2016 Halloween Parties and General Spooky Fun in Huntsville and North AL

Looking for a good excuse to pull out your killer Stranger Things costumes? We’ve got a few ideas for local gatherings this Halloween! Do you know of one we missed? We’d love to add it, just send us a note at [email protected] and be sure to include the information listed here (e.g. Date/Time, Cost, URL, Location).

To get the full 411 about all that is happening in and around the Tennessee Valley this fall including information on Fall Break Camps, Trick/Trunk or Treating options, Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides, and more why not mosey on over to the full 2016 Fall Activity Guide. Then be sure to share the scoop with your friends so you’ll see familiar faces when you are out and about this fall season.

Huntsville Ghost Walks

Tours begin in front of historic Harrison Brothers Hardware store which is also where you purchase your tickets. There are three different walking tours (2 hours each), a trolley ride (1 hour), and even a Spooks and Spokes Bicycle Tour. While no one jumps out at you, it is a GHOST WALK, so be mindful of how easily your little ones might be scared.

Date/Time: Every Saturday June through October | 6PM
Cost: Walking $10 adults/$5 children; Trolley $12 adults/$10 children
Location: 124 Southside Square (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Decatur Ghost Walks

Every Saturday in October, take a guided tour through Decatur’s haunted past. Hear stories from the Civil War, a tragic accidental death, the angry ghost of Simp McGhee, and much more. Perhaps someone from the past is watching you! Tours begin on the steps of the Old State Bank on Bank Street, with tickets (cash only) available 30 minutes beforehand.

Date/Time: Every Saturday in October | 6PM
Cost: Walking $10 adults/$5 children (12 and under)
Location: 925 Bank St NE, Decatur (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Madison Ghost Walk

Madison Ghost Walk is the first expansion into another city by the good people from Huntsville Ghost Walk. You can expect the same professional story-telling from us as you already do. This Ghost Walk begins at Old Black Bear Brewery on Main Street, Madison. Cash only for tickets, please!

Date/Time: Every Saturday in October | 6PM
Cost: $10 adults/$5 children (12 and under)
Location: 208 Main Street, Madison (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Scary TV Time for Teens

Teens and tweens, this one is for you. Hold on to your socks! Gather in the Meeting Room, where you’ll get in the Halloween spirit by watching spooky shows like “Goosebumps” and “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”

Date/Time: October 4, 5 & 6 | 4PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Madison Public Library (map)
More Info: [email protected] | 256-461-0046

Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll

A wonderful Huntsville Tradition, this stroll through historic Maple Hill Cemetery includes more than 70 costumed characters will “come alive” to represent notables from the past. This event is FREE and open to the public, though donations are welcome. A shuttle service to the cemetery will be available from the Downtown Courthouse Square from 1-5PM.

Date/Time: Oct. 16 from 2-4:30PM (Rain date: October 23rd)
Cost: FREE
Location: 202 Maple Hill Street, Huntsville (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Spooky Science

The Mad Scientists are a group of 3rd and 4th graders that gathers monthly at Madison Public Library for hands-on science fun. This special October meeting will put your budding scientist in the Halloween spirit! RSVP required at [email protected] or 256-461-0046.

Date/Time: Oct. 20 | 4PM
Cost: FREE, RSVP required
Location: Madison Public Library (map)
More Info: [email protected] or 256-461-0046 | Website

The Haunted Hustle 5K & Kids Mile Costume Run

UAH Women’s Basketball is hosting a program fundraiser on October 22nd on the campus of UAH.  The fundraiser being a 5k & Kids Mile – but the best part is that it’s a Halloween Costume Run! Stick around for the Homecoming Parade starting at 10:00 A.M. & Charger Carnival at Noon.

Date/Time: Oct. 22 | 8AM-10AM
Cost: $25 for 5k/General Public; $15 for 5k/UAH Student or Staff; $10 for Kids Mile 11U: (Parents run free to accompany children); Homecoming festivities are free
Location: UAH Campus (map)
More Info: Website

Halloween Party at Monrovia

Enjoy a night of Halloween fun at the library. Halloween themed games, crafts, snacks, and more for children of all ages!

Date/Time: Oct. 25 at 6PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Monrovia Library (map)
More Info: Call 256-489-3392 or [email protected] | Website

Halloween Party at Madison Public Library

Join the party at Madison Public Library in the meeting room for a fall-themed puppet show. Then, we’ll have trick-or-treating throughout the library and more!

Date/Time: Oct. 27 at 5:30PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Madison Public Library (map)
More Info: Facebook | (256) 461-0046

Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree

Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree is a family-friendly fundraising event for Children’s Miracle Network – Children’s of Alabama, co-sponsored by the law office of Randall Perry, Valley Pest Control, Tim Roberts State Farm, Portia Harris Bankcorp South, Mark Harris Homes and The Home Doctor. Enjoy entertainment by Juice, a buffet dinner by Roland Lowrey’s New Orleans Lunchbox Café, a costume contest for children, pumpkin decorating, games for kids of all ages and a 50/50 raffle benefiting CMN. Donations help fund pediatric medical equipment and treatments, healthcare services and charitable care, so come out and enjoy this fun Halloween event for a good cause!

