Halloween celebrations planned for downtown Hickory and Santa Barbara

Various cities in the United States are preparing for community Halloween festivities. In Hickory, North Carolina, the Hickory Downtown Development Association will host its annual Monster Mash on Friday, October 23. The event features trick-or-treating along downtown streets from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a costume contest with various age divisions and themes.

In Santa Barbara, California, more than 50 downtown businesses will participate in a free, family-friendly trick-or-treating event on Saturday, October 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. Participants can identify locations offering treats by looking for orange “Trick-or-Treat” window signs. Additionally, local businesses are participating in an annual Halloween Decor Contest, with storefront judging scheduled for October 23.