Halloween 2021: Bay Area parties and live music for the over-21 crowd

Maia Detmer and Kristina Kenney get ready to party on Castro Street on Halloween night. Photo: KURT ROGERS/THE CHRONICLE / SFC

Trick-or-treating may be the main event of many Halloween celebrations, but the spooky holiday also presents a perfect opportunity for grown-ups to put on a costume and have a night out on the town.

Check out The Chronicle’s guide to parties, boo-zy bar crawls, mesmerizing music, otherworldly outings, supernatural speakeasies at sea, and more freaky celebrations for the 21-and-up crowd.

Halloween 2021: Bay Area family-friendly events and pumpkin patch fun

Halloween 2021: Bay Area haunted houses, concerts and more ways to celebrate the spooky season

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos all around the Bay Area

Goldenvoice Presents: Cradle of Filth — Cruelty and the Beast, Once Human, 3Teeth

A Halloween-time performance by extreme metal bands, with a heart of filthy darkness, featuring the band led by vocalist Dani Filth.

8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. $35-$50, reservations and proof of vaccination required. Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-673-5716. theregencyballroom.com

Outside Lands Night Shows

Taking place at Bimbo’s 365 Club, the New Parish, the Independent, Rickshaw Stop, Balboa Theater, 1015 Folsom, the Warfield, and Fox Theater Oakland, these evening concerts will feature artists participating in the Outside Lands festival, which is set for Friday-Sunday, Oct. 29-31, in Golden Gate Park. Scheduled performers include Drama with Brijean, the Hu, Mark E. Bassy, Kaytranada, Dr. Dog, Arizona, Rufus du Sol, Marc Rebillet and others. 

Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 27-31. $15-$100, advance tickets and proof of vaccination required. Various San Francisco and East Bay locations. sfoutsidelands.com/night-shows

Thursday Nights: Polyrhythmic Percussion of the Philippines

Enjoy Philippine polyrhythmic percussion music with Kultura Kapwa kulintang ensemble; explore the Asian Art Museum galleries; mix and mingle and shop the gift store at this evening event. Food and drinks available for purchase.

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. Included with museum admission, reservations required. Samsung Hall, Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., S.F. 415-581-3500. asianart.org

The California Academy of Sciences plans to host a frightful Nightlife event on Thursday, Oct 28. Photo: Courtesy of the California Academy of Sciences

Nightlife: ‘Frightlife’

Come in costume and ready to enjoy creepy science and crawly creatures at a “wild” Halloween party, scheduled to include a costume contest; drag performances with drag legend Heklina and Rice Rockettes; live sets with Sweater Funk DJs; and watch biologists Diana Jacobsmeyer, Jacob Gorneau and Katherine Montana in conversation about specimens from the museum collection, including live, glowing scorpions. Halloween-themed cocktails and dancing will be offered in the west garden.

6-10 p.m. Oct. 28. $17-$20, reservations and vaccination proof required. 21 and older. California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, S.F. 415-379-8000. calacademy.org

Exploratorium After Dark: ‘Fright Night’

Learn about what triggers our fear response, explore common superstitions, and enjoy a spooky cocktail and live DJ sets to get you lurching about the dance floor. Food and drinks will be available to purchase and consume in outdoor spaces.

6-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. $19.95, reservations and vaccination proof required. Exploratorium, Pier 15, S.F. 415-528-4444. exploratorium.edu

Devilish Inspirations: Summoning Witches, Demons and Black Magic at the Piano

If you are staying home this year, set the mood in-house with this virtual event — hosted by San Francisco Conservatory of Music director Edwin Outwater and horror icon Peaches Christ — featuring haunting piano music videos. The program is set to feature pianists Sarah Cahill, Allegra Chapman, Keisuke Nakagoshi, Daniel Glover, Jeffrey LaDeur, Solomon Ge, Dee Spencer, Ryan Sheng, Brent Smith and mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich performing works by Scriabin, Ravel, Nina Simone, Schubert and others. Proceeds will benefit the Ross McKee Foundation.

