Halloween Guide 2019

A guide to the area’s best events, farms, festivals, and activities

Southeast Michigan has plenty of fall-themed festivals and events to keep young-at-heart ghosts and goblins smiling throughout the season. Check out all the happenings from floating pumpkin patches to costume parties and trick or treating!

October Events

Floating Pumpkin Patch
Thursday, October 3 | 6:45-8:15pm
Saline Recreation Center
1866 Woodland Dr., Saline
734-429-3902, salinerec.com
Pre-registration required, $8-$12

Find your floating pumpkin in the pool. Life jackets will be available and parents should accompany children below a Level 4 swimming ability. Enjoy cider and donuts while creating a pumpkin masterpiece at decorating station. Ages 3-13

Dexter Apple Daze/Scarecrow Decorating Contest
Saturday, October 5 | 10am-5pm
Monument Park, Dexter
8031 Main St.
Festival Free, $25 to enter Scarecrow contest

Celebrate the local apple harvest by taking a hayride to the historic Dexter Cider Mill, enter a pie-eating contest, or check out the many crafts. Also, check out all the scarecrows entered into the scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by Ruby’s Makery.

Halloween Hootenanny
Sunday, October 6 | 11am-2pm
Independence Lake County Park
3200 Jennings Rd., Whitmore Lake
734-449-4437, washtenaw.org
$6/person, $22/family of 4, $25/family of five and $3 per additional member

Come down Scarecrow Lane, solve a mystery and enjoy family friendly activities including building your own scarecrow, crafts, a Halloween obstacle course, spider toss and cider and doughnuts.

Smoke and Ale Fall Festival
Friday, October 12 at 5pm
Saturday, October 13 at 7pm
Chelsea Community Fairgrounds
20501 West Old US Highway 12
chelseamich.com/smoke-ale
$5 per person, 12 & under are free

This annual festival will include both amateur and professional BBQ contests, a beer barn and live music. Kids will enjoy a variety of games and a cornhole tournament just for them!

Zoo Boo
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays,
October 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 | 3-7:30pm
The Detroit Zoo
8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
248-541-5717, detroitzoo.org | Tickets start at $10

Wear your costumes to the zoo for a “merry-not-scary” Halloween celebration. Aerialists, a joking juggler, never-ending corn maze, haunted creatures, a treat trail and superhero reenactments are just some of the delights awaiting families. Advanced ticket purchase encouraged. Attendees may also purchase tickets to a 15-minute version of “The Wizard of Oz 4-D Experience” at the Wild Adventure Zone in the Ford Education Center.

Run Scream Run 10K, 5K & 1 Mile
Saturday, October 12 | 8:30am-12pm
Wiard’s Orchard & Cider Mill
5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti
Runscreamrun.com
Registration available, $19-$45

Have a “fun scary” run through Wiard’s Orchard! All entrants receive a t-shirt, while all 5K/10K finishers receive a Frankenstein medal. The Cider Mill Mile finishers receive a pumpkin medal.

Trick or Treat Along the Trail at Hudson Mills Metropark
Saturday, October 12 | 4-6pm
Hudson Mills Activity Center
8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter
734-426-8211, metroparks.com
$5 per person

Costume-clad little ones (ages 3-8) will enjoy Halloween-themed interpretive stops along the nature trail, and then enjoy cider, donuts, and crafts in the Activity Center. A Metroparks vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is $35 annually for regular admission, $21 annually for seniors or $10 daily. Pre-registration is requested.

Monster Mash
Saturday October 12 | Noon-3pm
Rolling Hills County Park
7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti
ewashtenaw.org
$6 per person, $22 family of 4, $25 family of 5, $3 per additional person

Hayrides, crafts, carnival games, a candy hunt, Trek or Treat Trail, face painting, and cider and donuts will be available to families and kids of all ages. Costumes are encouraged and pets are welcome!

Appleumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 12 | 9am-6pm
Sunday, October 13 | 10am-5pm
Downtown Tecumseh
517-423-3740,
chamber@tecumsehchamber.org
Prices vary depending on activity

Bring the family for a day of fun with carnival rides, bungee jumping, crafts, putt putt, helicopter rides and monster truck rides. Fun for all ages.

Pumpkin Carving Party
Sunday, October 13 | 1-3pm
Hudson Mills Activity Center
8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter
734-426-8211, metroparks.com
$6

Pick out a pumpkin, choose a design, and have fun carving. The fee includes one pumpkin and cider and doughnuts. A metropark pass is required. All ages welcome!

