Every event, explained
The parade is the heart of it. Around it grows a full weekend of Halloween in Davis. Here is what each thing is, who makes it happen, and when to be where.
Monster Run: the Laser Run Challenge
Running plus laser marksmanship, timed, FREE, all ages. The first thing that happens on parade day.
The Zombie Bike Parade
Hundreds of costumed riders, one very undead route through Davis
Monster Skate Jam
Free to watch: really good skateboarders doing tre flips, switch lipslides and costumed hijinks at the newly renovated skate park.
The Skydance Skydiving Grand Finale
PRO-rated skydivers drop into Community Park with smoke trails and flags
StuntMasters BMX Stunt Show
X Games-level riders at the halfway point in Mace Ranch Park
The Toys for Tots Halloween Train
FREE rides around Community Park on a rented electric trackless train
The Zombie Kingdom Quest
A stamp-collecting scavenger hunt through the festival's entertainment stations
Downtown Spooktacular Treat Trail
FREE trick-or-treating through dozens of downtown Davis businesses, with a live map
The Costume Contest
$1,000 in free gift cards this year, judged by the festival's self-declared secret zombie judges
Entertainment Stations
Twenty-five-plus stations at Community Park and Mace Ranch Park
Kids Zone
Bounce houses, foam-ball games and family-friendly activities
Bobby Dazzler's Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins, and the start of Halloween in Yolo County
Halloween Block Party at the Davis Food Co-op
The Co-op closes its car park and throws a party
Davis Commons: start the Treat Trail here
Where to begin the Trick-or-Treat Trail, and who is handing out sweets
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Davis Cemetery District & Arboretum
A public altar you can visit any time, for five days
First Northern Bank’s Oktoberfest Social
A Davis Chamber social with beer, brats and 116 years of local banking history
Davis Rave Co Halloween Party
A free Halloween party at Sophia's Thai Kitchen. Details to come.
Zombie Defense Training
Six to ten martial artists showing you how a human fights off a zombie. Grappling, striking, music and a lot of noise.
The Zombie Ball
Not running in 2026. No replacement party is happening this year either.
The Zombie Halloween Party
Not running in 2026.
Tethered Hot-Air Balloon Rides
A Davis first, in 2025. Not running in 2026.
The Zombie Mash Afterparty
Not happening in 2026.
The Giant Octopus DJ Party
A festival landmark from 2022 to 2025. Not running in 2026.
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This festival covers all things Halloween. If you love Davis and Yolo County just as much the other eleven months of the year, The Dirt covers all things local: the people, places and events worth sticking around for. Free every month, in print and online.
