Gainesville Trunk-or-Treat Guide 2026: Every Candy Stop in Alachua County

If your kids have been negotiating costume details since Labor Day, this is your week. I went through the local Facebook event pages, church and school posts, and event listings and pulled together every trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treat stop I could find in Alachua County between now and Halloween.

Ten in all, Saturday through Halloween night, from High Springs to Alachua to right here in Gainesville. Here they are in date order.

11 AM to 3 PM at 4125 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville. Expect a cookout, games for all ages, and a prize for the best decorated booth. The bikers go all out on their trunks — this one is as much fun for the adults as the kids.

4 to 8 PM at 16779 US 441-N, High Springs, across from Oak Ridge Subdivision. Deeper Purpose Community Church's annual festival is the biggest production on this list: decorated trunks, food and dessert trucks, face painting, hay and train rides, a Kidz Zone, giveaways all afternoon, and a kids' costume show at 6 PM. Free, and open to everyone.

5 to 8 PM at The Home Depot, 7107 NW 4th Blvd, Gainesville. This is the third annual edition: classic cars, costumes, and candy. If your crew likes hot rods as much as sugar, this is your Saturday night. Full details are on the Gainesville Street Rods on Facebook event page.

12:15 to 1:30 PM at the Majestic Oaks front office area, Gainesville. A short, sweet one hosted by SonLife Church of Christ: candy, games, and fellowship. Arrive early and there's a free Sonic lunch before it starts.

CampusView Church in Gainesville holds its annual trunk-or-treat on Sunday, with food, games, and a bounce house. Their post didn't list a start time, so check the church's Facebook page before you head over.

5:30 to 7 PM at Alachua Elementary School's Café Gate, Alachua. The school pairs its Literacy Night with a trunk or treat — books and candy in the same evening, which is a combination most parents can get behind.

5 to 6:30 PM at Metcalfe Elementary School, 1250 NE 18th Ave, Gainesville. The PTA hosts this one — free candy, costumes encouraged, and the whole community is invited, not just Metcalfe families.

5 to 8 PM at 2441 NW 43rd St, Gainesville. Stroll the well-lit sidewalks and trick-or-treat from shop to shop while local vendors show off their Halloween best. Details are on the Thornebrook event on Facebook page.

6 to 8 PM at Grace Presbyterian Church, Gainesville, hosted by Family Promise of Gainesville. A fun night that also supports an organization helping local families with housing.

6 to 10 PM at 15712 NW 140th St, Alachua. The fourth annual edition, and the one true Halloween-night option on this list — free, at Saint Matthew Baptist Church.

A few hard-won tips from many Halloweens around here: