Trick or treat! Here are 10 Halloween events in Monterey County this spooky season

1. Triple F Farms Pumpkin Patch, Salinas

What’s not to like about bounce houses, food trucks and outdoor games? Triple F Farms is bringing these activities back to Salinas with its Pumpkin Patch event.

Admission is free for any guests, and families who want to stop by and pick out a pumpkin, as well as enjoy plenty of photo ops with the many seasonal decorations, haystacks, cornstalks and oversized lawn chairs.

The pumpkin patch is located at 10 River Road, on the corner of River Road and Highway 68. It is open weekdays from 12 p.m. until sundown, as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until sundown.

Check out more details via social media @tripleffarmsinc.

2. ‘Miner Madness’ Haunted House and Pumpkin Patch

Starting this weekend, the Monterey County Fairgrounds is kicking off spooky season with some thrills and scares. Visitors ages 12 and up can walk through the all-new ‘Miner Madness’ haunted house and pumpkin patch hosted by the Artichoke Festival.

Other activities will include games and arts and crafts vendors. This event runs every Friday and Saturday night, beginning Oct. 7 until Oct. 30.

Hours, tickets and a preview of the haunted tour at https://artichokefestival.org/events/haunted-house/

3. Haunted Trail Ride at Wonder Wood Ranch

Who can forget a spooky horse hide with creepy ghosts and skeletons lurking in every turn? Certainly no one who has experienced a haunted trail ride at the Wonder Wood Ranch on Wild Horse Road in Salinas.

Every Halloween, the ranch invites guests and families for a hayride around its ‘haunted’ half-mile trail through the woods. Visitors can wear costumes, take pictures with the horses, and meet the many barn animals, as well as play games, enjoy treats and hot cider.

This year’s haunted hayride will be at 8100 Wild Horse Road on Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are at http://www.wonderwoodranch.org/.

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4. Fall Round Up, Salinas

Salinas is shaking things up this Halloween with a new family-friendly event for all to enjoy. The Salinas Sports Complex will host its first annual Fall Round Up, which will include a pumpkin patch, carnival rides, food, games and more.

The Fall Round Up will be open from Oct. 13 -16. Parking will be free and presale wristbands are available for purchase.

Tickets and additional information at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2022/fall-round-up

5. Howl-o-Ween dog costume contest, Carmel

The city of Carmel is partnering with local animal welfare nonprofit Max's Helping Paws and Diggidy Dog/Love Dog & Co to bring back its Halloween dog costume contest following a two-year hiatus. Pet owners can bring their furry friends to the Carmel Plaza in Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, where they can show off their costume and compete for prizes.

Categories will include lookalike dog and owner, scariest costume, best handmade costume and most unique costume. Plenty of photo opportunities are sure to spread laughs and cheer.

This event takes place Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will support Max’s Helping Paws.

Tickets and information at https://allevents.in/carmel-by-the-sea/howl-o-ween-at-the-plaza/10000337627812877

6. Downtown Salinas Trick-or-Treat

Children will have plenty of opportunities to fill their candy bags Halloween weekend in Downtown Salinas. Families are invited to bring their children down to visit some of the local businesses for free candy and activities, including a scavenger hunt, face painting, pumpkin decorating and more.

This event opens from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29.

7. Halloween on the Wharf

The iconic Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey is inviting people to pay a visit and enjoy some trick-or-treating by the bay, spooky decorations and music on Halloween day. Costumes are encouraged, and those dressed up can enter in the costume contest to compete for prizes.

Candy World will also feature a witch for folks to enjoy some photo opportunities.

The event will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31.

More details at https://www.montereywharf.com/event/halloween-on-the-wharf/624.html

8. Monterey Bay Otter Fest

The Monterey Bay Otter Fest is back in time for Halloween weekend. Guests can enjoy a game of pickleball and are encouraged to wear their costumes.

The event runs from Oct. 28 – Oct. 30 at the Monterey Tennis Center or at the Hyatt Regency, Monterey.

Details and sign up at https://www.pickleballtournaments.com/tournamentinfo.pl?tid=6342

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9. Downtown Pacific Grove Trick-or-Treat

The Pacific Grove Downtown Business Improvement District and the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce will host a free trick-or-treat event for visitors of all ages. Trick-or-treaters will get candy and goodies at participating local businesses and can enjoy a night of music and other festive activities.

This event runs Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

10. Dia de los Muertos, Hartnell College

For many in Hispanic culture, Halloween time is a time to remember and honor deceased relatives and loved ones through a traditional gathering with food, flowers and stories. Hartnell College is hosting a Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, event for visitors to join in prayers, visit ofrendas, artwork displays and more. All ages are welcome.

The celebration will take place Nov. 2 at the Hartnell College quad from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More details at https://hospicegiving.org/dayofthedead/