Quick Take:

Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud took in the sights, sounds and scares of Halloween on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, where an estimated 15,000 people turned out for some ghoulish fun.

The Halloween party scene on Pacific Avenue came alive Friday night — loud enough to raise the dead. 

Ghosts and ghouls mingled with comic book heroes as an estimated 15,000 revelers turned the streets of downtown Santa Cruz into a rolling catwalk and impromptu theater. 

Under a visible police presence, Santa Cruz’s longtime Halloween spectacle shimmered without tipping into mayhem; Santa Cruz Police officers made 63 arrests, mainly for DUI, public intoxication, trespassing and littering, but the night remained largely peaceful. 

Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud was there to capture the post-sunset Halloween mischief that unfolded in the city’s downtown.

Ghouls and undead filled downtown Santa Cruz for the annual Thriller flash mob performance on Pacific Avenue. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The ghouls and undead were out and about in downtown Santa Cruz during the annual flash mob performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller on Pacific Avenue. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A man dressed as an angel danced around Pacific Ave. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
An illuminated cart cruised through downtown Santa Cruz on Halloween. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A human jellyfish lights up Abbott Square on Halloween in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz police were posted on nearly every block of Pacific Avenue, ensuring everyone had a fun but safe Halloween night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
An older woman beats on the drum during the Halloween festivities in downtown Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Thousands of people filled downtown Santa Cruz, roaming the streets and dancing. Bands, DJs, and various musical performers entertained on nearly every block on Halloween. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Dancers lined the streets of Pacific Ave. on Halloween. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A woman dressed as a jellyfish makes her way through Pacific Ave. in downtown Santa Cruz on Halloween. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Halloween 2025 Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A young drummer dressed as the Cookie Monster had a blast entertaining crowds during a festive Halloween on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Dead ghouls and zombies littered Pacific Avenue after their flash mob performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller on Halloween. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Kevin Painchaud is an international award-winning photojournalist. He has shot for various publications for the past 30 years, appearing on sites nationwide, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, The...