Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

See Halloween information in:

Many of the traditional ways of celebrating Halloween and Dia de los Muertos do not allow people to minimize contact with non-household members, so it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Local Order does not allow for events or activities of more than 50 people. Large Halloween gatherings, even if held outdoors, are not permitted.

Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions are not allowed unless granted a Letter of Approval. Submit a Letter of Approval request.

Avoid these activities

  • Traditional, door-to-door trick-or-treating, due to the challenge of maintaining proper physical distancing on porches and at front doors
    • However, if individuals do so, please make efforts to ensure that everyone answering or coming to the door is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread.
  • Sharing of food through activities such as “trunk-or-treating,” where children go from car to car instead of door to door

Activities we recommend

To promote a safer environment for children and families, we recommend these alternate ways to celebrate Halloween this year:

  • Online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving);
  • Decorating homes, yards and neighborhoods with Halloween-themed decorations;
  • Car parades such as:
    • Drive-by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles, with drive-by “judges” that are appropriately physically-distanced.
    • Drive-in or drive-through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays. Participants can receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged nonperishable treats) or other takeaway item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle
  • Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters (must comply with the public health drive-in movie theater guidance);
  • Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants (must comply with the restaurant protocol); and
  • Halloween-themed art installations at an outdoor museum (must comply with the public health museum guidance).

Safe health practices

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween, it is important to:

  • correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others that are not part of your household;
  • avoid confined spaces. Actively stay away from indoor spaces that do not allow for easy distancing of at least six feet between you and others;
  • avoid close contact. Stay at least six feet away from all other people who are not part of your own household, especially while talking, eating, and drinking;
  • wash or sanitize your hands often;
  • clean frequently touched items regularly; and
  • if you are sick, or you have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and away from others.