Heading out on the town this Halloween? We’ve got the 6 top neighborhoods for trick-or-treating in Dallas
Are you looking forward to some Halloween fun with your kids in Dallas? Although we can’t ever guarantee Texas will be having crisp fall weather on Halloween night, these fun and spooky (but, you know, not too spooky) activities and places to trick or treat will help you have a great time celebrating with your little ghouls and goblins!
The following Dallas neighborhoods are known for great decorations, great candy, and welcoming hordes of Halloween fans. If you’d rather take your kids to an organized event versus door-to-door trick or treating in a neighborhood, we’ve listed some fun options for that, too. Or, go all out and combine one or more of the timed festivities with regular trick-or-treating. (Read: All. The. Candy.) Halloween only comes once a year, after all.
Highland Park is one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods. This walkable family-friendly community has historic homes sitting on wide streets and this neighborhood really does it up for Halloween.
2. Oak Cliff
Winnetka Heights is one of the largest historic districts and has a fun, welcoming Halloween vibe. The Kessler Park neighborhood is also known to be welcoming to trick-or-treaters. The Dallas Zoo, which is also located in Oak Cliff, has historically hosted fun, family-focused Halloween activities. Although there's nothing on their calendar for this Halloween yet, this could be a fun add-on or Halloween weekend activity if it is nice outdoors.
The streets near White Rock Lake that parallel Lakewood Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard itself are known for epic decorations and a great candy haul. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is about three miles from this neighborhood. Halloweekend, scheduled for Oct. 29-30, includes trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, live music, and even a visit from Miss Texas! Halloween events are included with regular admission.
Dallas’ original historic district has a variety of architectural styles done up for Halloween. The kids will only care about the goodies, but adults might enjoy taking in the Georgian and Craftsman-style homes. It's also worth hitting up Klyde Warren Park, which is three miles Southwest of Swiss Avenue. On Sat., Oct. 29 from 5-9 p.m., the park has free trick-or-treating, costume contests, and a showing of the Halloween cult classic, Hocus Pocus. But if you're angling to fill your candy bucket, come early. Trick-or-treating takes place from 5-7 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Note: Swiss Avenue and Munger Place are within walking distance of each other so if you’re up for it, it’s doable to hit both neighborhoods on Halloween night.
The residents of Munger Place go all out with decorations and candy. Check out Munger Place Church's Mungerfest event that’s held right before Halloween. Less than three miles from Munger Place is the AT&T Discovery District, where free Halloween fun is happening on Oct. 29 from 4-7 p.m. There will be more than 20 vendors handing out candy and other goodies.
Both Plano and Frisco are increasingly popular with families moving to the area or moving from outside Dallas. Deerfield and Singletree Trail in Plano and Panther Creek Estates in Frisco are neighborhoods outside the city limits worth checking out.
From DC to Virginia to Maryland, we found the best neighborhoods to fill your kid’s trick-or-treat bag fast this Halloween
There are a number of sweet ways to fill your trick-or-treat bag this October. Some of our favorites include candy-tossing parades, trunk-or-treat events and amusement parks with treat stations. For those looking for classic, house-to-house action on Oct. 31, we found the best neighborhoods with spooktacular Halloween decorations and candy galore so you can fill your little ghoul or goblin’s bucket fast (because let’s face it: it’s all about that end-of-the-night count!).
From the well-lit streets of Old Town Alexandria to the spooky decorations in Bethesda’s Edgemoor neighborhood, scroll down for IG-worthy trick-or-treating in Washington, DC and the surrounding ‘burbs. And just in case it rains, bookmark this epic indoor venue— they’re doling out treats every night in October!
The Best Trick-or-Treating Neighborhoods in Washington, DC
Embassy Row Around the world can be found when you knock on doors along Embassy Row, where international embassies stretch from the Vice President’s home all the way to Dupont Circle. More than 20 embassies invite trick-or-treaters to explore cultures from around the world. You may be handed a few tourism pamphlets along with your candy bars, but where else can you say you’ve been trick-or-treating in Indonesia, Armenia, Ireland, and Portugal all in one night?
Capitol Hill Candy flows in this family-heavy neighborhood with back-to-back row houses. Once you’ve had your lollipop fill, head to Eastern Market (or start there!) for some serious costume watching.
Georgetown While crowds of people-watchers can definitely turn Georgetown’s Halloween into a Nightmare on M St., there’s something to be said for trick-or-treating on those narrow side streets, where the row houses are so close together; you can score twice the candy in half the time! Avoid M St. and Wisconsin Ave. proper unless you and your brood are more interested in seeing the coolest costumes in town (Georgetowners do know how to dress up!), and focus on the side streets where you’ll probably need two bags to carry all your loot.
Start here: Side streets between M St. and Wisconsin Ave. NW Online:visit.georgetown.org
Brookland The real treat in Brookland is the house on Hamlin. You can expect over-the-top decorations from the owner of this rowhouse. Past themes include a haunted cornfield you could walk through and an ode to Stephen King's IT that featured 35 clown props. You'll find more ghoulish fun on Franklin St. near Langdon Park. Check out NextDoor for a map of homes offering treats.
Chevy Chase DC The hot spot for sugary loot can be found on Rittenhouse between Broad Branch Rd. and Utah Ave. The houses on these blocks go all-out with over-the-top decorations. When you've hit all the houses, be sure to take a stroll on The Avenue where local shops hand out sweets from 4-6 p.m.
Columbia Heights The annual party on 11th is fun for the whole family, including your furry friends. There is trick-or-treating and a Halloween costume contest that has gone to the dogs.
The Best Trick-or-Treating Neighborhoods in Virginia
Old Town Alexandria A history of haunted houses and ghost stories set the stage for a frightfully fun All Hollows Eve in Old Town Alexandria. Kids can pound the brick-layered sidewalks and knock on the doors of old style Colonials at this popular trick-or-treating destination. Many of the shops along King Street hand out candy as well. For those on the hunt for a good haunt, we recommend the candlelight ghost tour.
