Halloween celebrations bring costumes, candy, and community

By Hayley Mattson · Sat Nov 07 2026

Downtown Paso Robles and Atascadero welcome families for an evening of trick-or-treating and local traditions

NORTH COUNTY — For a few hours on Halloween, downtown Paso Robles belonged to the trick-or-treaters. Costumed children visited storefronts, families gathered around City Park, and local merchants stepped outside to share in a tradition that brings neighbors together. Behind the evening was the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association, whose Safe & Fun Halloween Downtown celebration returned Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. With downtown streets closed to traffic, families had room tostroll between businesses and trunk-or-treat stations around the park.

The event offered a familiar example of what Main Street contributes to Paso Robles: the planning, volunteer work and business partnerships that turn downtown into a gathering place for the people who call the community home.

Established in 1988, the association has spent 38 years working to preserve, promote, and strengthen downtown Paso Robles. Its membership brings together business owners, property owners, and citizen volunteers, connecting care for the city’s historic character with support for its local economy.

Safe & Fun Halloween has been part of that work for more than a decade, appearing on Main Street’s downtown event calendar as far back as 2015. Over the years, the annual celebration has given families a free way to enjoy Halloween while introducing children to the shops, people and public spaces that make downtown their own.

This year, merchants handed out candy outside their storefronts while businesses and community organizations welcomed trick-or-treaters around Downtown City Park. Main Street’s familiar witches greeted children with candy and posed for photographs, adding a recognizable touch to the evening.

Main Street Association Board President Margaret Holstein described the turnout as fantastic, with wonderful costumes and rain-free weather allowing families to enjoy the celebration.

Among the evening’s memorable costumes was a woman whose outfit made her appear to be riding a roller coaster — one of the creative touches that gave families something to smile about between candy stops.

The Paso Robles Police Department and Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services also participated, giving children a chance to interact with local first responders alongside the merchants and volunteers.

Making an evening like this possible takes work long before the first trick-or-treater arrives. Event chair Jennifer Roush Kloth, Main Street volunteers, participating businesses and community partners all helped bring the celebration together.

That cooperation is central to Main Street’s place in Paso Robles. Its events give residents reasons to return downtown throughout the year, helping local businesses build relationships with families while keeping City Park and the surrounding streets at the center of community life.

Halloween is one part of that larger calendar. Main Street also organizes downtown holiday gatherings, including Elegant Holiday Evening, the downtown lighting ceremony and the Christmas Light Parade. Each offers another opportunity for residents to gather, welcome neighbors and enjoy the district’s local shops and restaurants.

In Atascadero, a similar spirit filled downtown during the A-Town Halloween Block Party. More than 50 businesses participated in trick-or-treating from 4 to 7 p.m., welcoming costumed children and their families to participating storefronts.

The merchant-led celebration offered a free evening downtown, with advertised activities including a hay maze on Traffic Way, karaoke and costume contests at local establishments.

Elsewhere in Atascadero, Mark Russo returned with his Halloween Spectacular, transforming his home and the neighboring property into a spooky holiday attraction.

Across both communities, business owners, volunteers and residents contributed their time and creativity to the evening. In Paso Robles, the sight of families gathering around City Park offered a clear picture of Main Street’s continuingcontribution: helping neighbors make memories together in the heart of their hometown.