Menlo Park celebrates Halloween with a parade and carnival

It was a beautiful fall day for the City of Menlo Park’s Halloween Hoopla. This was likely the largest showing of people from across the Bay Area — possibly 3,000 people in attendance.

The morning started with the parade down Santa Cruz Avenue at 11:00 am led by the La Entrada, Hillview and Menlo Atherton bands. This year the City also welcomed some furry friends to the parade.

The parade ended at Fremont Park, where the bands played some music and Mayor Betsy Nash welcomed everyone to the event.

There were bouncy houses, balloon makers, tattoo artists, art tents and many games to be played — and lots of music and entertainment on center stage.

Photos by Rick Morris (c) 2026