7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. $25, registration required. Online event. rossmckeefoundation.org

CrawlSF Halloween Weekend Pub Crawls

This homespun bar crawl’s Halloween weekend event will feature more than 25 participating clubs, a party bus for help with transportation between venues, and a costume contest with prizes for best individual and group entries.

6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29; 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; 5-11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. $10-$45. Reservations required. Mayes Oyster House, 1233 Polk St., S.F.  crawloween.com

Frank Olivier and his dancing girls in “Twisted Cabaret.” Photo: Roger Mulkey / Twisted Cabaret

Frank Olivier’s Twisted Cabaret: Halloween Spooktacular

Join the comedic insanity with world juggling champion/comedian Frank Olivier’s one-man show, held exclusively over Halloween weekend.

8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 29-30. $25-$300, reservations and vaccination proof required. Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson St., S.F. 415-735-4159. greatstartheater.org

Halloween at Sea S.F. Bay Cruise Party

Dance with werewolves and witches to live bands La Sonora Dinamita, Oro Solido, Orquesta Saboricua, Orquesta Liberacion and DJ sets on four levels. The event features refreshments and cocktails at seven bars; a costume contest; and city night views from aboard a classic river boat built in Louisiana.

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29- 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. $60-$140, reservations required. Hornblower Cruises and Events, Pier 3 Hornblower Landing, S.F. 650-281-5391. cityexperiences.com/city-cruises

Zoltar the Fortune Teller will be onsite to predict your future at Cirque du Sebastopol. Photo: Dylan Entelis / The Chronicle

Cirque du Sebastopol Halloween Party

HopMonk Sebastopol hosts their annual holiday event, set up as a vintage circus with stilt walkers, clowns, Zoltar, cabaret and carny action, cotton candy, popcorn, photo booths and more. Night one is set to feature live heavy metal/mariachi music with Metalachi; and on the second night, belly dance with Mahari and DJ sets from David Starfire and Soohan.

8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 29-30. HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol. 707-829-7300. hopmonk.com

Halloween Horror Benefit for West Oakland Punks with Lunch

A punk rock Halloween benefit party featuring performances by Sore Thumb, MJ Shaw, Grooblen, Outer District, and El Winnebago.

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. $10, reservations and vaccination proof required. The Golden Bull, 412 14th St., Oakland. 510-224-5522. goldenbullbar.com

Public Works SF Halloween Weekend

Three nights of Halloween-themed events are set to feature Polyglamorous and Mystopia’s “Horror Story: Blood Moon” on Friday and a costume party with Berlin DJ Acid Pauli on Saturday, or dig into “Wormhole: Halloween” with a long list of performers scheduled on Sunday evening.

9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29; 10 p.m. Oct 30; 6 p.m. Oct. 31. $20-$40. Vaccination proof required. 161 Erie St., S.F. 415-496-6738. publicsf.com

Halloween Weekend at the Sweetwater

A full holiday lineup is set to feature the Bayonics on Friday, SoulSka with Angelo Moore on Saturday and local favorites the Mother Hips trio on Sunday. Costumes encouraged.

10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29; 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. $25-$33, reservations and vaccination proof required. Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. 415-388-3850. sweetwatermusichall.com 

Celebrate Halloween at Terrapin Crossroads this year with a party and performances on Oct. 30-31 featuring Stu Allen and Mars Hotel outdoors on the Beach Park stage. Photo: Courtesy of Terrapin Crossroads

Stu Allen and Mars Hotel Halloween Celebration

Led by guitarist/singer Stu Allen (Phil and Friends, Melvin Seals and JGB), a revolving cast of musicians makes up the Mars Hotel band. Drawing mainly from the Grateful Dead’s catalog, they aim to delight dancing Deadheads at a late season, outdoor show at the beloved local haunt, currently owned by Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh.

