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Parks And Recreation Events
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf
- Date: - (all day)
- Location: Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal Wharf
Santa Cruz, California 95060 - Introduction: Join us for 13 days of frightful fun on the Santa Cruz Wharf October 19 - 31! Take part in the Great Pumpkin Hunt, snap a photo at our scenic photo booth, dance to Thriller at Zombie Night and enjoy festive Wharf specials ALL 13 days! It all kicks off October 19!
- Kick Off - October 19, 4:30 - 7:00 pm at the Wharf stage
- FREE hot apple cider and games
- The Great Morgani delights with festive music (and another fabulous outfit).
- Wharf Specials for the Haunting Hours 5:00 - 7:00 pm!
- Photo booth unveiling
- Zombie Night on the Wharf - October 28, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
- Thriller Zombie Dance 5:00 pm
- Apocalypse Wharf Specials 4:00 - 7:00 pm
- Ghostly fun at the Wharf stage
- The Great Pumpkin Hunt - All 13 Days: Find 5 hidden pumpkins on the Wharf each with a unique Wharf trivia question and answer. Submit your answers to one of the businesses below and win a prize!
- Splash, Vino Prima, Riva's, Bonnie's Gifts, Stagnaro Bros, Marini's, The Sock Shop, Made in Santa Cruz and the Wharf Headquarters
- Trick-or-Treating - October 31, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
- Meet and take photos with Spiderman, Princess Elsa and Moana
- Treats from Wharf businesses
- Photo Booth on the Wharf Stage - All 13 Days: Snap a festive photo with your family with the scenic Monterey Bay and Lighthouse as your backdrop.
- Wharf Specials - All 13 Days: Enjoy fabulous, unique specials from restaurants and gift shops perfectly catered to the Halloween theme.
2025 Clam Chowder Cook-Off Winners- Congratulations!
Best Boston Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: The Silence of the Clams
🥈 2nd Place: Millie’s Best Boston
🥉 3rd Place: All Clams Matter
Best Manhattan Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: Little Neck Rex
🥈 2nd Place: Dragonmama’s Portuguese Red
🥉 3rd Place: Clam Halen
People’s Choice Winners
Boston: 🏆 4 Men and a Clam – 395 votes
Manhattan: 🏆 The Pink Flamingos – 397 votes
Most Tasted
🥇 1st Place: Silence of the Clams – 1,656 tastes
🥈 2nd Place: 4 Men and a Clam (Boston)
🥉 3rd Place: Bloody Brilliant Chowder
Best Booth Theming
🥇 1st Place: The Silence of the Clams
🥈 2nd Place: Rocky Horror Clam Show
🥉 3rd Place: The Krusty Klam
Best Boston Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: The Rustic Table
🥈 2nd Place: The Point Kitchen and Bar
🥉 3rd Place: Ideal Bar and Grill
Best Manhattan Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: Seascape Golf Club: Masters Edition
🥈 2nd Place: Redwood Sluggers
🥉 3rd Place: Bearded Clams Unite
People’s Choice Winners
Boston: 🏆 Ideal Bar and Grill – 520 votes
Manhattan: 🏆 Redwood Sluggers – 590 votes
Most Tasted
🥇 1st Place: Ideal Bar and Grill – 2,405 tastes
🥈 2nd Place: Dominican Oaks
🥉 3rd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
Best Booth Theming
🥇 1st Place: Seascape Golf Club: Masters Edition
🥈 2nd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
🥉 3rd Place: Chowder Slugs/Redwood Sluggers