Trick or Treat on the River
Sunday, October 13 | Noon-5pm
Gallup Livery
3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor
A2gov.org
$20 per boat

Wear your costume as you paddle around Gallup Pond in a canoe or kayak and collect Halloween candy. Keep your eye out for creatures, swamp monsters and pirates! The livery provides life jackets, but bring a bag for candy. No pre registration required.

PreSchool Pumpkin Hunt
Tuesday, October 15 | 10am
Saline Recreation Center
1866 Woodland Drive, Saline
734-429-3902, salinerec.com
Pre-registration required, ages 2-5, $8-$12

Children ages 2-5 are invited on a mini-pumpkin hunt. Afterwards, they can listen to a storyteller and decorate their pumpkins. Light snacks will be available.

Little Boo at the Zoo
Thursday and Friday, October 17-18 | 10am-3pm
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721, toledozoo.org
$8 for member children, $18 for non-member children and adults, parking fees apply

Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to don costumes for a trick-or-treat event at the zoo. Trick or treat throughout the zoo and delight in puppet shows, strolling magic, character meet and greets, crafts and games.

Boo Bash
Friday, October 18 | 6-8pm
Saline Rec Center
1866 Woodland Dr., Saline
734-429-4907, salinerec.com
Registration is encouraged,
$11-$15 per person ages 2 and over

Spend a Halloween-themed evening with the entire family doing crafts, playing games, and dancing to music. There’s a trick or treat trail, so wear your costume, and a balloon drop at the end of the night. This popular event sells out each year, so register early. Save $2 if you register by October 6.

Pumpkins, Lanterns, and Leaves
Friday and Saturday, October 18-19 | 6-8pm
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor
734-647-7600, mbgna.umich.edu
Call for ticket information

Families are invited for after hours fun in the gardens with pumpkins and harvest-themed events. Activities include a parade of lanterns that kids and families make and take home.

Animal Haunts
Saturday, October 19 | 6-8pm
Furstenberg Park
2626 Fuller Rd.
734-997-1553, lesliesnc.org
Families welcome, Register online or call Leslie Science Center

Families are welcome to join in the fun including non-scary hikes, wildlife, games, crafts and more. Sponsored by Leslie Science Center but held off-site.

Hallow Harvest
Saturday, October 19 | 12-4pm
Cobblestone Farm
2781 Packard Rd.
734-794-7120, cobblestonefarm.org

See the historic Cobblestone Farmhouse decorated for Halloween.

Harvest Festival at Kerrytown
Saturday and Sunday, October 19-20 | 9am-4pm
Ann Arbor Farmers Market
315 Detroit St.
734-794-6255, a2gov.org

See how artisans create glass works of art and try it yourself. To celebrate the harvest season, make pumpkins out of glass.

Pumpkin Path
Saturday, October 19 and
Sunday, October 20 | 10am-4pm
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721, toledozoo.org
$7 for member children, $16 for non-member children and adults, parking fees apply

Celebrate Halloween at the zoo with costumed trick-or-treating for the whole family, games, artistic pumpkin carving demonstration, magic shows, bounce houses, and more! Bring your own candy bag or bucket.

Fun on the Farm
Thursday, October 24 | 10am
Kensington Metropark
4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
248-684-8632, metroparks.com
$5 per child, ages 2-6

Toddlers can trick-or-treat all around the farm, play games, and visit the “haunted” barn. Wear your costume so that you can join in the animal parade. A Metroparks vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is $35 annually for regular admission, $21 annually for seniors or $10 daily.

Halloween Spooktacular
Thursday, October 24 | 10:30pm
to Friday, October 25 | 12:30am
High Point School
1735 S Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor
Grade 9-Adults with disabilities and their friends and families $10

It’s a costume party complete with Hallween tunes, games and seasonal refreshments. Adapted staff and volunteers will help provide a great night of memories.

The Art of Animated Characters
Friday, October 25 | 7:30pm
Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College
4800 E Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor. wccband.org
Free

Kids of all ages are invited to dress as their favorite animated characters and participate in the Parade of Costumes as the band highlights music from best-loved cartoons and animated features.

Halloween Downtown/YpsiGlow
Friday, October 25 | 4:30-11pm
Downtown Ypsilanti
1 South Huron St., Ypsilanti
734-482-4110, ypsilibrary.org
Free

First, visit the Boo!Mobile, collect candy, and enjoy fun giveaways. Afterward, walk to North Washington St. for music, glowing costumes and window displays, interactive art, luminaries and more.

Halloween Bash
Saturday, October 26 | 6:30-8:30pm
Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center
2960 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor
734-974-6355, ewashtenaw.org
Registration available, $6/person, $22/family of 4 (each additional family member $3)

Don’t miss this night of family fun! Wear your Halloween costumes for an evening of tricks and treats.