4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, reservations and vaccination proof required. $35. Terrapin Crossroads Beach Park, 100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael. 415-524-2773. terrapincrossroads.net

Glow in the Streets 2021: Comfort & Joy’s Castro Block Party

Celebrate Halloween/Samhain as in days of yore weekend at a Castro street block party. Scheduled to drive the good times on the dance floor are Synthe Tigers DJs Allen Craig and Sergio Fedasz, cabaret and burlesque from Alotta Boutté, God’s Lil Princess, Johnny Rockitt, KaiKai, dancer Kat Lin and fire artist Liam Ocean.

4-9 p.m. Oct. 30. Free, registration required. 2298 Market St., S.F. playajoy.org

USS Hornet Monsters Bash 2021

Put on your finest costume and get on board the USS Hornet for a party featuring live music from Lee Press-on and the Nails and with DJ Rockin’ Raul; food and beverages available and free parking on-site.

7 p.m. Oct. 30-1 a.m. Oct. 31. $20-$35, vaccinations and advance reservations required. 21 and older. USS Hornet, 707 Hornet Ave., Alameda. 510-521-8448. uss-hornet.org

Retroween with Mickey Avalon Live

Live DJ sets starting at 10 p.m. after the live music; Halloween costume contest; spooky props and decor; pinball machines.

7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. $15-$30, reservations highly encouraged. Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main St., Walnut Creek. 925-938-4140. retrojunkiebar.com

Om Nom Nom Non-Binary Burlesque Drag Circus

Nitrix Oxide hosts a gender-expansive Halloween event with burlesque, drag, a freak show and circus performers to entertain all. Performers scheduled include the Max Madame, Jerucifer, Obsidenne Obsurd, Queer Al Skankovic, Beux Bella Badass and go-go dancing from Rae Lune and others. Local, non-binary artists Pervy Pins, Costume Eclectic and Martin Vore will be on site and vending their wares.

8-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. $15-$20, reservations and vaccination proof required. Amado’s, 998 Valencia St., S.F. 415-638-9201. amadossf.com 

Dr. Selina Shah practices a Bollywood dance in Walnut Creek in 2009. Photo: Lianne Milton / Special to The Chronicle

Bolloween Ball Cruise: Halloween Costume Party

A Bollywood-themed Halloween costume party on the bay with prizes for best costumes. The Instant Karma event will feature cocktails and light bites, city views and dancing with DJ Dharak during a three-hour bay cruise.

8:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. $59-$89, reservations required. SF Cruise, 2394 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda. 408-579-9426. events.sulekha.com

Speakeasy San Francisco Halloween Party Cruise

A flapper/speakeasy-themed event takes attendees back to the 1920s on board the Commodore fleet’s Fume Blanc steamboat replica. With live DJ sets; open bar for four hours; three decks and dance areas; partially open deck for the views and dancing under the stars. Costumes encouraged.

8 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Oct. 30. $85-$1199, reservations required. Pier 40, 8 the Embarcadero, S.F. 925-278 8489. sfevents.com

Smiley’s Electro Haunted House Party with the Crooked Stuff

A night of ghoulish, live electro funk and soul music. DJ Ison plans to spin before the show and between sets. Costumes encouraged.

8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. $15, vaccination proof required and reservations highly encouraged.  Smiley’s Schooner Saloon, 41 Wharf Road, Bolinas. 415-868-1311. smileyssaloon.com

Power Exchange Presents: 25th Annual Naughty Halloween Ball

If you are feeling daring, check out the classic adults-only club with three floors of entertainment as it welcomes costumed exhibitionists and voyeurs alike to an over-the-top Halloween celebration.

9 p.m. Oct. 30-6 a.m. Oct. 31. $40-$150, reservations required. Power Exchange, 220 Jones St., S.F. 415-487-9944. powerexchange.com

Ghoulish props decorate the Belvedere Street home of Ethel Rainey, above left in her witch costume. Photo: PENNI GLADSTONE / SFC

W San Francisco Halloween: Sinister Chic Masquerade and Costume Ball

Don your best costume for a hotel-wide Halloween party, set to include four music areas with 12 DJs, including Felli Fel.

