October Local Events in Contra Costa County: Fall Fun & Halloween Activities
Autumn in Contra Costa County may not look like a traditional fall postcard, but it has a charm all its own. Think golden hills, oak trees, local farms, lively downtowns, pumpkins, community festivals, and evenings that are just cool enough for a favorite hoodie.
And this October, there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the season close to home.
From Oktoberfests and harvest festivals to pumpkin activities, trunk-or-treats, ghost tours, and Halloween celebrations, communities throughout Contra Costa County are filling the calendar with ways to enjoy fall.
Here are some of the local events happening in Clayton, Concord, Brentwood, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Antioch, Martinez, and Pittsburg this October.
Event dates and details can change, so we recommend checking the event organizer’s website before heading out.
🍂 Clayton
Clayton is especially beautiful in the fall, with Mount Diablo as the backdrop and downtown Main Street providing a perfect setting for seasonal events.
October 3–4 | Downtown Clayton
One of Clayton’s biggest annual celebrations returns to Main Street for two days of Bavarian-inspired fun. Oktoberfest features an authentic German biergarten, food, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and a full-size carnival.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission and parking are free, with shuttle service available from designated parking areas.
Saturday, October 24 | 2–4 p.m. | 6055 Main Street
Families can head downtown for a free afternoon of Halloween fun. Kids can trick-or-treat from decorated cars, show off their costumes, and enjoy games and activities.
Friday, October 30
For something a little spookier, the Clayton Historical Society is bringing back its historic ghost tour. The evening walk explores Clayton’s history, local legends, and some of the town’s more mysterious stories.
🎃 Concord
Concord has several family-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween this year, including a couple of creative twists on traditional pumpkin and trick-or-treat activities.
Saturday, October 10 | 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Concord Community Pool
Forget the traditional pumpkin patch—this one is in the pool!
Families can swim through a floating pumpkin patch, choose a pumpkin, and then enjoy pumpkin decorating, music, arts and crafts, and games. Registration is required.
Friday, October 16 | 4:30–6:30 p.m. | Baldwin Park
Little ghosts, superheroes, princesses, and pumpkin lovers can follow a festive trick-or-treat trail featuring candy, crafts, a Halloween scavenger hunt, and a preschool open house.
The event is free, but preregistration is required.
Saturday, October 24 | 3–6 p.m. | 1350 Galindo Street
The Concord Police Department will host its fifth annual Trunk-or-Treat with decorated vehicles, treats, games, prizes, and goodie bags. The event is free and family-friendly.
🌽 Brentwood
October is a particularly fun month in Brentwood thanks to its agricultural roots. Along with local farms and seasonal produce, downtown Brentwood has some big community events on the calendar.
Saturday, October 10 | 1–7 p.m. | Downtown Brentwood
The 16th Annual Downtown Brentwood Oktoberfest brings live music, German-inspired food and drinks, a biergarten and wine garden, a kids zone, artisan vendors, games, and even a dachshund costume contest.
It’s a great excuse to spend an afternoon downtown and enjoy some of Brentwood’s local businesses while you're there.
🍁 Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek offers plenty of options if your ideal October outing includes a little shopping, dining, outdoor time, or family Halloween fun.
Friday, October 23 | 3–6 p.m. | Civic Park
Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation is hosting its seventh annual Trunk-or-Treat at Civic Park.
The event includes a trick-or-treat lane, activity booths, games, music, giveaways, a scavenger hunt, and plenty of candy.
There is also a low-sensory hour from 3–4 p.m., with a quieter environment, allergy-friendly and non-food treats, and designated quiet spaces.
The general event runs from 4–6 p.m.
🍂 Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill has several fun and somewhat unusual October events planned this year, making it worth putting on your fall calendar.
Saturday, October 10 | 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Crescent Drive
Pleasant Hill is launching its first-ever Harvest Festival this October.
The day will include live music, local food, beer and wine, artisan vendors, family activities, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, kids’ activities, and live performances.
