From haunted happenings and colorful cultural celebrations to seasonal flavors that go beyond pumpkin spice, there's more than one way to experience the fall in San Jose.
Looking for a scare?
Brave two haunted attractions at The Bernal Scream at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds or step into Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House for an after-dark experience at San Jose's most legendary mansion. For a different kind of haunting, catch The Phantom of the Opera at the Center for Performing Arts October 7th-18th.
Want to taste fall beyond pumpkin spice?
In San Jose, the flavors of the season reflect the cultures and communities that call the city home. Warm up with comforting dishes like yam porridge from FolaFela or camote and elote from Luna Mexican Kitchen or taste seasonal sweets like arroz dolce from Adega Pastelaria. From recipes tied to cultural celebrations to dishes made for cooler weather, discover a different way to taste fall in San Jose.
Ready for a seasonal sip?
From Oktoberfest steins to Halloween cocktail pop-ups and creative seasonal sips, San Jose bars and breweries are getting into the spirit. Come thirsty and discover what the city is pouring this season.
Craving for a classic fall day?
Wander through hand-blown works of art at Santana Row’s Glass Pumpkin Festival, October 2nd–4th, head downtown for Pumpkins in the Park on October 10th for free pumpkins and live performances or create a pumpkin succulent work of art at Hayes Mansion's workshop on October 17th.
Making it a family day?
Dress up for Santana Row’s Trick-or-Treat The Row on October 27th or Trick or Treat Along Lincoln Avenue on October 30th. For a more musical experience, get into the Halloween spirit with Symphonic Spooktacular at the California Theatre October 24th–25th.
Want to celebrate fall the San Jose way?
Teatro Visión brings Alebrijes: A Día de Muertos Tale to the Mexican Heritage Plaza in October, while Día de los Muertos celebrations across San Jose bring together food, art, music and traditions honoring loved ones and generations past.
Come for the scares. Stay for the flavors, performances, traditions and only-in-San-Jose experiences that make the season worth celebrating.
What's pouring this fall?
Don't miss Oktoberfest celebrations, spooky cocktail pop-ups and seasonal sips around the city!
4x4Ready for a little fall drama?
See what's taking the stage in San Jose!
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Phantom of The Opera – Broadway San Jose
Oct 07, 2026 - Oct 18, 2026 Center for the Performing Arts -
Symphonic Spooktacular – Symphony San Jose
Oct 24, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026 California Theatre -
Mrs. Winchester (or, a Gun in the First Act)
Oct 04, 2026 City Lights Theater Company -
The Living Tombstone
Oct 08, 2026 San Jose Civic -
Teatro Visión's Alebrijes: A Día de Muertos Tale
Oct 08, 2026 - Oct 17, 2026 Mexican Heritage Plaza -
Small Town Murder
Oct 16, 2026 California Theatre -
The Music of Ennio Morricone: A Candlelit Piano & Strings Experience
Oct 29, 2026 Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
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One fall day isn't enough
Book a hotel and keep exploring!
Seasonal Events
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Makers Market in the Park
Apr 12, 2025 - Santana Row -
The Bernal Scream
Sep 18, 2026 - Nov 08, 2026 Santa Clara County Fairgrounds -
San Jose Sharks Season Opener vs. Florida Panthers
Oct 01, 2026 San Jose Sharks -
Glass Pumpkin Festival
Oct 02, 2026 - Oct 04, 2026 Santana Row -
Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon
Oct 03, 2026 - Oct 04, 2026 -
Oktoberfest at San Pedro Square Market
Oct 03, 2026 San Pedro Square Market Bar -
Mrs. Winchester (or, a Gun in the First Act)
Oct 04, 2026 City Lights Theater Company -
Phantom of The Opera – Broadway San Jose
Oct 07, 2026 - Oct 18, 2026 Center for the Performing Arts -
The Living Tombstone
Oct 08, 2026 San Jose Civic -
Teatro Visión's Alebrijes: A Día de Muertos Tale
Oct 08, 2026 - Oct 17, 2026 Mexican Heritage Plaza -
Tech at Nite: Geektoberfest
Oct 08, 2026 The Tech Interactive -
Pumpkins in The Park
Oct 10, 2026 Discovery Meadow -
Ghosts & Graveyards: A Halloween Concert
Oct 10, 2026 Lincoln Glen Church -
Small Town Murder
Oct 16, 2026 California Theatre -
Pumpkin Succulent Workshop at Hayes Mansion
Oct 17, 2026 Hayes Mansion San Jose, Curio Collection by Hilton -
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Funeral For a Gangster
Oct 18, 2026 Old Spaghetti Factory -
Día de los Muertos Tequila Dinner
Oct 22, 2026 Hotel Valencia Santana Row -
Symphonic Spooktacular – Symphony San Jose
Oct 24, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026 California Theatre -
Farmer Mike Pumpkin Carving
Oct 24, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026 Santana Row -
Community Day: Día de Los Muertos
Oct 24, 2026 San Jose Museum of Art -
Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival
Oct 27, 2026 Santana Row -
The Music of Ennio Morricone: A Candlelit Piano & Strings Experience
Oct 29, 2026 Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph -
Trick or Treat Along Lincoln Avenue
Oct 30, 2026 Willow Glen Business Association -
Halloween by 365 Night Market
Oct 30, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026 Grand Century Mall -
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake Halloween Game
Oct 31, 2026 San Jose Earthquakes -
Día de los Muertos Run-Walk
Oct 31, 2026 Guadalupe River Park Trail -
Halloween Bar Crawl
Oct 31, 2026 Three Sisters Bar -
Halloween at El Jardin
Oct 31, 2026 El Jardin Tequila Bar & Restaurant -
Avenida de Altares
Oct 31, 2026 Mexican Heritage Plaza -
Día de Los Muertos Celebration
Nov 01, 2026 Santana Row -
Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
Nov 26, 2026 Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation Downtown San Jose
