Halloween Boo Cruise in Shasta County and Redding fall events: When, where to go

Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, pirates and some amazing Halloween light shows haunt North State yards in October.

The Shasta County Halloween Boo Cruise rises again, as do "trunk-or-treats," harvest festivals and other family-friendly events ― and some All Hallows Eve fun just for grownups.

The Boo Cruise is a self tour of more than three dozen elaborate Halloween displays at homes in Shasta and Tehama counties. Halloween enthusiasts trick out their properties, often including sound effects or music. People can visit venues listed on the Boo Cruise map from Oct. 21 to Oct. 28, but days with the most activities are on Saturdays, Oct. 21 and 28.

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What's new this Halloween

This year, Boo Cruisers will see at least 10 new themed displays, walk-throughs and interactive venues, according to event co-creator Stephanie Croce of Redding.

She's keeping mum about the themes and some are still in the planning stages.

Planners also revised this year's cruise map so it gives more detail about the locations, including which are for "drive by, walk-through and full-blown interactive haunts," Croce said.

Spooky haunts return

Boo Cruise fan favorites also return this year, including the Bell Manor Bayou at 1580 2nd St. in Anderson, Croce said. "It’s a several-acre walk-through with an amazing set up."

Another favorite is Spook Alley in downtown Redding at 3548 Court St. The event is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting Oct. 20 and going through Oct. 28. This walk-through haunt includes a maze, fog, loud sounds and live actors jumping out at guests. Kids younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a non-perishable food donation for admission.

How to participate

People can join the Shasta Halloween Facebook group to get the map and see previews.

There's also a private Facebook group for hosts who want to hold their own over-the-top Halloween display this year.

Some hosts are looking for sponsors ― businesses and individuals ― to help curb costs and help bankroll even more extravagant displays.

Boo Cruise born from COVID pandemic

Croce and co-creator Sara LaVigne, formerly of Redding, conjured up the first Boo Cruise in 2020. "We wanted a safe way for families to enjoy Halloween" during the COVID pandemic (so) we came up with a way for families to drive by displays and enjoy Halloween from the comfort and safety of their vehicles," Croce said.

Fifteen Shasta County households put up themed displays the first year. The cruise was an instant hit, she said.

The number of sites grew to 25 displays and walk-throughs in 2021, then expanded to about 32 in 2022, she said.

As of the Oct. 3, there are 40 sites in Redding, Anderson, Palo Cedro, Red Bluff and Burney on the 2023 Boo Cruise map.

Part of the fun for Boo Cruise fans is visiting the online Shasta Halloween Facebook group, she said.

Created in 2020 "especially for Boo Cruise plans," the group is now a place to celebrate Halloween all year, and to share display ideas and local Halloween events, Croce said.

The annual project is a labor of love for Croce.

"I've loved Halloween my entire life. It's the one day of the year that you get to dress up and be someone else." Now she gets to celebrate Halloween "the entire month of October because of all the trunk or treats, pumpkin patches and attractions around town," she said.

Where to find haunted houses, 'Rocky Horror', Halloween and harvest festivals around Redding

Shasta County towns and non-profits pull their skeletons out of the closet for these October events.

Theater buffs can get into the Halloween spirit at two Redding productions:

• Axiom Repertory Theatre does the Time Warp again in their annual production of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" from Friday, Oct. 6 to Oct. 28 at 2613 Bechelli Lane. Call 530-605-0500 or go to axreptheatre.com. This show is intended for adult audiences.
• Riverfront Playhouse performs Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" from Oct. 20 to Nov. 4 at 1950 California St. Call 530-221-1028 or go to riverfrontplayhouse.net.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area's Harvest Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Camden House/Tower House Historic District of the Redding park. Family-friendly activities include an apple baking contest, heirloom apple tastings, cider press demonstrations, walking tours of the restored orchard and around Camden House, corn husk doll making, gold panning and croquet. Park in the Oak Bottom boat launch lot and take a shuttle bus to the festival; buses run every 15 minutes. For more information go to tinyurl.com/3c8rrd8w or call 530-246-1225.

Redding Rotary's Haunted House at the Turtle Bay Monolith will take place evenings from Oct. 19 to Oct. 29 at the Turtle Bay Monolith, 820 Sundial Bridge Drive. This "haunted maze" includes "ghastly creatures, eerie sounds and bone-chilling sights at every turn," according to the Rotary Club. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For information or tickets go to reddinghauntedhouse.org or call 530-243-2452. This event also features food and beer trucks. Some content may be too scary for small children.

Shasta Lake's Halloween Carnival is from noon to 9 p.m. on Oct. 21 in Clair Engle Park. This family-friendly event includes a free scavenger hunt for kids, costume contests, a corn hole tournament, live entertainment, a talent show, vendor booths, food trucks, a bounce house and a raffle to benefit local schools. The carnival wraps up with a movie night. For more information or to be in the talent show, go to tinyurl.com/2whr34y8 or call 530-945-2737.

Redding First Church of the Nazarene's Trunk or Treat Harvestfest is from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at 2225 Bechelli Lane. This family-friendly event includes trunk-or-treating for kids, bounce houses, a petting zoo, face-painting, a candy rocket launcher, a game zone, food vendors and a photo booth. For more information call 530-223-0454.

Pathways to Hope's Trunk-Or-Treat and Halloween Festival is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 25. Come in costume for themed trunks, music, booths and other family-friendly activities. Admission is free. Advance registeration is required for the Redding location at tinyurl.com/54s9x3pk or tinyurl.com/dpc9s7k2 or call 530-242-2020.

American Legion Post 746's Halloween Party for kids is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 28 in Cottonwood. Activities include a costume contest. For information go to tinyurl.com/55r5f8c3.

Shasta College's Harvest Fest opens at 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Shasta College Farm, 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding. Activities include farm tours, a dinner with locally grown food, dancing to live music and silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit students in the college's agriculture, natural resources, horticulture and heavy equipment operations programs. Tickets are $40 in advance at shastacollege-harvestfest2023.eventbrite.com and $50 at the door. For more information call 530-242-2210 or 530-242-2209.

The Anderson Mt. Lassen Grange #418 hosts a family-friendly Halloween party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28 at 8085 Airport Road in Redding. This event includes a cake walk, games, raffles and candy. For more information and to donate go to tinyurl.com/bdz6sjer or call 530-515-3624.

More:Boo Cruise in Redding area offers spooky fun haunts with Mos Eisley Cantina, giant witch

Some businesses are also hosting Halloween events in October, including pumpkin patches, carnival rides and haunts at Nash Ranch in Redding and the Historic Hawes Farms in Anderson.

Is your non-profit organization hosting a Halloween or harvest event in October in the Redding area? Email jessica.skropanic@redding.com with "Halloween events" in the subject line and the name of the event, time, date, address, hosting organization and if it's for children or adults.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter@RS_JSkropanic and onFacebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work,please subscribe today. Thank you.