Sunday, Oct. 25 · 4–6 p.m. · Alamo Square / Painted Ladies · trick-or-treating · community costume exchange · no admission price listed.
SAN FRANCISCO — One of San Francisco's most recognizable rows of houses is becoming a Halloween stop again.
Alamo Scare returns Sunday, Oct. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m., with the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association inviting families to continue its neighborhood tradition of trick-or-treating the Painted Ladies.
The event also includes a community costume exchange organized by Strange Exchange. Families can bring an old costume and look for another one; the organizer says the exchange is also accepting candy buckets and Halloween decorations.
When is Alamo Scare 2026?
Sunday, Oct. 25 · 4–6 p.m. · Alamo Square / Painted Ladies area.
The neighborhood association describes it as its traditional Painted Ladies trick-or-treat event. The current organizer listing does not state an admission charge or ticket requirement.
What is the costume exchange?
Strange Exchange will operate a community costume exchange during Alamo Scare. Families can bring a costume they no longer need or browse what other families have contributed.
Before the event, the organizer says costume, candy-bucket and Halloween-decoration donations are also being accepted on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Divisadero Farmers Market in the DMV parking lot at 1377 Fell Street.
How should you get to Alamo Square?
Alamo Square is a residential neighborhood with limited curb parking around a heavily visited park and the Painted Ladies. Families coming from outside the neighborhood should allow extra time rather than expect a space beside the park.
For transit, use SFMTA's current trip planning and service alerts shortly before leaving; weekend service and event conditions can change which nearby stop is most convenient.
What should families expect?
This is a neighborhood Halloween event rather than a large ticketed festival. The main attraction is the setting: children trick-or-treating around one of San Francisco's most photographed residential blocks, with the costume exchange adding an activity beyond candy.
Because the event lasts only two hours, families coming from outside the neighborhood should plan to arrive near the beginning rather than treat 6 p.m. as an arrival time.