The Great Big BOO, Gilroy Gardens’ family Halloween event, returns Sept. 25 – Nov. 1, 2026, turning the theme park into an after-dark world of trick-or-treating, live musical shows, night-lit rides, and light displays.
Attractions and entertainment
The Great Big BOO, a family Halloween event Gilroy Gardens runs each fall in the South Bay, leans silly rather than scary. Guests enter BOO Alley for the sing-and-dance-along musical, The Great Big BOO, along with pop-up performances and character interactions around the park, and families are encouraged to come in costume for trick-or-treating along the BOO Trail. Themed attractions include Wendella’s House on the Hill, Wolfgang’s Rockin’ Ride, and the BOO Train, alongside Halloween light displays and the BOO Alley Light Tunnel, with the park’s rides running lit up after dark and interactive challenges staged around BOO Alley.
“We love creating new tricks and treats for our guests to enjoy each year,” said Gilroy Gardens President and General Manager Hoa Minh Le. “It’s not too spooky, mostly silly, and lots of fun for all ages.”
New for 2026
This year adds interactive Pumpkin Wands, available for purchase, that unlock secret clues at eight BOO Stations around the park. The letters spell out a message that helps save Halloween from the curse of Wendella the Witch, and children who solve the puzzle can claim an “I Saved Halloween!” sticker.
Food and the pumpkin patch
Downtown BOO Alley is the heart of the event, with a giant pumpkin pyramid, family games, and festive food and drinks. The menu runs to Loaded Jumbo Potatoes, Apple Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake, and Return of the Mummy Hot Dogs, plus “spooky” cocktails for adults and kid-friendly drinks with a magical twist. On the way out, guests can stop by Sammy Jo Scarecrow’s Pumpkin Patch to pick a pumpkin to take home, which is not included with admission.
Dates, hours, and tickets
The Great Big BOO runs on select evenings from September 25 through November 1 at Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy, California:
- Fridays: 5 to 10 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays: 1 to 9 p.m.
The park is closed to the public for a private event on October 10. During opening weekend, September 25 to 27, Gilroy residents can get in for $12 plus $12 parking, and residents of Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister, Watsonville, and Salinas can buy $15 tickets with $15 parking, with proof of residency required and up to six discounted tickets per address. Gilroy Gardens Premium Members get free admission to the event and other signature events all year, and 2027 memberships are on sale now. Tickets and details are at gilroygardens.org/halloween.
Gilroy Gardens is a nonprofit theme park in Gilroy, in the South Bay. For when other haunts and Halloween events open this season, see our guide to when haunted houses open.
