Cool Costume Parties for Your Little Monsters

No matter if you have Princess Elsa or a Minion in your home this year, you know the kids will be looking for any excuse to don their favorite Halloween costumes. So even if you already have a trick-or-treating route mapped out, throw on a costume for a little extra family fun at one of these community events.

photo: Personal Creations via Flickr creative commons

Peninsula Park Community Center Monster Mash
All ages are welcome at this annual North Portland celebration, where your little witches, ghosts and goblins will have the chance to play Halloween-inspired games, dance the Monster Mash and make creepy crafts with their friends and neighbors.

Peninsula Park Community Center Monster Mash
Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.
Free admission
Peninsula Park Community Center
700 N Rosa Parks Way
503-823-3620
Online: portlandoregon.gov

Southwest Community Center Monster Mash
In search of a community Halloween event near Beaverton? There will be plenty of vampires, zombies and Frankensteins dancing the night away at the annual Southwest Community Center Monster Mash. Costumed children and adults will be treated to an evening of craft-making, game-playing, dancing and plenty of merry-making.

Southwest Community Center Monster Mash
Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m. or 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: Through Oct. 23, $12/first child age 1 & up, $6/additional kids; on Oct. 24, $14/first child age 1 & up, $8/additional kids; free for parents and kids 11 months & under
Southwest Community Center
6820 SW 45th Ave.
503-823-2840
Online: portlandoregon.gov

photo: amboo who? via Flickr creative commons

Monster March
Celebrating its 15th year this Halloween, the annual Monster March is a lively, fun-filled parade of parents, children, ghouls and superheroes that winds its way through Sellwood Westmoreland. The route, which begins and ends at Llewellyn Elementary School, is just under one mile, making it a perfect afternoon activity for costumed parents, pets and children of all ages.

Monster March
Oct. 25, 3 p.m.
Free admission
Llewellyn Elementary School
6301 SE 14th Ave.
503-381-6543
Online: sellwoodwestmoreland.com

Portland Farmers Market Great Pumpkin Events
Costumes are highly encouraged at the Great Pumpkin Events happening this year at two outposts of the Portland Farmers Market. Stop by the King location on Oct. 25 for a day of pumpkin-carving and face-painting—just don’t leave without snagging a goody bag. And on Halloween itself, the PSU location will host a pumpkin carving contest beginning at 9 a.m., as well as a costume parade (with treats for all participants) that begins at noon.

King Farmers Market Great Pumpkin Event
Oct. 25, 10 am-2 pm
Free admission
King Farmers Market
NE 7th Avenue & NE Wygant Street
503-241-0032
Online: portlandfarmersmarket.org

PSU Farmers Market Great Pumpkin Event
Oct. 31, 9 am-2 pm
Free admission
PSU Farmers Market
SW Park Avenue & SW Montgomery Street
503-241-0032
Online: portlandfarmersmarket.org

photo: anjanettew via Flickr creative commons

Oregon Zoo Howloween
Will you have any lions, tigers or bears trick-or-treating with you this year? Consider bringing them to the Oregon Zoo, which will host a scavenger hunt and Halloween activities for costumed kids ages 3-11. Your little ones will learn about animals and their habitats around the world, while collecting treats and prizes at stations along the way.

Oregon Zoo Howloween
Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tickets: Free with zoo admission ($11.50/adults; $10/seniors; $8.50 kids 3-11; free for kids 2 & under)
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Rd.
503-226-1561
Online: oregonzoo.org

Trick-or-Treat at the Streets of Tanasbourne
You’ll find a fun and safe family environment at the Streets of Tanasbourne, where popular retailers will be handing out candy to costumed kids under the age of 12. This festive event is ideal for small children unable to walk long distances—and for parents hoping to pick up a few fall wardrobe essentials.

Trick-or-Treat at the Streets of Tanasbourne
Oct. 31, 1-3 p.m.
Free admission
The Streets of Tanasbourne
19350 NW Emma Way
Hillsboro, Or
503-533-0561
Online: streetsoftanasbourne.com

photo: Southern Arkansas University via Flickr creative commons

Halloween in the Village
If you have little trick-or-treaters with early bedtimes, consider stopping by Halloween in the Village in Multnomah Village. Grab a walking map (and a complimentary cup of coffee) from Starbucks, and treat your family to an afternoon of games, trick-or-treating and a charity food drive. Before heading home, don’t forget to swing by Dr. Lisa Jensen’s dental office for a surprise treat.

Halloween in the Village
Oct. 31, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Free admission
Pick up a map and begin at Starbucks
7737 SW Capitol Hwy.
Online: multnomahvillage.org

Belmont District Trick-or-Treating
Although Portlanders need few reasons to frequent the unique collection of shops, cafés and restaurants in the Belmont District, the businesses in this eclectic neighborhood will also hand out surprises to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Your kids will find candy at Zupan’s, Stumptown, KoiPod Salon, Blue Basil Thai, Movie Madness and other businesses, while Yarnia will even have a small knitting project for parents.

Belmont District Trick-or-Treating
Oct. 31, 4-7 p.m.
Free admission
SE Belmont Street between 33rd & 47th Avenues
503-407-2667
Online: belmontdistrict.org

What are your plans for Halloween? Let us know in the comments below!

— Maura O’Brien