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I’m always a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to planning out Halloween costumes for the kids and buying candy, but I’ve wasted no time coming up with a king-size list of Halloween events Seattle-area families will not want to miss. There’s a bash out there with your name on it so take a gander and chart out your Halloween fun.
Tip: Our list is organized by region. First, Seattle and North Sound-area events, then Bellevue and Eastside events, then South Sound-area events.
You can also check out our pumpkin patch guide, trendy costume ideas and silly Halloween pranks. And, if you dare, book yourself a heart attack at a fright-filled haunted house!
Halloween events, Seattle and North Sound
Cosmic Carnival
Date and time: Select dates, through Nov. 2
Cost: $32–$35 (13 years and older); $28–$32 (2–12 years); family packs available
For a new Halloween experience, head to Seattle’s Stadium District (across from Lumen Field) for Cosmic Carnival. Described as an “other-worldly playground,” organizers have set aside select dates and times for family-friendly fun while after-dark is generally reserved for adults only. Recommended for ages 5 and older, bring the whole crew to be immersed in an un-scary galactic glow-in-the-dark adventure.
Halloween Pet Parade in Volunteer Park
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Dress your pooch to impress or just turn up to witness all the clever outfits and adorable animals at the Halloween Pet Parade in Seattle’s Volunteer Park. The family is sure to have a howling good time either way.
Trick or Tree: Glow-In-The-Dark Candy Egg Hunt
Date and time: Friday–Saturday, Oct. 11–26, 5:30–9 p.m.
Cost: $16.99 adults; $31.99 kids; ages 2 and younger are free
They’re selling fast, but there’s still time to book your tickets and head out to Poulsbo’s Olmstead Tree Farms for outdoor fun hunting for eggs in the dark. Thousands of glowing eggs, some filled with candy, others with toys, have been hidden among the trees for an epic Halloween experience. You can also play games, ride a farm trolley, climb a real fire truck and if you dare, enter the Spooky Woods.
Seattle Chocolate’s Haunted Factory Tour
Date and time: Thursday–Sunday, Oct. 17–20 and 24–27
Cost: $20 adults; $15 ages 12 and younger
Brave the dark, eerie halls of a candy factory on the Seattle Chocolate Haunted Factory Tour. Book your tix ASAP as this tour fills up quickly. For ages 8 and older. Preregister.
The Great Pumpkin Night
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 18, 5–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Turn up at the SeaTac Community Center in your costume for a night of fun with face painters, bounce houses and other Halloween happenings at SeaTac’s Great Pumpkin Night. The night ends with a not-too-spooky movie for all.
Hamlin Halloween Haunt
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 18, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring your flashlight to the Hamlin Halloween Haunt in Shoreline. Outdoor fun — such as roasting marshmallows, listening to spooky stories and playing games — happens after dark, around a campfire.
Haunted Harbor
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 25, 3:30–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
You'll find plenty to do at the inaugural Haunted Harbor taking place at the Port of Everett. Join for not-so-scary fun including trick or treating, crafts, a family movie (weather permitting) and Witches Paddle!
Halloween Bounce and Swim
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 25, 6–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Grab your swimsuits and join a haunted celebration at Green Lake Community Center and Evans Pool where you can bounce on inflatables in the gym from 6–8 p.m., and dodge floating pumpkins in the pool at one of two sessions from 6:30–7:30 p.m. or 7:30–8:30 p.m. Bring canned food to support local food banks.
Hometown Halloween
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Halloween fun in Arlington happens downtown and at Legion Park during the farmers market with pumpkin rolling, trick-or-treating, live entertainment and a costume contest.
Halloween With the Lights On
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: $22; ages 1 and younger are free
It’s Halloween with the Lights On at Imagine Children’s Museum where kids can dress up and join the costume parade, listen to Halloween stories, do spooky science experiments, play games and more. Included with admission.
Boo in Burien
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, noon–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy spooky trick-or-treating as you journey through downtown Burien at its annual Halloween event. Dress up in your costume and stop by local businesses for a sweet treat.
Halloween Takeover
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 1–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Wear your favorite costume and join the Halloween Takeover, taking place at the Skyway VFW this year. Collect treats, play games, decorate cookies and vie for a prize in the famous Monster Cake Walk.
T’Challaween
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 1–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the T’Challaween costume parade through Beacon Hill, collecting candy as you go. Fun surprises and spooky goodness along the route are guaranteed.
Street of Treats
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Don your most creative costume and head to downtown Kent for the city’s Street of Treats. The fun starts at Kherson Park. There you will find kids activities, photo ops and more. Preregister for a one-hour timeslot starting at 2, 3, or 4 p.m.