Great Falls With its big houses and lots of young families, Great Falls is a great choice for trick-or treating! And you can do some pretty epic pre-gaming as well! The Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular and Pet Parade start as early as 4 p.m. and there’s even a haunted house. Enjoy trick-or-treating with local merchants in a safe environment right in the heart of town.
Fairlington Remember when you were a kid and your entire neighborhood got in on trick or treating action? This Arlington hideaway off of King Street will have you feeling all nostalgic for those days of yore. With back-to-back townhouses and condo buildings, this ‘hood is great for first time trick-or-treaters and trick or treating groups.
Start here: Abingdon St., Arlington, VA Online:fairlington.org
The Best Trick-or-Treating Neighborhoods in Maryland
National Harbor Trick or treat a day early at National Harbor where kids can visit over 30 stations near the waterfront. Candy will be distributed from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the annual Harbor Halloween celebration; bring a map so you don't miss any of the goodies at these participating retailers. There will also be a pet costume parade, a pumpkin carving competition and kids in costumes get a free spin on the Capital Wheel (with purchase of an adult ticket). For more Halloween-themed fun, head to Gaylord National Harbor for selfies with Spookley the Square Pumpkin and indoor trick or treating.
Bethesda Bethesda's Edgemoor community makes our list for its close proximity to downtown—and for its impeccably decorated houses. Little legs will have to travel a bit further between these stately properties, but epic decorations and generous candy allotments more than make up for the extra travel time between properties. After you trick or treat, head in to town for a late dinner or a cup of hot chocolate. Pro tip: You can park at the library, which is also the ideal starting point.
Kensington If your crew is obsessed with door knocking skeletons, glow-in-the-dark pumpkins, and all other forms of Halloween decorations, spend the evening in this MD 'burb. The folks on Perry Avenue off of University Blvd. know how to do it up for Halloween. Plus, there’s candy…lots and lots of candy.
Start here: Perry Ave. off of University Blvd. Online: kensington.com
Fells Point Fells Point and near-by Canton and Hampden do Halloween BIG. The epicenter of ghoulish thrills can be found where Fleet St., Eastern Ave., Aliceanna St. and Thames St. converge. You'll find a neighborhood of homes for kids and their families to trick-or-treat, as well as restaurants and shops.
October’s main event is just around the corner, and we’ve got plenty of safe and fun places kids can go trick-or-treating in Portland
Looking for spook-tacular places to take the entire family trick-or-treating in Portland this Halloween? Look no further. We’ve got the inside scoop on where to find the best treat-or-treat goodies and other boo-tastic events that promise fun for the entire household. All you need to do is put on your costume and head out after an early dinner to get the jump on Halloween this year.
Where to Go Trick-or-Treating on the Westside
Portland Zoo
Howloween at the Zoo Howloween at the Zoo promises educational, safe, and fun for everyone this October. Costumed kids can participate in a zoo-wide scavenger hunt where they will learn about healthy habitats along the way. Yummy treat bags are available for your little adventurers at the end for just $3. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are free with zoo admission (Even infants need to be counted and must have a ticket to enter.). All you have to do is pick a time slot and the best costume, then head over for Halloween fun!
Good to Know: Although this event is designed for kids ages 2-12, everyone is welcome.
2022 Monster Mash in Lake Oswego For families with the twelve and under set, Lake Oswego has your Halloween afternoon covered- and not just because you get to stay in your car.Eight locations will come to your car to deliver toys, treats, or trinkets AND the first 1000 participants get a free trick-or-treat bag.Locations are listed on the website where you can also download a map so start thinking of ways to decorate your car and your family now.
Multnomah Village: Halloween in the Village Sometimes it takes a village to make sure everyone has a memorable Halloween. Get the whole crew dressed up and join the trick-or-treat costume parade on Halloween night or visit the village all weekend long for free candy, spooky decorations, and more. Be sure to check out the categories for the virtual costume and pumpkin decorating contests online where winners will receive prizes from local businesses.
Good to Know: Events take place throughout the village the weekend leading up to Halloween too.
All Ages Drag Bingo with Poison Waters While you may not be able to get candy at this event, it's still a great reason to don your scary (or not-so-scary) costume and head out with the kids. B-I-N-G-O! Head down to Hotel Vance for some drag queen fabulousness for all ages. Win prizes and enjoy drinks and snacks while letting your competitive side out. Grab your tickets now before they sell out!
Trick or Treat Main Street The Tigard Downtown Alliance hosts an annual Halloween event, with a safe route along Main Street. Kids–and kids at heart–can collect all kinds of loot from participating downtown merchants. It’s fun for the entire family and you can call it a night before the sun sets and the real ghosts and goblins come out to play.
The Best Westside Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treat Fun Slightly older trick-or-treaters can enjoy the steeper streets of the neighborhood close to Forest Park along the Wildwood Trail. Park near NW Thurman Ave. and 28th Ave. and walk over the bridge into the neighborhood. In Southwest Portland, the Hillsdale neighborhood is a good one to walk around. Park near Rieke Elementary or Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School and enjoy a short, but spirited, walk between Vermont and Chestnut streets.
Where Families Can Go Trick-or-Treating on the Eastside
Sellwood Community House The Sellwood Community House knows how to throw a fall festival. Start the day off by joining the Monster March parade and stay afterwards for their carnival. Enjoy outdoor games, music, food, a photo booth, face painting, candy, and other Halloween delights. Wear your costumes, and be sure to register in advance for tickets. The Spooktacular Carnival is recommended for children ages 5-12 years old, and has a fee of $15 per child.
Safe Trick-or-Treat Downtown Gresham hosts its annual Safe Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween evening. Wear your costumes and head to historic Main Avenue to enjoy free candy, refreshments, and specials at participating businesses.
Trick-or-Treat Alberta Street Alberta Street is planning on holding their annual Trick-or-Treat Alberta Street event but details are yet to come. Traditionally held from early afternoon until sunset, it’s designed for younger children and families, with businesses handing out candy to costumed kids.
