The Best Halloween Events in the US

ALASKA: Alaska Boo-tanical Garden in Anchorage

The Botanical Garden in Anchorage has “Halloween-inspired displays” throughout the fall from September 17 to October 24.

ARIZONA: 13th Floor Haunted House in Phoenix

The 13th Floor Haunted House was “created by nationally-recognized and award-winning haunted house designers” and will “transport you to new levels of horror.”

It opened on September 24.

ARKANSAS: Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours in Eureka Springs

Did you know that the most haunted hotel in America is located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas? The hotel offers ghost tours every day, twice a day.

It was built in 1886, meaning that there’s 136 years worth of spirits, ghosts, ghouls, and whatever else you can think of lurking the halls. It was featured on “Ghost Hunters,” “Paranormal Witness,” and “Ghost Adventures” — you’re sure to see something spooky during your visit.

CALIFORNIA: Disneyland in Anaheim

Disneyland goes all out for Halloween. There are too many events to name, but the whole park is decorated with lights, pumpkins, and other spooky things. Your favorite characters, like Mickey and Minnie, also dress up for the holiday.

However, the highlight is arguably the special fireworks show, called Halloween Screams: A Villainous Surprise in the Skies at Mickey’s Halloween Party, or the Oogie Boogie Bash.

COLORADO: Haunted Brew Fest in Colorado Springs

The Haunted Brew Fest will take place on October 15 this year.

You might be asking what makes it “haunted” — according to the organizers, it doubles as the largest costume party in southern Colorado. There’s even a $50 cash prize for the best male and female costumes.

CONNECTICUT: The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum in Plainville

The museum is now open year-round. It’s filled with life-size models of classic monsters, like the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Frankenstein’s monster, as well as original movie props.

According to its website, the museum is “the longest running exhibit of its kind in the country” – it’s been open since 1966.

DELAWARE: Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler’s Festival in Rehoboth Beach

This year’s Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler’s Festival will take place from October 28 to 30.

The festival has both a costume and dog parade, trick-or-treating, beach games, a 5K race, horse shows, and live entertainment. It also all takes place right on the beach.

FLORIDA: A Petrified Forest Scare Trail in Altamonte Springs

The Petrified Forest received a makeover recently, with a completely new layout that features “85,000 square feet of sheer horror” — all located inside a giant Floridian swamp. There are also backstage tours for those wanting behind-the-scenes info and tricks of the trade.

The overall theme, this year, is Nature’s Fury.

This year the Petrified Forest opens for the season on September 30.

GEORGIA: Run Like Hell 5K in Atlanta

This 5K is the largest cemetery run in the country, passing through Oakland Cemetery’s historic Jewish grounds, Confederate section, new Beaumont Allen Greenhouse, and Hogpen Corner, to name a few.

Proceeds go towards preserving the cemetery, which was founded in 1850.

The 15th annual Run Like Hell 5K will be held on October 8.

HAWAII: Hallowbaloo Music & Arts Festival in Honolulu

There are four components to this event: a street festival filled with crafts, vendors, and general holiday merriment; Club Hallowbaloo, which includes 11 distinct clubs that each have their own special events and DJs; Ono Eats, which is a food festival; and a special craft beer festival.

This year’s Hallowbaloo is being held on October 29.

IDAHO: Squawky & Spirits at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise

The Old Idaho Penitentiary, which claims to be one of the most haunted places in the state, offers spooky tours throughout October, like the Paranormal Investigation, Haunting History, or Raising Spirits.

But on October 29, from 7 p.m. to midnight, the place opens up for Squawky & Spirits, promising ” music, food trucks, and alcohol available for purchase with history presentations, and bumps in the night throughout the site.”

ILLINOIS: Arts in the Dark in Chicago

Arts in the Dark is a parade that is part-Halloween, part-art exhibition, put together by artists, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Lookingglass Theatre Company, to name a few. Expect stunning costumes, intricate floats, and dramatic performances.

