Sober Halloween is one phrase most UCSB students do not understand, but Santa Barbara and Isla Vista will offer plenty of alcohol-free activities for the upcoming holiday.
Organizations ranging from the Santa Barbara Zoo to Calvary Chapel to one UCSB fraternity will host the events that run throughout the weekend. While some events are targeted more toward children, others welcome all ages.
The Santa Barbara Zoo will host its fourth annual “Boo at the Zoo” featuring the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Boo-Choo-Choo train rides, nightly costume parades and crawly animal encounters. The “Pirates and Princesses” themed event, designed for children ages two to 12, runs from Oct. 27 to 29 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Admission prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children.
Meanwhile, the downtown scene will offer more than barhopping as the Postpartum Education for Parents hosts the 7th Annual Children’s Costume Parade, which travels from Anapamu Street to De La Guerra Plaza, and starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Amy Blevins, member of the board of directors for PEP, said the parade is a great place for kids to show off their creative costumes.
“It’s a fun, easygoing parade where the kids have fun,” Blevins said.
After the parade, downtown’s annual Trick-or-Treating event will start on State Street. The candy fest will last from noon to 4 p.m. between Sola and Gutierrez Streets and at the Paseo Nuevo shopping center. All the participating businesses will display an orange ghost and balloons in their window.
The Calvary Chapel will also host its annual alternative Halloween celebration, Light the Night. The event will feature games, live bands, and loads of free candy. This year, Light the Night will be held at the Calvary Chapel in downtown Santa Barbara on Halloween night starting at 5 p.m.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will be celebrating the holiday with a “Heebie Jeebie Halloween” event on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to its website, events include a Halloween laser show, haunted halls, a live bat show and the “freaky frogs” gallery. Guests can also enjoy creepy crafts, spooky stories and frightening face paintings. Admission runs from $4 to $8.
The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District along with Associated Students and Isla Vista/UCSB Liaisons Office will also be joining in on the fun. They will host the Annual Halloween/D