The Ultimate El Dorado Hills & Sacramento Halloween Guide

It’s no secret my team and I take Halloween pretty seriously here at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics. Of course, I do it for my kids and patients. Actually, who am I kidding? I love any excuse to have a blast and be silly. Plus, it falls in the middle of pumpkin spice season, so Halloween is kind of my holiday. Every year, we dress up at the office and in the weeks leading up to it, we hold a contest. This year, we’ll be challenging local dental practices to a skull decorating contest. Our patients will vote on their favorites and the winning office will score an Escape Room gift card. Things are always lively at JKO but we really turn it up a notch for holidays.

So, being the Halloween enthusiast I am, I thought I’d share some tips for braces patients who might be feeling a little bummed that things like Starburst and caramel apples are off-limits. Plus, since the spookiest day of the year isn’t just about the candy, I’m also letting you in on some of the awesome El Dorado Hills and Sacramento Halloween events coming up all can be found in our Ultimate Halloween Guide.

Halloween Candy and Braces

Okay, so I’m not going to sugarcoat it (sorry, that was too easy) but not all Halloween candy and braces mix. You have to stay away from really sticky, chewy and hard foods since they can damage your brackets, wires, appliances and might set back your treatment. Here’s some of the Halloween candy to avoid with braces:

• Caramel
• Toffee
• Lemonheads
• Mike & Ikes
• Now and Laters
• Starburst
• Bubblegum
• Taffy
• Popcorn (not a candy but makes appearances at Halloween parties)
• Nuts or candies with nuts in them
• Skittles
• Snickers
• Anything else sticky, hard or super chewy

What Candy Can You Eat With Braces?

I know it can be tough to turn down your favorite treats but your results will be well worth it and you’ll be back to eating whatever you want before you know it. Try to focus on the awesome Halloween candy you can eat with braces instead.

What candy can you eat with braces? If something is on the softer side or it will melt in your mouth, it’s probably perfectly fine to enjoy. Just remember, since brackets and wires tend to trap food and this can lead to cavities, brush and floss after snacking on candy. Also be sure to break things into bite-sized pieces and chew with your back teeth instead of biting or tearing at it with your front teeth. Now for the good news, here’s the Halloween candy you can eat with braces and a few braces-friendly party treats you might encounter too:

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (one of the more braces-friendly candies)
• Regular chocolate without nuts, such as Hershey’s Bars
• Hershey’s Kisses
• Three Musketeers
• Pixy Stix
• Kit Kat Bars (broken into small pieces)
• Apple cider
• Ice cream

Halloween Events in El Dorado Hills and Nearby

• Annual Scarecrow Contest ”“ CSD Quad, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills ”“ Check out the scarecrows on Wednesday, October 17 from 4:30 to 6:30pm at this annual El Dorado Hills, CA Halloween event. Or, enter a scarecrow yourself! Use scavenged supplies for your creation. Since no commercial costumes or masks are allowed and entries have to be handmade, it’s a great opportunity to tap into your creative side. Individuals, families, clubs, groups and businesses are invited to participate. First, second and third place winners will be chosen in the Best Overall, Traditional, Fictional Characters and Most Creative categories. Entry is free. You can download an entry form here. Just be sure to return it by October 5.  
• Halloween Carnival & Pumpkin Patch ”“ Cameron Park Lake, 2989 Cambridge Road, Cameron Park ”“ On Saturday, October 20 from 1:30 to 4pm, the Halloween Carnival and Pumpkin Patch at Cameron Park Lake will return. The family-friendly event will feature old-time carnival games, prizes, a pumpkin patch, maze, crafts, a costume parade, food, a bounce house and more. The best part? It’s free!
• Harry Potter Halloween ”“ El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, El Dorado Hills ”“ Woohoo! Harry Potter Halloween will be back for a third year on Saturday, October 20 from 1 to 4pm at the El Dorado Hills branch of the library. Don’t miss the costume contest, games and activities for all ages, and Nature’s Critters reptile petting zoo. The event is free and no registration is required. While it’s designed to appeal to school-aged kids, all ages are welcome. Be sure to come hungry because there will be butterbeer and food available for purchase.

Book an Appointment Now

• 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat ”“ CSD Parking Lot, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills ”“ The El Dorado Hills CSD will hold its second annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 26 from 3:30 to 5pm in the CSD parking lot. Volunteers, including the Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics team, will have cars decked out for Halloween. Don your costume and go from car to car collecting treats. The event will also include games and a creepy cakewalk. We hope to see you there. Be sure to stop by, say, hi, and get some treats from us!
• Trick or Treat and FestiFall”“ Historic Folsom District, Folsom (Event Parking at Sutter Street Parking Garage, 905 Leidesdorff St.) ”“ We love this family-friendly Folsom Halloween event. This year’s Trick or Treat and FestiFall will be held on Saturday, October 27 from 1 to 4pm in the historic district. Trick or treat at participating merchants on Sutter Street and hang out at the Wool and Sutter Street lot, which will have bounce houses, games and prizes. At 2pm, there will be a preview of Mary Poppins at the Amphitheater followed by Mad Science at 2:30pm. Things will wrap up with the kids’ Halloween costume contest and the new “You and Your Pet” costume contest at 3pm.
• Healthy Halloween ”“ Quail Park, 230 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom ”“ On Sunday, October 28 from 2 to 5pm, the business park will be transformed into a family-friendly extravaganza. This annual Folsom Halloween event is free and will have carnival games, prizes, a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course and a rock climbing wall, as well as dance performances, costume contests and face painting.
• Halloween Spooktacular ”“ El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4364 Town Center Blvd, El Dorado Hills ”“ This El Dorado Hills Halloween event is a family favorite and has been on our Ultimate Halloween Guide 3 years in a row now. On Wednesday, October 31, there will be trick or treating from 3 to 6pm at participating Town Center businesses.. Then, the costume contest for children and dogs will begin at 5:15pm in the Steven Young Amphitheater. This year’s categories are Most Creative, Cutest, Most Scariest, Hero/Villain or Princess, and Best Group.