Pumpkin Stomp and Chomp
Saturday, October 26 | 10am-3pm
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721, toledozoo.org
Regular zoo admission and parking rates apply

Watch the zoo animals receive their Halloween pumpkins and find out which ones like to eat pumpkins and which ones like to smash them!

Zombie Apocalypse Survival
Saturday, October 26 | 1-3pm
Kensington Metropark
4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
810-227-8917, metroparks.com
$5 per person

Kids 8 and older will learn all the necessary skills, like fire-starting and shelter-building, to survive a zombie attack. A Metroparks vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is $35 annually for regular admission, $24 annually for seniors or $10 daily

Family Friendly Drag Queen Story Time, Karaoke & Show
Saturday, October 26 | 1-3pm
The Tap Room
201 W Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
$7

Families are invited to Drag Queen Story Time with Boylesque Drag. Children are invited to wear their favorite costume.

Shoebox Haunted Houses
Saturday, October 26 | 2-3pm
Ypsilanti District Library-Superior
8795 MacArthur Boulevard, Ypsilanti
734-482-4110, ypsilibrary.org
Free

Children ages 6-14 are invited transform a shoebox into a miniature scary or silly house.

Animal Haunts
Saturday, October 26 | 6-8pm
Leslie Science and Nature Center
1831 Traver Rd, Ann Arbor
734-997-1553, lesliesnc.org
$10 per person or $35 per family

Hike through Black Pond Woods and meet plants and animals native to Michigan. The non-scary, candy-free fun includes a hay jump, harvest crafts, stories, costumes, and more. Pre Registration is required.

Halloween at the Farmers Market
Saturday, October 26 | Noon-2pm
Ann Arbor Farmers Market
315 Detroit St. 734-794-6255, a2gov.org
Free

Children are encouraged to wear their costumes at the market and participate in festivities including face painting and pumpkin decorating.

Fall Festival at Domino’s Farms
Sunday, October 27 | 11am-2pm
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms
3001 Earhart Rd.
734-998-0182, pettingfarm.com

In addition to the regular attractions at the Petting Farm, children can enjoy a costume parade, games, snacks, and crafts. Hayrides are available for an additional charge.

Spooky Species
October 25-27 & 31 | 5-6:30pm
The Creature Conservancy
4950 Ann Arbor Saline Rd., Ann Arbor
734-929-9324, thecreatureconservancy.org
Advance ticket purchase required.

Spiders and snakes and bats, oh my! Families can register for the interactive, hands-on program to learn about bats, snakes and other creepy crawly animals. Cider and donuts will be served.

Ann Arbor District Library
Halloween Costume Contest
Sunday, October 27 | 12:30-3pm
Downtown Library
343 South Fifth Ave.
734-327-4200, aadl.org
Free

All ages are invited to dress in their best costumes and stand before the judges for a chance to win a prize. Costume categories include best book character, best flying object, most creative family costumes, most hilarious, best robot, best and brightest colored and many more! A free photo booth will be available as well as snacks and crafts.

Muttster Mash Bash
Saturday, October 27 | 6-8pm
Humane Society of Huron Valley
3100 Cherry Hill Rd.
734-662-5585, hshv.org/muttstermash

$10 per child, free for adults and kids under 1
The Humane Society of Huron Valley invites everyone to come out for a great time to benefit the animals in the shelter. Children will enjoy games, trick or treating, crafts for the animals, pictures with Happy the Hound, playtime with the adoptable animals and much more! Pre-registration required.

University of Michigan Halloween Concert
Sunday, October 27| 4:30pm
Hill Auditorium
825 N. University Ave.
tickets.smtd.umich.edu
Reserved seating $12 and $8

Join the University Orchestras for an afternoon of spooky songs and Halloween favorites. Kids of all ages can wear their costumes and enjoy the tricks, treats, and great music. Tickets required.

Scio Township Fire Department Halloween Party
Sunday, October 27 | 1-4pm
Scio Township Fire Department
1055 N. Zeeb Rd.
Free

Join in the fun exploring the fire station, trucks, equipment with bounce houses, games and refreshments.

Teen Halloween Party
Tuesday, October 29 | 4:30-6:30pm
Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan
229 W. Michigan Ave.
734-482-4110, ypsilibrary.org
Free

Teens are invited to celebrate Halloween with some spooky crafts, snacks and games.

