Deals
share
Halloween in San Francisco 2011
From the archives: September 23, 2011
Halloween falls on a Monday this year, so aside from trick-or-treating kids (who always keep early hours), you'll have to restrict most of your partying to the weekend. Hey, at least you can have your fun and get to see the cute little costumes, too! Check out our San Francisco Halloween guide for the best Halloween costume shops, fun events for the younger set, and spooky Halloween parties that are adults-only. No tricks, just treats. (Photo: Kurt Rogers)
On this page: San Francisco Halloween Costume Shops, San Francisco Halloween Events: For the Kids, San Francisco Halloween Events: Adults-Only.
Report AbuseSan Francisco Halloween Costume Shops
-
Piedmont Boutique
Read Reviews1452 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
Go-go dancers and drag queens head to this shop year-round for its signature feather boas, wigs, tutus, earrings, fishnets and other accoutrements. If you can't think of a specific costume, you should be able to attain "generic Halloween crazy" with a trip here--just tell everyone you're dressed as a Burning Man attendee.
-
One Stop Party Shop
Read Reviews
1600 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94131 (map)
This party-supply store brings in a host of costumes for both kids and adults each October, from pink wigs to fun masks. If you're throwing a Halloween party this year, this is a great one-stop shop for dressing both yourself and your home.
-
Costumes on Haight
Read Reviews
735 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
For more elaborate rental costumes, including fancy dresses and giant heads, hardcore Halloweeners head to this expansive shop on Haight. Rentals run between $30 and $50 (plus a security deposit), and the store also sells accoutrements such as wigs, makeup and hats for those who are going mostly DIY.
-
Thrift Town
Read Reviews2101 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
Crowded, poorly organized and saturated with that unmistakable thrift-store funk, Thrift Town will never be confused for a fancy boutique. But for a cheap, funky costume (or some inexpensive clothes to cover with fake blood and dub zombie-wear), this gigantic thrift emporium is the place to go.
San Francisco Halloween Events: For the Kids
-
Exploratorium
Read Reviews
3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
On Oct. 30, grab the little ones and take them to this science museum for the annual Halloween bash. The less squeamish can pet giant insects and tarantulas, and everyone can view spooky Looney Tunes cartoons, decorate sugar skulls, and traipse through a graveyard--the Graveyard of Dead Science Ideas, that is.
-
California Academy of Sciences
Read Reviews
55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)
All Halloween weekend long, the city's top science museum will tempt kids and parents with a costume parade, demonstrations of snakes and creepy crawlies, magicians, and free trick-or-treat bags for the little ones.
-
San Francisco Zoo
Read Reviews
1 Zoo Rd, San Francisco, CA 94132 (map)
Though details on this year's Boo at the Zoo have yet to be announced, expect lots of tricks and treats for the younger set, including a Haunted Nature Trail that lets kids get up close to snakes and owls, a "pumpkin stomp-and-chomp" for the animals, crafts, and live music. Don't let Junior wear a rubber mask, though; they're banned from the zoo, as they scare the animals.
San Francisco Halloween Events: Adults-Only
-
Fox Theatre
Write a Review
1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612 (map)
On Oct. 29, this Oakland concert space is hosting Shpongle, an English psychedelic group known for wild and crazy Halloween shows. Based on the group's website, we're pretty sure that maximum enjoyment of this event hinges on more than just a sugar high.
-
Landmark Albany Twin
Read Reviews
1115 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA 94706 (map)
On Oct. 29 at midnight, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" plays at the Twin in Albany, with special live appearances and mandatory audience participation. A smaller, less-aggressive edition also plays that night at the Clay in Pacific Heights.
-
Yoshi's San Francisco
Read Reviews
1330 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (map)
On Oct. 29, Yoshi's pays tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" with a costumed ball featuring a 14-piece Jackson tribute band. Got a great MJ costume? Be sure to wear it--a prize is given for the best one.