Expect plenty of orange and black as family-friendly Halloween celebrations return to Ventura County with haunted houses, costume contests and scary storytelling.
Free and low-cost events for children of all ages are scheduled in the days leading up to and on Halloween.
Some unique events include costumed paddling activities at Channel Islands Harbor on Oct. 24 or the Ventura Harbor on Oct. 30, where people can watch or join the Halloween-themed fun on the water.
Plan to bring a costume, as most celebrations encourage attendees to dress for the spooky occasion.
Those planning to attend should check with event organizers for details on potential sellouts, schedule changes or cancellations.
Camarillo
Spooky Swim: 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 23. Pleasant Valley Aquatic
Center, 1030 Temple Ave. Swimming and other fun activities like pumpkin painting and games. $10 registration for all activities or $4 to swim only. pvrpd.org/events.
Howl-O-Ween: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 24. Mission Oaks Dog Park, 5501 Mission Oaks Blvd. Dressed-up dogs can enter a costume or best trick contest and participate in activities. Dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet and follow dog park rules. Pet vendors and food trucks will also be at the event. Free. pvrpd.org/events.
Peace Lutheran Pumpkin Fest: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 24. Peace Lutheran Church, 71 Loma Drive. Admission is free. Pumpkins, food and carnival game tickets are available for purchase. Event includes hay rides, kids art show and model train. peacecamarillo.com/upcoming-events.
Haunted House at the Camarillo Library: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27-28. Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. Admission is free. Family-friendly scares for ages 5 and up on Oct. 27. More intense elements for older children, teens and adults, or ages 13 and above, on Oct. 28. The event is not age restricted but children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The event includes frightening scenes, loud sounds, scare actors and dim lighting. camarillolibrary.libcal.com.
Halloween in the Park: 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 28. Community Center Park, 1605 E. Burnley St. A night of trick-or-treating, games, pumpkin painting and more. A Halloween costume contest will be held at 6 p.m. Free. Food and drinks available for purchase. pvrpd.org/events.
Halloween Storytime and Costume Parade: 10:30-11 a.m. Oct. 29. Community Room at Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. For children ages 5 and younger. Free. Participants can wear costumes to join a Halloween-themed storytime, parade through the library and collect goodies from treat stations. https://camarillolibrary.libcal.com.
Painted Puzzle Pumpkins: 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Community Room at Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. For ages 18 and older. Free but registration required for an open waitlist. Participants can transform puzzle pieces into a colorful pumpkin decoration. camarillolibrary.libcal.com.
Jack-o’-Lantern Jars: 3-4 p.m. Oct. 30. Homework Center at Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. For ages 6 to 12. Free but registration is required. All supplies will be provided for the do it yourself glass jar jack-o'-lanterns. camarillolibrary.libcal.com.
Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat Event: 1-3 p.m. Oct. 31. Camarillo Premium Outlets, 740 Ventura Blvd. Visit participating stores with a pumpkin in the window to receive a treat, while supplies last. Activity zone near Brooks Brothers Factory Store with a photo booth, prize wheel and kids' activities. Visit Camarillo has a special interactive activity at the Canvas of Camarillo mural near The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. facebook.com/camarillopremiumoutlets.
Fillmore
Trunk or Treat: 5-6 p.m. Sensory-friendly hour and 6-8 p.m. open to all Oct. 28. Central Avenue in downtown. Free annual event with Halloween-decorated vehicles, treats, music and more. fillmoreca.gov.
Moorpark
Haunted High Street: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31. High Street. Multiple activities for all ages, including an all-ages costume contest at 5 p.m. at the north Metrolink lot. Halloween carnival, trunk or treat, pumpkin patch, DJ and more. Free. The carnival is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. moorparkca.gov/765/Haunted-High-Street.
Newbury Park
Happy “Owl-O-Ween:” 1-4 p.m. Oct. 31. Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Road. A costume parade is at 2 p.m. and a hooting owl contest at 3 p.m. Includes live music, sack races, mask making and pumpkin ring toss. Cost is $10 for seniors, adults and teens; $5 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger and museum members with identification. stagecoachinnmuseum.com.
Oak Park
Halloween Carnival: Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 31. Oak Park Community Center, 1000 N. Kanan Road. Geared to children age 12 and younger. The event includes arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games and more. Tickets available through Oct. 30. Advance tickets $5 per person for ages 2 to 12 and parents are free with a paid youth. Free for children under age 2 with pre-registration required. Limited day-of tickets $10. No cash. Food and drink available for purchase. rsrpd.org/recreation.
Ojai
Moreno Manor: 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1. 830 Moreno Drive. Special youth time 6 p.m. Oct. 31. Walk-through open haunt with special effects. Kid-friendly with limited gore but “could be scary.” Free. ojaihaunt.com.
Oxnard
Oxnard Police Department's Spooktacular Halloween Trunk or Treat: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 23. Oxnard Police Department, 251 S C St. Bring a treat bag, dress in a Halloween costume and visit with officers and community partners. facebook.com/OxnardPD.
Pumpkin paddle: 10 a.m.-Noon Oct. 24. Channel Islands Harbor, Harbor Boulevard. 9 a.m. check-in. Kayakers and paddleboarders are invited to dress in costume and celebrate Halloween on the water. Start at East Bank Day Dock between Fisherman’s Wharf and the public launch ramp and paddle to the docks at Peninsula Park. channelislandsharbor.org/events.
Haunted Library: 4:30-5:15 p.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 24. South Oxnard Branch Library, 4300 Saviers Road. Mother Goose hour at 4:30 p.m. with gentle scares for younger kids. The 5:30 p.m. event features scare actors and frights and is recommended for ages 8 and older. Free. oxnard.gov/south-oxnard-library.
