Pirates, ghosts, and festivals bring visitors to the Tri-Valley
Northern California’s Tri-Valley region embraces October with many festivities. As the month begins, it’s an exciting time to plan your trip to enjoy art, food, ghosts, and pirates.
Some of the region’s most popular attractions arrive in October, including the Pleasanton Ghost Walk, the Pirates of Emerson at the fairgrounds, and food and wine in Livermore. There is something to do for families, art lovers and foodies. Here are some highlights of Fall events in the Tri-Valley:
Light up your imagination
Through October 20, Imaginarium at Pleasanton’s Stoneridge Mall parking lot lights up the night with a family-friendly experience showcasing more than 5 million LEDs. The event is open daily from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (closed on Mondays) and 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Imaginarium covers 1.5 acres of lighted displays in bright colors that mesmerize visitors with features such as forest mazes, light-up flowers, mirrors, and breathtaking sculptures.
The spectacle also includes three daily circus performances with jugglers, aerial artists and more. Tickets are available online for $16 to $23, excluding taxes and fees.
Terrifying pirates return
Those looking to embrace the Halloween spirit will enjoy Pirates of Emerson, a haunted attraction operating in its 34th year at Pleasanton’s Alameda County Fairgrounds, just a few minutes away from The Rose Hotel. The event is open weekends through Nov. 2, with special open dates on Thursdays Oct. 17, 24 and 30, Wednesday, Oct. 31 for Halloween. Attendees can give their best screams in four haunted houses.
The attraction is open from 7:05 to 10 p.m. most nights, with some nights on the calendar remaining open until 11 p.m. or 12 a.m. The Pirates of Emerson offers games, bands, a VR attraction, and food as well.
Tickets are available on Fearticket and range from $40 to $95 per person before taxes and fees.
Annual Ghost Walk sells out fast
Need some more haunting experiences? Pleasanton’s Museum on Main has you covered. Its two-hour Ghost Walk event takes place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11, 12, 18 and 19, with start times ranging from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tour participants explore Pleasanton’s most haunted spots and learn about their ethereal residents on Main Street in this family-friendly event. Some stops along the tour include bone-chilling visits inside of buildings.
Tickets are available for $15 to $20 before taxes and fees by calling the Museum on Main, stopping by in person or on the museum website. Tickets sell out quickly, so book yours as soon as possible.
Take a stroll through art
If being scared isn’t to your liking, Livermore’s annual ArtWalk takes place on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. One of the Tri-Valley’s largest art festivals, this event attracts more than 200 artists showing their creativity in a variety of media.
Whether you’d like to bring home some local art to commemorate your trip or just attend for fun, ArtWalk has something for everyone, complete with live music. Admission is free to the public.
For the foodies
From Thursday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 20, foodies and wine aficionados flock to the Tri-Valley for TASTE: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience. TASTE includes multiple events at locations in Livermore. The weekend event is dedicated to celebrating the best offerings from local wineries and chefs.
Wine tastings, specialty dinners, brunch, yoga with dogs and wine, and more are all part of the extravaganza. Tickets to TASTE events are available on the Livermore Valley Wine Community website and range from $35 to $225.
After you’ve screamed, strolled, and eaten your fill, come stay with us at the Rose Hotel. Our luxurious rooms ensure you’re recharged for the next day’s excitement.
Reach us by emailing [email protected], calling (925) 846-8802, or stopping by to visit at 807 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566. Click here to book your next visit to the Rose Hotel.
