Petaluma: Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail Give kids a safe, wild-costumes-everywhere Halloween experience in downtown Petaluma, where 60-plus merchants will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters ages 12 and under. The free fun will be held on October 31, 3–5:30 p.m., beginning at Fourth and Kentucky Streets. See petalumadowntown.com for details, including a map of participating vendors.

Petaluma: Pumpkins on Pikes If you’re captured by the magic of a glowing jack-o-lantern, imagine the enchantment of a whole field of orange orbs lit at night. You can see such a sight at Tara Firma Farms, where the public is invited to carve pumpkins and then place their final products on poles in a field. Besides lots of gourds, there also will be music, a barbecue, and a dessert potluck. Pumpkins are free with admission, which is $20 (kids ages 6 and under get in free); the barbecue is an extra $10. Bring carving tools, a sweet to share, and a blanket to sit on, but leave dogs at home. The event will be held on October 28, 2–10 p.m. Go to tarafirmafarms.com/events-1/2017/7/31/pumpkins-on-pikes-2017 to sign up.

Rohnert Park: Blind Scream Odd as it may sound to some, there are many people who truly enjoy being terrified. (Just look at the box office sales for the Blair Witch Project.) If you want a Halloween with a high fear factor, check out Blind Scream’s two haunted houses, CarnEvil and Slaughter House. The producers of this event say they deliver truly frightening experiences—to everyone, no matter what their ages. So judge whether or not your child has the temperament to actually participate without being emotionally harmed. Houses will be set up in a 25,000-foot space at Sonoma Mountain Village on October 6–8, 12–15, 18–22, and 25–31. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and October 30, the hours are 7–10 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on October 31, 7–11 p.m. Tickets are $15–$35 and may be purchased via blindscream.com.

Santa Rosa: Halloween at Howarth Park There are perks to celebrating Halloween in Howarth Park. Besides indulging in hordes of candy, kids also can take rides on a carousel, mini-train, and ponies. And outdoor voices are completely legal, too! Trick-or-treaters, who must be ages 12 and under, need to register online for one of three time slots for the October 28 event: 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.; 12:45–1:30 p.m.; and 2–2:45 p.m. The $6 Basic Pass includes trick-or-treating while the $15 Deluxe Pass also includes rides. See srcity.org/2164/Halloween-at-Howarth for more information and to register.

Floating Pumpkin Patch October can be a hot month in Sonoma County. So the idea of hanging out in an exposed, dry field while looking for the perfect squash may not seem too appealing. Instead, head to the Ridgway Swim Center pool, where, on October 21, 2–6 p.m., the kids can cool off while they go after one of the many pumpkins bobbing in the water. The $10 tickets (ages 2 and under get in free) must be pre-purchased by calling 543-3421 or visiting tinyurl.com/ycv45gbx.

Halloween Carnival Kids can fill up on sweets and then burn off the sugar buzz walking through a haunted house, playing games, and jumping on inflatables. The festivities happen at the Sonoma County YMCA on October 21, 4–7 p.m. Admission is $5. Call 545-9622 or go to scfymca.org for more information.

Sebastopol: Kids’ Halloween Party If you want a spook-free Halloween, go to the Sebastopol Library on October 31, 4–5:30 p.m. Little goblins, Harry Potters, and ninjas will be treated to not-so-scary stories, snacks, and the chance to make their own trick-or-treat bags. The free event is open to ages 4 and up. See sonomalibrary.org for details.