Date/Time: Oct. 27 | 5-10PM
Cost: Adults – $40 | Children under 18 – $10
Location: AM Booth’s Lumberyard (map)
More Info: Website | 256-425-0302

Dr. Osborn’s Magical Laboratory

Doctor Osborn is bringing his annual bag of Halloween tricks and treats back to the Fantasy Arts Center in October! This is family fun (balloons! magic! comedy!) for all ages. Costumes are encouraged.

Date/Time: Oct. 28 at 7PM | Oct. 29 at 2PM & 7PM | Oct. 30 at 2PM
Cost: $7
Location: Fantasy Playhouse (map)
More Info: 256-539-6829 | Website

The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest at Lowe Mill

Join us for our first ever The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest! Its $5 to carve and $5 to smash. Participate in any category, which include Scariest, Funniest, Most Creative, and by separate age groups. Judges will decide who gets the prize for the best in each category. Bring your own tools. There will be food trucks and vendors during the event. This contest is free to attend if you just want to watch, but we ask for a $2 dollar parking donation. Feel free to dress up!

Date/Time: Oct. 28 | 2PM-5PM
Cost: FREE to attend; $5 to carve; $5 to smash
Location: Lowe Mill (map)
More Info: Website

Earlyworks Halloween Bash

Put on your costumes and join Earlyworks for Halloween games, crafts, and of course safe Trick or Treating at Alabama Constitution Village. Be sure to bring your trick or treating bags and enjoy safe halloween fun for all ages. $5.00 ($4.00 for members; $8 at the door) for little ghosts and goblins, Adults are free! Pro-tip: Buy your tickets in advance to save money and avoid the line.  

Date/Time: October 28| 4:30-7:30PM
Cost: $5/$4 (member/non-member) in advance; $8 at the door | Adults are free
Location: Constitution Village (map)
More Info: Facebook | Website | 256-564-8110

Costume Party Parents Night Out & Halloween Sleepover at Alexander’s Martial Arts

This pair of annual events for ages 5 and up at Alexander’s Martial Arts is always fun and exciting! The Costume Parent’s Night Out Party is 6PM-9PM, and features karate, games, and Halloween costumes.  The Halloween Sleepover is includes 12 hours of fun from 9PM-9AM, including karate, games, Nunchaku weapon training, and a Glow-in-the-Dark Nunchaku (yours to keep). Space is limited and fills up fast, so register ASAP if you know you plan to attend!

Date/Time: Oct. 28 | Parent’s Night Out Party 6PM-9PM (Registration deadline: October 14th) | Sleepover 9PM-9AM (Registration deadline: October 26th)
Cost: Parent’s Night Out Party $20 | Sleepover $65
Location: Alexander’s Martial Arts locations: Hampton Cove (map), Madison (map), and Winchester Road (map)
More Info: Website

Spooktacular 5K & Monster Mile

Huntsville’s Fleet Feet Sports invites you to join runners, walkers, ghosts, and goblins of all ages at the Spooktacular 5K Run and Monster Mile on October 29, 2016. Get crafty and creative and participate in the costume contest or, better yet, compete in costume! The 5K will begin promptly at 8am with the 1 mile at 9:00am. Awards, for both races and all costumes, will follow the 1 Mile (around 9:30am). We welcome runners of all levels and speeds and especially encourage all of our kids to come out and participate!

Date/Time: Oct. 29 | 8AM-10AM
Cost: FREE for spectators; 5K is $25 through Sept. 30th, then $30; 1-mile is $15 through Sept. 30th, then $20
Location: Big Spring Park (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook | Registration

Spooky Skate: Costume Contest on Ice

The Huntsville Ice Complex and Halloween Express of Huntsville are bringing Halloween to life on the ice with a spooky skate and costume contest. They are partnering with WAFF 48 News for their Halloween for Hunger canned food drive. So, bring a canned food item for a free skate rental and wear your best costume for a chance to win the costume contest. Adults and children are invited to the Ice Complex from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 to kick off the Saturday before Halloween!

Date/Time: Oct. 29 | 3PM-5PM
Cost: $8
Location: Huntsville Iceplex (map)
More Info: Facebook

Bootanica (Huntsville Botanical Garden)

Mark your calendars for your favorite fall event, Bootanica! This fun filled spooktacular day is appropriate for all ages. Put on frightening costumes and come out to the Garden for a ghoulish good time. We’ll have games and activities along with a Parade of Costumes at 11 am. Enjoy a hay ride through the Scarecrow Trail to visit the Sorghum Maze. The fun includes apple bobbing, face painting and pumpkins for the kids. Steve the DJ will add to the festivities!

