Looking for the best places to go for Halloween? Halloween celebrations don’t just happen on one night in a few October locales across the United States. These seven best Halloween cities in America have a tonne of spooky things to offer, including month-long festivities and haunted balls. Various Best Halloween Towns in the U.S.
There’s no doubting that Halloween celebrations in big cities can be a blast. But in our opinion, America’s best Halloween towns are little ones. No one sets the mood quite like ’em with their old homes, ghost stories, and tall tales passed down from generation to generation, along with an extra-festive feeling of Christmas spirit. The greatest little towns for Halloween have been compiled right here because there is something truly special—and, dare we say, a touch spooky—about spending the evening of October 31st away from the flashing lights and throngs of people in more populated areas. Be sure to check out Blossom Costumes for more information about online costumes
Knowing a little bit more about the kind of fall festivals and spooky activities you can expect will help you make a decision about where to go this Halloween. We’ve made sure to give you the inside scoop on each location’s unique plans for the approaching holiday, from funky small-town customs that are unique to this or that region of the country to the best corn mazes and even full-blown Halloween festivals. Are you looking for a spooky hotel to stay at? We also have those!
Parents, pay close attention to the following: Numerous family-friendly Halloween activities are included in our list. In reality, almost all of these locations are safe options if you have your children dressed in their Halloween costumes for kids and don’t want to take the chance of scaring them even slightly. There are plenty of less terrifying options available, including Halloween bake-offs, tractor displays, and other fall-themed activities and entertainment. Find the ideal small town getaway for this Halloween and set out!
New Hope, Pennsylvania
This picturesque small town, which is located on the Delaware River and the Pennsylvania/New Jersey state line, celebrates Halloween throughout the entire season. As early as September, plan a lantern-led ghost tour, and be sure to allot some time for the Scarecrow Walk and competition at Peddler’s Village. While Sleepy Hollow Haunted Acres is sure to frighten the socks off of any elder Halloween lovers with a stroll through an abandoned—and bewitched—old village, nearby Sesame Place offers a “not too creepy Halloween drive-through” for families.
Dearborn, Michigan
dearborn michigan best halloween small towns
At Dearborn’s annual “Halloween at Greenfield Village” celebration, more than 1,000 jack-o-lanterns illuminate the night. But you’ll find more than that here: Doughnuts, apple cider, and a Headless Horseman in costume all contribute to the pleasure and happiness of the outing for people of all ages.
Sycamore, Illinois
sycamore illinois small towns halloween
A vast pumpkin display, three artisan fairs, and two carnivals make Sycamore, Illinois the place to be on Halloween. Even the younger members of your family will enjoy the 90-minute parade at the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Croton Hudson Best Small Towns Halloween
Locals refer to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze as the largest Halloween celebration in the region, and it is easy to see why after viewing event images. The Blaze has a synchronised soundtrack and more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns. There isn’t a better reason than this to visit the Hudson Valley this year!
Independence, Kansas
Visit this small hamlet in southeast Kansas for its “Neewollah” event, which is Halloween spelt backward. It is a nine-day “Homecoming” celebration that features numerous events like parades, food festivals, carnivals, and more. It was the biggest yearly event in the state in the past, with about 75,000 guests.
St. Helens, Oregon
Many of the scenes in the well-known Disney film Halloweentown were filmed in this town, so you might be familiar with it. Visitors can join in the festivities by going to all of the “Spirit of Halloweentown” Festival events in addition to the yearly lighting of the gigantic pumpkin in St. Helens.
Romeo, Michigan
This Midwestern community enjoys dressing up for its yearly “Terror on Tillson Street” Halloween festival, unlike other others who put on extravagant Christmas displays each year. On their front lawns, local homeowners erect eerie, meticulous displays throughout the month of October. If you can receive the same thrill by simply walking through your neighbourhood, why pay for a haunted house experience?
- Anoka, MN
- Buena Park, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- New Orleans, LA
- Salem, MA
- Sleepy Hollow, NY
- St. Helen’s, OR
Anoka, MN
Perfect For: Family-friendly Halloween events
The Halloween Capital of the World easily tops the list of the greatest venues to celebrate this holiday! The first organised Halloween celebration in the United States, which is held each year in Anoka, is thought to have begun as a means of discouraging children from playing practical jokes and getting into mischief. Today, the occasion has developed into a month-long celebration with lots of family fun. Anoka, which is located on the riverbank and is about 30 minutes north of Minneapolis, is a lovely place to see fall colours and go on outdoor excursions. While you’re there, browse the area’s boutiques and antique shops to discover why Anoka is regarded as a significant shopping destination.