Ann Arbor District Library Halloween Party
Thursday, October 31 | 10am and 11:30am
Downtown Library
343 South Fifth Ave.
734-327-4200, aadl.org
Free

Children in preschool to grade 3 are invited to dress in their best costume and then hear stories, see a puppet show and have trick or treats. After, the group will head to Main Street for the Halloween Treat Parade.

19th Annual Halloween Treat Parade
October 31 | 11am-5pm
Main Street and Liberty Streets, Ann Arbor
Free

Families are invited to stop by participating businesses to trick or treat. The event is held rain or shine and is sponsored by the Main Street Association.

The Great Pumpkin Roll
Saturday, November 2 | 9am
Mill Pond Park
565 W Bennett St., Saline
734-429-4907, cityofsaline.org
Free

Bring your old jack-o-lantern to Mill Pond Park for the annual pumpkin roll. Winners will receive prizes, but everyone will enjoy cider and doughnuts.

Pumpkin Smash
Saturday, November 2 | 12-5pm
Rolling Hills County Park
7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti
Ewashtenaw.org
Event is free but vehicle admission is required.

Grab your jack-o-lanterns and see if you can roll your pumpkins down the sledding hill and hit a target on the way down. Pumpkins must be carved.

Fall Fun

Make the most of Michigan’s beautiful autumn weather with a hay ride, a glass of fresh apple cider, or a trip through a corn maze.

Alber Orchard
13011 Bethel Church Rd, Manchester. 734-428-9310.
alberorchard.com

Tour the vintage cider press, try your luck in the 7-acre corn maze, or relax during the hayride at this beautiful orchard. $3 per person for hayrides, $6 per person for corn maze.

Blast Corn Maze
6175 Daly Rd, Dexter. blastcornmaze.com

Adults and kids of all ages can try their luck in 3.5 miles of corn maze trails. $10 for adults, $7 for children, 4 & under Free

Coleman’s Corn Maze
12758 Jordan Rd, Saline. 734-429-1212.
colemanscornmazes.com

Climb on giant haystacks, pet the barn animals, play in the corn box, or choose one of three corn mazes. Prices vary by activity and age

DeBuck’s
50240 Martz Rd., Belleville. 734-260-0334.
debuckscornmaze.com

Hayrides, family fun area and corn maze. Prices vary.

Dexter Cider Mill
3685 Central St, Dexter. 734-426-8531.
dextercidermill.com

Enjoy apples, cider, and doughnuts at the oldest continuously operated cider mill in Michigan.

Erwin Orchards
61475 Silver Lake Rd., South Lyon. 248-437-0150. erwinorchards.com

This farm offers a variety of fall fun including wagon rides, corn maze, petting zoo, and live music.

Jenny’s Farm Stand
8366 Island Lake Rd, Dexter.734-424-3431.
jennysfarmmarket.com

Kids will love the pony rides, straw bale maze, and homemade doughnuts at Jenny’s.

Maybury Farm
50165 8 Mile Rd, Northville. 248-916-3033.
mayburyfarm.org

Take a wagon ride to the 9-acre corn maze, or enjoy a 1-acre maze especially for kids. $9 per person, 2 & under are free

Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill
10685 Warren Rd, Plymouth. 734-455-2290
plymouthorchards.com

Take a fun, educational wagon ride tour of this beautiful working farm and cider mill. $2.50-3.50 per person

The Pumpkin Factory
48651 Harris Rd, Belleville. 734-461-1835.

Family hayrides, a petting zoo, pedal cart races, and a bakery are some of this pumpkin farm’s fall offerings. Prices vary by activity

Three Cedars Farm
7897 Six Mile Rd, Northville. 248-437-8200.
threecedarsfarm.org

Families can enjoy a hayride, a train ride, or the 7-acre corn maze.
Hayrides $5 per family, train rides $4 per person, corn maze $5 per person

Wiard’s Country Fair
5565 Merritt Rd, Ypsilanti. 734-390-9211.
wiards.com

Admission to the Country Fair includes many family-friendly activities including inflatables, pony rides, wagon rides, an apple cannon, and much more. $18.75 per person on weekends, children under 2 are free

Trick or Treating

Wednesday, October 31

Ann Arbor 5-8pm
Chelsea 5:30-7:30pm
Dexter 5:30-7:30pm
Milan 6-8pm
Saline 6-8pm
Ypsilanti Until dusk

Halloween Monster Mash Party

Throw a Monster Mash that will be a graveyard smash!
By Raegan Nelson

With minimal cost and resources, you can host the best monster mash Halloween party for kids of all ages. Get the scoop on these simple decorations, snacks, and activities to create the most Spooktacular event for all the little monsters in your life.

Party Decorations

Cast a spell on your party space with easy handmade party décor that will surely set a frightfully fun mood.

