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Seaside, Oregon, also known as the Oregon Coast’s Playground, gets into the Halloween spirit every fall with a weekend of costumes, family-friendly activities, spooky fun, and coastal adventures. Halloween Happenin’s brings the community together for a unique celebration that takes place throughout Seaside, with activities ranging from a costumed paddle on the Necanicum River to a parade for pets and the famous Giant Pumpkin Drop.
Planning a Halloween getaway to the Oregon Coast in 2026? The annual Seaside Halloween celebration is a great reason to spend a fall weekend by the beach. You can enjoy the festivities, explore the Seaside Promenade, visit local attractions, and return to a comfortable vacation rental at the end of the day.
Here’s what to know about Seaside Halloween 2026, including the activities currently planned for Halloween Happenin’s.
Halloween Happenin’s is the signature Halloween celebration in Seaside. Presented by the Seaside Downtown Development Association, this annual event brings together locals and visitors for a variety of Halloween activities around town.
The 2026 celebration is currently listed for October 30 and October 31. The event is free to attend, and the individual days and times for each activity are still being finalized.
The 2026 lineup includes the Witches & Warlocks Paddle, Kid Carnival, Pet Parade, Trunk or Treat, Surrey Parade, and the Giant Pumpkin Drop. That combination makes Halloween in Seaside especially appealing for families, groups, and visitors looking for something different to do on the Oregon Coast.
One of the most distinctive Seaside Halloween traditions is the Witches & Warlocks Paddle. Participants gather at Quatat Park, located behind the Seaside Civic & Convention Center, and launch their kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards onto the Necanicum River. Costumes are encouraged, so don’t be surprised to see plenty of witches, warlocks, and other Halloween characters making their way along the water.
The paddle is a fun way to combine outdoor adventure with the Halloween festivities, and it gives visitors a chance to see Seaside from a different perspective. The event is held rain or shine, so come prepared for typical Oregon Coast fall weather.
After the paddle, continue your coastal adventure with a walk along the Seaside Promenade. The oceanfront promenade and Turnaround are among the easiest places to enjoy Seaside’s beach scenery during your Halloween weekend.
Families visiting Seaside for Halloween can also take part in the Kid Carnival. Local businesses set up games and activities for children, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the community. It’s an easy way for kids to enjoy Halloween fun while parents explore downtown Seaside and the surrounding attractions.
The carnival also makes it easy to build a full day around Halloween activities. Start with the festivities, grab lunch nearby, spend some time at the beach, and finish the day with dinner or a relaxing evening at your vacation rental. If you want to stay close to downtown and the beach, take a look at our Seaside Beach Club Condos for convenient accommodations during your coastal getaway.
Halloween is even more fun when your four-legged family members can join in, and the Seaside Pet Parade gives them their chance to dress up. Bring your pet along in a Halloween costume or simply come out to watch the parade. Costumed dogs and other pets make this one of the most entertaining and photo-worthy parts of Halloween Happenin’s.
The Pet Parade is also a natural fit for travelers planning a pet-friendly Oregon Coast vacation. After the event, you can enjoy a walk along the beach or the Prom before heading back to your rental. Looking for a place that welcomes the whole family? Explore our Seaside vacation rentals to find a comfortable home base for your Halloween trip.
Families looking for a classic Halloween tradition can also enjoy Trunk or Treat during Halloween Happenin’s.
Area businesses and organizations decorate their vehicles and hand out candy, creating a festive setting where kids can show off their costumes and collect treats. It’s another family-friendly activity that adds to the community atmosphere surrounding Halloween weekend in Seaside. For families traveling with younger children, Trunk or Treat can be an especially convenient addition to a weekend filled with beach walks, local attractions, and other Halloween activities.
The Surrey Parade adds another colorful tradition to the Seaside Halloween celebration. Participants can decorate a surrey in Halloween style and join the parade, turning the streets of Seaside into a moving display of costumes and creative decorations.
It’s a fun activity for visitors who enjoy the community side of Halloween and want to see something that feels distinctly local rather than attending a typical Halloween attraction. Bring your camera, enjoy the costumes, and make time afterward to explore more of downtown Seaside.
Of all the Seaside Halloween traditions, the Giant Pumpkin Drop may be the one that gets the biggest reaction. A 1,000-pound pumpkin is dropped into a pool filled with rubber ducks and beavers. The ducks and beavers that travel the farthest have a chance to win cash prizes, turning the spectacle into both entertainment and a fundraiser for future Halloween Happenin’s events.