Date/Time: Saturday, October 29 | 10AM-1PM
Cost: Members $5; Non-Members Garden admission plus $5
Location: 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue (map)
More Info: Website

The Brick Halloween Hoot

Don’t miss this annual event, where Tangerine Tamborine will play their eclectic covers just for kids, all while raising money for Everyday Sunshine, a non-profit that brings joy to the hospital rooms of children who are disabled and/or hospitalized for long term care. Kids will dance and laugh in their costumes and parents will have a blast. Sheer joy will radiate through The Brick!

Date/Time: Saturday, October 29 | 11AM-3PM
Cost: FREE | Donations accepted at the door
Location: The Brick Deli & Tavern, Decatur (map)
More Info: Facebook

Downtown Decatur Spooktacular

New to Decatur, this downtown street festival that will include a children’s costume parade and contest, a dog costume contest, a zombie walk, and a blood drive.

Date/Time: Saturday, October 29 | 12PM-6PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Moulton Street and 2nd Avenue, Downtown Decatur (map)
More Info: Facebook

Legless Corpse Film Festival

Scary movies in a historic theatre sounds like the making of a great horror plot line. Enjoy over 30 horror flicks, live makeup demonstrations, a decapitated head kissing booth, vendors, special guests and more. The first 100 tickets pre-ordered will receive a free DVD and poster. Book your babysitter and get ready for this month’s featured Date Night.

Date/Time: Saturday and Sunday, October 29-30, 2016
Cost: $5.50 to $15 (with a portion donated to The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders)
Location: The Princess Theatre, Decatur (map)
More Info: Website

Zombies vs. Humans Teen Masquerade Ball

Moody, slow to get moving, always hungry…sometimes our teenagers resemble zombies. On Saturday, Oct. 29, from 8 p.m. till midnight, the resemblance becomes even clearer as the Library gathers teens from across the county at the Downtown Huntsville Library for the Zombies v. Humans Teen Masquerade Ball. This year’s Teen Masquerade Ball will kick off with a game of Zombies v. Humans (bring your own Nerf gun for maximum fun). A Zombie Prom will follow, and will feature cosplay contests, lip-sync battles, zombie makeup effect artists, prizes, refreshments and more. Ages 12-18; parents may pick up and drop off, or wait in the parking lot, but are not allowed to stay at the Ball. Security will be provided by the Huntsville Police Department.

Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 29 | 8PM-Midnight
Cost: $10 in advance/ $15 at door
Location: Main Library (map)
More Info: Website

Blossomwood Witches Ride

The Blossomwood Witches Ride (BWR) is a fun bike ride through the neighborhood of Blossomwood. Women dress up as witches, ride their brooms (bikes) and throw candy to the little monsters (kids) along the posted route. ALL children are welcome to come out and enjoy the free candy. Children are asked to be accompanied by an adult to safely walk on the sidewalks while the witches fly by. Although we do proudly carry the Blossomwood name (due to location), witches from anywhere are welcome to ride!

Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 30 | 4:30PM
Cost: FREE for spectators
Location: Route begins at Blossomwood Elementary (map); See full route here!
More Info: Website | Facebook

Spooktacular Puppet Show & All Day Halloween Party

Halloween is here again, which means it’s time to trick-or-treat your library! Visit all 3 floors for some tasty treats and enjoy a scavenger hunt in Youth Services. PLUS…It’s a Halloween Spooktacular Puppet Show, featuring fun tales pulled from some of our favorite books, rhymes, and songs! Bring along the whole family to enjoy your Halloween treats and a show.

Date/Time: Oct. 31 | 9AM-9PM | Puppet Shows at 10:30AM and 3:30PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Huntsville Public Library Downtown (map)
More Info: Website

Oktoberfest

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit will hold the first Oktoberfest on Monday, October 31 at the Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University’s Agribition Center. Come and bring the entire family and neighborhood youth out for an evening of fun alternative Halloween activities! Admission is free and activities will include trunk or treat, a hay ride, pumpkin carving, face painting, a costume contest, food, music, games, door prizes, and much more.

Date/Time: Oct. 31 | 4PM-8PM
Cost: FREE
Location: AAMU Agribition Center (map)
More Info: Website | (256) 859-5896

Spooky Space Spectacular

Come dressed in your best costume and join us as the Rocket Center holds the third annual Halloween Spooky Space Spectacular. The fun-filled event takes place Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, in the Saturn V Hall and surrounding areas from 4 to 8 p.m. Activities include a costume contest, hands-on science activities and more. The Space Shot, G-Force, and Kids Cosmos simulators are also part of the fun, weather permitting.

Date/Time: Oct. 31 | 4PM-8PM
Cost: $20 for a family of up to five or $5 per person
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center (map)
More Info: Facebook

Madison’s Insane Nightmare on Skate Street

Trunk or treat from 5-8PM and participate in a costume contest, games and activities, treasure in a hay stack, best decorated pumpkin contest, pie eating contest, eye ball and spoon race, balloon scramble, graveyard golf and more. Some activities inside Insanity Park will require a fee.

Date/Time: October 31 from 5-10PM (all day specials available 11AM-10PM)
Cost: FREE
Location: 100 Skate Park Drive, Madison (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook