Wicked Weekends: 29 spirited suggestions for celebrating Halloween – Part 2 October Opportunities

in Events, Movies, Theme Parks

Halloween time has finally crawled from the casket and scores of spooky celebrations are coming to life around the nation!  To help guide fans of fiendish fall fun, ITM has assembled a swing wake of 29 wicked weekend wonders.   Read more fiendish fall fun opportunities in part 1 of our 29 spirited suggestions for celebrating Halloween.

We’ve unearthed spirited selections from ghost to ghost.  Enjoy eerie experiences like haunted history tours, fearsome festivals and pumpkin powered events from mild, family friendly to wild totally terrifying trauma for every weekend from now through Halloween and beyond.

With the end of September approaching, wicked weekend activities crowd the October calendar for attention.  Macabre monster mazes, fearsome film festivals, swinging wakes, creepy cool conventions, parades and even more eerie events ensure the magic of Halloween flows freely all month long. We’ve even included a few extra events on Halloween and through the first two weekends of November (Wed, Thurs.).

13. October 5 Scream Acres Scream Park Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins IA

Featuring four fiendishly fun attractions, Scream Acres, now in its 15th year of fear, begins is annual terror tradition on October 5th. For eight eerie nights (Fridays and Saturdays) in October clowns, creepers and zombies infest the haunts and corn maze at this Atkins, Iowa Halloween attraction. Creep on over to their website for tickets and details.

14. October 6 – Warner Brothers’ Horror Made Here Los Angeles CA

Invoking nightmares from famous fear film franchises and villains, Warner Brothers Studio’s Horror Made Here: A Festival of Frights combines movie magic with tours of terror.  Wicked Weekends (and a couple of Thursday nights) succumb to frights from “IT,” “The Conjuring,” “The Exorcist,” Camp Crystal Lake, and Arkham Asylum (courtesy of DC comic’s super villain the Joker).  Guests also enjoy the opportunity to see props and costumes from several Tim Burton nightmares. Creepy carnival fun, including Lost Boys retro arcade houses entertainment, food and drinks.  Event details, tickets and VIP options can be found on the WB website.

15. October 7 – Howl O Scream Sea World San Antonio TX

Multiple haunted houses, including the new Zombie Horde (by the “Romero Corporation,” a nice nod to the father of the zombie sub-genre), scare zones and eerie entertainment experiences make this annual Halloween event well worth the $32 price of admission. This intense after dark event runs every Friday Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 28th through Oct. 28th.  Tickets and details may be unearthed on their website.  Howl-O-Scream also haunts Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg.

16. October 12 – Pony Express Pumpkin Fest St. Joseph MO

Fall family friendly fun is found for free at the Pony Express Pumpkinfest. For 20 years the Pony Express Museum has hosted Halloween happiness with its outdoor fall festival focusing on children. This enchanting event, which includes vendors, crafts, entertainment and a pumpkin powered parade, only happens October 12, 13, and 14. Shown below, a promotion for the 2017 event.  Visit the Pony Express Museum website for details.

17. October 13 – Brick or Treat Party Nights at Legoland Carlsbad CA

Brick or Treat Party nights only occurs 5 nights at Legoland California.  Saturdays from September 29th through October 27th candy stations, character meet and greets, kids’ costume contests, and a magical ghost cruise descend on the Carlsbad California theme park. Tickets and details reside on the park’s website.

18. October 14 – ScreamFest Horror Film Festival Los Angeles CA

SCREAMFEST, known as the “Sundance of Horror” is where fear favorites like “Paranormal Activity” emerged.  The longest running (and largest) US Fear Film Festival starts on October 9th and runs through the 18th.   Events screen at the TCL Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood CA.  Full event details found here.

19. October 19 – Horseman’s Hollow Sleepy Hollow NY

Sleepy Hollow is well known for its resident ghoul, the Headless Horseman.  Horseman’s Hollow takes the pages of Washington Irving’s tale towards a darker path.  Wicked weekends from October 5th and on through Halloween the final weekend, the Philipsburg Manor welcomes those who are brave enough to wander into the confines of this intense horror.  Event details and tickets are found here.

20. October 20 – Krewe of Boo! Parade New Orleans LA

Combine Mardi Gras with Halloween to get a Spooktacular parade that only New Orleans can deliver. This macabre march monsters and eerie creatures only happens on Saturday October 20th. Proceeding from near Washington Square on Elysian Fields Ave, down Decatur street, through the French Quarter, up and down Canal Street, this official New Orleans Halloween Parade (since 2007) completes its route turning off Canal onto Tchoupitoulas to end at Andrew Higgins Drive.  Krewe of BOO! website has all the devilish details.

21. October 21 – Fall-O-Ween Coney Island Cincinnati OH

The final day of this family friendly event at Coney Island park in Cincinnati features a trick or treat trail, Halloween magic show, Fall-O-Ween 500, carriage rides, spooky miniature golf, pumpkin painting, petting zoo, apple pie school, and a s’more roast at the Yogi Bear Campsite.  Fall-o-ween starts at 6pm on Saturday and Sundays from October 6th through October 20th. Tickets are only $12. Find all the pumpkin powered details and ticket sales online.