It’s an unusual way to finish a Halloween celebration, and it’s exactly the kind of quirky coastal tradition that makes Seaside worth visiting during the fall. After the Giant Pumpkin Drop, take advantage of your time on the coast. Walk the beach, explore downtown, or head back to your vacation rental for a relaxing evening.
Halloween Happenin’s gives you plenty to do, but you don’t have to spend your entire trip at scheduled events. One of the best things about visiting Seaside in the fall is having time to slow down and enjoy the coast.
The Seaside Promenade is one of the city’s most recognizable attractions. Stretching along the beach, the Prom gives you easy access to ocean views, sandy beaches, the Turnaround, and downtown Seaside. A morning walk along the Prom can be a great way to start your Halloween weekend before heading to the day’s festivities. Later, return for sunset or an evening stroll when the beach becomes quieter.
Add an indoor attraction to your itinerary with a visit to the Seaside Aquarium. The aquarium is a popular stop for families and gives you an opportunity to learn more about the marine life found along the Oregon Coast. It’s also a useful option when the weather turns rainy during your fall getaway.
For an outdoor adventure beyond the Halloween festivities, consider horseback riding in Seaside. A fall ride lets you experience the coastline at a slower pace while taking in the scenery around Seaside. It’s a great activity to add before or after the main Halloween events.
Cooler fall temperatures can make October a great time to explore the area’s trails. If you want to spend some time away from the crowds, check out our guide to hikes near Seaside.
You’ll find opportunities to experience the forests, coastal landscapes, and scenic surroundings that make the North Oregon Coast such a popular destination. For another outdoor adventure, explore our guide to waterfalls near Seaside. A short drive beyond town can take you to lush scenery and peaceful waterfall spots.
Halloween weekend doesn’t have to be all costumes and candy. Set aside some time to relax with a glass of Oregon wine. Our guide to wine tasting in Seaside can help you discover local tasting rooms and add a more relaxed stop to your fall itinerary.
For something completely different, take to the sky with Seaside Helicopters. A helicopter tour offers a bird’s-eye perspective of the coastline and surrounding landscape, giving you an entirely different way to experience Seaside during your Oregon Coast vacation.
If you plan to spend time walking the beach, exploring tide pools, or simply enjoying the shoreline, check the Seaside tide tables before heading out. Fall weather and changing tides can make every beach visit a little different, so knowing the tide schedule can help you plan your outdoor activities more comfortably.
You don’t have to visit Seaside for just one event. A Halloween weekend gives you time to experience the festivities while also enjoying everything else the Oregon Coast has to offer.
Spend one day exploring downtown and the beach, then build your next day around Halloween Happenin’s. Start with the Witches & Warlocks Paddle, enjoy the Kid Carnival and other family activities, watch the Pet Parade or Surrey Parade, and make time for the Giant Pumpkin Drop. Between events, you can grab a meal in town, visit the aquarium, browse local shops, or simply relax on the beach.
Fall also brings a different atmosphere to Seaside. The summer crowds have eased, the weather is crisp, and the Oregon Coast takes on a quieter, more dramatic character. A little rain only adds to the cozy feeling of a fall beach getaway.
Having a comfortable place to stay makes it easier to enjoy everything Seaside has planned for Halloween weekend. Oregon Beach Vacations offers a variety of Seaside vacation rentals, including condos, homes, and accommodations suited for families and groups. Staying in a vacation rental gives you room to relax between activities and makes it easier to settle in for a full Oregon Coast weekend.
Traveling with your dog? Look for a pet-friendly Seaside vacation rental so your four-legged family member can be part of the adventure. For guests who want to stay close to the beach, downtown attractions, and Halloween festivities, Seaside is an easy destination for a walkable coastal getaway.
Halloween in Seaside offers a combination that’s hard to find anywhere else: quirky local traditions, family-friendly events, outdoor adventure, and the natural beauty of the Oregon Coast.
From witches paddling the Necanicum River to costumed pets, decorated surreys, trick-or-treating, carnival games, and a 1,000-pound pumpkin crashing into a pool of rubber ducks and beavers, Halloween Happenin’s gives visitors plenty of reasons to make Seaside their fall destination.
Add in a walk along the Prom, a visit to the aquarium, a coastal hike, and time to relax at your vacation rental, and you have everything you need for a memorable October getaway.
Start planning your Seaside Halloween 2026 trip and find your ideal Seaside vacation rental for a spooky, scenic, and fun-filled weekend on the Oregon Coast.
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