Monster Door
Door decorations are simple to make, easy to install, and a quick clean up. You can use your creativity to make any variety of monster.

Supplies

  • Craft Paper
  • Tape
  • Paper Plates
  • Scissors

Directions

  1. Create eyes using the backs of paper plates and placing black circles on them. Secure with tape to the door.
  2. For hair, use whatever color you would like and create a zig zag pattern the width of the door.
  3. For the face, cut craft paper to look like the eyes and mouth you desire and tape to the door.

Monster Garland
These easy monster garlands are the perfect way to decorate for all of your ghoulish guests.

Supplies

  • Craft feather boa
  • Smooth foam balls
  • Hot glue gun
  • Googly eyes
  • Twine or string

Directions

1. Cut the length of the boa that you need to wrap around the outside of the foam ball.
2. Using a hot glue gun, glue the boa around the circumference of the ball, leaving the middle open to make the eyeball.
3. Glue the googly eye to the middle of the white, exposed circle.
4. Glue the backside of the eyeball to twine or string so the eyes don’t move around.

Food

Eerie Worm Punch

Ingredients

  • Gummy worms
  • Green Nerds
  • Sprite
  • Ice
  • Green food coloring
  • Plastic Cups
  • Straws

Directions

  1. Fill your cup 2/3rds with ice then pour in Sprite.
  2. Dump in about a tablespoon of green nerds in and let them sink and float and slowly change the drink a shade of green. If you want it greener, add a drop of food coloring to the cup and stir.
  3. Drop in a worm or two, put in a festive straw and you have a frighteningly tasty drink.

Monster Sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 slices of white bread
  • 3 pieces thinly sliced deli ham
  • 1 slice American cheese
  • 2 stuffed green olives
  • Toothpicks

Directions

  1. Using a cookie cutter, cut the 2 slices of bread into circles.
  2. Cut three sides of the cheese in a zigzag pattern so it will go all the way around the front of the circular bread.
  3. Fold two slices of ham into quarters to make a wedge shape.
  4. Lay the cheese on one side of the bread so the zigzag hangs out.
  5. Place the wedges of ham over the cheese, and top with the second circle of bread.
  6. Stick toothpicks in 2 of the olives and insert them on the front of the sandwich to create eyes.

Spooky Veggie Cups

Ingredients

  • Dixie cups
  • Colored paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue
  • Assorted veggies cut into sticks
  • Ranch or hummus

Directions

  1. Measure the height and width of your Dixie cup and create a pattern to use.
  2. Cut out several pieces of measured paper in various colors.
  3. Wrap the paper around the cup and secure with clear tape or glue in the back.
  4. Add eyeballs or silly mouths to create a monster face.
  5. Fill the bottom of the cup with ranch or hummus and fill the cup with a mix of veggies that will poke out the top of the cup.

Monster Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients

  • Candy Melts (Either use the vibrant colored melts or use white melts and use food coloring to create the color of choice)
  • Candy eyes
  • Cooking oil
  • One batch of rice krispie treats

Directions

  1. Using a small bowl, melt the candy melts in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir then repeat until smooth. Add ½ tsp of cooking oil to thin out the melts.
  2. If you used colored melts, you are ready to dip. If you used white, add several drops of food coloring to create the desired color.
  3. Take your rectangular rice krispie and dip it in the melted candy to get one end completely covered. Lay on parchment paper while they harden.
  4. Before the candy hardens, place the candy eyes on and push in. Make them as silly as you would like.
  5. Let them dry for 30-60 minutes and enjoy!

Crafts

Paper Bag Monsters
Keep all the party guests entertained with these easy, spooky monsters.

Supplies

  • Paper lunch sacks
  • Colorful construction paper
  • Markers
  • Glue

Directions

  1. Decorate the side of the paper bag with the fold.
  2. Cover any way you like with paper, markers, stencils, etc.
  3. Make the fold of the paper bag into the monster face by adding eyes and teeth.

Monster Headbands

Supplies

  • Plain headband
  • Colorful pom poms
  • Googly eyes
  • Hot glue

Directions

  1. Hot glue colorful pomp oms onto the top of the headband.
  2. Glue eyeballs to the pom poms

Games

Pin the eye on the monster
Create any variety of monster, leaving off the eyes, and glue to a poster board. Make one or more eyeballs and put double stick tape to the back. Using a blindfold, have the children try to place the eyeball on the monster.

Halloween Freeze Dance
Using a variety of kid Halloween songs, have the children dance until the music stops. Whoever doesn’t stop when the music is paused has to sit out until the next round.

Recent Articles