Halloween at the Seattle Aquarium
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 26–27
Cost: Included with admission; $16.77–$31.77 (ages 4–12); $27.95–$52.95 (13 and older); ages 3 and younger are free
Marvel at underwater pumpkin carving and trick or treat among your aquatic friends at the Seattle Aquarium’s two-day Halloween celebration. Don’t forget to wear your costume!
Pumpkin Bash at Woodland Park Zoo
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 26–27
Cost: Included with admission (varies by time and date); one free child ticket with each full-priced adult admission; ages 2 and younger are free
Have your kiddos dress up in their costumes for Halloween fun at the Woodland Park Zoo’s Pumpkin Bash. Watch your favorite animals enjoy their pumpkin snacks while kids trick-or-treat around the zoo. One child 12 and younger enters free per each full-priced adult admission.
Halloween Bash at the Center for Wooden Boats
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Shiver me timbers! Build spooky toy boats, listen to eerie tales and embark on a free boat ride at the Center for Wooden Boats Halloween Bash.
Halloween in the Junction
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
West Seattle Junction hosts Halloween in the Junction for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, costume parade and Seattle Thrillers performance. Gather your little monsters and bring them over to collect some candy.
Race Car Show and Trunk or Treat at Pacific Raceways
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Cruise to Pacific Raceways for a race car show and trunk-or-treat event. Twist and turn along the windy “Road Course of Doom” to make your way to the “Land of Tricks and Treats” and collect candy along the way. Please note that there will be optional on-track activities available that require a fee.
The Museum of Fright
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 11–4 p.m.
Cost: $26 adult; $18 ages 5–17; ages 4 and younger are free
Yikes! The Museum of Flight transforms into The Museum of Fright, inviting guests to get into the Halloween spirit with spooky games and activities. All are invited to get in the spirit and don their spooky duds.
Halloween Skate and Pumpkin Curling
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 1–3:15 p.m.
Cost: $15.41 adult; ages 3 and younger are free
Put on that costume and lace up those skates for a Halloween on ice at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Give pumpkin curling a try then skate to your favorite spooky tunes.
Haunted Boo-Levard at Kent Station
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 31, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy trick-or-treating through Kent Station then admire the Halloween-decorated trunks and collect even more candy during Haunted Boo-Levard.
Trunk or Treat and Stone House of Horrors
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 31, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
A haunted house filled with kid-friendly scares and trunks full of treats await you at Seattle’s Stone House Café. Stop by for an evening of sweet and spooky fun.
Eastside Halloween events
Halloween Train
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 12–13, 19–20 and 26–27, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $32 adult; $16 child; ages 1 and younger are free
Suit up in your costume and climb aboard the Halloween Train at either the Snoqualmie or North Bend Depot. The historic coaches will be decked out for a hauntingly good time as you embark on a two-hour round trip through the upper Snoqualmie Valley. A stop at the Train Shed includes a performance from Eric Ode.
Treat Street
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 24, 3–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Walk down Treat Street at Kirkland Urban and collect candy, watch live pumpkin-carving demos, play games and dance to your favorite Halloween tunes.
Monster Mash Halloween Bash
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 25, 5:30–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
All ages are invited to a spooky-themed trick-or-treat party at Bellevue’s Northwest Arts Center. Collect candy and make Halloween crafts. Toddlers can enjoy the outdoor gym.
Boo at the Barn
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cost: $15
Three sessions of fun geared to your scare level await you at Pickering Barn during Issaquah’s Boo at the Barn. Have “A Spooky Good Time” with the whole fam playing carnival games from 10 a.m.–1 p.m., or level up to “Boo Bash” at 2–5 p.m. and delight in games, crafts and daytime frights. Finally, for those who dare, enter the “Festival of Fears” and venture down the haunted trail for bone-chilling thrills from 6–9 p.m. Preregister.
Howl-O-Ween
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: $18 adults; $16 children 3–12 years; kids in costume and ages 2 and younger are free
It’s Howl-O-Ween at Issaquah’s Cougar Mountain Zoo so come dressed for spooky fun including a costume contest, scavenger hunt and themed enrichments.
Si View Harvest Festival
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, noon–4:15 p.m.
Cost: $12 residents; $15 non-residents; ages 1 and younger are free
Book your timed ticket to Si View Park’s annual Harvest Fest. Check out the petting zoo, carnival games, pumpkin decorating and more. Preregister.
