As day crept into night on Oct. 31, the entirety of downtown Santa Cruz flooded with spook-tacular holiday music and festivities in celebration of Halloween. Locals of all ages dressed in costumes ranging from intricate and complex to downright ridiculous. 

“Halloween in a lot of ways can be [about the] individual, but this is the thing that makes it more community based … there’s this freedom of interacting that’s friendly and fun,” said Sarma, a Santa Cruz local of 33 years.

Sarma (right) and family dressed as Demon Hipster Chick from “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” Link from “The Legend of Zelda,” and a satyr.

Sarma has made it a tradition to spend every Halloween walking up and down the strip with family and friends. He is one of many cosplayers ecstatic to join in on the festivities. Newer faces, such as first-years at UC Santa Cruz, are just now coming onto the scene. 

“In my old town, we didn’t do stuff like this. It was very individual, and this feels very together … it’s definitely insanely positive,” said Danielle Wentz, a first-year at UCSC. “I can’t imagine having it any other way now that I’ve experienced it.”

Danielle Wentz (left) as the White Rabbit from “Alice in Wonderland” and friends dressed as Misa from “Death Note”, Shadow the Hedgehog and Rouge the Bat from “Sonic the Hedgehog.”

For students like Wentz, Halloween in Santa Cruz is an important opportunity to explore self-expression in a safe space. The embrace of an open-minded community can make a huge difference in the lives of young people, and Halloween in Santa Cruz offers just that. 

A wicked witch rolled down the street, wowing passersby with their charming costume.

Halloween isn’t limited to just friends and family, our furry friends and companions get to join in on the fun too. While walking around the strip, City on a Hill Press staff came across several pups in costume, having the most bone-chilling time of their lives. Check out the pictures and you’ll see just how thrilled the Santa Cruz ghouls and ghosts were to be out and about on Halloween!

Families and friends strolling along Pacific Avenue, which was closed off for trick-or-treating at local Santa Cruz businesses. 

A family enjoying downtown Santa Cruz Halloween festivities dressed as Gomez, Morticia, and Wednesday from The Addams Family.

Canela the dog rocking her witchy costume.