27 ways to celebrate Halloween in the Indianapolis area
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With less than two weeks until Halloween, spooky season is ramping up in Central Indiana, including another week of festivities in Indy's most haunted historic hood.
Why it matters: Beyond Irvington's signature festival, the metro offers Halloween events for nearly every age, budget and appetite for scares.
- Here are 27 ways to celebrate Halloween across the region before the ghosts and ghouls give way to a bunch of turkeys.
🦇 Irvington's Halloween takeover
The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival starts Saturday and culminates in a street fair, parade and 5K on Halloween day.
- The east-side neighborhood, named after "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" author Washington Irving, first celebrated the festival in 1927.
- This year's attractions include:
Wellness Fair: Kick off festival week with health screenings, giveaways and community resources.
- 9am-1pm Saturday at Irvington Presbyterian Church.
Halloween Ball: A 21-and-up costume ball where dressing to impress is encouraged.
- 8-11pm Saturday at Irvington Lodge.
- Tickets start at $47.
Spooky Organ Concert: Broadway, rock and organ favorites get a Halloween twist.
- 6pm Sunday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
- Admission is $5 or five nonperishable food items.
Family Movie Night: Pack a picnic for a free outdoor screening of "The Princess Bride."
- 7pm Oct. 26 at Crystal Creek Farm.
Horror Shorts: Heartland Film and the festival team are screening short horror films.
- 7:30pm Oct. 27 at Kan-Kan Cinema.
- Tickets start at $30.
A Night of Spirits: Meet mediums and psychic readers at this supernatural-themed gathering.
- 5:30-11pm Oct. 27 at Irvington Lodge.
- Tickets are $15 per psychic reading and $35 per seance.
- A seance ticket is required to buy reading tickets.
A Spirited Auction: Bid on Halloween poster art and prize packages.
- 6:30pm Oct. 28 at Irvington Public Library.
- Tickets start at $30.
A Night Out in Sleepy Hollow: Local writers share spooky stories inspired by Irvington's literary heritage.
- 6pm Oct. 29 at Irving Circle Park. Free.
Zombie Bike Ride: Dress as the living dead and join this free, all-ages community ride.
- 6pm Oct. 30. Meet at the Irvington Public Library.
- Bring bike lights.
Vampire Run: Lace up for the annual Halloween 5K run/walk on a scenic south Irvington route.
- 9:30am Oct. 31 at Irving Circle Park.
- The free Little Bat Dash for kids 12 and under follows at 11:30am.
- Registration starts at $25.
Halloween Street Fair: More than 120 vendors, live music, costume contests and family activities fill Irvington's East Washington Street.
- 10am-4pm Oct. 31.
- Admission is free. Expect crowds and street closures.
Halloween Parade: During the street fair, costumed families and pets strut their stuff.
- Lineup begins at 3pm Oct. 31, with the parade starting at 3:30pm.
👻 Haunted attractions
Fright Academy: The Children's Museum's haunted house offers friendly and frightening hours through Oct. 31.
- Tickets for the academy are $8 for members and $9 for nonmembers.
Indy Scream Park: Six haunted attractions bring the scares to Anderson on select nights through Nov. 7.
- Tickets start at $28.
The Thirteenth Hour: Five story-driven haunted experiences deliver cinematic scares in Indianapolis through Oct. 31.
- Tickets start at $30.
ZooBoo: The Indianapolis Zoo's Halloween celebration features costumed characters and seasonal fun through Nov. 1.
- It's included with admission, which starts at $26 for adults, $23 for kids 2-12, and $24 for seniors/military.
Headless Horseman Festival: Conner Prairie's haunted hayride, corn maze, carnival rides and seasonal entertainment bash will hold its final events Thursday-Sunday in Fishers.
- Tickets start at $26.
🍂 Family fun
Halloween at Forest Park: Noblesville's free celebration features trick-or-treating, hayrides, games and a costume contest, 4:30-7:30pm Friday.
Trick-or-Treating in the Plaza: Westfield's Grand Junction Plaza hosts candy booths, carnival games and family activities, 4:30-8pm Friday. It's free.
TreeRunner HallowGlow: Climb and zip through a glowing nighttime forest at Westfield's TreeRunner Adventure Park.
- Friday-Sunday and Oct. 30-31.
- Tickets start at $44.
Trunk or Treat at Pinheads: Fishers' bowling and entertainment venue hosts a Halloween candy gathering from 10am-1pm Saturday.
🎭 Halloween week
Hasta La Muerte: Las Cafeteras bring Afro-Mexican rhythms and storytelling to Carmel's Payne & Mencias Palladium at 7:30pm on Oct. 29.
- Tickets start at $25.
Adrenaline Fright Night: Fishers' Adrenaline Action Park gets spooky all day on Oct. 30.
- Tickets are $28 without a costume, and $15 with a costume.
Boo Bash: Fishers' free Halloween party features costume fun, games and entertainment from 10am-2pm on Oct. 31
Movies at Midtown: Carmel hosts a free outdoor screening of Dia de los Muertos favorite "Coco" at 6pm on Oct. 31.
Trick-or-Treat on the Rails: Kids can collect treats aboard the Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville on Halloween.
- Tickets start at $30 for adults and $23 for kids 3-12.
- Kids under 3 ride free, but they don't get a seat. They ride on a parent's lap.
Safe Night Halloween: The free indoor trick-or-treat event returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 5-7pm Oct. 31.
The bottom line: Check ticket and registration links before leaving, as several events require advance reservations or use date-based prices.