Spooky, but Social-Distanced: Halloween Events Across the West
Check out these socially distanced Halloween events that offer participation from the safety of your home, car, or in the open air.
Getty Images/Eli Asenova
Halloween hauntings are just beginning. From werewolves howling late into the night to Jack-O-Lanterns lighting up the doorstep, ghouls and goblins are fully preparing for October. Amid constantly changing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve gathered Halloween events that you can participate in from the safety of your home or car, or while socially distanced in the open air.
This year we’re looking to get spooky by attending virtual classes, garden strolls, and drive-through events. For one, you can experience a handblown glass pumpkin patch where you’ll be in a world of pure imagination. Like your Halloween celebrations on the scarier side? Dare to drive through monsters, mayhem, and more at the Cinema of Horrors located at the Clark Country Fairgrounds in Washington. If you’re still looking for a fright but on the softer side of scary, walk through a garden of scarecrows all handcrafted by the local community at the Idaho Botanical Gardens.
There are also online classes that allow your kids to participate in Halloween events while in your living room. From painting the smile on a scarecrow to a ghostly show and tell, these virtual events are sure to get your kid in the holiday mindset while still maintaining distance.
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Even though Halloween may look different, we’re still finding ways to celebrate the spooky season. Keep scrolling for a dozen events to get in the spooky spirit.
Botanical Garden, Anchorage, AK
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 24, explore Alaska’s “Bootanical” Garden at the Anchorage Botanical Gardens. Costumes are encouraged to discover the seasonal art and fall colors that hug this 110-acre space.
Carved at the Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
The Descanso Garden’s Camellia Forest and Oak Grove will be graced by pumpkins, scarecrows, and more Oct. 11-31. This outdoor garden is a great way to enjoy the beauty of fall while practicing social distancing.
Catch a Scary Movie with Cinespia, Los Angeles, CA
Located at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, this renowned Los Angeles group has provided film enthusiasts a hauntingly good time for 20 years. Cinespia’s October schedule includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining, The Labyrinth, and more.
Glass Pumpkin Patch, Carmel, CA
MEarth is bringing back its glass pumpkin patch in person Sept. 18-19 after holding the event virtually last year. This year’s space will feature 1,600 dazzling hand-blown glass pumpkins created by award-winning, nationally recognized artists while adhering to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plus state and local health authorities.
Courtesy of MEarth Carmel
Nights of Jack, Calabasas, CA
Calabasas’s spookiest festival is back with a socially distanced twist. Located on 50 acres of open-air land, this year’s event will host contactless check-in with reduced capacity and enhanced cleaning to ensure the health and safety of its attendees. Nights of Jack runs through the entire month of October.
Glow at the Garden, Denver, CO
People aren’t the only ones dressing up for Halloween this year. The Denver Botanical Gardens are all dressed up for the season with larger-than-life pumpkin sculptures. Glow at the Garden runs in the evenings Oct. 19-24.
Telluride Horror Show, Telluride, CO
The Western Cannes Film Festival of Horror films, the Telluride Horror Show, is returning for its 12th year. Proof of full vaccination or a current negative COVID-19 test are required for all attendees as well as the guts to watch one horror film after horror film.
Scarecrow Stroll, Boise, ID
Throughout the entire month of October, you can stroll through rows of scarecrows crafted by the Boise community themselves. Applications to be featured in the Scarecrow Stroll close on Sept. 10.
History After Dark, Bozeman, MT
Walk the streets of downtown Bozeman with a self-guided tour Oct. 15. History After Dark brings Nelson Story, Lizzie Woods, and John Bozeman back from the grave to tell their stories while bringing you enough space for social distancing.
Bannack Ghost Walks, Dillion, MT
Dare to relive the horrors of Bannack’s past on Oct. 25 and 26 at the Bannack Ghost Walk. The walk will present a live reenactment of significant events that occurred in the mining town. The event is limited to 100 people, so reservations are required.
Hike to Garnet Ghost Town, Missoula, MT
The three-mile trail takes patrons down a path to a deserted Ghost town where you’ll be able to explore various abandoned homes, shops, and saloons.
Ghost Tour at the Old Montana Prison, Deer Lodge, MT
This ghost tour occurs on Oct. 9 is from 9:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m. so you are sure to hear things that go bump in the night. If you prefer to explore the grounds in the daylight the prison offers self-guided tours.
Day of the Tread, Albuquerque, NM
Calling cyclists of all ages and skill levels! The Day of the Tread, a Halloween-themed biking event, is happening Oct. 24. Choose from a range of different routes, from 7 to 100 miles.
Courtesy of Day of the Tread
Howloween, Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR
Come in costume and join the animals of the Oregon Zoo for their annual Howloween. All costumes are required to have masks that cover your nose and mouth. The Zoo will be offering treats but in the form of pre-filled goodie bags that can be collected at the end of their scavenger hunt.
Haunted Hike, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville, WA
Test your detective skills every day in October at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. With your entrance fee, you will receive an online scavenger hunt to solve the mystery of the Park. On Oct. 30-31 you can catch the animals at the park with a new orange friend. Join the park for their annual Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp, where they give all the animals on the grounds pumpkins to play with.
Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Experience, Ridgefield, WA
Located at the Clark Country Fairgrounds, the Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Experience is sure to scare your socks off with high-quality sound and lighting, in-car audio, Hollywood quality makeup, monsters, and more. The experience will be held Oct. 8-10, 14-17, 21-24, and 28-31.
Courtesy of Treadway Events & Entertainment
Where’s Wenda 5K, Seattle, WA
We think you’ll be able to find Waldo at this 5K. On Oct. 10th dress up as Waldo or Wenda and run (or walk) around Green Lake Park. You can also enter in a virtual 5K and run from the comfort of your catch — because that may be our favorite way to run.
Ghostflix, Seattle, WA
It’s like Netflix, but with a ghoul-y twist! Seattle Terrors is streaming live interactive ghost tours where you’ll be able to ask questions and interact with the guide. Don’t worry if you’re busy at the time of the tour; you can get acquainted with the ghost later and stream the event on-demand. Tours run all year long with limited availability this September but plenty of available spots in October.
Ghostbusters Club, Online
This online course is an interactive show-and-tell, where your children can display their scariest artifacts and then craft a surprise.
Paint Along with Keefe Art Academy, Online
This virtual art class teaches children to paint a fall scarecrow in watercolor. The class age ranges from ages 7 to 12, and celebrates both fall and Halloween.