Parade of Frights: 3-8 p.m. Oct. 24. Channel Islands Harbor, Harbor Boulevard. Boat parade at 7 p.m. caps off the day of family-friendly Halloween activities that start at 3 p.m., including a scavenger hunt, trunk or treat and marketplace. Events are centered around Harbor View Park, Marine Emporium Landing and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. A dog costume contest is planned for 3:30 p.m. and a person costume contest and scary-oke are scheduled for 4 p.m. at Marine Emporium Landing. channelislandsharbor.org/events.
Halloween Haunt in the Park: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 24. Plaza Park, 500 S. C St. The Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association free event includes a costume contest, trick-or-treat booths and candy. downtownoxnard.org.
Trick or Trunk: Spooky Story and Craft: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Colonia Branch Library, 1500 Camino Del Sol, Ste. 26. Listen to a special storytime of “Trick or Trunk” and build a candy pail to trick-or-treat with. Free. oxnard.gov/south-oxnard-library.
Candy Crawl at The Collection: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 28. The Collection at RiverPark, 2751 Park View Court. Event includes trick-or-treats, activities, DJ and selfies. thecollectionrp.com/events.
Port Hueneme
Spook-tacular Celebration!: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 28. Moranda Park, 200 Moranda Parkway. Event includes music, photo booth, pumpkin patch, food trucks, carnival games and more. ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/1452/2026-Spook-Tacualr.
Santa Paula
Halloween Carnival: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 24. Community Center, 530 W. Main St. Games, trunk or treat, haunted house, food. www.instagram.com/spparksandrec.
Simi Valley
Halloween Carnival: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 31. Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave. For children 12 years and younger. Balloon twisting, hay rides, face painting, carnival booths, activities like inflatable jumpers and more. Tickets available through Oct. 30. Advance tickets $5 per person, including adults. Limited day-of tickets $10. Free for ages 2 and younger but registration required. rsrpd.org/recreation/events.
Original Spooky Town: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 23. Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way. Family-friendly trick-or-treating, costume contest and live performances. Grammy-nominated artist Bridget Brady hosts. Free. simivalleytowncenter.com.
Thousand Oaks
Spooky Storytime: 10:15-11 a.m. Oct. 30. Grant R. Brimhall Library Marvin E. Smith Community Room, 1401 E. Janss Road. For ages 3 to 5 and event features spooky storytelling with a craft afterward. Walk-ins are welcome. Free. tolibrary.org.
Explore the Haunted History of Ventura County: An Evening with Richard Senate: 7-8 p.m. Oct. 30. Grant R. Brimhall Library mural area, 1401 E. Janss Road. Event for ages 11 to adults features an hour of Ventura County’s haunted history with stories highlighting historic buildings, missions and theaters. Enter through the library’s main entrance. Free. tolibrary.org.
Little Oaks Trick-Or-Treat Spooktacular: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30. The Oaks, 350 W. Hillcrest Drive. The Oaks and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are presenting family-friendly trick-or-treating festivities throughout the center. Sheriff’s office vehicles will also be on display. Guests are encouraged to bring their own treat bags. Masks, weapons and weapon replicas are not permitted. Free to attend with RSVP. shoptheoaksmall.com.
Ventura
HOWL-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest: Noon-2 p.m. Oct. 24. Ventura Harbor Village main lawn, Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Pre-registration for the 75 dogs is Oct. 16. The spots fill quickly. A limited number of day-of sign-ups will open at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis on the main lawn. Owners and their dogs are encouraged to attend as spectators. Free to watch. venturaharborvillage.com.
Downtown Ventura Spooktacular: 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Centered at Main and California streets. Costume contest and trick-or-treating afterward at businesses along Main Street inside a pedestrian-only street closure. Free. DowntownVentura.org.
Halloween Night Market and Día de los Muertos Kickoff: 2-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Centered at Main and California streets. Classic car "trunk or treat" showcase with trick-or-treating, street market and entertainment. Free. DowntownVentura.org.
Seaside Trick or Treat: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30. Ventura Harbor Village, Spinnaker Drive. Families dressed in costume can trick or treat at businesses displaying witchy hats. Complimentary Halloween crafts, magic tricks, live professional pumpkin carving and more. Free but bring your own bag. venturaharborvillage.com.
Ventura Harbor Witches & Warlocks Paddle: 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Ventura Harbor Village, Spinnaker Drive. 3:30 p.m. photo near Ventura Harbor sign. Launch from several locations around the harbor, including “C” Dock in Village courtesy area, Harbor Cove Beach or public launch ramp. Bring a paddleboard or kayak or rent one from Ventura Boat Rentals. Participants must RSVP in advance, wear a life vest, paddle with a buddy and participate at their own risk. Wearing witchy or warlocks attire is also encouraged. Free unless renting. venturaharborvillage.com.
Thriller Zombie Dance: 5:45-6 p.m. Oct. 30. Ventura Harbor Village main lawn, Spinnaker Drive. Zombies come to life in the iconic Thriller Zombie Dance. Free. venturaharborvillage.com.
Witches Night Market: 3-8 p.m. Oct. 30. Ventura Harbor Village main lawn, Spinnaker Drive. More than 30 vendors with witch-inspired art, vintage and handmade goods and more. Bring your treat bags. Free. venturaharborvillage.com.
Did we miss your kid-friendly, low-cost Halloween event? Email us at news@vcstar.com with the subject line "Halloween event" with the details.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Here's our monster, family-friendly Ventura County Halloween guide
