Across Stanislaus County, local farms turn harvest season into a full day out with corn mazes, flowers, animals, games, and plenty of fall photo opportunities.

SONS Farm Fresh, Oakdale: Pumpkin Village is open from 8 am to 8 pm with a free hay maze, corn pits, games, plus a petting zoo, mining activity, and Haunted Maze. 

RAM Farms, Turlock: Pick pumpkins beginning September 25, wander the corn maze starting October 2, or stop for U-pick flowers. The farm is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Dutch Hollow Pumpkin Patch: Get your classic fall fix with pumpkins and seasonal fun from October 2 through November 1. 

Fantozzi Farms, Patterson: Pick out a pumpkin or tackle the corn maze from September 26 through November 1. Hours vary by day, and the Haunted Maze adds an extra scare on Friday and Saturday nights in October.

Rodin Farms, Modesto: Stop by the year-round fruit stand for fresh produce, local goods, and seasonal finds. Rodin Farms is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm. While construction is currently affecting access to the stand, the farm remains open for business. 

There are plenty of ways for younger ghosts and goblins to join the celebration, and not every October outing has to be scary.

September 26, Floating Pumpkin Patch: Riverbank puts a playful spin on pumpkin picking with its 3rd Annual Floating Pumpkin Patch from noon to 4 pm. Kids can hop into the Community Pool and choose a pumpkin floating in the water to take home.

October 10, Pumpkin Painting at the Modesto Certified Farmers Market: Add some fall color to your market morning with pumpkin painting from 9 am to noon in downtown Modesto.

October 11, Trunk or Treat at the Graffiti USA Museum: Classic cars meet Halloween fun with a family-friendly Trunk or Treat from 9 am to 2 pm

October 15 and 25, Halloween Treats for Kids at Gather: Little cooks can make seasonal Halloween treats during kid-friendly classes on October 15 at 5 pm and October 25 at 3 pm.

October 27, McHenry Mansion Spooktacular: Bring the family to Modesto’s historic McHenry Mansion from 4 to 7 pm for spooky stories, trick-or-treating, crafts, activities, candy, and giveaways.

As October gets darker, so does the calendar. These events bring eerie stories, costumes, haunted spaces, true crime, and a few well-timed scares to the season.

October 3, Once Upon a Tomb: Hear stories from Oakdale’s past during an evening at Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, with tour times offered from 5 to 8:30 pm.

October 3, Witch Walk Sip & Stroll: Grab your witchiest attire for this 21+ sip and stroll through downtown Turlock from 2 to 6 pm, with Little Red Door serving as the listed location.

October 11, Food Trucks Spooktacular Night: Pair dinner with Halloween fun at Downtown Food Plaza from 4 to 8 pm.

October 17, 2nd Annual Modesto Confidential: Modesto detectives take audiences inside two real homicide investigations during this 21+ live true-crime event at The State Theatre. Drinks and appetizers begin at 1 pm, followed by the presentations at 3:30 pm.

October 30, Glow in the Dark Halloween Yoga: Light up Halloween weekend with glow-in-the-dark yoga at Elevate Community Yoga, beginning at 6 pm.

October 31, Halloween Beer Yoga, Family Edition: Start Halloween morning at Dying Breed Brewing in Oakdale with an all-ages edition of beer yoga from 10:30 am to noon. Adult tickets include a beer, while children’s tickets include a nonalcoholic drink.

The State Theatre is leaning into the strange, spooky, and delightfully offbeat this season. Whether your Halloween tastes run from surreal cinema and family favorites to vintage horror and full-on cult classics, there is a seat waiting downtown.

September 25, Eraserhead: Start the spooky screenings early with David Lynch’s surreal cult film at 10 pm.

October 3, Alice in Wonderland: Bring the family for a morning screening of the 1951 animated classic. Crafting starts at 9 am, followed by the film at 10 am.

October 9, Hocus Pocus: Catch this Halloween favorite on the big screen at 7 pm, as the Sanderson sisters return to stir up trouble in Salem.

October 10, Dracula: Sink your teeth into a horror classic with Bela Lugosi’s 1931 Dracula, screening at 11 am at The State Theatre.

October 24, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Catch the cult-classic Halloween favorite at 9 pm, with doors opening at 8 pm. Planning to join the audience participation? Check The State Theatre’s rules before bringing props.