Date: TBD for 2022
Halloween Themed 5k Beer Run at Level Beer Parents will appreciate this event that begins and ends at Level Beer. Costumes are strongly encouraged at this annual Halloween event where participants can run, walk, or jog the untimed course. Dogs and strollers are welcome, and adults can enjoy a free craft beer and will receive a collector’s pint glass at the finish line. Plus, the entire fam has access to event activities including games, goodies, and a costume contest. Registration is limited, so sign up ASAP.
Date: Oct. 29, 2022
Level Beer 5211 N.E. 148th Ave. Portland Find out more online.
Standout places to trick-or-treat after dark in Northeast Portland After dark, head to Irvington neighborhood, where residents of these classic old Portland homes really get into the spirit. NE 7th Ave. to 26th Ave., between Broadway St. and Fremont St.
Looking for some spooky family time this Halloween season? Check out these hauntingly-good Dallas Halloween events
It’s time to get the kids into their Halloween costumes and head out on the town because this month is full of Halloween events for kids all over Dallas. We found Halloween craft opportunities, pumpkin carving festivals and even train rides with a Halloween theme. Get ready for the sugar rush as you explore the best Halloween events for kids in and near Dallas.
Meadows Museum Trick-or-Treat Bring the kids in costume to a trick-or-treat event that allows your kids to explore the museum! There is a treat waiting for everyone at the end. Oct. 23.Event details.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Performing "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" Bring the family to a performance of the "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" movie score, by the amazing John Williams, while the movie plays on the big screen. Oct. 28-30.Event details.
Scare on the Square Don't miss this super fun trunk-or-treat event! Your kiddos will have a blast and have tons of Halloween fun. Oct. 39. Event details.
Boo on Ballard Join the community of downtown Wylie, TX in a safe trick-or-treating event your kid will love. Kids can trick-or-treat through the downtown and also enjoy the live music and carnival games. Oct. 27. Event details.
Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Adults and children alike will howl, hop and hustle around Great Wolf Lodge as the Grand Lobby transforms into a spooktacular extravaganza complete with pumpkins and festive decorations. During Howl-O-Ween, guests can partake in complimentary programs including Twisted & Tangled, where children follow the spinner and try to stay on their feet to get a treat and be declared the winner. Daily through Oct. 31. Event details.
Screamin Green Hauntoween Monster-ific crafts and special spooky happenings all month long include a themed scavenger hunt that’s fun for the whole family! Plus you'll enjoy trick-or-treating every weekend, all while exploring 26 exciting hands-on attractions. Daily through Oct. 31. Event details.
Autumn at the Arboretum Autumn at the Arboretum features breathtaking colors of fall including 150,000 autumn flowers accented by pumpkins, gourds and squash. The festival features the return of Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, a hay bale maze, a pumpkin patch with pumpkins for purchase, music and more. Daily through Oct. 31. Event details.
Brick or Treat Monster Party Bring your little monsters to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and get into the Halloween spirit with Brick-Or-Treat. Don your favorite costume and get ready for some spooky fun with family-friendly activities and costume contests. Daily through Oct. 31. Event details.
Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Over Texas Ride some family-friendly rides, Follow the trick-or-treat trail, and enjoy fall festivities like a corn maze and pumpkin painting. This event wouldn't be complete without fall favorite activities like spooky photo opportunities and plenty of frighteningly delicious treats! Select days Sept. 24-Oct. 30. Event details.
Spooky Science Night at the Exploratorium Join the Explorium for a Spooky Science Night filled with Tricks and Treats. There will be candy, slime and pumpkin catapults. Be sure to dress up in your costume!Oct. 22. Event details.
Boo at the Fort Worth Zoo Enjoy the amazing animal exhibits while enjoying music, costumed characters, entertainment, and treats along the way! Oct. 29-31. Event details.
Trick 'r Treat Trains Join the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for the Trick 'r Treat Train! Practice your trick-or-treat skills while in costume and enjoy our treats. Oct. 29. Event details.
These local costume shops are perfect for outfitting your little ones this Halloween—and beyond
It’s time for your family to begin pondering one of life’s big questions: what should we be for Halloween?! And, these days, it’s not enough to come up with a one-night-only disguise for Halloween trick-or-treating. All October, dozens of family-friendly Halloween events promise to get kids into the spooky spirit, with costumes highly encouraged. Thankfully, we have you covered with some of our favorite local storefronts and pop-up places to shop for costumes, accessories, and festive décor. Whatever your family needs to complete their costumes, keep the Halloween spirit alive with the help of these shops—many of which are open year-round and can help you with many a theme-party looks!—in both the city and the ‘burbs.
For a Vintage Vibe: Lost Eras
The cool speakeasy of costume shops, Lost Eras is a hidden gem with a throwback twist. It houses a showroom full of vintage and antique collectibles, and is known for renting props and costumes to theater and movie sets (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Untouchables, and Public Enemies—yep, Robert De Niro wore their clothes!). At Halloween, they add to their stock and go gangbusters. If you’re looking for funky décor—Halloween or otherwise—Lost Eras has a lot to choose from.
1511 W. Howard St.
Rogers Park Online:losteras.com
For Treasure Hunting: Chicago Costume Company Don't let its small facade deceive you: Chicago Costume is crammed to the rafters with costumes, makeup, accessories and anything else you need to transform your look. Kiddies will go bananas for the selection of Disney, Star Wars, superhero, and comic book-themed costumes. This is one of just a handful of year-round costume shops so don’t panic when your little superhero needs a new costume in January. Too busy to shop in the store? Purchase online and have your costume shipped to you or pick it up for free at one of their two Chicago locations.
For a Spooky Setting: Halloween Hallway Known for its robust selection of adult costumes since it was founded in 2007, Halloween Hallway also caters to kids with four Chicago locations (River North, Wicker Park, Downtown, Lincoln Park) that are open during Halloween season only. We love the overabundance of accessories. They take decorating seriously and some of the décor (zombies, vampires and other things that go bump in the night) might be a little scary for little ones—yet super-duper cool for big kids!