9 p.m.- 2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 30-31. $49-$195, reservations and vaccination proof required. W San Francisco, 181 Third St., S.F. 415-573-0740. vipnightlife.com

Into the Dark: “Terror Ball” Halloween Soiree

Peaches Christ is scheduled to host a Halloween eve party, featuring a costume contest with prizes; live cabaret performances with Polly Amber Ross and Sean Leone, Alexiel de Ravenswood, Cosimo, Interrobang the Dragon, Mocha Fapalatte and Cream; dancing and DJ sets; “Otoacoustic Emissions,” composed by Jacob Adler and performed by students at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music; an open bar; a carnival-style adult fun zone; and includes admission to the frightening “Immortal Reckoning” experience.

9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 30-31. $150, reservations and proof of vaccination required. 21 and older. San Francisco Mint, 88 Fifth St., S.F. terrorvault.com

The host of the Terror Ball, Peaches Christ, is ready to get the party started on Halloween eve at the S.F. Mint. Photo: Jose A. Guzman / Into the Dark Presents

Katdelic Halloween Masquerade Throwdown

A funky dance party with a live Katdelic performance, featuring P-Funk All-Star Ronkat Spearman and sets from DJ Kevvy Kev. Costumes encouraged.

9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. $15, reservations encouraged. Boom Boom Room, Fillmore St., S.F. 415-673-8000. boomboomroom.com 

XOXO and Cecil Russell Present: WE Party Spartans-Halloween Edition

WE Party Madrid Spain returns to San Francisco with a sexy, large scale theatrical production; Halloween costume party with cash prizes; a safe place for LGBTQ+ party goers.

10 p.m. Oct. 30-6 a.m. Oct. 31. $125-$145, vaccination proof and advance tickets required. The Midway, 900 Marin St., S.F. themidwaysf.com

Haunted Hoedown with the Fort Knox Five

The D.C.-based music collective with Steve Raskin, Jon Horvath, Rob Myers and Sid Barcelona will be joined by favorite Space Cowboys DJs and guests on three stages.

10 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 30-31. $20-$40, reservations required. The Great Northern, 119 Utah St., S.F.  415- 626-7001. thegreatnorthernsf.com

Far Out, Outside Lands: Halloween Bonfire and Dance Party

The Psychedelic Club of San Mateo has announced their annual Halloween bonfire and outdoor dance party at the Ocean Beach Fire Pits is on the books this year. It will feature music and dancing on the beach. You are welcome to bring snacks, drinks and other items, but no illegal substances. Layer up and be prepared for potential cold and windy conditions. An after-party is planned to be held at Antone’s Cocktail Lounge at 32 37th Ave., San Mateo.

4-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Free, registration required. Donations encouraged. Ocean Beach Fire Pits, 100 Great Highway, S.F. psychedelicsanmateo.com

MidwaySF: Tsunami Halloween

A Halloween party with live and DJ sets from Noodles, Miles Medina, Jayneal, Shawn Looney, DJ Lex and others. Hosted by Fran Boogie.

9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. $35-$45, reservations required. The Midway, 900 Marin St., S.F.  themidwaysf.com

Halloween Night with Dead Meadow

Mad Alchemy Liquid Lights sets the scene for a live show with psychedelic rock, featuring vocalist/guitarist Jason Simon, bassist Steve Kille and drummer Mark Laughlin. Costumes encouraged. The Flash Hits open.

9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. $20-$25, reservations and vaccination proof required. The Chapel, 777 Valencia St., S.F. 415- 551-5157. thechapelsf.com

  • Anne Schrager
    Anne Schrager Anne Schrager is the calendar producer for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: aschrager@sfchronicle.com