Boo! Here are 10+ family-friendly Halloween events to try in Louisville
Gege Reed
Looking for places to take the children for some Halloween fun? You're in luck. Here are more than 10 family-friendly places where you can trick-or-treat, dress up in costumes and have fun this Halloween season. The list of events is in date order and will surely put you in a Halloween mood.
Did we miss something? Send us a note at greed@courier-journal.com.
Holiday World Happy Halloween Weekends
WHAT: This family-friendly event includes rides and lots of Halloween shows and events including The Monster Mash, Workshop of Wonders, Kitty’s Dance Spooktacular, Holidog’s 3D Halloween Adventure, SCAREbnb, Carnival Chaos, 12 acres of corn mazes, hay rides, Trick-or-Treat Trail and Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin.
WHERE: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Indiana
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 24 through Oct. 30
- Saturdays: The Monster Mash: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, and 7 p.m.; The Wacky Workshop of Wonders: noon, 1, 3, and 4:30 p.m.; Kitty’s Dance Spooktacular: 11:30 a.m., 12:30, and 2:30 p.m.; Holidog’s 3D Halloween Adventure, SCAREbnb and Carnival Chaos: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; hayrides and corn mazes: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Trick-or-Treat Trail and Gourd the Taking Pumpkin, 4-5 p.m.
- Sundays: The Monster Mash and The Wacky Workshop of Wonders: noon, 1:30, 3, and 4:30 p.m.; Kitty’s Dance Spooktacular: 11:15 a.m., 12:45, and 2:15 p.m.; Holidog’s 3D Halloween Adventure, SCAREbnb and Carnival Chaos: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hayrides and corn mazes: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Trick-or-Treat Trail and Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin – 4-5 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Tickets are only available for purchase online. $44.99, free for ages 3 and younger. holidayworld.com.
You may likeHappy Fall, y'all! Here are 12+ places where you can go pumpkin picking near Louisville
Boo at the Zoo
WHAT: The Louisville Zoo celebrates 41 years of merry – not scary – fun at its annual Halloween event. Children can dress up in their wildest costumes as the zoo turns into a living storybook, complete with favorite characters brought to life, music and a safe place to trick-or-treat for kids 11 and under. Features Spooktacular Carousel, “Not-so-itsy-bitsy” Spider House and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Presented by Meijer’s.
WHERE: 1100 Trevilian Way
WHEN: Thursdays-Sundays, Oct. 1-30. Halloween guests can begin entering the zoo at their selected times beginning at 5 p.m. The route closes at 10 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: To help provide social distancing and to reduce contact, there will be a limited number of treat booths throughout the zoo, kids will receive multiple treats at each station. $13, $6.50 for members, free for ages 2 and younger. A limited amount of Meijer anytime tickets can be purchased at participating Meijer stores for $11 beginning Sept. 25. Visit LouisvilleZoo.org/meijer for a list of stores. louisvillezoo.org.
Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom
WHAT: Glow big this fall during the new Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom. During the day, ride on world-class rides, enjoy tasty autumn treats and discover new fall fun. After dark, watch the park transform into a whimsical wonderland of larger-than-life glow towering pumpkin sculptures, some more than 12 feet high, expertly carved that light up the night with special effects and pops of color, in addition to family-friendly entertainment, special fall photo opportunities, trick-or-treating, and limited-time seasonal bites.
WHERE: 937 Phillips Lane
WHEN: Oct. 1-30. Saturdays, 2-10 p.m.; Sundays, 2-9 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Tickets are available online and at the gate for $29.99. kentuckykingdom.com.
You may likeIt's apple season! Here are 9 places near Louisville to go apple picking
Jack O' Lantern Spectacular
WHAT: Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular transforms a quarter-mile trail into an organic art gallery with more than 5,000 hand-carved jack o’ lanterns, and pumpkin masterpieces created by local artists. Theme: Fan Favorites - Ten Years of Jack O’Lantern Spectacular. Proceeds benefit the Parks Alliance of Louisville and public parks.
WHERE: Iroquois Park, 1080 Amphitheater Road
WHEN: Oct. 4-31. Timed ticket entry to the amphitheater. Sunday-Thursday, 6:30-10 p.m. (6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.); Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 to 11 p.m. (6:30, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.).
MORE INFORMATION: Food, drinks, and spirits are available for purchase. Tickets are available at Iroquois Amphitheater and online. Tickets are $15, $13 for seniors, $12 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger Sunday-Thursday; $20, $17 for seniors, $15 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger Fridays and Saturdays. iroquoisamphitheater.com; jackolanternlouisville.org.
Trunk or Treat & Halloween movies
WHAT: Trunk-or-Treating and a Halloween movie. Movies: "Hotel Transylvania" (Oct. 15); "Casper" (Oct. 29). Costumes are encouraged.
