NewsKQED News — Bay Area tagOctober 23, 2026San Francisco County
Bay Area communities host Halloween pet costume contests, parades, and free portraits
Photo: KQED News — Bay Area tag
Bay Area pet supply shops, rescue societies, and local associations are hosting free Halloween events featuring pet costume contests, parades, pup cup eating races, and free portrait sessions. Events take place throughout the region this weekend and next, with several requiring RSVPs on Eventbrite. Prizes include goodie bags valued up to $100 for dogs and $50 for cats.
Read the full story at KQED News — Bay Area tagWhy It Matters
Residents can participate in free local holiday activities, have their pets photographed at no cost, and access adoption opportunities across multiple Bay Area locations.
Key Facts
- Expert Pet in the Ingleside District offers free pet portrait sessions, requiring registration on Eventbrite.
- SPARK Social SF in Mission Bay is hosting a free canine-centric Halloween celebration featuring vendors, a pup cup eating race, a costume contest, and a parade, with an Eventbrite RSVP required.
- Expert Pet is offering a first prize goodie bag worth $100 for its dog contest.
- An online cat costume contest offers a $50 goodie bag for the winner, requiring owners to have their cat's picture taken at free portrait sessions on Saturday.
- The Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is hosting free festivities at Aptos' Seacliff Inn, including pet adoptions.
- The city of Sausalito is hosting a parade on Halloween night from 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., followed by a dog costume contest at 6:30 p.m. with categories for little dogs, big dogs, and human-dog couples.
- The Nob Hill Association is hosting a dog costume contest in Huntington Park on Halloween Saturday with no sign-up required.
Who's Mentioned
locationIngleside District“city district where Expert Pet is located”OrganizationSeacliff Inn“location of festivities hosted by the Santa Cruz SPCA”locationAptos“city where Seacliff Inn is located”OrganizationNob Hill Association“hosting a dog costume contest in Huntington Park”locationSausalito“city throwing a parade on Halloween night”locationHuntington Park“location of the Nob Hill dog costume contest”OrganizationSPARK Social SF“food truck spot hosting a Halloween celebration”OrganizationSanta Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals“hosting festivities and adoption events”locationMission Bay“neighborhood hosting a canine-centric celebration”OrganizationExpert Pet“pet daycare and supply shop hosting portraits and costume contests”