For the Procrastinator or Late-Night Shopper: Fantasy Costumes This year-round costume headquarters is a Chicago classic and known for helpful service. So helpful, in fact, that for the last few days before Halloween, they stay open 24 hours a day to satisfy all those last-minute, eleventh-hour switcheroos that parents love so much. Kids will love the Fortnite costume selection—and with so many adult costumes, your whole family can dress up together! Fantasy Costumes goes above and beyond in the accessories department, so expect to find an enormous selection of makeup, wigs, masquerade masks, and other do-dads to complete the transformation.
For Kids, Pumpkins & Pets: Spirit Halloween North, south, east, west—no matter where you turn, Spirit is like your friendly-ghost neighbor. With costumes for everyone (including pets!), a dedicated pumpkin carving area, and a "glow" section of accessories that will last well beyond Halloween, you'll find everything you need here. Because many locations are seasonal brick-and-mortar stores, open only during the holiday time, check their site for up-to-date locations.
Guess what? These Halloween events Seattle families love are the perfect excuse to dress one up more time
Halloween is right around the corner and we know that means your kiddo is itching to put on that totally adorable Halloween costume and take it for a spin as many times as possible, before heading out to trick-or-treat around the neighborhood on the big night. Help ’em out when you take your sidekick to one of these Halloween events in Seattle that doesn’t skimp on fun (or candy). Let’s get “boo” it!
Our favorite Seattle Halloween events for babies & toddlers
The zoo's Halloween event Seattle families clamor for is back for 2022. So grab your costumes to enjoy this weekend of Halloween festivities, and all kinds of pumpkin eatin' at the zoo's Pumpkin Bash. Watch as hippos, otters, bears, penguins, and other animals gobble, smash, and play with pumpkins and other autumn-themed treats, part of the zoo’s excellent animal enrichment care program. It's also a chance for your costumed kiddos to trick-or-treat around the zoo, going from one station to the next.
Insider Tip: During Pumpkin Bash, one child 12 years and under in costume is admitted to the zoo free with a paid adult admission.
Put on your Halloween costume and head over to Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue for this fun mini event. Kids ages 2-10 will get to go trick-or-treating with the farm animals and see what costumes they're wearing. Plus they'll have a ghoulishly good time decorating a trick-or-treating bag, making a paper plate jack-o'-lantern, and visiting the real pumpkin patch. Come dressed for the weather because this Eastside favorite takes place rain or shine.
This Halloween, a costumed train ride is in order for your little ghouls and goblins. It's all aboard for a fun-filled two-hour train excursion that puts the changing colors of the scenic upper Snoqualmie Valley on display. The train will be decked for fall, bringing the sights outside in. The journey begins as you go west to the top of Snoqualmie Falls, stopping at the top to enjoy the view. Then it's time to return east to the Railway History Center for a 30-minute stopover that includes seasonal activities and a visit the Train Shed Exhibit Hall. Costumes are encouraged, and all children arriving in costume will receive a small prize! Tickets are required.
Although families can always expect a wild time at Northwest Trek, things are getting spooky on the weekends in October. So dust off your Halloween garb and prepare to wander past magical lights, eerie spider webs, and pumpkins everywhere as you work to solve the mystery of the forest. Is it ghosts? Goblins? Bigfoot? It’s up to you to figure it out during this park-wide scavenger hunt. Remember to end your exciting adventure with time at Kids’ Trek where your little ghoulies can slide, climb, jump, and explore until they’re boo-ed out.
Explore the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park at night—safely! Walk the animal paths, lit with spooky lights and visit multiple trick-or-treat stations along the way. Remember, nocturnal animals are wide-awake for Hoot 'n' Howl and the Kids' Trek Nature Playground will be lit up for the occasion, too.
If you're looking to add something a little wild to your Halloween adventures, bring the kids to Northwest Trek for the annual Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp. A Halloween event Seattle kids love, you'll find the park’s many trails will be adorned with picturesque pumpkins and the many animals that call the park home will get in on the pumpkin love, too. Watch them chomp, stomp and roll all day as they get fed pumpkin treats.
Halloween might be the perfect time to head down to the Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia. Parents can always count on this Halloween event to be light on scary but heavy on fun. The hay bale maze, scavenger hunt, ghost puppet making, and pumpkin decorating are just the right speed for the mini set. And everyone will enjoy science demos on weekends by Dr. Science himself, as well as the costume dance party. You get all this plus over 150 other hands-on exhibits to explore.
We know you and the kids will have a happy howl-o-ween at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Halloween-themed weekend. Get ready for ghostly games that'll have you guessing which skull belongs to which animal, who makes that sound, and what does that oversized pumpkin actually weigh? Playing at the Kids' Zone is a great way to round out the day after you've seen the costume parade at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater (it starts at noon). Costumes are encouraged for everyone, that means you too, parents!
All the spook-tacular Halloween events Seattle has for big kids
KidsQuest Children's Museum
Spooktacular: Potions, Poisons, and Pumpkins
Costumed kiddos will squeal with delight during this Halloween-themed science-based event at KidsQuest Children's Museum. It's a chance for budding scientists to make their own swirly potion, discover poisonous plants and venomous snakes, and then learn their medicinal properties, smash pumpkins with a hammer, plus much more. Registration is required.
It’s creepy. It’s kooky. Mysterious and spooky. It’s time to get your goo on at this fam-fave Halloween KidsQuest Museum event that's returning this year. Kids ages 4 and older (alongside their caregivers) get to play mad scientist for the afternoon as they experiment with things that stretch, glow, and float. Registration is required.
How many squash and pumpkins can you spot at Bloedel Reserve? Woodland owls will lead you on an all-ages scavenger hunt through the gardens in search of gourds, squash and pumpkins. Guess the weight of this year’s largest pumpkin and win prizes at the Shop at the Gatehouse when you complete the scavenger hunt.
Highline MaST Aquarium’s annual Halloween festival will be full of hands-on activities, skeletons, and creepy crawlies of the sea. Come learn about different bones and help put together real marine mammal skeletons, learn about cool specimens, and enjoy many other activities. Admission is free and come in costume to receive a spooktacular treat.
Dress up and have fun with the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra at the annual Halloween Children's Concert. It's great for all ages but especially for young children and anyone who has any sensory sensitivities. Take this opportunity to introduce live, orchestral music, and teach children how to be audience members in a light-hearted, casual environment.