WHERE: Sauerbeck Family Drive-In, 3210 D.W. Griffith Lane, La Grange, Kentucky
WHEN: Oct. 15 and 29. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; trunk or treating at 6:30 p.m.; movie at 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: $25 per car. SauerbeckFamilyDriveIn.com.
You may likeTry these 5 tips for watering plants in your garden and home
Louisville Chorus
WHAT: “Goblins & Ghost, Oh My!” Special guest St. Matthews Elementary School Choir; Derek Siebert, director. A 2 Cute 2 Spook family and kids Halloween show.
WHERE: Beargrass Christian Church, gym, 4100 Shelbyville Road.
WHEN: Oct. 22, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Costumes are welcome. $23, $20 seniors, $5 students and children. louisvillechorus.org
Halloween in Brown Park
WHAT: Trick-or-treating begins at the pavilion, where children and families walk the path of the park collecting goodies. More than 50 businesses and organizations will be set up along the way to give the little “ghosts and goblins” treats and surprises.
WHERE: Brown Park, located at the corner of Kresge Way and Browns Lane, next to Baptist Healthcare.
WHEN: Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Trick or Treating begins at 11:30 a.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free parking for the event will be at 4007 Kresge Way, a part of the Baptist Health Louisville Campus directly across from the hospital. stmatthewschamber.com/halloween-in-brown-park.
Middletown Halloween Party & Pancake Breakfast
WHAT: Trick-or treating and pancakes with local businesses, games, activities, police cruisers, music and bounce houses.
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Middletown, 11711 Main St.
WHEN: Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to noon
MORE INFORMATION: For children 12 and younger. Sponsored by the City of Middletown, Middletown Chamber of Commerce and First Baptist Church of Middletown. Free. 502-245-0404.
Dixie Area Business Association Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat
WHAT: Bring the kids out for family-friendly Halloween fun. Dress up and get candy while in your car.
WHERE: Pavilion, Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing, 7410 Moorman Road
WHEN: Oct. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Bring your bag to fill up with candy. Free. riverside-landing.org.
Halloween Party at Louisville Free Public Library, Iroquois
WHAT: Mr. Moustache Magic Show
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Iroquois Branch, 601 W. Woodlawn
WHEN: Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
You may likePumpkin spice season is back. Try these 6 coffee shops to get your PSL fix in Louisville
Tick or Treat at Louisville Slugger Field
WHAT: Trick or treating at the ballpark (6-8 p.m.), followed by movie night on the field featuring "Halloweentown" (8 p.m.), candy, bouncy houses, face painting and more.
WHERE: Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St.
WHEN: Oct. 28, 6-10 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Bring a bag to collect candy. Tickets will be available at the box office window on the night of the event. $5, $2 for ages 12 and younger. milb.com/louisville/community/trickortreat.
Halloween Party at Louisville Free Public Library, Shawnee
WHAT: Wear your costume and come for tricks and treats. For ages 12 and younger.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Shawnee Branch, 3912 W. Broadway
WHEN: Oct. 29, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
Noogiefest
WHAT: Noogiefest features a DJ, games, treats, and crafts. Costumes are encouraged.
WHERE: Gilda's Club Kentuckiana, Clubhouse, 2440 Grinstead Dr.
WHEN: Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free, registration is requested. Call, 502-583-0075. GCK.org.
Ghost Cruise for Kids
WHAT: Explore the haunted Belle, come face-to-face with ghosts and apparitions, card games, tarot cards reading, trick-or-treating around the boat, crafts and concessions. For those 21 and older a ash bat will be available.
WHERE: Belle of Louisville, Fourth and River Road
WHEN: Oct. 29, 1-3 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Costumes are welcome. Tickets are $39.99 for ages 15-64, $38.99 seniors, $18.99 for ages 5-14), fee for ages 4 and younger. 502.574.2992; belleoflouisville.org/cruises.
You may likeAre apples harbingers of evil? Or just a delicious, crisp fall treat?
Boo Dell at Yew Dell
WHAT: Trick-or-treating along the Trail-o-Treats, activities with the horticulture team, live music, and other surprises in a non-scary environment. Sponsored by LG&E and KU Foundation.
WHERE: 6220 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood
WHEN: Oct. 30. Timed ticket, noon to 2 p.m.; 1-3 p.m. or 2-4 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Tickets must be purchased in advance. Free with regular admission: $9, $5 for ages 6-17 and 65 and older, free for ages 5 and younger; free for Yew Dell members. 502-241-4788; yewdellgardens.org; eventbrite.com.
Trick or Treat at the Track: Stars of Tomorrow
WHAT: Trick-or-Treating, racing and more than 20 activities for ages 11 and younger. Costumes are encouraged. Part of Family Adventure Day.
WHERE: Churchill Downs, 700 Central Ave.
WHEN: Oct. 30. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.; first race at 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Kids should bring their own bag to collect candy. Admission starts at $7; admission is free for two children per one paid adult. churchilldowns.com.
Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.