A Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D
The spooky holiday classic screens in eye-popping 3D during its week-long engagement at the Castro Theatre.
When: Fri. 10/23 through Thu. 11/5; 7pm, 8:45pm (Sat., Sun. & Wed. shows at 1:30pm, 3:25pm, and 5:10pm); Age 6+; $7.50-10.
Where: Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street (at Market Street), San Francisco; 415-621-6120; castrotheatre.com.
Scare Grove
A Halloween carnival specially aimed at families, with a haunted house, hay rides, bounce houses, rides, and treats.
When: Fri., 10/23, 4-9pm; Age 2+; $5 for an all-access pass.
Where: Sigmund Stern Grove, Sloat Avenue (at 19th Avenue), San Francisco; sfgov.org.
Creepy Crawly Week
Get weirded out by science with an exhibit of scary animals, a scavenger hunt for spooky creatures, and naturalist lessons in which you get to meet (and sometimes touch!) frightening critters.
When: Sat., 10/24 through Sun. 11/1; Age 3+; Free with paid admission (Free-$25).
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive (at JFK Drive) in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 415-379-8000; calacademy.org.
Jack o’ Lantern Jamboree
Come in costume to this annual Halloween party, which boasts roaming costumed characters, jump houses, pumpkin crafts, face painting, and the festive, make-believe atmosphere of Fairyland.
When: Sat. & Sun., 10/24-25, 10am-5pm; All ages; $10 per person.
Where: Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue (at Lake Merritt), Oakland, 510-452-2259, fairyland.org.