Albuquerque Senior Centers Host Five Spooktacular Halloween Events

Halloween in Albuquerque this year extended well beyond the traditional neighborhood door-to-door candy circuit. The city’s Department of Senior Affairs transformed its network of senior and multigenerational centers into hubs of fall activity, hosting five distinct events that catered to residents ranging from young children to the city’s older population. According to official reports from the Department of Senior Affairs, the series of gatherings aimed to foster intergenerational connection through costume contests, pet parades, and themed social events.

A Week of Festivities Across City Centers

The programming kicked off on October 23 with a Fall Festival at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. The momentum continued five days later at the Santa Barbara Martineztown Multigenerational Center, which hosted a “Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat” on October 28. These early events set the stage for a busy final day of celebrations.

On October 30, the city held three concurrent events to conclude the Halloween season:

Free haunted house brings Halloween thrills to Albuquerque community center

The Halloween Pet Parade at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.
The members-only Ghastly Gala at Barelas Senior Center.
Fright Night at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center.

The Role of Municipal Collaboration

The Department of Senior Affairs credited the success of the series to a formal partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation. The events relied on the presence of Albuquerque Fire Rescue and the Albuquerque Police Department to ensure safety during the high-traffic gatherings.

Beyond the logistical support, the department acknowledged the contributions of volunteers, donors, and the center members themselves. The diversity of the events—ranging from pet-centric parades to exclusive senior galas—reflects a deliberate effort to reach different segments of the Albuquerque population, ensuring that the holiday programming remained accessible to varying interests and age groups.