This year’s parade will be held on October 29.

INDIANA: The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival in Irvington

The entire town of Irvington gets in on the spooky fun during the Irvington Halloween Festival, which is celebrating its 76th year this year.

There are events throughout October all over the town, including a Charity Ball, a Vampire Run, a “Spooky Organ Concert,” puppet shows, a blood drive, and much more.

IOWA: Family Halloween in Urbandale

Family Halloween takes place every year at Living History Farms, “an interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences.”

This year, it will take place every weekend in October. Activities include trick-or-treating at the historic businesses, pumpkin bowling, horse-drawn wagon rides, and scary stories.

KANSAS: Neewollah in Independence

Neewollah, or “Halloween” spelled backwards, is a week-long celebration during the last week of October.

According to its website, “Neewollah became part of Independence in 1919 as a way to keep playful pranksters out of mischief on Halloween night. For one full week, Neewollah entertains people from all walks of life, and Independence, a town of around 10,000, becomes a city of over 80,000.”

In addition to three parades, there are multiple races, a town-wide “Medallion Hunt,” a “Queen Neelah” competition, and a carnival.

KENTUCKY: Ultimate Halloween Fest in Louisville

This year’s Halloween festival in Louisville is being held at three locations: Pope Lick Park from September 30 to October 22, and November 4 and 5 on Fridays and Saturdays, in Paristown every Saturday in October plus October 28 and 30, and at the Lynn Family Stadium on October 27 and 28.

There are plenty of activities, such as the Balloon Glow, a giant screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” the Legend at Pope Lick Haunted Woods attraction, a jack-o’-lanterns light show, and more.

LOUISIANA: The New Orleans Vampire Ball in New Orleans

You can’t go wrong celebrating Halloween in New Orleans, which is the Voodoo capital of America, but the annual Vampire Ball at the Howlin’ Wolf is a very solid choice. It’s described as “Venetian masquerade, meets a vampire court, with the elegance of a burlesque cabaret and the energy of a rock concert.”

This year’s event is on October 30, and the theme is Interview with a Vampire, which is important — they take the dress code very seriously. It goes until 4 a.m., so get ready to party.

MAINE: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Pumpkin Train in Portland

On October 22, 23, 29, and 30 the historic Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad turns into the Pumpkin Train.

According to the website, you can “ride back in time, learn about Maine’s 2-Foot gauge history and take in the sound and smell of a 100 year old steam locomotive rolling through the autumn air.”

Kids even get to decorate and take home a pumpkin as a souvenir.

MARYLAND: The Nevermore Haunt in Baltimore

The Nevermore Haunt, a critically lauded haunted house in Baltimore, contains two components. First is the haunted house itself, which, according to its website, contains “bizarre creatures, terrifying visions of the past, and heart pounding horrors.”

The other part is Isaac’s Maleficent Sideshow, which is made up of “sinister magicians and freak-show performances.”

It’s open throughout October.

MICHIGAN: Stonewall Pumpkin Festival in Rochester Hills

This year’s Pumpkin Festival will take place on October 8. The day’s activities include pumpkin bowling, jack-o’-lantern carving, and an outdoor exhibit of scarecrows.

Every available pumpkin will be lit during the Lighting Ceremony (the record is currently at 1,011 pumpkins), which is so beautiful that it inspired a children’s book entitled “Night of 1,000 Pumpkins.”

MINNESOTA: Anoka Halloween in Anoka

Anoka calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World, because the entire town gets in on the fun. The city’s website claims that it was the first town to put on a Halloween celebration to “divert its youngsters from Halloween pranks.” 

Every weekend in October boasts plenty of events to choose from, like the Great Pumpkin Weigh Off, a Medallion Hunt, multiple parades, and a “Spooktacular Carnival,” to name a few.