Seattle Chocolate's Haunted Factory Tour is big on not-too-spooky fun for kids and families. During the 20-minute tour, brave guests are led through the eerie halls and passages of the Seattle Chocolate Factory. Here's the backstory—troublesome spirits from the jungles of Peru have escaped and messed up the chocolate making machines. Can your crew help fix them? Using clues and your noggin you'll solve puzzles to help save the factory...with an opportunity to collect a delicious reward when you do. Tickets are required.
It’s that time of year again, when the Museum of Flight transforms into the Museum of Fright for their annual Halloween celebration. Dress in your best space suit, pilot's costume or any other Halloween get-up then head on down for safe, Halloween-themed games and activities that will spark imagination and innovation and get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
Gather up your little ghosts and goblins and head to Wild Waves Theme & Water Park near Seattle for their annual Fright Fest. One of our favorite Halloween events on weekends, the park transforms into a scream park with amusement rides and family-friendly activities your little monsters will love. You can count on family-friendly fun Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. But beware, the park transitions to Fright by Night between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., so keep that in mind as you make your plans.
Good to Know: None of the decorations around the theme park are scary. However, Extreme Screams, Voodoo Swamp and the two haunted mazes are not recommended for kids under 13. Reservations required.
Calling all witches to one of the best Halloween events in Seattle—a Witches High Tea! It’s a chance to practice your craft and perfect your spells, and costumes are most certainly encouraged. Expect to be welcomed into the 112-year old coven with an ethereal tea service: enjoy savory tea sandwiches, alluring treats and cakes. Witches of all ages are welcome, and for the more seasoned sorcerers, otherworldly libations will be available. Seatings are every half hour between 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Tickets available with or without alcohol.
Earn your candy this Halloween at the 14th annual Run Scared race benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Whether you're signed up for the 10K, 5K or the 2-mile walk/run, you'll want to don your spooky best so you look the part. A treasure hunt and costume contest are all part of the fun, and categories will include best SciFi character, best scariest, funniest and team costumes, and best kids and dogs costumes. The Kids' Dash starts at 8:45 a.m. and although it's free, registration is still required.
These pop-up shops and “spirited” year-round storefronts are our top picks for where to buy your child’s Halloween costume this year
It might seem early, but smart NYC parents know it’s time to start thinking about, and acquiring, your kid’s Halloween costume. Not only are there dozens of local Halloween events positively begging for attendees to arrive in disguise all month long, but things sell out fast in this city. Wondering where you can get a cool getup without spending a fortune? Need a highly specific, hard-to-find item to take your kiddo’s ensemble to the next level when it comes time to trick or treat? We can help. From spots to get gently-used, discounted costumes to huge stores that specialize in Halloween to empty storefronts now infiltrated with Spirit Halloween pop-ups, you’ll have no trouble finding an Elsa cape, a Minecraft mask, or a Bluey costume before the aisles start to get picked over.
Spirit Halloween
Invading empty storefronts throughout the five boroughs (seriously, every single one) Spirit Halloween is a convenient place to hit up for Halloween costumes for both kids and adults. The seasonal chain stocks full costumes, accessories, masks, makeup and more—and has more than a dozen locations throughout the city, although most are located in Manhattan.
Abracadabra NYC Abracadabra NYC is another Halloween costume store that’s open year round (and, hence the name, also specializes in magician supplies). Whether you need a single item like the perfect hat, wand, or pair or fake teeth, or a full-on, out-of-this-world head-to-toe getup for your child, this bi-level Flatiron District superstore has got you. Our advice: go early in the season, because it gets very crowded here as Halloween grows near.
Beyond Costumes Be prepared for your mind to be blown. For a next-level spot that also serves Broadway, television, and movie productions, head north to Beyond Costumes. They recently moved, and at their new location, you can opt to either rent from the store’s extensive costume selection or shop its retail collection. Customize your look with Beyond Costumes’ offering of accessories including wigs, hats, props, masks, make-up, recreational prosthetics, and jewelry. Need more intel? The store has an excellent FAQ section on its site.
Village Party Store To support a local NYC small business (and stock up on all the party supplies you could need), head to the Village Party Store. Originally located at the corner of Greenwich Avenue and 10th Street, the Village Party Store moved to its current Eighth Street spot after a tragic fire in 2010. There, it continues to serve both the party decor and Halloween costume needs of New York City families and beyond. Make a note for you next big bash: this spot is a great place for balloons and balloon arrangements of all kinds.
Frank Bee Costume
One of the titans of the Halloween costume retail business is also a hometown hero. The Frank Bee Costume Center brick-and-mortar HQ is located in the Bronx, and it’s got all the hottest licensed characters, including Star Wars costumes and loads of Thomas the Tank Engine costumes, for sale. In fact, they claim to have the largest selection of costumes in the . . . universe! Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the Bronx: the store offers most products online as well.
Your Neighbors
Sure, this isn’t a shop, but we can reasonably guarantee that there are lots of costumes in your vicinity right now just itching to get back on the street for a night of fun. (Hint: they’re in your neighbors’ closets.)
The ultimate list of Halloween events in LA so you can find the perfect Halloween haunt for every superhero, witch, and goblin in your family
Spooky season is in full swing—and with that, the hunt to find Halloween events near me and discover some new ones that are worth the drive are top of mind. From not-so spooky ghostly haunts to scare fests that come with an age-minimum, luckily, there’s something frightfully fun for everyone. Check out our list of must-go list of Halloween events in Los Angeles—from babies and toddlers to tweens and beyond—there’s a fun Halloween event your family is sure to love. Add a pumpkin patch in LA, some apple picking near Los Angeles and a free event or two happening around LA this month and your October is one for the memory books.
Best Halloween Events in Los Angeles for Babies & Toddlers
Boo! at the LA Zoo Oct. 1-31: Babies love looking at the animals, and bringing your adorable costumed little monkey for a photo op with the real monkeys is a memory you’ll treasure always. There are activities for kids of all ages, and you can always just watch animals munching on their Halloween treats. Event details.
