Things are starting to get spooky in Tahoe as the scariest holiday of the year approaches. Everyone at Moonshine is already wearing garlic and burning sage to ward away the evil spirits, and we’re pretty sure the ghost in the basement is warming up for All Hallows’ Eve. Dress up in your creepiest costume and check out all the festive events going on around the lake. Just make sure to avoid cemeteries, black cats, and cobweb-covered houses.
Thursday, October 17
Spooky Ghost Walk
Ghosts from Tahoe’s spooky past will haunt Black Bear Forest on the grounds of the Gatekeeper’s Museum, sharing with children and adults their haunting historic stories. Info: free, ghosts anticipated to arrive shortly before 7 p.m., Gatekeeper’s Museum, 130 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, northtahoemuseums.org/calendar.html#Spooky_Ghost_Walk
Through October 31
Scarecrows on Parade
Scarecrows created by local businesses, schools, and nonprofits will be on display; be sure to cast your vote for your favorite. Info: Downtown Tahoe City, ballots can be picked up at participating stores throughout Tahoe City, visittahoecity.com
Tollhouse Pumpkin Patch
Haunted house, climbing wall, pony rides, mini ATVs, and more fun. Info: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., check website for prices, Tollhouse Pumpkins, 12185 S. Virginia St., Reno, (775) 636-5100, tollhousepumpkins.com
Saturday, October 19
Tahoe City Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins will be sold ranging in price from $3–$7; kids activity bracelets, which include a pony ride, will be sold for $15. Info: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rideout Community Center, 740 Timberland Ln., Tahoe City, (530) 583-3440
Truckee Elementary Pumpkin Patch
Come on down to this annual event with pony rides, games, haunted house, and pumpkin sale. Info: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Truckee Elementary, 11911 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, (530) 582-2650
October 24 to 27
Hangtown Halloween Ball
The third annual music festival, organized by the band Rusted Root, celebrates with talented musicians and great costumes all weekend. Performances by groups like Galactic, Matisyahu, Les Claypool’s Duo de Twang, and host of the fest, Rusted Root. Info: ticket prices vary, first set 7:30 p.m.,hangtownhalloween.com
October 25 & 26
Tahoe Donner Haunted House
Two mad scientist-themed haunted house nights in the Northwoods Clubhouse. Friday’s is “not-so-scary” and offers games and a movie in addition to treats; Saturday’s haunted house is sure to scare anyone bold enough to enter (recommended for the braver kids and teens). Info: $2/kids, free/parents, 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday; 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, tahoedonner.com/rec-programs/special-events
Friday, October 25
Halloween Parade
Trick or treat in historic downtown Truckee and show off your costume in the parade. Parade starts at train station. Info: 6 p.m., (530) 582-7720, tdrpd.com
Saturday, October 26
6th Annual Reno Zombie Crawl
Run, dance, and crawl at this popular, now all-ages event in Reno. Start the day off with the newly added No Brainer 5K race, where participants choose to be a zombie or a human; runners 21 and over receive free admission for the crawl. Join your fellow undead and perform the legendary “Thriller” dance under the Reno Arch (weekly practice sessions lead up to the evening), and then crawl around the city hungry for human blood, or drink specials at any of 45 participating bars and pubs. Info: 5K starts at 10 a.m., “Thriller” dance 6 p.m., crawl 8 p.m., renozombiecrawl.com
Thursday, October 31
Downtown Tahoe City Trick or Treat
Dress up and head downtown for trick or treating. Free goodie bag given out at Heritage Plaza. Info: 4 to 6 p.m., tahoecitypud.com/parksrec/special_events.shtml
The Psychedelic Scientist’s LAZER LABORATORY Halloween Hootenanny
At Jake’s on the Lake, Halloween will be full of DJ music, dancing, and laser and light shows at the Lazer Laboratory. The evening is hosted by Rambo Party Productions. Info: $5 before 10 p.m., $10 after 10 p.m., Jake’s on the Lake, Tahoe City, facebook.com/RamboPartyProductions
Friday, November 1
Día de los Muertos Family Celebration
A community celebration of the Day of the Dead hosted by the Family Resource Center of Truckee. The evening includes a performance by award-winning Latina storyteller Olga Loya, who will share stories, dance, and sing in English and Spanish, as well as Mexican food and holiday crafts and activities. Info: free, donations appreciated, 5 p.m., Family Resource Center of Truckee, (530) 587-2513, truckeefrc.org
