Trunk or Treat in Bradford, PA
A Free Halloween Tradition for Bradford Families
20th Annual Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 31, 2026
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Open Arms Community Church
71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
FREE • FAMILY-FRIENDLY • OPEN TO EVERYONE
Join Us for Trunk or Treat!
Grab your costumes and candy buckets and join us for Trunk or Treat at Open Arms Community Church!
For 20 years, Trunk or Treat has brought families from across the Bradford area together for a fun Halloween tradition. In some years, more than 1,000–1,500 people have come through the event.
Our parking lot will be filled with decorated vehicles and plenty of candy as kids make their way from trunk to trunk.
There’s no admission and no registration required for families attending. Just show up, bring something to collect your candy in, and have fun!
What Is Trunk or Treat?
Trunk or Treat puts a whole lot of trick-or-treating in one place.
People decorate the trunks of their cars, trucks and SUVs, park together, and hand out candy while kids make their way from vehicle to vehicle.
Some trunks are elaborate. Some are funny. Some are creative. Others are pretty simple.
What matters is that we get to spend an evening together and give kids and families in our community a safe, free and family-friendly way to enjoy Halloween.
Come in costume, bring your treat bag and make your way through the trunks!
Celebrating 20 Years of Trunk or Treat
Our first Trunk or Treat was held in 2007, making 2026 our 20th Annual Trunk or Treat.
A lot has changed over 20 years. Kids who came through our early Trunk or Treats have grown up. Some now have kids of their own. We’ve seen thousands of costumes, handed out an incredible amount of candy, and welcomed families from throughout Bradford and the surrounding communities.
For many years, we’ve been grateful to partner with the Community Life Center at Grace Lutheran Church to host Trunk or Treat. Their partnership and hospitality have been an important part of the event’s story, and we’re thankful for the many years we’ve been able to serve Bradford families together.
In 2026, Trunk or Treat begins a new chapter at Open Arms Community Church, 71 Congress Street in Bradford.
We’re grateful for everyone who helped us get here, and we’re excited to see the tradition continue.
The First Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat Through the Years
Twenty years of costumes, decorated trunks, volunteers, community organizations, families, friends and a whole lot of candy.
What to Expect in 2026
This year we’re keeping things simple and putting the focus right where the name says it should be — Trunk or Treat!
We’ll fill the Open Arms parking lot with decorated vehicles and plenty of candy, creating a fun route for kids and families to walk through together.
Come in costume, grab your treat bag and make your way from trunk to trunk. It’s completely free and open to everyone.
2026 Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Open Arms Community Church
Address: 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA 16701
Admission: FREE
Registration for families: Not required
Want to Host a Trunk?
We need your help filling the parking lot!
Trunk or Treat happens because people from throughout our community show up, decorate their vehicles and help us give local kids a great Halloween.
We’re inviting individuals, families, businesses, churches, community organizations, first responders, service clubs, sports teams, schools and college organizations to host trunks.
Bring a vehicle. Decorate it. Bring plenty of candy. Then spend the evening welcoming kids and families as they make their way through the lot.
You don’t have to create an elaborate display. Some people go all-out. Others keep it simple. We’re happy to have you either way.
2026 Suggested Trunk Decorating Theme: Fairy Tales
Need some inspiration? This year’s suggested decorating theme is Fairy Tales.
Think castles and dragons, knights and princesses, enchanted forests, giants, talking animals, storybook villains, magical creatures and happily-ever-afters.
Choose a favorite fairy tale, put your own spin on one, or come up with something completely different. The theme is a suggestion, not a requirement. We’d much rather have you join us than stay home because you couldn’t figure out how to turn your minivan into a castle.
Hosting a trunk is FREE, but we do ask trunk hosts to register in advance so we can plan the parking lot and keep you updated with important information.
It’s okay if your trunk doesn’t follow the theme – but it is a lot of fun when we work together!
TRUNK REGISTRATION FORM
Want to have a trunk at Trunk or Treat?
Fill out this form to help us get an idea
for how much space we need!
Businesses & Community Organizations — We Want You Here, Too!
Some of our favorite trunks over the years have come from organizations throughout our community.
We’ve had police officers, firefighters, service organizations, youth sports groups and others join us to hand out candy and meet local families.
If you’re part of a business, nonprofit, service club, school, sports team, college organization, first responder agency or other community group, bring your crew and host a trunk together.
You’re welcome to display the name of your organization and wear your organization’s shirts, uniforms or other appropriate gear.
It’s a simple way to be part of a positive community event and help us give local kids a great night.
Can’t Host a Trunk? Help Us Fill Them!
When more than 1,000 people show up, we go through a LOT of candy.
If you can’t host a trunk but still want to help, we’re accepting donations of individually wrapped candy before the event.
Local businesses and organizations can also help by donating individually wrapped candy, gift cards or monetary donations to purchase candy and supplies, coupons for free items that we can give to kids and families, or other appropriate kid-friendly treats.
Donations can be dropped off at:
Open Arms Community Church
71 Congress Street
Bradford, PA 16701
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trunk or Treat free?
Yes. Trunk or Treat is completely free for families attending the event.
Do we need to attend Open Arms Community Church?
No. Trunk or Treat is for our whole community. You don’t have to attend Open Arms — or any church — to participate. We’d love to have you and your family join us.
Do families need to register?
No. Just show up! Registration is only required for individuals and organizations that want to host a trunk.
What ages can participate?
Trunk or Treat is designed for kids and families. Bring the family and enjoy the evening together.
Should kids wear costumes?
Absolutely! Costumes are encouraged, but they’re not required.
Do costumes have to match the Fairy Tales theme?
No. Fairy Tales is only the suggested decorating theme for our trunk hosts. Kids can wear whatever costume they’d like.
Do trunks have to follow the Fairy Tales theme?
No. It’s there to give our trunk hosts some inspiration. If you’ve got another great family-friendly idea for your trunk, go for it!
Do we need to bring a candy bag?
We recommend bringing a trick-or-treat bag, bucket or something else to carry your candy.
Can I host a trunk?
Yes! Individuals and families are welcome to register, and we especially encourage local businesses, organizations, sports teams, schools, college groups, service clubs and first responders to participate.
How much candy should trunk hosts bring?
It’s up to you what you can afford to bring, we recommend 2-4 bags, but if you run out, we’ll be refilling the trunks from the candy that is donated ahead of time!
Where should we park?
We are currently working on that. If we have a lot of trunks register, we may need to line up in both of our parking lots! If that is the case, the DMV Parking Lot and the City Lot near the Presbyterian Church would be ideal. Watch for our flags to mark parking!
What happens if the weather is bad?
We hold Trunk or Treat Rain or Shine (Or Snow!) – so when you come – watch the weather, and dress appropriately and bring an umbrella if needed. When you plan your trunk design, you might want to think about the weather as well! Some folks will bring a pop up canopy to help keep things dry!
Join Us for Trunk or Treat!
Twenty years means a lot of candy, a lot of costumes and a lot of memories.
We’re grateful for everyone who has hosted a trunk, donated candy, volunteered, brought their kids, invited friends or helped make Trunk or Treat possible since 2007.
Now we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Open Arms Community Church as the tradition continues.
20th Annual Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 31, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Open Arms Community Church
71 Congress Street • Bradford, PA
FREE & OPEN TO EVERYONE