Carved at Descanso Gardens Oct. 7-31: Carved is a family-friendly event for all ages (not just toddlers but this age group will get an absolute kick out of the various installations, sculptures and treats along the way. For three weeks in Oct., thousands of carved pumpkins will line a 1-mile walk through the Camellia Forest and Oak Grove. Along with pumpkins, there will be exciting new oversized sculptures made of sticks and other natural materials. Pumpkin carving demonstrations, the ever-popular pumpkin house, a hay maze, and themed food and beverage will all help to create a fun harvest festival ambiance. Event details.
Halloween at Kidspace Oct. 1-31: It’s pumpkin time! And as our special treat, Kidspace Children’s Museum is hosting the most adorable Halloween event ever for you and your little pumpkin. Everyone is invited to march, dance, and strut the catwalk in our fanciful Halloween parade—costumes encouraged! Plus, there will be pumpkin decorating (for a modest additional charge), mask making, and up-close visits with some not-too-scary animal friends. Event details.
Bob Baker's Halloween Spooktacular Sept. 24-Oct. 31 (Sat. & Sun. plus additional showtimes): In this hour-long, family friendly boo-sical revue, over one hundred spirited puppets rally to unearth ghastly things on strings. From whirling witches, to the soulful laments of Dracula and Vampira, to a bone-rattling soirée of glow-in-the-dark skeletons in a hidden cabaret, Bob Baker’s Hallowe’en Spooktacular whisks you to the place where imagination lurks. Event details.
Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Oct. 1-31: Time to get spooky at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California as it gets ready to kick off one of its famed seasonal celebrations, Howl-O-Ween! Fa-boo-less fun awaits all month long as the lodge is decked out with fall leaves, pumpkins, and other festive décor to celebrate the color-changing season. This year’s event will also include the family favoriteTrick-Or-Treat Trail, a Halloween-themed version of Great Wolf Lodge’s Yoga Tails, Monster Bash Dancy Party, Howl-O-Ween trivia and crafts, and more. Event details.
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort Oct. 1-31: Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort brings guests of all ages under its spell, with spook-tacular experiences themed especially for the season. Halloween magic will enchant guests at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park as favorite experiences are transformed into dreadful delights. With seasonal attraction overlays, Halloween-themed décor and food and beverage offerings, plus encounters with dastardly Disney villains, happy haunts seem to materialize around every corner. Event details.
Best Halloween Events in Los Angeles for Preschoolers
Arachnids Come Alive at the NHM Now through Nov. 27: What's creepy, crawly and has eight legs? Spiders of course! And the Natural History Museum has dozens of them on display for you to view and learn about. From fangs and eyes to webs and burrows, find out why we could never live without our arachnid friends. See the spectacular spiders and their magnificent webs in this unique, open-air experience. Event details.
LEGOLAND's Brick-Or-Treat Monster Party Every Sat. through Oct.:The frighteningly-fun Monster Party begins the moment guests enter the Park with Instagrammable photo spots, LEGO Monster Character Meet & Greets, a scavenger hunt and the Monster Security Checkpoint Street Performers checking that only “real monsters” are entering the party! Treat stations themed to each spooky zone featuring an assortment of candy can be found throughout the Park, with friendly ghoulish stilt walkers passing through to say “Boo!” Along the way, guests can collect themed pop badges and a commemorative Brick-or-Treat brick. All guests are encouraged to join the festivities in costume and get ready for a howling fun time. Event details.
Nights of The Jack Sept. 30-Oct. 31: This immersive experience showcases intricately hand-carved and illuminated jack o’lanterns, Halloween wonderland featuring a live pumpkin carver, gift shop, top LA food trucks, a "Spookeasy Bar" and tons of other “Instagrammable” moments for all to enjoy. Event details.
Haunt-O-Ween Immersive Experience Sept. 30-Oct. 31: Go trick-or-treating in the Town of Haunt O' Ween, wander through the streets of Ghoul City, visit the Farm House, venture into the Hidden Hollows. At this immersive experience, you can explore over 200,000 square feet. full of performances, games, decorations, photo ops, rides, and more. Event details.
Discovery Cube
Spooky Science at the Discovery Cube Oct. 1-31: Stop by the science lab for fun and educational activities, let your toddlers jump on the tractor rides. take the Pumpkin Tetris Challenge, go on a scavenger hunt throughout the science center. Event details.
New Spider Pavilion at the South Coast Botanic Garden Oct. 1 through Nov. 30: New arthropods will be calling the area home as hundreds of live spiders take over the pavilion. Guests (for an additional fee much like to see the butterflies) can enter the pavilion for 30 minutes to be surrounded by orb-weaving spiders. And while these spiders will be living freely in the pavilion, there will be some additional tarantulas inside glass cases. Check out the Spider Wall that will educate guests about the brown widow, which was “discovered” in Torrance in 2003 as an invasive species on the West Coast. Event details.
Spooky Fun & Painting at the Children's Gallery Oct. 8: Go to LACMA for spooky fun and free painting! Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the art of brush painting with friendly and helpful staff who will introduce painting techniques, offer tips, and even provide high chairs for very young artists. No prior art-making experience is necessary. Event details.
Free Halloween Goo Craft Oct. 13: Kids of all ages can get their hands into making some squishy Halloween slime-goo. The whole family can enjoy making a creative mess! Event details.
Go to a Faery Hunt Halloween Party Oct. 23: On this unique event, join the faery folke on a fun and gentle immersive quest for the Fairy Royalty with A Faery Hunt interactive, musical performance. Come in costume, it is Halloween! Event details.
"Coco" at the Hammer Museum Oct. 23: Young Miguel yearns to be a singer but, for reasons shrouded in mystery, his family forbids it. On Día de Muertos, he stumbles into the Land of the Dead where he must discover his family’s secret to heal the wounds of the past. This Oscar-winner from Pixar prefigures Encanto with its vibrant palette, buoyant rhythms, and whole-hearted celebration of family bonds, cultural traditions, and musical dreams. Free admission. Event details.
