Halloween Near Willow Glen and Campbell: Trick-or-Treat Dates, Renter-Friendly Decor, and a Cozy Night In

Halloween near Willow Glen and Campbell is one of the best parts of fall in this corner of San Jose. Two walkable downtowns host trick-or-treat events within days of each other, and both are close to home at Plum Orchard Apartments. This year Halloween falls on a Saturday, so you get a full weekend to celebrate.

Whether you live in a cozy 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose or need room for a whole crew of ghosts and goblins in a 2-bedroom, here is what’s happening nearby, plus renter-friendly decor ideas that come down as easily as they go up, and a plan for a perfect night in.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Thrill the World Zombie Crawl in Downtown Campbell

Dancing zombies are shuffling from one end of downtown to the other and perform “Thriller” on each of their stops. If you like it a little scary and spooky – join the Zombie Crawl from 7pm to 9pm on the 24^th.

Sunday, Oct. 25: Creepy Crawly Halloween in Downtown Campbell

Downtown Campbell’s annual Creepy Crawly Halloween Trick-or-Treat runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, at E. Campbell Avenue and N. 1st Street. It’s free, and it’s produced by the Downtown Campbell Business Association.

Organizers describe it as a community-wide costume party in the streets, with candy as a bonus. Four-legged ghouls are invited too, so this is the place to show off your dog’s costume.

A few tips before you go:

• Come for the costumes, not a full candy bucket. Organizers say plainly that the crowds are big and the candy goes fast.
• Bringing a nervous pup or a little one who doesn’t love crowds? Organizers recommend taking extra precautions.
• Make a day of it. The Downtown Campbell Farmers’ Market is on the calendar for the same Sunday.

Want to know more about the neighborhood? See why Plum Orchard is one of the best apartment communities just outside Campbell.

Friday, Oct. 30: Trick-or-Treat on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen

On Friday, Oct. 30, downtown Willow Glen hosts Trick-or-Treat the Avenue. Participating businesses along Lincoln Avenue, from Minnesota Avenue to Willow Street, hand out candy and other goodies. There are two sessions:

Organizers ask trick-or-treaters to follow the route clockwise, which keeps the sidewalks moving. Event details can change, so check with the Willow Glen Business Association before you head out.

After the candy run, walk it off. Our guide to easy fall walks near Willow Glen and Campbell has routes for every mood, and ourWillow Glen neighborhood page covers what makes the area so easy to love.

Renter-Friendly Halloween Decor for a 1-Bedroom or 2-Bedroom Apartment in San Jose

The best apartment Halloween decor goes up in minutes, comes down in minutes, and leaves nothing behind. Before you start, check with the leasing office about any community guidelines for doors and shared spaces.

• Dress up the front door. Hang a wreath on an over-the-door hanger or a removable adhesive hook. For a classic “mummy door,” layer strips of white crepe paper and add two big paper eyes. Test any tape or adhesive on a hidden spot first.
• Use your windows. Plum Orchard homes get lots of natural light, so put it to work. Removable window clings or black paper bat cutouts look great from inside and from the walkway.
• Light pumpkins the safe way. Carve, paint or glitter your pumpkins, then light them with battery-operated tea lights instead of real candles.
• Don’t toss the seeds. Rinse and dry them, toss with a little oil and salt, and roast them in the oven until golden. Every Plum Orchard kitchen has a gas range, so this is an easy fall snack.

Making it work in your floor plan:

• In a 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose, pick one focal point, like the entry table or the kitchen counter. A cluster of mini pumpkins, a flameless lantern and a themed throw pillow make a big impact without the clutter.
• In a 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose, the second bedroom can pull double duty: a craft station for little ones, a costume-change room for party guests, or a “haunted” guest room for a Halloween sleepover.

Have a balcony or patio? Our balcony and patio fall decorating ideas cover the outdoor side. Still deciding which layout fits your life? Read 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom apartment in San Jose: how to choose.

A Cozy Halloween Night In

With Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31, you can trick-or-treat at the downtown events earlier in the week and keep the big night low-key at home.

• Host a scary movie marathon. Build the lineup from “not scary at all” to “sleep with the lights on,” and let guests vote on the last pick.
• Set up a carving station. Cover the kitchen table, put out pumpkins, carving tools and bowls for the seeds, and let everyone compete for the scariest face.
• Build a spooky snack board. Mix candy with apples, cheese, crackers and those roasted pumpkin seeds.
• Invite a few friends in costume. A small get-together fits any floor plan. For more on making the most of your space, see our tips for hosting a dinner party in your apartment.

Quick Halloween Safety Tips for Apartment Living

A few simple habits keep the fun from turning frightening. These come from the National Fire Protection Association and the ASPCA.

Fire safety:

• Use battery-operated candles, flashlights or glow sticks in jack-o’-lanterns instead of real flames.
• Crepe paper, dried flowers and cornstalks catch fire easily. Keep them away from candles, heaters and light bulbs.
• Keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks the way out.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working, as recommended in the NFPA Halloween safety tip sheet.

Pet safety:

• Keep the candy stash out of reach. Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and so can sugar-free candy with xylitol.
• If your pet wears a costume, make sure it doesn’t limit movement, sight or breathing.
• Watch the door. Visitors and strange costumes can spook pets and make them bolt, so ID tags help.
• If you think your pet ate something toxic, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Halloween Near Willow Glen and Campbell: FAQ

When is trick-or-treating in downtown Willow Glen in 2026?

Friday, Oct. 30, along Lincoln Avenue between Minnesota Avenue and Willow Street. The toddler session runs 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the school-age session runs 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Is Creepy Crawly Halloween in Campbell free?

Yes. It runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, at E. Campbell Avenue and N. 1st Street in downtown Campbell.

Can I bring my dog to Creepy Crawly Halloween?

Yes. Organizers welcome four-legged trick-or-treaters, but the event gets very crowded, so they recommend extra precautions for sensitive pets.

How can I decorate my apartment for Halloween without damaging it?

Stick with over-the-door hangers, removable hooks, window clings and battery-operated lights, and test any adhesive on a hidden spot first. Check with your leasing office about community guidelines for doors and shared spaces.

Celebrate Halloween Close to Home

A street costume party in Campbell on Sunday, candy on Lincoln Avenue on Friday, and a cozy movie night on Saturday: that’s Halloween when you live between two walkable downtowns. As our guide to apartments near downtown Willow Glen and downtown Campbell puts it, why pick one when you’re this close to both?

Ready to find your spot? Explore our 1- and 2-bedroom floor plans, and schedule a tour of Plum Orchard Apartments. Happy Halloween from all of us!