Trick-or-treating is one of the most fun childhood traditions we have. And it's so simple: Dress up as a princess, your favorite superhero, or whatever else you want to be, say the magic words, and collect candy. And the more peanut butter cups you get, the better.
However, trick-or-treating looks a little different these days than when I was growing up. This year in the desert, for example, trunk-or-treat events are super popular, with many families opting to go to these community events rather than traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating.
Trick-or-treating in the Panorama neighborhood
If you want to go the
traditional route though, don't worry. There is one neighborhood that goes all-in on Halloween night: the Panorama neighborhood in Cathedral City around Panorama Park (between Landau Boulevard and Date Palm Drive).
According to a Desert Sun editor who lives in the neighborhood, many of the streets around Panorama Park are known to have some great decorations. Although there are no official trick-or-treating hours in the city, families generally begin around sunset and end shortly after dark.
If the old fashioned walk through a neighborhood on Halloween night isn't for you, here are four of our other picks of the best places (or events, really) to trick or treat in the Coachella Valley.
I-10 Auto Mall Trunk or Treat in Indio
This event features decorated trunks, treats, food vendors, a kids' zone, and more. The first 200 guests will receive an Indio-branded Halloween bag.
If you go: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, I-10 Auto Mall, 78-980 Varner Road, Indio. Free admission. indio.org
Trunk or Treat at Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms
Coachella Valley Animal Campus will host a Halloween event featuring vendor booths, games, live music, trick-or-treating and free pet adoptions, but no personal pets are allowed at the event.
If you go: 2-6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. Free admission. rcdas.org
Festival of Frights – Haunted Carnival in Palm Springs
Looking for a family friendly event with even more activities? This is an engaging carnival-themed family event with trick-or-treating, games, a walk-through maze, arts & crafts, and an outdoor movie screening.
If you go: 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, Sunrise Park, 480 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs. Free admission. palmspringsca.gov
10th Annual Halloween Spooktacular in Cathedral City
Enjoy a trick-or-treating event with local vendors, a kids’ costume contest and safety exhibits from the police and fire department.
If you go: Noon-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, Downtown Cathedral City, in front of city hall, 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City. Free admission. discovercathedralcity.com
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: See our ultimate guide to trick-or-treating in the Coachella Valley