MONTANA: Sleepy Hollow Haunted Wagon Rides in Billings

Every year, ZooMontana, Montana’s only zoo and botanical park, transforms for Halloween. Unfortunately, this year the rides were canceled.

The kid-friendly event features lots of candy, games, food stalls and entertainment, like a “mad scientist show.”

NEBRASKA: Haunted Hollow in La Vista

Haunted Hollow is an entire theme park dedicated to scaring the daylights out of you. With 15 scary attractions spread out over 7 acres, you won’t be able to catch your breath.

For starters, there’s a three-story haunted house, a barn maze, a carnival, bonfires, and tarot card readings. The park opens for the season on September 30.

NEVADA: HallOVeen in Las Vegas

Sure, you could go to one of Sin City’s many clubs to celebrate Halloween, but HallOVeen at the Opportunity Village supports a good cause, as the not-for-profit organization serves “adults in the Southern Nevada community with intellectual and related disabilities.”

Some signature attractions of HallOVween include a ghost train, an enchanted carousel, an “Avalanche Slide,” and a mini-coaster. You can even experience what it would be like to be buried alive in The Last Ride, a simulation.

HallOVeen is happening every weekend in October.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Spooky World in Litchfield

Spooky World describes itself as “over 80 acres of fear” and boasts five different haunted attractions. It also features fire pits, a beer garden, paintball, mini-golf, and go-karts.

Spooky World opened September 23.

NEW JERSEY: Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township

Six Flags Great Adventure transforms into a minefield of monsters, ghosts, evil scientists, and more. This year, there are five “Scare Zones,” which means that just walking through the area puts you in their path. There are also six attractions, including “Blood Shed,” “Big Top Terror,” “The Manor” and “Aftermath.”

If you prefer sticking to rides, there are also times when performers from the park will hop on with you for an extra thrilling ride. There will also be parades, shows, and more.

NEW MEXICO: Fright Night at the Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces

What is Fright Night? A Halloween movie marathon, of course!

This year’s Fright Night is a triple feature of an “A Nightmare before Christmas” sing-along, a shadow-cast performance of “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” and a midnight showing of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Snacks, refreshments, beer, wine, and spirits will be available.

Fright Night will be on October 29.

NEW YORK: The Village Halloween Parade in New York City

This year marks the 49th annual Village Halloween Parade, which takes place on October 31 every year, and claims to be the world’s largest Halloween parade with over 50,000  participants and millions of spectators.

This year’s theme is “FREEDOM!” and if you want to join, all you need to do is rock a costume. 

NORTH CAROLINA: Woods of Terror in Greensboro

Woods of Terror has various terrifying areas.

To name a few, there’s Chaos 3D (“a wild ride through the all-new dimension of horror. You’ll wonder if the walls are actually coming alive”), Horror Movie Classics (“you will recognize the homes of three horror movie icons”), and Blackout Terror (“a totally dark experience that plays on all your senses”).

There’s also Monster Midway, which has carnival games and food, and features a parade every night. Woods of Terror opened on September 16.

OKLAHOMA: Route 66 Pecan & Music Festival in Claremore

Next year’s festival will be on October 28 and 29, 2023. According to organizers, there will be “live music, food selections with unique food vendors and food trucks” for the adults, and “camel rides, pony rides, hay rides, face painting, pie eating contest, and sumo wrestling” for the kids.

Driving down Route 66 is an American tradition — make a stop at the Pecan and Music Festival on your road trip.

OREGON: Davis Graveyard in Milwaukie

Despite what it looks like, the Davis Graveyard isn’t some giant haunted house run by hundreds of volunteers and employees — it’s just the brainchild of a normal Oregon couple who admittedly go a little harder than most with their Halloween decorations. And they’ve been doing it for over 18 years.

The house will be open for viewers until November 4. Weekends see the addition of video, animatronic effects, and fog.