Halloween Things to Do in Anoka
Visit the Anoka Haunted House and keep an eye out for ghosts and ghouls. At the Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Scarecrow Contest, & Adult Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Anoka City Hall Plaza, showcase your best pumpkin carving abilities for a chance to win a prize or enter yourself in the scarecrow competition. Choose a fantastic place for the Grande Day Parade, which is the biggest parade in the state, or watch the Light Up the Night Parade in the dark to see floats, costumes, and displays. Explore the neighborhood’s streets to see the work that participants in the house decorating contest have created. The Anoka Halloween Gray Ghost Race is a 5K run where participants are encouraged to wear costumes.
Buena Park, CA
Perfect For: All-age theme park thrills
Looking for one of the top Halloween cities? To Buena Park you must go! The region, dubbed the Halloween Capital of SoCal, transforms into “Boo-uena Park” throughout the months of September and October. This is largely because the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park was transformed into “Knott’s Scary Farm,” the earliest and most established Halloween theme park in the United States that has mazes and an interactive zombie experience. Enjoy the lovely weather, indulge in sweet delicacies, or go to nearby Disneyland while you’re not busy exploring Buena Park’s seasonal hotspots.
Halloween Things to Do in Buena Park
Visit Knott’s Scary Farm to experience interactive thrills, ride altered roller coasters, and get lost in spooky mazes. For kids 13 and younger, Knott’s Spooky Farm’s Camp Snoopy Theater hosts Halloween performances, trick-or-treating in Ghost Town, and additional mild scares. At the Fall Spooktacular, go through a scary house, collect pumpkins from a pumpkin patch, or enter the young ones in the kids costume contest. If you want to experience a seasonal twist on the standard two-hour, four-course Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, go to Vampirates. The Cauldron Spirits & Brews, a witch-themed bar, is a great place to end the night with a craft cocktail or a hearty seasonal cuisine. Or go to Disneyland for Halloween activities like the Main Street Pumpkin Festival and the Oogie Boogie Bash.
Las Vegas, NV
Perfect For: 21+ Halloween parties
There’s a strong possibility you’ll discover some of the biggest Halloween parties in the country in Las Vegas if you’re daydreaming about dancing the night away there! Halloween-themed drinks, spooky street parades, and more costumed people wandering The Strip than usual all mark the month of October. While you’re there, take advantage of the lavish pools, upscale shops, unique museums, exquisite cuisine, and a tonne of free entertainment available at Vegas resorts and casinos!
Halloween Things to Do in Las Vegas
On Halloween weekend, visit Hakkasan Nightclub to catch popular DJ performances and themed dance events. At the Freak the Beat music festival, which offers two stages, a silent disco, and a $3,000 costume contest, commemorate the Day of the Dead. On Halloween Saturday, head to the Tao nightclub to dance and listen to hip music. Visit Fremont Street for the month-long Rock of Horror celebration, which includes a Halloween Bar Crawl, live music, light displays, and costume contests. At the Official SAW Escape, you can test your ability to solve puzzles in a scenario that is genuinely terrifying. Or visit the Asylum & Hotel Fear haunted homes to get your fill of frights.
New Orleans, LA
Perfect For: Holiday festivals, haunted historical sites
Even though Mardi Gras is a big deal in New Orleans, the Big Easy is also a great place to visit for Halloween! There are several events themed around the region’s voodoo and paranormal history because it is one of America’s most haunted cities. Even though haunted tours and costume parties are popular all year round in the “City of the Dead,” New Orleans cemeteries, which are also renowned as such, only become more ornate as October 31st draws nearer. While waiting for a tour, try a variety of beignets, fill up on creole cuisine, attend a jazz club, or go to one of the growing LGBTQ clubs and events.