Halloween Carnival at Malibu Bluffs Oct. 28: Includes bounce houses, carnival games, truck-or-treat, costume cat walk face painting and food are available for a nominal fee. Pre-registration required. Event details.
Boo-nion Station: Family Halloween Fest Oct. 29 & 30: Boonion Station is back! The free, fiendishly fun event will transform the station’s South Patio into a mystical Halloween Village featuring activities for kids. The Hallowhuts will host performances, Halloween crafts, face painting, tarantula tattoos and puppet shows. Event details.
Scarium of the Pacific Oct. 29 & 30: The Aquarium will celebrate its 23rd annual Scarium of the Pacific, a Halloween event for the whole family featuring costume and coloring contests, a vampire magician, underwater pumpkin carving, creepy critters, and more. Event details.
Trick or Treat at Westfield Topanga Oct. 31: Trick-Or-Treating at The Village from 5-7 p.m. In addition to “window to window” trick or treating, the center will also be offering arts, crafts, games, music, face painting, and more! Event details.
Trick-or-Treating at Westfield Century City Oct. 31: Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at LA’s chicest mall where little ones can enjoy a safe, fun, and festive trick-or-treating experience from 5-7 p.m. Event details.
Freaky Flora at the LA Arboretum and Botanical Garden Oct. 1-31: Why was rosemary traditionally placed in funeral boquets? What flower was once used to preserve dead bodies? Which herb in the Middle Ages was believed to ward off evil spirits? Learn the answers to these questions discover eerier side of our collections as you enjoy a self-guided exploration of our “Freaky Flora” plant list. While weaving your way through the garden, look for little scarecrows tucked along the paths. Each scarecrow indicates a stop on the Freaky Flora list, and has a QR code connected to the full Freaky Flora route, along with fun, spooky facts about all 25 plants. Event details.
All Things Wicked & Wonderful at South Coast Botanical Garden Oct. 1-31: From looking into the skeleton pasts of Diabolical and Misunderstood plantings in the Garden Graveyard to hundreds of creepy crawlers taking over their first-ever Spider Pavilion, there’s something for everyone, and every scare level. Head off on our Witch Hunt that may have you believing in sorcery as you search throughout our 87 acres for one wicked witch, with special sightings during the last four weekends of October, or bring your four-legged friend to our Howl-o-ween Costume Contest. Event details.
Watch "Cruella" on the Rooftop Oct. 6 & 20: In 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, a young grifter named Estella is determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella. Event details.
Halloween Cinemalibu: "Ghostbusters" Oct. 22: There will be food and treats with special guests: D'Amore's Pizza Truck, Kona Ice Truck. The movie begins at sunset and pre-movie activities take place an hour before sunset. Stay after the movie to participate in "Neon Night," a glow-in-the-dark candy hunt. Event details.
Halloween Aaahh-Archery at Terranea Oct. 28-31: Experience the unique sport of archery at Terranea’s Beach Cove and enjoy sweeping views of Catalina Island along with Halloween-themed adventure – perfect for family fun. Skilled archery instructors will provide guests with a bow and arrow, along with expert instruction, followed by shooting practice and games featuring zombies, pumpkins, and other spooky targets. Event details.
Best Halloween Events in LA for Tweens, Teens & Parents
See "Hocus Pocus" at Rooftop Cinema Various dates throughout Oct: Enjoy the ultimate open-air cinema experience tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city with mountain views, starry skies and ocean breezes. Doors open 60 minutes before the film, allowing plenty of time to grab your headphones, select a seat and enjoy the rooftop experience. Event details.
See "Ghostbusters" at the Drive-In Oct. 1 & 20: LA's longest running Pop-Up Drive-In now in Glendale. Watch outdoor movies inside or outside your car, delicious food and great times await! Brought to you by the Electric Dusk Drive-In in Glendale in the Old Sears Parking Lot. Event details.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Select nights now through Oct. 31: Summon your scream squad to Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights with 8 haunted houses, the Terror Tram, scare zones, a live show and exhilarating attractions. Whether you’re a superfan, here for the snacks or selfies, scared of everything or skeptical of everyone, remember, never go alone. Event details.
Get out and about in the city for Atlanta Halloween events that will surely create chills, thrills, and smiles for everyone in your family
Halloween is on the horizon, parents, and while we’re sure your kids are busy mapping out their trick-or-treat route around the city, we know you’re looking to take advantage of everything this season has to offer families. That’s why we’ve scoped out 15 Atlanta Halloween events you and your little goblins can enjoy before the big day. So after you’ve picked out your pumpkin, grab your costumes and head out to these frightfully fun events.
Grab your costumes for these Halloween parties
courtesy Zoo Atlanta
Boo at the Zoo Guests will enjoy a fun family Halloween festival in Atlanta with treats throughout the zoo and more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Don’t forget your costume! This Halloween event is free for zoo members, children under 3, and with general admission timed tickets.
Scarecrows in the Garden at Atlanta Botanical Garden Scarecrows in the Garden brings dozens of scarecrow creations by local artists, crafters, youth groups, and more. Entrants and visitors will delight in discovering their own personal favorites at this Halloween event in Atlanta.
The Monster Mash, It’s a Puppetry Smash at The Center for Puppetry Arts The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta will present its third annual family Halloween event The Monster Mash, It’s a Puppetry Smash. Enjoy Trick-or-Treating at 12 stations set up throughout the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, jam to an outdoor Halloween Dance Party with DJ Willy Wow, have a meet and greet with walk-around puppeteers, and snap Insta-perfect photos at the Halloween-inspired backdrop stations. Tickets are limited.
Halloween Programming at Children's Museum of Atlanta It’s spooky season at CMA and they're celebrating with fang-tastic hands-on fun in Jane’s Innovation Station, and at the Science Bar, Art Studio, and CMA Stage. On-stage programs include a special storytime, Halloween dance parties, and spooky science, while drop-in activities will include vanishing ghosts, haunted houses, pumpkin bowling, skeleton puzzles, and more, depending on when you visit.