PENNSYLVANIA: Great Pumpkin Carve in Chadds Ford

This year’s Great Pumpkin Carve will be held from October 20 to 22. Over the course of three days, 70 local artists come together to carve giant pumpkins, and then light them.

There’s also local food, beer, wine, and cider for purchase, as well as live music, hayrides, and a haunted trail.

RHODE ISLAND: Night at the Haunted Museum in Providence

Through October 24, the Museum of Natural History in Providence totally transforms. This year’s tours will have “bizarre collections from the vaults and TEN31 spooky living art” shown off for all to see.

If you really want to go all out, you and 11 friends can rent it out for a night, and get a private self-guided tour, a private planetarium show, and a “guided exploration of the Museum’s underworld — the collection storage vaults.”

TEXAS: Screams Halloween Theme Park in Waxahachie

Texas Haunts called Screams “the best haunted theme park,” and it may just be the world’s largest, too.

The massive, terrifying park contains five haunted houses: Zombie Apocalypse, Time’s Up…, Bootleggers Bayou, Cursed, and Klownz in 3-D.

Screams opened for the season on September 30.

VERMONT: Nightmare Vermont in Essex Junction

Nightmare Vermont combines “live stage combat, an original theatrical storyline, and all the best in interactive scares and special effects.” This year’s theme is based on wholesome kid’s programming with a twist: “Creepy puppets, ghoulish network execs, and a mascot that MAY still have a human inside will grace the narrative attraction this year.”

What makes Nightmare Vermont special are its two traditions: Ghost Wards and Monster Teasers. For those on the scaredy-cat side, Ghost Wards are ornaments you can buy that make you “invisible” to all the characters — meaning, they won’t get in your face, scare you, or touch you. Monster Teasers are the exact opposite. Someone wearing a Monster Teaser is basically asking to be scared.

Nightmare Vermont will be open for the last two weekends of October.

VIRGINIA: Pumpkinville in Toano

Pumpkinville isn’t for the thrill-seeking types — it’s on a family-owned farm and makes for a perfect fall day. The entire farm is decorated for the holiday and offers activities like a hayride, a cornfield maze, bean bag and ring tosses, and other field games. Of course, there are also tons of pumpkins, gourds, and arts and crafts.

Pumpkinville is open all-year-round, seven days a week.

WASHINGTON: Can Can Culinary Cabaret in Seattle

The Can Can Cabaret is located underneath Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. Each year, it offers delightfully creepy Halloween-themed shows.

This year’s 15th anniversary special is called ‘This Is Halloween” and is based on the classic stop-motion film “A Nightmare Before Christmas.”

This year’s other show is “The Hitchcock Hotel,” which is an evening “guided by [a] hotel porter, featuring death defying dance, sultry songs, shimmying show girls and hauntingly beautiful new music.”

WEST VIRGINIA: The Pumpkin House in Kenova

The owner of the Pumpkin House, Ric Griffith, used to be Kenova’s mayor. Now, he opens his home up to the public and decorates it with 3,000 pumpkins. It takes hundreds of volunteers weeks to complete, but the final result is breathtaking. Plus, there are food trucks out front to grab a bite to eat while you marvel.

The house will open starting October 28.

WISCONSIN: Ghost Boat in Wisconsin Dells

Ghost Boat is open year-round, but in September and October the tour takes on a decidedly creepier feel. The tour’s name changes to Journey Into the Haunted Canyon.

The tour includes “an adventure filled with legend, mystery and horror! As dusk falls on the river, climb aboard the boat that will ply the black waters en route to the haunted canyon. During this creepy moonlit cruise, you’ll hear the legend of Whiskey Jack and the old mining settlement that gave the canyon its ghoulish reputation.”

WYOMING: Cheyenne Boo Ball in Cheyenne

The Boo Ball, a masquerade ball, raises money for a different charity every year. The 2021 ball, which will be held on October 22, is dedicated to a parks improvement project.

Besides music and dancing, there’s also a silent auction.