How to Halloween This Year

By edhat staff

This year is unlike any other in our lifetimes when it comes to celebrating holidays. Halloween will not be spared, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be celebrated in a different way.

The goal this year is to still have fun while staying safe. According to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department gatherings of people outside of the household are currently not permitted as the COVID-19 virus transmission remains substantial within our county.

“Traditional trick-or-treating can be a high-risk activity and alternatives are strongly encouraged this year. We must remain diligent during this holiday season and ensure that we are wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and avoiding mixing with people that do not live in our household,” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Director for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

Below is an assortment of local events for you and your family to safely celebrate the spookiest of holidays.

Trick or Treating Alternatives

• Trunk or treating: This activity is allowed for the purpose of distributing candy only; no other events are permitted. Follow the safety practice guidelines. Park cars at least 8 to 10 feet apart from each Do not cluster in groups. If lines form, keep people at least 6 feet apart.

• Car parades: Car parades must comply with Drive-In Event Guidance.

• Plan a socially distanced costume parade: Place treats where kids can pick them up along the parade route (daytime activity). Alternatively, provide a bag of treats at the end of the Be careful not to allow spectators or crowds to gather at these types of activities.

Other Halloween Activities

• Watching Halloween movies at home or virtually with others

• Halloween movie night at drive-in theaters (that comply with the State Guidance for Movie Theaters and Family Entertainment Centers)

• Virtual costume party or virtual craft projects

• Decorate your house or apartment inside and out.

• SpookyZoo: Grab your costumes and head to the Santa Barbara Zoo for an outdoor Halloween spell-ebration! Discover frightfully fun decor and photo opps, all while visiting your favorite animals. Tasty treats and booo-zy adult beverages are available for purchase. The Zoo will be open regular operating hours in line with our modified and approved COVID-19 safety measures, including limited capacity. Click here for more information.

• Thrills & Chills: World Dance For Humanity is hosting a spooktacular virtual dance fest. Learn Thriller and other easy Halloween dances in online workshops, and perform them in a virtual Halloween party on Zoom. Click here for more information.

• DIY Halloween Bike Ride: SBBIKE and COAST encourage families to get active with a neighborhood DIY Halloween Bike Ride. They suggest usig the Family Walk & Roll neighborhood routes at http://familywalkandroll.com. 

Countywide Virtual Halloween Costume Parade

Isla Vista Halloween Alternatives

The Associated Students Program Board will be hosting virtual events Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 30 and 31, including a comedy show and a concert featuring different musical artists. Attendance is restricted to UC Santa Barbara students.

The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) is partnering with Lucidity Festival to produce a virtual community-wide event for Halloween weekend. The event, “Halloween at Home: Virtually Lucid in Isla Vista,” will take place between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Oct. 30 and 31. Hosted virtually from with the IVCSD offices, the event is open to the public via free pre-registration for a backstage Zoom room and a Facebook/YouTube/Twitch livestream.

Keep in mind, the festival ordinance prohibiting amplified music at residences will be in effect from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday, October 26, through Wednesday, Nov. 4. As necessary, emergency first aid for the public will be made available in campus Lot 40.

Parking Restrictions are Still in Place

As a reminder, the UCSB and the City of Goleta are keeping their parking restrictions and permit program for Halloween weekend. 

UCSB will be closed to overnight visitor parking Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31, and only vehicles with valid permits will be allowed to park on campus. The restrictions will cease between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to allow for normal business operations. Daily permits will expire at midnight Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31.

In addition, police roadblocks may be in place at several intersections in Isla Vista Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31. As in previous years, some campus parking locations will be subject to closure and limited accessibility to support enhanced safety and security measures. Checkpoints also will be in place on all roads entering campus, and unauthorized vehicles will be denied access.

More information on parking restrictions and campus checkpoints is available at UCSB Transportation and Parking Services.

Parking permits are issued for the Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista: University 1 and University 2 neighborhoods, including the Cannon Green Condominium complex. The boundaries are: Cannon Green Drive to the west, Hollister Avenue to the north, Storke Road to the east and Whittier Drive to the south.

Click here for more information on Goleta’s parking restrictions.