Trunk or treat is Halloween with a parking lot instead of a neighborhood. Cars get decorated, trunks get loaded with candy and kids work their way down the row in costume. It’s earlier, shorter and a lot easier on little legs than a full night of trick or treating around Cincinnati.
Every event below is free to attend. Grab the costumes, bring a bag and pick the one that fits your weekend.
17 Free Trunk or Treat Events in Cincinnati and Dayton
Deerfield Township Car Show and Trunk or Treat
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Time: 1 to 5 p.m. (trunk or treat runs 2 to 3 p.m.)
Address: Cottell Park | 4900 Parkway Drive, Deerfield Township, OH 45040
Note: A kids costume contest follows the trunk or treat. No registration needed.
Event Link: Deerfield Township Car Show and Trunk or Treat
Truck or Treat at Oak Grove Park
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Address: Oak Grove Park | 1790 E. Social Row Road, Centerville, OH 45458
Note: Fire trucks, tractors and police vehicles instead of minivans. Kids can climb aboard and collect treats and giveaways along the way.
Event Link: Centerville-Washington Park District Truck or Treat
Clermont County YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Address: 2075 James E. Sauls Sr. Drive, Batavia, OH 45103
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
Curbside Trick or Treat at the Newport Branch Library
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Address: Campbell County Public Library, Newport Branch | Newport, KY 41071
Note:Â Collect candy AND books! Fun surprises for adults.
Event Link: Campbell County Public Library Curbside Trick or Treat
Trunk or Treat at Schappacher Farms
Date: Sunday, Oct. 18
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Address: Schappacher Farms | 3068 W. State Route 73, Wilmington, OH 45177
Event Link: Schappacher Farms events
Sharon Woods Trunk or Treat
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 20
Time: Timed entry at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m.
Address: Sharon Woods, Visitor Center entrance | 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241
Note: For kids 14 and under. Free timed tickets are required through Sharonville Parks & Recreation, and a Great Parks Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter the park.
Event Link: Great Parks of Hamilton County Trunk or Treat
R.C. Durr YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Friday, Oct. 23
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Address: 5874 Veterans Way, Burlington, KY 41005
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
Halloween for Little Ones in Kettering
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Address: Kettering Recreation Complex | 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering, OH 45420
Note: Trunk or treat plus inflatables and face painting.
Event Link: Kettering Halloween for Little Ones
Vandalia Halloween Hangout
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: Vandalia Sports Complex | 1111 Stonequarry Road, Dayton, OH 45414
Note: A trick-or-treat vendor area with trunk-or-treat style setups, plus hayrides, inflatables and a costume contest.
Event Link: City of Vandalia community events
Green Township Trunk or Treat
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: Kuliga Park | 6717 Bridgetown Road, Cincinnati, OH 45248
Event Link: Green Township
Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA Boo Fest and Howl-O-Ween Hootenanny at ArtsConnect
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: Noon to 3 p.m.
Address: ArtsConnect | 9158 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
Note: The YMCA sets up on the ArtsConnect front lawn while Springfield Township’s Howl-O-Ween Hootenanny runs on the Annex back field next door with trunk or treating from local businesses, hayrides, a hay maze and a dog costume contest at 2 p.m.
Event Links: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest and ArtsConnect Howl-O-Ween Hootenanny
Highland County YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Address: Liberty Park | 201 Diamond Drive, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
Trunk or Treat at Christ the King Lutheran Church
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Address: Christ the King Lutheran Church | 7393 Dimmick Road, West Chester, OH 45069
Note: Rain or shine. If the weather is bad, it moves inside.
Event Link: Christ the King Lutheran Trunk or Treat
M.E. Lyons YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Address: 8108 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
Blue Ash YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Address: 5000 YMCA Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
Clippard Family YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Address: 8920 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati, OH 45251
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
Gamble-Nippert YMCA Boo Fest
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Address: 3159 Montana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45211
Event Link: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest
