Halloween 2023: Scary movies, tours, shows and more in Indianapolis

The mad scientists, monsters and murderers of yore are back for another Halloween season. And they're offering a spectrum of scare that ranges from endearingly spooky to downright terrifying.

A plethora of creatures will come alive through ghost stories, tours, shows and even a whole weekend packed with back-to-back horror films. You can visit some of the creatures in their off-season home, dress up as a ghoul yourself, solve murder mysteries with friends or let flashlights guide you to uncover what hides in dark museum corners.

Here are some of Indianapolis' best Halloween activities this year.

Scary movies

"Drive-In Massacre": A two-night horror movie marathon that includes "Creature from the Black Lagoon," "Christine" and "Dracula vs. Frankenstein" as well as vendors and special guests. Oct. 6-7. 3986 E. Michigan Road in Shelbyville. $15 per night presale, $25 for the weekend. theskylinedrivein.com

"Kan-Kan Says Boo": A month of Halloween films, including "Cure," "Hereditary," "Sleepy Hollow" and "Shaun of the Dead." Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie, 1258 Windsor St. kankanindy.com

"Rocky Horror Picture Show": The Rocky Horror Picture Show: The 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour with Barry Bostwick. Oct. 14 at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. $25-$95. Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast. Oct. 28 at the Irving Theater, 5505 E. Washington St. $15 advance, $20 door. butlerartscenter.org and transylvanianliptreatment.com

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Historic Irvington Halloween Festival

Tickets and details: irvingtonhalloween.com

The Indianapolis neighborhood that does Halloween best is back with its traditional slate of fun. Check the website for tickets to the events, which include:

• Oct. 21: Masquerade Ball with hors d'oeuvres and music from Six Foot Blonde. Ages 21 and up. Sold out.

• Oct. 22: Spooky Organ Concert, Our Lady of Lourdes, 5333 E. Washington St.

• Oct. 24-27: "Fright-Seeing," a bus tour of Irvington's spookily decorated old homes. Adults only. Starts at the Irvington branch of the Indianapolis Public Library at the corner of Washington Street and Audubon Road. https://www.irvingtonhalloween.com/fright-seeing

• Oct. 26: "A Night Out in Sleepy Hollow," with a reading of Washington Irving's famous story and tales by winners of a Halloween-themed writing contest, for which entries are due Oct. 13. Irving Circle Park, 236 S. Audubon Road. irvingtonhalloween.com/writing-contest

• Oct. 28: Vampire Run, Halloween Street Fair, parade, costume contests, Battle of the Bands and after-party.

Ghost stories, tours and mysteries

"Spine-Tingling Tales and Tunes": Storytelling Arts of Indiana event with eight storytellers across two nights with 80s-inspired songs by host Ben Asaykwee. Oct. 29-30. Phoenix Theatre Culture Centre, 705 N. Illinois St. $20. storytellingarts.org and phoenixtheatre.org

"Murder at the Manor": A chance to help solve the mystery of the death of a fictional manor's owner. Oct. 13-14, 20-21 and 28-29. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. $23.95 adults, $19.95 members and students. bhpsite.org

"Twilight Tales": Flashlight tours that expose creatures in the museum's corners and folklore from beyond the grave. Oct. 18, 20, 25 and 31. Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. $20. 25% discount for members. indianamuseum.org

"Whodunit?": An opportunity for teams to solve a historic Indiana murder, complete with clues, interviews and more. Oct. 20. Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St. $25 in advance, $20 members. $30 door. indianahistory.org

On-stage frights

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein": The Gothic tale about a scientist and the monster he creates, based on the 1818 classic novel. Through Oct. 14. Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. $25-$106. irtlive.com

"Boo-la-la! 2: An Indianapolis Spectacular": A show comprising spooks, laughs, tricks and treats written by several Indy playwrights. Oct. 12-29. Fonseca Theatre Co., 2508 W. Michigan St. $20. $15 seniors and students. $10 neighborhood. fonsecatheatre.org

Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press: Taylor Swift Eras-themed concert where the band dresses up like different eras of the pop star as they perform her hits as well as their own. Oct. 28. The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave. $25-$30. thevogue.com

More haunted fun

"BOOville": A haunted house that peeks at where the mad scientists, witches, zombies, werewolves and other Halloween creatures live, courtesy of The Children’s Museum Guild. Choose lights-on or lights-off hours, depending on your threshold for scary. Oct. 10-31. The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St. $9. childrensmuseum.org

ZooBoo: With a Mirror Maze, DJ, forest tour, Roller Ghoster and more. Through Oct. 31. Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St. Included with regular admission and free for members. indianapoliszoo.com

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Halloween 2023: Scary movies, tours, shows and more in Indianapolis