The Best Places to Trick-or-Treat on the Monterey Peninsula This Halloween

Halloween on the Monterey Peninsula has a charm all its own. From Carmel’s storybook downtown streets to Pacific Grove’s neighborhood shops and Monterey’s historic waterfront, there are plenty of ways for families to celebrate the season and fill their candy bags. Whether you're looking for a daytime trick-or-treat outing with younger children or a festive Halloween-night adventure, here are some of the best local spots to add to your family's October calendar.

Downtown Pacific Grove: A Sweet Saturday Tradition

Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Downtown Pacific Grove, along Lighthouse Avenue
Address: Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Get an early start on Halloween with downtown Pacific Grove's annual trick-or-treating event. Participating local businesses along Lighthouse Avenue welcome costumed children for an afternoon of Halloween treats. It's a particularly nice option for younger trick-or-treaters who might prefer daylight hours, a walkable downtown setting, and a little less Halloween-night excitement. Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. The fun here is discovering which local shops are participating and seeing how each business celebrates. Make a stop at the storefronts with festive decorations, and let the kids enjoy the surprise of each new treat.

Carmel-by-the-Sea: Halloween Parade and Village Trick-or-Treating

Friday, October 30, 2026 | Parade at 4:30 p.m.; trick-or-treating follows
Location: Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea
Address: Parade begins near Mission Street and Sixth Avenue; festivities continue along Ocean Avenue and at Devendorf Park.

Few places do Halloween quite like Carmel. The village's charming architecture, walkable streets, and festive storefronts make it a natural setting for an afternoon of costumes and candy. The celebration begins with Carmel's City Halloween Parade, which travels through downtown before continuing to Devendorf Park for trick-or-treating. Local shops also participate in the festivities, giving families another opportunity to collect treats while exploring the village. Carmel-by-the-Sea was incorporated on Halloween in 1916. That makes 2026 the city's 110th birthday! This year's celebration brings together two reasons to celebrate: Halloween and the village's anniversary. Don't skip the village shops. The storefronts are part of the experience, and the combination of decorated windows, costumed visitors, and local businesses makes this one of the Peninsula's most charming Halloween outings.

Seaside: Halloween Bonanza at the Oldemeyer Center

Friday, October 30, 2026 | 6–9 p.m.
Location: Oldemeyer Center
Address: 986 Hilby Avenue, Seaside, CA 93955

For families looking for a more activity-filled Halloween celebration, Seaside's annual Halloween Bonanza is worth a visit. This free event for children 10 and younger features games, a haunted house, interactive crafts, refreshments, treat bags, and a children's costume contest with prizes for the best costume. The first 300 attendees receive a special Halloween bag filled with goodies, so arriving early is a good idea. It's a great choice for families who want more than traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, with plenty of activities all in one place.

Old Fisherman's Wharf: Trick-or-Treat by the Bay

Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 4–7 p.m.
Location: Old Fisherman's Wharf
Address: 201 Washington Street, Monterey, CA 93940

For a Halloween outing with a distinctly Monterey feel, head to Old Fisherman's Wharf for its eighth annual Halloween on the Wharf: Trick or Treat by the Bay. This free, family-friendly event invites children and adults to dress up and visit participating Wharf merchants for Halloween treats. The waterfront is decorated for the occasion, with photo opportunities, spooky music, and plenty of festive atmosphere. Make sure to find Candy World! The shop will have a costumed witch available for photos and will be handing out special Halloween candy. It's one of the sweetest stops on the Wharf. There is also a Halloween costume contest beginning at 5 p.m. in front of Rockfish Harbor Grill, with cash prizes across several age groups and for groups. The group category even offers a first-place prize of $150. For families who want to make an evening of it, this is a fun way to combine trick-or-treating, waterfront scenery, and a little friendly costume competition.

A Few Tips for a Sweet Halloween

• Arrive early: Popular community events can get busy, and some offer limited treat bags or special giveaways.
• Bring a comfortable trick-or-treat bag: Especially for downtown walks where children will be visiting multiple businesses.
• Plan around the little ones: Pacific Grove's daytime event is a great option for younger children, while the Wharf offers a later Halloween-night celebration.
• Check before heading out: Event schedules and participating businesses can change, so confirm details with organizers before making plans.

Making Halloween Memories on the Monterey Peninsula

One of the best things about living on the Monterey Peninsula is the sense of community that comes through during local traditions like Halloween. Whether it's a costumed parade through Carmel, a candy stop along Lighthouse Avenue, or an evening on the waterfront in Monterey, these celebrations are a wonderful reminder of what makes our local communities so special. From all of us at Canning Properties Group, we hope you have a safe, happy, and wonderfully sweet Halloween!