ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Residents are starting to “fall” into the season’s festivities as October brings a lineup of family-friendly events celebrating autumn and Halloween.

Here’s a look at what’s happening around town now through the end of the month.

Kiwanis Halloween Home Tour

The Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove will host its sixth annual Halloween Home Tour, featuring Halloween-themed decorated homes across Elk Grove (zip codes 95624, 95757, 95758).

Participants can purchase a digital map or a map and swag bag that includes treats and voting access for “Favorite” and “Scariest” homes. The tour runs Oct. 18 to 31, although some homes might only be open on weekends.

Swag bags are limited and must be reserved by Saturday, Oct. 18 for pickup between 3 and 5 p.m. Maps and voting links will be emailed by Oct. 18 as well. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/25HHTMAP.

The Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove supports programs for unhoused and foster youth, local Key Clubs, Uplift Elk Grove, Optimist Kohl’s ChildSpree, Elk Grove Food Bank Services and other nonprofits throughout the year.

More Pumpkins!

 

Still in the pumpkin spirit after the Giant Pumpkin Festival? Local farms and nurseries, such as Big Oak Nursery and Fog Willow Farms, have pumpkins out for picking as well as offering fall-related festivities. Photo courtesy of Explore Elk Grove

Still in the pumpkin spirit after the Giant Pumpkin Festival? Big Oak Nursery will host its Pumpkin Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10071 Grant Line Road. The event will feature local vendors, fall crafts for all ages, pumpkin picking and photo opportunities.

Pumpkins in the Park, hosted by EG Speaks, will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 in Picnic Area 3A at Elk Grove Park (9950 Elk Grove Florin Road). The inclusive, disability-friendly event includes activities for all ages, pumpkin painting and a costume parade. A $10 family donation is suggested. Registration is required at bit.ly/3IU3Pq7.

A local favorite, Fog Willow Farms, is open through Nov. 2 at 11011 Cecatra Drive, Wilton. The farm offers educational, country-style fun with more than 50 animals, a pumpkin patch, adventure course, unlimited hayrides and a Barnyard Speedway called the “Pigtona 500.”

October Movie Nights

Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen will host a movie night with a showing of the family-friendly film “Wicked” at Kammerer Park, 8801 Upbeat Way, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 18. The event includes games, prizes, state resources and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their most “wicked” costumes. For details, email [email protected]  or call 916-670-7888.

Cosumnes Community Services District will show “Hocus Pocus” (1993) as part of its Movies in the Park series on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Derr-Okamoto Park, 9550 Mainline Drive. Seating opens at 5 p.m., with the movie starting at sundown. Admission is free. Visit cosumnescsd.gov/503/Movies-in-the-Park for more details.

Carnitas Festival

Hosted by the Elk Grove Lions Club, the Carnitas Festival returns at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at The Pavilion in Elk Grove Park. This all-ages fundraiser costs $45 per person and will feature a no-host bar, raffle, dessert auction and Chicken Drop Bingo.

The menu includes pork carnitas, tortillas, rice, refried beans, salad, chips and salsa, and guacamole. Purchase tickets at elk-grove-lions-foundation.square.site.

 

The Elk Grove Lions Club will host its Carnitas Festival starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at The Pavilion in Elk Grove Park (9950 Elk Grove Florin Road). This fundraiser event menu features pork carnitas, tortillas, rice, guacamole and more. Photo courtesy of Elk Grove Lions Club 

Hallo-Palooza

The City of Elk Grove will host its third annual Hallo-Palooza from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at District56, 8230 Civic Center Drive. The free family event includes trunk-or-treat hosted by the Elk Grove Police Department, a bubble zone, entertainment stage, live DJ, art zone, as well as costume contests for kids, adults and pets.

The Pleasant Grove High School marching band will parade through the venue and local food vendors will be on site. More information is available at exploreelkgrove.com/events/annual-events/halloween.

Fall Festivals

Sun Grove Church will host a trunk-or-treat from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at 2285 Longport Court, featuring a petting zoo, inflatables, games, food and more.

The Camden Neighborhood Association is having its Fall Festival and Craft Faire from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mix Park, 8770 Goldy Glen Way on Saturday, Oct. 25. Activities include bounce houses, raffles, vendors, crafts, food trucks (such as Henhouse Coffee Co. and Bubble Hive) and trick-or-treating.

 

The third annual Hallo-Palooza, hosted by the City of Elk Grove, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at District56 (8230 Civic Center Drive). The free family event features trunk-or-treating, live entertainment, activities and costume contests for youth, adults and pets. Photo courtesy of Explore Elk Grove

Trunk-or-Treats Near You

Families looking for a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween will have plenty of trunk-or-treat options around Elk Grove.

The festivities begin Friday, Oct. 24 with a River City Early Learning Center trunk or treat event from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 3050 Babson Drive. The free, family-friendly gathering will feature decorated trunks, treats and festive fun.

Later that evening, Elk Grove Softball will host its trunk-or-treat from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kloss Complex in Elk Grove Park, complete with costume contests for participants.

Way of the Warrior Martial Arts will also open its popular event from 5 to 8 p.m. at 9882 Waterman Road, featuring more than 30 decorated trunks, games, food vendors, jump houses and music.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will continue the celebration with its ninth annual trunk-or-treat from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 8701 Elk Grove Florin Road. The free event encourages children to come in costume but asks that scary costumes such as monsters, goblins, vampires and witches be avoided. For more information, call 916-689-7300.

The fun continues through the weekend with assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen who will host her annual trunk or treat, all ages welcome, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 9250 Laguna Springs Drive on Saturday, Oct. 25. Later that same day, Hit Em Hard Fitness will host a trunk-or-treat and haunted house from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at 8153 Elk Grove Blvd, Suite 35.

On Sunday, Oct. 26, Drive Family First will hold its free trunk-or-treat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nissan and Mazda Elk Grove, 8588 Laguna Grove Blvd.

Hallo-Wine Self-tour

 

Explore Elk Grove, the city’s official tourism marketing group, will have a Hallo-Wine Trail self-tour from Oct. 30 through Nov. 2. Participants can pick up a limited-edition four-bottle wine bag (while supplies last) before visiting participating wineries in the Grant Line District at their own pace. Photo courtesy of Explore Elk Grove

Explore Elk Grove, the city’s official tourism marketing group, will have a Hallo-Wine Trail self-tour from Oct. 30 through Nov. 2. Participants can pick up a limited-edition four-bottle wine bag (while supplies last) at McConnell Estates Winery, 10686 W. Stockton Blvd., before visiting participating wineries at their own pace throughout the Grant Line District.

Stops include Christopher Cellars, Flatland Wine Company, Sheldon Wine Shop and South Slope Wines & Bistro. Each winery will offer bottle discounts ranging from 5% to 50%. After each bottle purchase, participants receive a complimentary drink, flight or other perk.

For more information, visit exploreelkgrove.com/events/hallo-wine-trail or call 916-512-8211.