The festival will also kick off with the Pleasant Hill Stampede Food Drive, adding a community-service component to the celebration.
Sunday, October 11 | 1:30–3 p.m. | Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park
This is definitely one of the more unique fall activities around the county.
Instead of walking through a pumpkin patch, you can swim through one! Participants can pick a floating pumpkin and then decorate it on deck.
Registration is required.
Friday, October 23 | 5–7 p.m. | Pleasant Hill Park
For some Halloween fun that isn't too scary for younger kids, the Haunted Trail features themed tables and booths, trick-or-treating, costumes, and a monster freeze-dance competition.
The event is free and open to the public.
🎃 Antioch
Antioch has several October activities planned through the city's Recreation Department, with a mix of arts, outdoor activities, and Halloween fun.
Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
The month gets started with the city's Arts & Recreation Exhibit, giving residents a chance to enjoy local creative work and community programming.
Saturday, October 10 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | U.E. Compomizzmo Municipal Fishing Pier & Waldie Plaza
A fun option for families who want something different from the usual Halloween activities, the Kids Fishing Derby offers a chance for young anglers to get outside and enjoy Antioch's waterfront.
👻 Martinez
Historic Downtown Martinez is a great place to spend an October weekend, especially if you enjoy combining local businesses, food, and seasonal events.
Friday, October 2 | 5–7 p.m.
Martinez starts the month with Pumpkin Dunkin', a fun seasonal event that puts a local spin on traditional pumpkin activities.
Saturday, October 10 | 1–4 p.m. | Downtown Martinez
For the adults, Martinez's annual Zombie Brew Crawl brings a spooky twist to downtown.
Participants can visit participating businesses and sample more than 30 craft beers, with a costume contest adding to the Halloween atmosphere.
This is a 21+ event for beer tasting.
Saturday, October 24 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Downtown Martinez
Families can enjoy a free afternoon of Halloween fun throughout downtown, including a Trunk-or-Treat, crafts, games, and treats from participating businesses.
It’s a great option for younger kids who want to dress up and celebrate Halloween without waiting until nighttime.
🎃 Pittsburg
Pittsburg offers a combination of farmers markets, fall activities, and Halloween events throughout October.
Wednesdays in October | 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
The Pittsburg Farmers Market continues throughout the month, giving residents an easy way to shop for fresh produce and local goods while enjoying a midweek outing.
Saturday, October 24 | 7–9 p.m.
For those looking for something a little more spooky, the City of Pittsburg calendar lists a Haunted House event on October 24.
🍁 Easy Ways to Enjoy October Close to Home
You don't have to plan an elaborate weekend to enjoy the season. Pick one event, grab something to eat nearby, and leave a little time to explore.
Here are a few easy combinations:
Clayton: Oktoberfest + lunch downtown + a walk with views of Mount Diablo
Concord: Floating Pumpkin Patch + dinner around Todos Santos Plaza
Brentwood: Farm or pumpkin patch + downtown Oktoberfest or Hometown Halloween
Walnut Creek: Trunk-or-Treat + shopping + dinner downtown
Pleasant Hill: Harvest Festival + a stroll through the downtown area
Antioch: Kids Fishing Derby + waterfront outing
Martinez: Farmers Market + downtown Halloween Spooktacular + a walk toward the waterfront
Pittsburg: Farmers Market + Old Town or waterfront stroll
Make the Most of October in Contra Costa County
One of the best things about living in Contra Costa County is how many different communities are just a short drive away.
You can spend one weekend enjoying Oktoberfest in Clayton, another picking pumpkins in Brentwood, another exploring downtown Martinez, and Halloween weekend choosing between family-friendly events in Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch, or Pittsburg.
Whether you're looking for pumpkins, live music, local food, Halloween candy, or simply a reason to get outside, October is a great time to enjoy the communities we call home.
Happy fall, Contra Costa County! 🍂🎃
Event information was compiled for October 2026 and may change. Please confirm dates, times, registration requirements, and locations with the event organizer before attending.
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