Train or Treat at Southeastern Railway Museum The Southeastern Railway Museum near Atlanta will host its popular Train or Treat Halloween event featuring trick-or-treating at decorated stations, a costume contest for attendees 12 years and younger, live music, and visiting vendors from local businesses.
Candymania Maze & Movie Join the City of Riverdale for a spooky maze through the Town Center (collecting candy!) and then stay for the party where you’ll find face painting, 360 spin, a Halloween-themed movie, more candy, and more.
Ghosts of Marietta Meet the ghosts of Marietta as you tour the historic streets of this gem of the south with a past that is deep in tradition, history, and quality of life. As with any community harboring these traits, some residents choose to never leave.
Decatur In historic downtown Decatur and led by professional psychic medium and paranormal investigator, Boo Newell, this tour begins in the historic Town Square, traveling next down small streets where late at night you might just have an encounter with Decatur's spirit world.
Lawrenceville Learn about the night that the dead walked down the main street of Lawrenceville, hear about bizarre paranormal events that have happened recently in the businesses that line the square, and step inside the Old Jail and perhaps experience paranormal activity for yourself!
Pumpkins at Callaway By day, explore 2,500 acres of family fun packed with pumpkins, sunflowers, and festive fall topiaries. Stay after sundown to watch the grounds come alive with illuminating experiences, including a towering Pumpkin Tree and an Enchanted Pumpkin Forest filled with glimmering, glowing garden critters.
Take a Self-Guided Oakland Cemetery Tour If you want to explore Oakland Cemetery on your own, purchase a digital version of the Self-Guided Tour Map that you can print at home or order a paper copy from the online museum store. This guide, priced at $5, has more than 55 marked stops, and enough Oakland Cemetery history to keep you engaged for hours! View the monuments at your own pace and enjoy a walk through the history of Oakland.
Woodland Spirits at Fernbank Museum of Natural History Take a walk on the supernatural side with Fernbank’s annual Halloween exhibit. From ghostly figures peeking from the shadows to monstrously kooky sculptures, Halloween fans of all ages will find something to scream (in delight) about. Encounter a variety of “spirits,” a haunted outpost, monster garden and more throughout 10 acres of trees, trails and shadows in Fernbank's WildWoods.
Halloween Hikes at Chattahoochee Nature Center Experience the mystery of a guided night hike. The 37th annual Halloween Hike takes you through the forest to meet woodland creatures and hear about how they live. Take part in world music, crafts, campfire, and other festival fun. It’s the perfect non-scary alternative to traditional Halloween events for kids.
Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park Play by day as you enjoy family-friendly park attractions and special fall entertainment featuring some of your favorite classic storybook characters. Then, after the sun goes down, you'll glow by night in a whole new light with a nighttime parade and plenty of other not-so-spooky glowing experiences.
This Halloween, I’m looking forward to chatting with the neighbors I haven’t spoken to since quarantine. It was horror that brought us together then, too.
During those early days of lockdown, I got to know the other mothers outside. We cracked open White Claws, pulled up lawn chairs, and sat on our respective lawns to have conversations across the fence as our children played beside us. We talked about the impossibilities of pandemic parenting. We swapped stories of our anxieties, our meltdowns, our fears of inadequacy.
I found myself so grateful to have such incredible human beings living right beside me. I chided myself for not having gotten to know them more before. I made a quiet promise that once we flattened the curve, once the world returned to normal, we would continue developing these relationships forged during such terror.
But, of course, we didn’t—we moved on with our lives: to our different schools and churches and sports teams. We share a backyard, a street, but we never really see each other.
I know, though, that I’ll see them this Halloween for Trick or Treat: We’ll clear our regular schedules for two hours of street walking, door knocking, and candy eating. For an evening, I’ll find myself feeling as close to my neighbors as I do my own family.
Halloween is a holiday I could never fully embrace until adulthood. In childhood, my parents begrudgingly allowed me to Trick or Treat. My mother insisted that I keep my costumes pretty, rather than scary—as if those things aren’t two sides of the same coin. For most in my community, Halloween was a day to cloister away. At my fundamentalist, Christian school, for instance, the holiday may as well not have existed. We were not offered soft alternatives to the secular celebration, vague costumed events, the distribution of candy for evangelistic purposes.
It was not fear we wanted to avoid. There was plenty of that. During countless nights as a child, I laid awake listening to the creak of the wooden floorboards in our rural home. I was sure that the moans of our house were demons rushing past my bedside. I feared my neighbors would spend eternity in hell. I obsessed over my own potential damnation, too.
I was well versed in fear—but it was identifying with others, truly empathizing with their horrors, that seemed dangerous. My community’s experience of Halloween was lacking. Most significantly, what we missed out on was neighborliness.
The day after Trick or Treat, my friends at school swapped stories of hiding away from their neighbors. They turned off all the lights upstairs to hunker in their basements eating pizza and playing board games as they listened to their peers roaming the streets above them.
For a holiday like Christmas, there is a tendency to moralize the celebration, to reflect upon the greater significance of it all. Christmas is not just about presents; it’s about family and love. While this type of interpretation is not usually applied to Halloween, I argue that it could be. Halloween is not just about candy and ghosts; it’s about community.
Unlike holidays later in the season, Halloween is not stratified by religion or geography. Its main celebratory event, Trick or Treat, hinges on individuals with few commonalities intermingling outside, rather than nuclear families hunkering away for private, closed traditions. And this is one of the reasons that Halloween, a holiday I barely celebrated as a child, has become one of my favorites in adulthood.
Part of what’s so wonderful about the holiday, too, is how low maintenance it is. Participation does not require an entire budget overhaul. The women in the family do not have to get up at the crack of dawn on the day of celebration to cook. The festivities happen outdoors—there’s no need to clean house.
Through the ritual of costuming ourselves, we all come together. If you don’t have family, you can still celebrate by handing out Dollar Store candy on the side of your curb. Which is precisely what I’ll be doing this year: candy in one hand and maybe a White Claw in the other. I’ll be waiting for the other mothers I like so much, eager to reconnect. Maybe this year, our conversations will lead us to commune in a context that is not solely about shared fear.
