In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the greater Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long. This fall, and with safety measures in place, many members of Sacramento Area Museums (SAM) are offering fun Halloween and harvest-related events and activities.
A sampling of the spirited activities is below (but please check with the various museums and/or destinations for other events and more detailed information):
“Spookomotive” Train Rides at the Railroad Museum – October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31
All aboard for some Halloween fun at the Old Sacramento Waterfront! Guests of all ages will enjoy diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train rides aboard a whimsically decorated train crawling with spiders, cobwebs and cornstalks while staffed with an entertaining “skeleton crew.” Plus, train ride guests are encouraged to dress in costume during themed weekends: Superheroes & Villains (October 9-10), Pirates & Princesses (October 16-17), Witches & Wizards (October 23-24) and Superheroes & Villains (October 30-31). For more, visit www.californiarailroad.museum/events/spookomotive-train-ride.
34th Annual Safe & Super Halloween at Fairytale Town – October 16, 17, 23 & 24
Kids – and the young-at-heart accompanying them – can enjoy four days of family-friendly fun at the 34th Annual Safe & Super Halloween at Fairytale Town. The always popular Halloween extravaganza features treat-or-treating, treat stations, a costume parade, hands-on activities, and lots of spirited fun. For more information and advance tickets, please visit www.fairytaletown.org/calendar/halloween-2021-10-23/
Pumpkins and Planes Halloween at the Air Park – October 30
The community is invited to celebrate Halloween early with Amelia Bearhart and friends at the Aerospace Museum of California from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the huge open air outdoor Air Park. Guests can fly on by for trick-or-treating, music, Halloween-themed activities, and games for the whole family. For advance tickets, please visit www.aerospaceca.org/event/pumpkins-and-planes/.
Monster Mash at the Crocker Art Museum – October 30
To kick off a thrilling Halloween weekend, costumed kiddos and their grownups are invited to the Crocker Art Museum to experience a participatory Monster Mash performance full of amazement and artistic inspiration! Following the performance, guests are encouraged to explore the galleries with a Halloween-inspired scavenger hunt, take a festive family portrait, and discover a magical surprise or two. An interactive gift bag full of non-edible treats will be included with every child’s ticket. For advance registration and tickets, please visit www.crockerart.org/event/2764/2021-10-30.
Trick-or-Treat Daytime Halloween Activities at the Children’s Museum – October 31
Calling all boos and ghouls, visit the Sacramento Children’s Museum for a fun day of trick-or-treating featuring multiple candy stations, outside play, art activities and more! The event is free, but the Museum is welcoming donations of new or gently used children’s books for their lending library. Capacity is limited and advance registration is required by visiting www.sackids.org/trick-or-treat-at-scm/.
Movies Under the Stars: at the Old Sacramento Waterfront – Thursdays in October
The Old Sacramento Waterfront is always a great place to enjoy the spookiest time of the year! For a haunting good time, the community is invited to experience Movies Under the Stars presented by Xfinity in partnership with California State Parks Capital District and the California State Railroad Museum every Thursday evening in October. Movies will take place outdoors at the Old Sacramento State Historic Park and include “Original Ghostbusters” (October 7), “Clue” (October 14), “Hocus Pocus” (October 21) and “The Haunted Mansion” (October 28). For advance tickets, please visit https://downtownsacramenpartnership.ticketspice.com/movies-under-the-stars.
For more information about Sacramento area museums, “like” them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SacMuseums, follow them on Instagram and Twitter @SacMuseums or visit the user-friendly website at www.SacMuseums.org.