Halloween Things to Do in New Orleans
Watch the Krewe of Boo procession in the French Quarter to watch people riding unique floats, donning elaborate costumes, and throwing candy to the children. Take part in family-friendly Halloween activities like riding the Ghost Train at Boo at the Zoo. With the Devil’s Swamp Haunted Terror Tour, you can explore eight acres of terrifying experiences, or you can visit Scout Island Scream Park for more kid-friendly entertainment including live music and carnival rides. On a Cemetery Voodoo Tour, learn about the life of renowned voodoo queen Marie Laveau and see her tomb. At The Mortuary Haunted House, put your ghost-hunting prowess to the test while navigating a haunted home. Or go to the Voodoo Festival to see bands on national tours and explore the scary zone.
Salem, MA
Perfect For: Witch-themed Halloween festivities
Salem is the place to go if you’re unsure of your Halloween plans. The notorious site of the 1692 Witch Trials is known for being rife with paranormal occurrences. The city is overrun with magic shops, witch museums, and witch trials during the Halloween season. Plan your trip in October to take part in the unique Haunted Happening events, which span the entire month and feature parades, movie screenings, psychic readings, and more. Along with fantastic food and spectacular outdoor activities, the Salem Heritage Trail offers a never-ending supply of local history that can be enjoyed at any time of year.
Halloween Things to Do in Salem
Attend the Grand Parade at the beginning of the month to see all the festive floats, cars, and acts. Attending The Gallows Hill Main Show at the Gallows Hill Museum will allow you to experience 4D effects and haunting projections that bring the Salem witch trials to life. The Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade is the perfect place to let your pets steal the show. By joining a Bewitched Historical Tour, you may explore the city on foot while learning about Salem’s past with a local historian as your guide. The Ghosts & Legends Trolley will take you on a spooky tour of places including The House of the Seven Gables. Participate in the month-long Festival of the Dead by going to gatherings like the Witches’ Halloween Ball or the Salem Psychic Fair. Or go to Salem Horror Fest and see a live podcast recording or watch your preferred scary movies on a huge screen.
Sleepy Hollow, NY
Perfect For: Haunted historical sites, live theatre
Sleepy Hollow is one of the top sites in America for Halloween because of the Headless Horseman legend! Plan a vacation to the eerie community that served as the inspiration for Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” to experience thrilling live-action performances of the tale and much more! Although Halloween is a great time to visit, this small Hudson Valley town is full of eerie history and dramatic productions all year long! Additionally, you have the option of staying in a castle or charming bed and breakfast, participating in a murder mystery game, enjoying pub fare, visiting a neighbouring winery, or extending your trip to include a visit to nearby New York City.
Halloween Things to Do in Sleepy Hollow
Be prepared for the undead to pay you a visit as you explore Horseman’s Hollow in the Philipsburg Manor to travel back in time to the 18th century and witness the Legend of Sleepy Hollow come to life. On a Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Walking Tour, you can go to the graves of Washington Irving, William Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie during the day or explore the cemetery at night with a lantern. To travel the same route as the fabled story, which leads past the old Old Dutch Church, across the infamous wooden bridge, and into the woods, sign up for a Sleepy Hollow Haunted Hayride. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will be musically retold at the Irvington Town Hall Theater. Or visit The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze to see more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins arrayed on a carousel, in a planetarium, on a windmill, and more.
St. Helens, OR
Perfect For: All-age Halloween festivities
Do you have travel aspirations to Halloweentown? Visit St. Helens now! This adorable small town, sometimes referred to as Halloween, USA, served as the primary location for the original filming of the Disney Channel film Halloweentown. For the ideal October getaway, go to the movie’s famous town centre, take in parades, compete in costume contests, and check out paranormal exhibits. But the good times don’t end there! The iconic Twilight movie theatre is a year-round tourism attraction because it provides outdoor activities as well as fantastic dining and drinking options.
Halloween Things to Do in St. Helens
Start taking part in the Spirit of Halloweentown celebrations by visiting the well-known town square to see the lighting of the Great Pumpkin, decorations, food sellers, and live entertainment. Visit the CMC Scare Factory to explore a scary mansion that is suitable for children. Visit the Scarecrow Trail to witness the competitors in the yearly Scarecrow Contest as you travel through the city’s commercial area and around the community. Participate in a scavenger hunt, a gigantic game of Whack-a-Witch, or a frightening story time at the riverfront Festival of the Fairies. The Alien Museum at the Masonic Ballroom tells tales of local alien encounters while displaying relics. Alternately, visit the Haunted Hotel Haunted House to get into the Halloween spirit.
