When I was in high school, Tait Avenue in downtown Los Gatos’s Almond Grove Historic District was a guaranteed stop, before me and my friends did our normal rounds of mischievous Halloween activities. We tried to pull off trick-or-treating for as long as we could until around middle school. Some took a pause from dressing up, because they thought they were too cool—and then high school parties became the go-to. But even as we had all gotten older, there was always something magical about stopping at Tait Ave. on Halloween.
From W. Main Street to Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Tait ave is closed off for one night where each home becomes decorated for the arrival trick or treaters. A celebration for the day of the dead, or, just a fun excuse for friends and family to dress up, becomes a haven for the fun-spirited in us all no matter the age. Historically, one can expect a three foot wide spider dropping from a tree to see who jump-scares, a dance floor on a residents driveway playing “Thriller” from Michael Jackson and almost every home handing out about 1000-2000 pieces of candy for one night.
These are the reasons that people move to, or visit, a small town like Los Gatos. For example, the sense of community, belonging and celebration that allows everyone to feel some sort of inclusive spirit despite their beliefs.
Tait Ave.’s Halloween has existed for decades. More recently, Johnson Avenue—which is parallel to Loma Alta—has adapted a similar model, where hundreds and thousands of families and individuals come to celebrate Halloween with a closed off street.
For the entire month of October, residents prepare their front porches, lawns—and even roofs—with Halloween decor, to prepare for the very haunted Oct. 31. Photo evidence shows: a 10-foot-tall skeleton on top of Soda Words, a green colored witch and floating skeleton on Tait Ave, and a blow up Pixar character on Los Gatos Boulevard from the second story of an apartment complex—and plenty more spooky scenes.
And last weekend, the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce held its annual 2025 Halloween Kid and Pet PAWlooza, which is a Fundraiser for the Street Dog Coalition. The event was co-cponsored by Roxy Laufer.
People of all ages enjoyed scoping out the different pet costumes down at Los Gatos’ Town Plaza Park, including an “everything beagle” that landed on the Los Gatan‘s front page this week.
(Photos by Faizi Samadani)
