It’s Great Pumpkin Season:
Things to Do in Napa Valley for Halloween
From pumpkin patches to pet-friendly costume parties and from fancy cocktail competitions to traditional trick or treat festivities, you can find it all here with several ghoulish Halloween events. Whether your idea of Halloween fun entails costumes and candy apples with the kiddos or wild attire and apple martinis with the adults, there is plenty of fun to be had for kids of all ages during All Hallows’ Eve. Get inspired and sport your costumes, choose your treats (or tricks), and pass a scary-good time in Napa Valley.
Spooktacular Family Fun
October 27
For some light-hearted Halloween fun with the pup, head over to the Alba Restaurant at River Terrace Inn for Howl O' Ween Yappy Hour. Bring Fido, dressed in his Halloween best, and participate in fun activities centered around your four-legged friends.
October 29
Pups can also get in on the cloaked fun at Milo & Friends Pet Boutique for their Halloween [Pets!] Costume Contest. Free goodie bags of pet approved Halloween treats are a bonus and the best dressed four-legged friend will win a prize.
Take the whole family over to Feast it Forward for “boos and brews” and discover the Spooktacular Halloween Family Bash, featuring spooky tunes by a DJ, games, crafts, and a family costume contest.
During Hometown Halloween businesses in Downtown Napa and the Oxbow Commons displaying black and orange balloons invite kids of all ages to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and pop in to Trick or Treat. This day often features an adorable parade of costumed little ones and is always a treat! Plus, don’t forget to stroll through the nearby Napa Farmers’ Market to continue the fun.
Join the festivities and fun at The Village Lawn at the Meritage Resort & Spa, where the whole family can participate! The Family Fall Festival features carnival games, Halloween crafts, a pet costume contest, and more. This spot is bustling and the event will be set to live music and will feature delicious bites and beverages from local vendors in The Village.
October 29–31
On the garden grounds of Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, catch the Floating Pumpkins Display where hand-carved pumpkins fabulously “float” on pikes throughout the garden. The pumpkin art is truly magical and will be sure to inspire some grins and inspire many Instagrammable moments.
October 30
The ghosts and ghouls at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art have been cooking up some tricks, treats, and crafty fun for gremlins of all ages at their Trick-or-treating + Haunted Museum. Dare to step inside the “haunted” museum or the spooky photo booth. Or, get your face painted and do the Monster Mash dance. Tickets available in advance and the cost for little gremlins is only $5. Be sure to be there between 1:30pm and 3:30pm or, shriek! you might miss the costume contest!
November 4
In honor of Día de los Muertos Celebration with Los Cenzontles head to the outdoor amphitheater at The CIA at Copia to enjoy a live musical performance by Grammy nominated ensemble, Los Cenzontles. The program includes traditional Mexican music and dance. Be inspired by the occasion and don your own Day of the Dead costumes.
Grown-Up Goblins and Ghouls
October 23
Dress in your spooky threads and head to Yountville to watch the Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition which will feature wine country’s top bartenders showing off their prowess. Guests can sample handcrafted whiskey cocktails from the fiercely competitive bartenders as each vies for the top spot and bragging rights. Bonus…their mixed potions will be available to taste!
October 28
Arrive early for dinner to grab a spot and stay a while at Wilfred’s Lounge where you can celebrate Cocktails and Costumes: Halloween Island-style. And, if you dare, try the “Red Death” a sangria-based drink special served in a festive skull mug.
October 29
At the inaugural Halloween Soiree, presented by the Napa County Historical Society at the “haunted” Goodman Library, the evening will feature wine, light bites, music, and lots of Halloween revelry and spooky surprises. Costumes are highly encouraged so let your inspiration and creativity fly. Prizes will be awarded for the most original and extravagant costumes!
At The Saint, located in downtown St. Helena, experience the Nightmare on Main Street Halloween Bash. With DJ’d music from multiple genres to inspire all the witches and wizards, this party features cocktails, bubbles, and lots of spooky fun. Costumes are encouraged but not required…though, why not put your most bewitching foot forward? You may take home the prize for best costume!
October 30
For adult-level intrigue start with a Halloween Tulocay Cemetery Tour and wind through some of the oldest parts of the cemetery on a docent-guided tour to learn about the storied individuals who helped to shape the famed Napa Valley. This Halloween version of the tour promises some twists and surprises along the way…boo!
Wander Around the Towns
Fall is falling, the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing color, and that spooky time of year is here again. Kid, adults, witches, goblins, ghouls, and wizards of all ages can come out to play. With Napa Valley vineyards putting on a beautiful show of amber colored leaves, it’s a great time to get outdoors and explore. And, in the spirit of things, make a day of your Halloween adventures.
Start your day by “hunting” for pumpkins. Napa Valley has a plethora of pumpkin patches offering fun activities for you and your crew. Follow our handy suggestions to wind your way through a pumpkin patch and over to a casual food and beverage spot. There are plenty of locations throughout the valley, each offering unique cuisine and dining options. You won’t want to miss them, and your “scariest” Halloween moment will be spent trying to just make one selection!
American Canyon
In American Canyon, start at Pick of the Patch Pumpkins to pick the perfect pending jack-o-lantern and let the kids jump and play on the inflatable park. After working up an appetite consider any number of local, family-friendly options including Junction Brewery and Grill where a full menu (including sushi!) offers something for everyone. If your pumpkin patch trip is adult-focused, round out the day with a tasting at RD Winery, with the Fifth Moon Food and Wine Pairing that features unexpected Asian bites and complementary wine combinations or check-in at Sunrise Ranch Winery for tastings on the sprawling deck.
Napa
Stop by the pumpkin patch on Stanly Lane for an assortment of pumpkins plus lots of fun photo opportunities with scarecrows on hay bales or old retro tractors. Choosing perfect pumpkins is hard work, so reward yourself by heading over to nearby Boon Fly Café for a casual lunch – the fried chicken meal is not to be missed! Adults can toast their bounty with a flight of bubbles at Domaine Carneros and plenty more picturesque photo opportunities.
Yountville
On your way to St. Helena for pumpkin carving classes, celebrate Día De Los Muertos with a vibrant marigold altar, music, and delicious mezcal, margaritas and Mexican food at Chef Thomas Keller’s La Calenda. Or, try a leisurely lunch at Bistro Jeanty to enjoy classic French fare.
St. Helena
At Nimbus Arts with guidance from Master Pumpkin Carver, Eric Muensterman, you can take part in pumpkin carving lessons or pick-up at-home pumpkin carving kits. Make it a family affair and get tickets to join the carving party taking place on the lawn at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch on Sunday, October 30th and then enjoy a delicious brunch buffet.
Calistoga
If pumpkin hunting finds you in Calistoga, round out your day with dinner at House of Better where Southwestern fare is served outdoors in a casual backyard setting. Or, if you are feeling like you deserve a beer for all your hard work selecting pumpkins, try Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery where you can lounge by a firepit and reminisce about the fun you had all day!