22. October 26 – Official Salem Witch’s Ball Salem MA

For any true fan of Halloween, a visit to Salem during this spooky season is an absolute must!  Ghost tours, carnivals, quaint shops and local history in town that embraces this magical holiday is the ultimate October experience.  For those foolish mortals deciding to venture into this small witch friendly village, attending the official Witch’s Ball, Saturday October 26th, should be added to the cauldron of adventures. The Hawthorne Hotel turns up the boo “with guests Dragon Ritual Drummers for a night of magic, music, and powerful rituals at Salem’s most magical Halloween party!” -Festival of the Dead.  Visit Festival of the Dead for details and additional bewitching enchantments.

23. October 27 – Victorian Nightmares Steampunk Exposition Atlanta GA

The imagination and creativity of Steampunk is a perfect match for a Halloween wicked weekend party.  Atlanta is just the place to see that match materialize. Transpiring the entire weekend of Oct 26th – Oct. 28th, the Atlanta Steampunk Exposition hosts a Halloween-time convention with a Jules Verne/ H.G. Wells inspired twist. “Come Join Us for the Second Annual Atlanta Steampunk Exposition! Marvel at Beautiful Hand-Crafted Steampunk Costumes and Attire, learn about the Steampunk World Through our Exciting Panels, and Shop from Numerous Vendors in our Dealer’s Room Open to the Public” –Victorian Nightmares

24. October 28 – Scare-A-Con Verona NY

Yet another fiendishly fun fear fueled convention materializes for Halloween weekend.  The Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY hosts horror and pop culture fans Friday Oct 26- Sunday Oct 28.  Guests include Katie Fetherson (“Paranormal Activity 4”), Adrienne King (“Friday the 13th PT 1 & PT 2”), Amanda Wyss (“Nightmare on Elm Street”) David Naughton (“An American Werewolf in London”), Lar Park Lincoln (“Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood”), and Ken Sagoes (“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”).  Vendors, film festival screenings and all around Halloween fun.  Tickets, Hotel info and details can be found on the Scare-A-Con website.  Also check out the interview with David Naughton on their YouTube channel.

25. October 31 – Village Halloween Parade New York NY

Greenwich Village has been the home for Halloween for 45 years.  This annual New York City tradition commences on 6th Avenue (north of Spring Street) Halloween night at 7pm with a 2018 theme “I AM a Robot!”  VIP Robot Section is set up for the ultimate viewing and party experience.  Visit Halloween NYC for parade details (including opportunities to march in the parade or volunteer for the event) and purchase VIP tickets.

26. November 3 – Phantasmagoria at the Athens Theater DeLand FL

Now in its ninth year of amazing storytelling performances, the Victorian Steampunk troupe known as “Phantasmagoria” returns to spin tales of horror for Halloween.  With shows across 5 central Florida counties (from October 12 through November 3rd) there are plenty of opportunities to be entranced by this must-see experience.  Their final 2018 performance haunts the historic Athens theater in downtown DeLand. Tickets and details can be found on their website.

“Journey through tales from literature, mythology and folklore as the troupe encounters horrors that chill the heart (and tantalize the senses!) From Edgar Allan Poe to centuries old Mexican Folklore, and from Victorian Horror Poetry both frolicsome and ghastly – to a thundering Vampire from Irish legend and MUCH, much more!”

27. November 4 – Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Louisville KY

Gates open at dusk for this nightly (Oct 6 – Nov. 4) pumpkin powered procession.   Iroquois Park, just outside of Louisville KY, is illuminated with over 5000 carved jack-o-lantern along a quarter mile walking trail. Designed as a mild alternative to the usual Halloween horrors, the event emerged in Oxford Mass. and is now in its 6th year. Find tickets, directions and details on the event web page.

28. November 10 – Haunted Flying Circus and Medicine Show St. Augustine FL

Returning full circle to St. Augustine FL, time travelling acrobatics romp on a journey through the centuries at the Willie Gallimore Center on November 9th and 10th. “We are gypsies, pirates, time travelers, ghosts and eternal lovers of life. we drink, a magical elixir and we love to dance and fly, into your face!”  Guests are encouraged to come attired in costumes from their favorite time period.  Tickets are available via Eventbrite ($13) and details found on Facebook.

29. November 11 – Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze Croton-on-Hudson NY

Hudson Valley’s 1900’s ambiance is accentuated with thousands of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns (including a pumpkin windmill) for the “tri-stat area’s biggest, most electrifying fall event.”  Glowing gourds, assembled to resemble a medieval castle, pumpkin carousel, Statue of Liberty are among the creatively carved collection. Original music provides to the soundtrack for synchronized lights that illuminate these fine fall decorations.  Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze takes place from select nights from September 28th through November 24th.  Tickets, photos and details can be carved out on their website.

With over two dozen wicked weekend Spooktacular events (find September events here) and shows to choose from this Halloween season, finding a creepy cool adventure to get into the spirit of the season is easier than ever.  As always, dates, details and prices are subject to change (or even be cancelled) and a quick visit to the listed event website is strongly encouraged before grabbing the broomstick and flying off for fall fun.

Source and images: Scream Acres, Fear Made Here, Howl-O-Scream, Pony Express Pumpkin Fest, Brick-or-Treat, Screamfest Horror Film Festival, Horseman’s Hollow, Krewe of Boo, Fall-O-Ween, Official Salem Witch’s Ball, Victorian Nightmares Steampunk Exposition, Scare-A-Con, Village Halloween Parade, Phantasmagoria, Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Haunted Flying Circus and Medicine Show, Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

in Events, Movies, Theme Parks

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