When I was a kid (ha! I must be really old to be using that phrase), Trick-or-Treat was one night a year.
One night to get all dressed up in full costume and makeup. One night to get as much candy as possible in two hours. One night to come home and trade my brothers two packs of Smarties for one, fun-sized chocolate bar (because chocolate > anything). One night to eat as much candy as possible before my parents put it up on top of the refrigerator, out of reach.
My kids don’t know how good they’ve got it — nowadays, there are tons of trick-or-treat opportunities available, all October long! In fact, I rounded up 15 trick-or-treat events in the tristate, so your little ghouls and boys can get in lots of practice before the big day. More on that below!
This weekend, we went to the infamous HallZOOween at The Cincinnati Zoo. If there’s one trick-or-treat event you’re going to do, make it this one!
1. HallZOOween (Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25, 12-5 p.m.)
The first four weekends in October, kids can come dressed in full costume for an afternoon of Halloween fun at the Zoo. There are trick-or-treat stations scattered generously around the Zoo, ensuring your kid get in a good workout as they walk to collect their candy.
But the fun doesn’t stop there — the Zoo’s train is transformed into “Hogwarts Express,” with spooky spiderwebs, lights and decor along the route; the carousel becomes a “scarousel;” and there are special, Halloween-themed animal encounters scheduled during the day.
The fun starts at 12, so we arrived a little early to have lunch and settle in. The timing worked to our advantage, as this event is quite popular and parking can get a little tricky if you wait until mid-afternoon.
My advice: arrive early — and skip the stroller if at all possible. Navigating the crowds and lines is much easier without it!
14 More Places to “Pre” Trick-or-Treat!
Note: this list is organized by date beginning this weekend (Oct. 17-18); some of these events started earlier this month. Descriptions are from each event’s website.
2. Jack o’ Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction (daily through Nov. 1; check website for hours)
Halloween fun for the whole family! First walk thru a trick-or-treat maze and see friendly ghosts, skeletons and more. Stop and color, or see “Halloweenville,” our miniature animated display.Come and enjoy the area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch, where kids each get a free mini pumpkin. Also open this year are our two outdoor kid’s train rides themed for the Halloween season.
3. Fall-O-Ween Festival at Coney Island (Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, 1-7 p.m.)
All your fall favorites plus some Halloween fun make for one great family event! Enjoy the Trick or Treat Trail for kids, Fright Lights musical light show, Coney’s Classic Rides, musical entertainment, farmyard friends and more!
4. Haunted Village at Sharon Woods Heritage Village (Oct.16, 17, 23 and 24 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.)
Heritage Village Museum will transform into Haunted Village for 6 nights of “spooktacular” fun! This is a family friendly event loaded with ghostly attractions. Visitors can take a wagon ride, or take a stroll into the haunted cemetery. The mad scientist, ghouls, and witches will entertain guests throughout the night. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume and children can Trick or Treat throughout the Village. Face painting, balloon animal making and games will amuse children of all ages. $8 everyone 2 and up.
5. Snoopy’s Halloween Party at Kings Island (Weekends through Nov. 1; check website for hours)
Trick-or-treating, live shows, pumpkin patch, hay bale maze, kids costume contest, petting farm and rides. Parking $12 if purchased online; $15 at gate.
6. Fall Festival at the Blue Ash YMCA (Oct. 17, 4-7 p.m.)
Spooky trail, hayrides, arts and crafts, face painting, food and drinks around a bonfire. Bouncy houses and games for trick for treat.
7. Halloween Spooktacular at One Way Farm (Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Bring the kids to meet all the crafters that will be handing out trick or treats! Yummy food, face painting, glitter temporary tattoos, holiday music and a raffle drawing. All proceeds gathered from the raffle will go directly to the children at the One Way Farm. Don’t forget to wear your costume. We will have a Halloween photo prop for picture taking so parents bring your camera! Free.
8. Halloween Weekend at Old West Festival (October 17 and 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
What says Halloween more than a ghost town? Well don’t be too scared pardners, we don’t intend to frighten anyone, just have some Halloween fun! Any child 12 and under in their Halloween costume gets in for just $1.
9. Treat Street at Deerfield Towne Center (Oct. 23, 6 p.m.)
Enjoy an evening of spooktacular fun at Deerfield Towne Center! On Oct. 23, children 12 and under can enjoy trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, festive music, refreshments and more!
10. All Hallow’s Eve at Dinsmore Homestead (Oct. 24, 5-8 p.m.)
Children wear costumes and trick-or-treat at historic buildings. There’s also a carnival with old-fashioned games, bonfire with stories and moonlit trip to graveyard.
11. Mt. Healthy Halloween Kidsfest (Oct. 24, 2-4 p.m.)
Face painting, mummy wrapping, apple bobbing and more!
12. Treat Street at Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Shopping Center (Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.)
Children 12 and under can trick-or-treat, enjoy a petting zoo and music. Trick-or-treating bags will be provided.
13. Trick or Treat at the Ohio Renaissance Festival (Oct. 24 and 25, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Wear your costumes and bring the wee ones for trick or treating around the village. Costume contests for adults and kids and pumpkin decorating for the kids. Enjoy your favorite show, mug of ale, and delicious foods one last time, because after the 25th, we’re history ‘til next year!
14. Trick or Treat at IKEA (Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.)
Get a jump start on trick-or-treating! We’re hosting a night of candy and fun during our Trick-or-Treat Night on October 27. Go from station to station around our store filling up your bag with candy! Remember to wear those costumes!
So this year, get the most out of that costume and get a jump on trick-or-treat! By the time Oct. 31 rolls around, your kids will be pros at the game, meaning more candy for Mom and Dad!
Note: this list certainly doesn’t cover everything; there are lots more local events happening all around town! Feel free to share your community’s trick-or-treat event in the comments section below.