October 30, Bites, Booze & Bloodsuckers: Make it a 21+ Halloween night with light bites, a party, costume contest, and a screening of The Lost Boys. The party starts at 6 pm, the movie begins at 7:30 pm, and admission is $50.

Some of our favorite fall plans are the ones where we get to bring something home. This year's calendar has plenty of opportunities to paint, plant, cook, craft, and create. 

Seasonal Classes at Gather: Get hands-on with fall cooking and crafting, with seasonal classes featuring baking, wreath making, appetizers, holiday desserts, and more. 

Classes at The Dragonfly Art for Life: Get creative in downtown Modesto with fall-themed classes and projects, including seasonal painting, sewing, drawing, and more. 

October 10, The Boo-tanical Experience: Plants meet spooky season at Pure Grind Coffee & Juice Bar in Modesto from 4 to 6 pm. 

October 15, Spooky Craft Night at Bookish: Prefer cozy spooky over scary spooky? Settle in for an evening of seasonal crafting at Bookish from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. 

October 18, Paint 'n Pint: Paint something witchy at Tapped Apple Cider Brewery in Salida. The $35 session starts at 3 pm and includes supplies and your first beverage. 

Saturdays, Candle Making at Mobaak: Create your own custom-scented candle at Mobaak's Aroma Bar. Walk-ins are welcome Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Save room between all those pumpkin patches and spooky stops. From freshly baked pies to seasonal popcorn and cozy café treats, fall around Modesto tastes rather good, too.

Bloomingcamp Ranch, Oakdale: Follow the scent of freshly baked pies, apple dumplings, and cookies to the Bake Shop, then stay awhile and enjoy the ranch’s country setting.

Roberts Ferry Gourmet, Oakdale & Waterford: Stock up on fall snacks like Cinnamon Apple Pecan Caramel Popcorn, Pumpkin Spice Popcorn, and Autumn Spice Crunch at either location.

Bakeshop, Modesto: Stop downtown for small-batch pastries and desserts, with fall specials that include pumpkin tarts, spiced cakes, and creative seasonal cinnamon rolls.

Mocha Magic Cafe & Bakeshop, Modesto: Pair locally roasted coffee with freshly baked sweets, and watch for seasonal favorites like pumpkin bars, muffins, and cookies.

Yogurt Mill, Modesto: Fall gets a frosty twist with Creamy Pumpkin froyo, Pumpkin Pie Shakes, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew, and other limited-time seasonal treats.

Rodin Farms, Modesto: Stop by this year-round fruit stand for fresh produce, local goods, and seasonal finds. Rodin Farms is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm. Construction is currently affecting access to the stand, but the farm remains open for business.

Not every fall day needs pumpkins or ghosts. Cooler weather also gives us a great excuse to head outside, gather with friends, browse a market, or catch a community celebration.

September 26, Spoketoberfest: Take in the countryside around Oakdale on two wheels during this charity cycling event.

October 3, The Fruit Yard Harvest Market: Shop a seasonal lineup of local vendors at The Fruit Yard in Modesto from 9 am to 3 pm.

October 3, Oaktoberfest: Dying Breed Brewing brings Oktoberfest spirit to Oakdale beginning at 4 pm This 21+ celebration includes German-inspired food, games, and live entertainment.

October 9-10, Oakdale Fall Jubilee & Steak Cook-Off: Head to the Oakdale Rodeo Grounds for a two-day community celebration with live music, family activities, vendors, food, and a Saturday steak cook-off competition.

October 17-18, PTP’s Radio Cavalcade: Gaslight: Prospect Theater Project brings the suspenseful classic Gaslight to life in the style of an old-time radio production, complete with live actors, music, and sound effects. Performances are October 17 at 7:30 pm and October 18 at 4 pm.

October 18, Fall Market: Browse a seasonal lineup at Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock from noon to 5 pm.

October 24, Día de los Muertos: Gather in Oakdale for a free, family-friendly celebration honoring loved ones with colorful altars, local food, crafts, and kids’ activities.

October 30-November 1, The Time Machine: Central West Ballet brings The Time Machine to the Gallo Center for the Arts, with performances October 30 at 7 p.m. and October 31 and November 1 at 2 p.m.