Whether it’s a run-of-the-mill costume party, an erotic dungeon horror fest, or a zombie blood drive, the Mission has you covered this Halloween even if you won’t be joining the kids going from shop to shop and door to door for candy. Check out our list below to see what you can get up to tonight and tomorrow:
Friday, October 30th
- Participate in the monthly meeting of the SF Beard and Mustache Club at Zeitgeist from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. Sure, it’s not strictly related to Halloween, but with the ungodly proliferation of facial hair in recent years, we’re sure some will find it terrifying enough. It’s free to attend, and you’re not even required to have a beard or mustache, just an appreciation for them.
- Head down to Pops Bar on 24th Street for some cumbia, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and bachata, part of their Tropicana Latin Halloween. Dancing and DJs start at 9 p.m. and go till 2 a.m. and the event is free — with a costume.
Saturday, October 31st
- Come out to Mission: Comics and Art for their Halloween blood drive and sketch-a-thon Saturday from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. The comic book store has moved from their former location to 2250 Mission Street, and like last year they will be bringing local comic book artists to draw you as a zombie, if you can find it in your undead heart to donate a little blood.
- Go to the Brava Theater at 2 p.m. for a Halloween magic show for the whole family. Tickets are $5 online or $10 at the door, and the show promises a slate of comedians/magicians in “the most impressive Halloween magic show your family will ever go to.”
- Join nuptial history as Adonis and Ivy make a Guinness Book of World Records attempt at the largest public wedding ever. Come with a costume and stay for the coconut rum and Three Twins ice cream from 2 p.m. onwards at Dolores Park, and you may even be featured on Vice, which is covering the event.
- From 6 p.m. till midnight, participate in Journey to the End of the Night, a scavenger type game in which you must race through checkpoints while avoiding certain red-ribboned characters — but if you’re tagged you switch sides. It’s free, though registration is required, and the organizers claim nearly 2,000 people will be participating. Costumes encouraged, from what we can tell.
- The Chapel will be having a Candy Butchers Bash starting at 8 p.m., featuring live music, “band shenanigans,” circus tricks, and aerial performances.
- Penned a “satanically sexy” Halloween party by organizers, El Rio is having its fifth annual costume contest on Saturday starting at 9 p.m. There will be live performances for all and cash prizes for the lucky winners, and you better wear a costume — it’s a $6 entry if you’re dressed up, but $10 if you’re not.
- Public Works will be having a Halloween party from 9 p.m. till 4 a.m., featuring DJs Dubfire, Audiofly, and Shaded.
Additionally, the Armory — the Mission’s premier haunted castle — is having a variety of events, but they all seemed to be sold out. Still, try for one of their Halloween parties or their Hell in the Armory annual erotic haunted house, which we can attest, is worth the trip.
And if partying isn’t your scene, head down to the Roxie Theater any night through Saturday as part of their Japanese horror week, where you can catch haunted houses and insane robots in different classic films.


No child-friendly or family events? You guys are really turning “new San Francisco”….
Walter: Good point. Joe’s working now to resolve this. Happy Halloween! Lydia