Pumpkins in the Park
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Come down to Marina Park in Kirkland for Pumpkins in the Park. You will find a pumpkin patch, live music, pumpkin carvers, the Reptile Man and more! Arrive dressed to impress (including your pups!) for a chance to win the costume contest.
Zombie Walk
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 1:30–5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Creepy crawlers unite, apply your makeup, don your tattered threads and join the Zombie Walk through downtown Issaquah. A fun station for kids and lots of dancing await you, including a spontaneous Thriller flash mob.
Tract-or-Treat
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 3–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Feed farm animals, enjoy fall activities and trick or treat from 30 local vendors at Infinity Farm’s Tract-or-Treat event in Issaquah.
Halloween Spooktacular: Wicked Witches
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Cost: $17
Sign up first, then don your costumes to wander through KidsQuest Children’s Museum when wicked witches take over and cast their spell. Think broomsticks, cauldrons, potions and black cats during this Halloween Spooktacular event.
Haunted Halls of St. Edward
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the whole crew (pups are welcome too!) to the Haunted Halls of St. Edward in Kenmore where you will find fearsome fun and games, spooky crafts and a costume contest for all.
South Sound-area Halloween events
Pumpkin Chomp ‘n’ Stomp
Date and time: Friday–Saturday, Oct. 5–6, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: $23–$26 adult; $16–$18 children 3–12 years; ages 2 and younger are free
Head out to Northwest Trek’s Pumpkin Chomp ‘n’ Stomp, where you’ll see animals enjoying the crops of the season. Wear your costume, too!
Hoot ‘n’ Howl at Northwest Trek
Date and time: Friday–Saturday, Oct. 18–19 and 25–26, 5–9 p.m.
Cost: $23–$26 adult; $16–$18 children 3–12 years; ages 2 and younger are free
Check out Northwest Trek’s second Halloween event, Hoot ‘n’ Howl. Tour Northwest Trek as night falls and lights twinkle. Play games, meet nocturnal animals, collect candy and more.
Zoo Boo
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 19–20, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: $23–$26 adult; $16–$18 children 3–12 years; ages 2 and younger are free
Visit Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium during Zoo Boo to show off your costumes, catch sight of resident animals snacking on pumpkins, and play ghostly games to earn treats. Don’t miss the underwater pumpkin carving!
Haunted Headlights
Date and time: Thursday–Monday, Oct. 24–28, 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $10 per vehicle
Book your tickets online and pack up the car for a slightly spooky night out at Haunted Headlights by Pierce County Parks. Stay safe in your car while you drive through Frontier Park in Graham and see spooky sights.
Hands On Children’s Museum Boo Bash
Date and time: Oct. 25–31
Cost: $17.95; ages 17 months and younger are free
Reserve your time to visit Olympia’s Hands On Children’s Museum during Boo Bash to press apples into cider, join a costume parade and watch wacky science demos.
Harvest Fest at STAR Center
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Tacoma’s STAR Center invites families for its fall Harvest Fest. Celebrate Halloween by decorating pumpkins then meander through a spooky maze, jump on inflatables, play carnival games and make creepy crafts.
Halloween Harvest Festival and Trunk-or-Treat
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 1–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Don’t miss fun games, inflatables, BOO-seum frights at the White River Valley Museum and trick-or-treating through Les Gove Park during Auburn’s Halloween Harvest Festival and Trunk-or-Treat.
Tricks and Treats
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 26, 3–5:30 p.m.
Cost: $6 per child; adults are free
Put on your costume and head to the Federal Way Community Center to brave the haunted hallway, play carnival games and collect lots of candy. Preregister.
Halloween Party at Foss Waterway Seaport Museum
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, noon–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ahoy mateys! Join the all-ages Halloween fun at Tacoma’s Foss Waterway Seaport and get creative with spooky crafts and science experiments. Collect candy, and if you dare, set sail on your board or kayak for a costume paddle to remember.
My Morbid Mind — Kids Walk Through
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 27, 5–6:30 p.m.
Cost: $5
Get a kid’s-eye view of a real haunted house during a special, unscary kids’ walk-through at My Morbid Mind in Lacey. Purchase tickets at the door only.
Harvest Fest at People’s Center
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 31, 4–6 p.m. (all ages); 7–10 p.m. (for teens)
Cost: Free
Another opportunity to celebrate Harvest Fest with Metro Parks Tacoma, this time at People’s Community Center. Younger kids can make their way through the inflatable obstacle course, visit with exotic birds, make ghoulish arts and crafts, and collect candy. Have a teen? Stay after to join a three-on-three basketball tournament, play video games and hang out with friends.
Other Halloween activities for kids and families: |
