes that let children see and walk clearly, and use lit crossings when moving between stops. For crafts, clothes that can take paint are more useful than a delicate costume. Ask about non-food treats if candy ingredients are an issue.

How Do We Choose an Accessible Outing?

Ask the organizer about entrances, surfaces and boarding before buying tickets. The Brady House requires stairs to enter and leave its basement. For a farm visit, ask about dirt paths and stroller or wheelchair access; for the hayride, ask how riders board the wagon. Butterfly Effects publishes specific sensory accommodations, including a quiet area.

Save your chosen event’s organizer link before leaving, especially for a paid haunt, a timed tour or Cogir’s RSVP event. That puts the actual hours and any last-minute announcement in one place on your phone.