Sacramento Halloween Events

• The Ultimate Terror Scream Park ”“ 4909 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento ”“ If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Sacramento this Halloween, this probably isn’t it since it’s pretty terrifying. However, many of our patients are grown-ups and brave teens, so we’re adding it to the list. The Ultimate Terror Scream Park has three haunted houses and was even named “Best in the West” by Forbes and voted the scariest Sacramento haunted houses. The attraction is open select nights from September 28 through November 3 and tickets range in price from $25.99 to $50.99 depending on the night and the perks you want.
• Old Sacramento Living History Ghost Tours ”“ Sacramento History Museum, 101 1 Street, Sacramento ”“ This annual Sacramento Halloween activity is geared towards people over the age of eight since younger kids might find it too scary. The ghost tours are held Friday and Saturday nights from October 12 through October 27 and run every half hour from 6:30 to 9pm. This year’s theme is “Mayhem in the Museum” and takes place within the darkened halls of the Sacramento History Museum and nearby. Attendees will take a creepy journey back in time and hear tales of the ghosts of early Sacramento. Tickets are $15 and available here.
• Fairytale Town’s Safe & Super Halloween ”“ Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento ”“ Fairytale Town made the list of our favorite Sacramento theme parks and now it’s back again for Halloween with its 32nd annual Safe & Super Halloween. This year’s theme is dinosaurs. On Friday, October 19, Saturday, October 20, Sunday, October 21 and Sunday, October 28 from 5 to 9pm, take part in trick or treating and family fun at this beloved Sacramento Halloween kids’ event. Follow the dinosaur tracks around the park and meet different species face to face. Then, head to the excavation site to dig for giant fossils, check out the dinosaurs growing in the reptile lab and see how loud you can roar at the roar-o-meter. There will also be 15 treat stations, hands-on-activities, performances of The Dino Encounter by Sevilla Magic FX at 6, 7 and 8pm each night in Sherwood Forest and a nightly costume parade at 8:30pm. Purchase tickets in advance here.
• Panteón de Sacramento ”“ Sacramento Native American Health Center Parking Lot, 2020 J Street, Sacramento ”“ The Latino Center of Art and Culture will present its annual two-day event on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 from 11am to 10pm. This free Sacramento event is a celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and will be a re-creation of a Mexican village with over 50 traditional memorials. There will be dancing, live music, spoken word, sugar skull making, a Mercado/marketplace complete with traditional foods and more. There will also be a processional that includes the traditional elements you’d usually only find in small towns of Mexico.
• Midtown Halloween Festival and Pooch Parade ”“ Marshall Park, 915 27th Street, Sacramento ”“ Humans and pups will unite for this Sacramento Halloween bash on Saturday, October 27 from 1 to 3pm at Marshall Park. Last year, over 100 costumed pooches strutted their stuff in the parade! The event will feature Midtown’s popular pop-up dog park and family-friendly fun too, including face painting, a bounce house, live music and arts and crafts. If you want to register your dog for the parade, you can do it here.
• Boo at the Zoo ”“ Sacramento Zoo, 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento ”“ Boo at the Zoo 2018 will be held on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 from 11am to 4pm. Get the kids in their costumes and bring their trick-or-treat bags for daytime fun. Attendees will go trick or treating around the whole zoo with 15 different candy stations. There will also be face painting, Halloween games, magic shows with Trevor the Magician, keeper chats, themed stage shows, animal enrichments and rides on the spooky train and creepy carousel. Purchase tickets here.
• Funderland Fall Festival ”“ Funderland Amusement Park, 1350 17th Ave, Sacramento ”“ Funderland will host a weekend of Sacramento Halloween and fall fun on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 from 10am to 5pm. Highlights will include trick or treating, a meet and greet with Jack Skellington and Sally (12:30 and 3pm in Sutter’s Fort Area), performances by Magical Mary the Magician (12 and 2:30pm also in Sutter’s Fort Area), costume contests, free crafts by the carousel and ticket booth and a hay maze.
• Safetyville’s Halloween Haunt ”“ Safetyville USA, 3909 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento ”“ On Saturday, October 27 from 11am to 3pm, Safetyville USA will present its Halloween Haunt 2018. Get in your costumes and go trick or treating in the miniature city while also enjoying carnival games, a costume parade and safety activities and demonstrations. You can register for tickets here.
• Wee Halloween ”“ Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, Sacramento ”“ Wee Halloween is for costumed kiddos aged three- to five-years-old and their grown-ups. You’ll tour the Crocker Art Museum and stop at different stations where kids will receive a small gift and take in music and dance performances by popular entertainers. The tour will finish up with treats and a silly dance party. The Sacramento Halloween kids’ party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31 with timed tours departing between 10 and 11am. The event sells out most years, so register online in advance. Younger siblings under 18 months can join for free.

Maybe we’ll see you at some of these El Dorado Hills and Sacramento Halloween events included in our Ultimate Halloween Guide! If you have any questions about Halloween candy and braces, or orthodontic treatment in general, feel free to reach out. Be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook to vote on the entries in our skull decorating contest this year and, of course, see what costumes the team and I dream up!