Halloween 2023
Castro Halloween’s triumphant and low-key return made us smile
To our eyes, it felt like a regular Halloween weekend in our city’s queerest neighborhood.
By Saul Sugarman
We expected huge crowds, street closures, and barricades, but the family-friendly Halloween as promised by organizers is mostly what we got on Saturday. Obviously we still saw lots of people.
To our eyes though, it felt like a regular Halloween weekend in our city’s queerest neighborhood.
The festivities marked the official return of Castro Halloween following a shooting in 2006 that sent it on 17-year hiatus. The Castro Merchants Association alongside local leaders brought it back with a twist: make it for families with face painting, trick-or-treating for kids, a costume contest, and Halloween movies at the Castro Theatre.
“It was very busy, with Pride Saturday level lines outside most of the bars by the time the Castro theater costume contest got out at 9:30, but generally really chill,” said Max Dubler, pictured in a Transamerica costume. “A lot of people were excited about everyone’s costumes and were taking photos.”
More than 700 people attended the costume contest, according to Sister Roma:
We did see long lines but nothing insane, no roadblocks or people mobbing the streets. Everyone felt super happy and conversant, busy and unbothered; on their way to the next bar hop or house party.
The Merchants organized the formal activities alongside the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Manny Yekutiel and Daniel Lurie, who collectively intend the modern Castro Halloween to be “a far cry from the chaotic street parties that once dominated the neighborhood … It’s all about infusing the neighborhood with a Halloween spirit that’s fun and inclusive for everyone.” Up to $150,000 paid for the affair through the Civic Joy Fund.
We’re happy it came back and hope it remains as fun and festive next year, and for many to come.
More photos from Castro Halloween 2023
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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