Plan your costumes now for these 20-plus Halloween activities in Springfield
Fans of the spooky season will soon have plenty of opportunities to get dressed up as their favorite characters, munch on fistfuls of candy and enjoy eerie tunes. Several local businesses are gearing up for Halloween with family-friendly events, ranging from fun runs, concerts showcasing local talent and dance parties.
The News-Leader has compiled a list of more than 20 Halloween-related activities, including six trunk-or-treating events held at local businesses.
Spooktacular Drag Brunch
When: Sunday, Oct. 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Martha's Vineyard at 219 W. Olive St.
Martha's Vineyard is getting spooky for its Halloween-themed drag brunch. Entertainment will be provided by Tania Carrington, Ruby Diamond, Iris Spring, Devorah the Doll and Charlie M. Von Trash. Food will be prepared by the nightclub's new restaurant, The Galley Grill. With a ticket, guests will have the choice between biscuits and gravy or pancakes. Both are served with eggs, bacon and a fruit cup. Guests will also receive one drink ticket for a mimosa or Bloody Mary.
Tickets are available on the Martha's Vineyard website for $30.
More: During 'year of change,' Martha's Vineyard unveils restaurant expansion, The Galley Grill
Spooky Paddleboarding
When: Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Finley Farms at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
Finley Farms invites paddleboard enthusiasts to dress up for an evening of spooky fun. The paddleboarding trip begins and ends at The Workshop, which will conclude with s'mores, hot chocolate and cider.
Finley Farms asks that any inflatable costumes or costumes that prohibit movement stay at home due to the nature of the active event. The Finley Farms team will select a costume winner that will be announced after the excursion.
Tickets can be purchased on the Finley Farms' website for $55.
Rountree Witches Weekend
When: Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: Rountree neighborhood
In partnership with its neighboring businesses, Ellecor Interior Design is hosting two days of witchy events. On Friday, Oct. 13, the party will be geared more toward the adults, with a broom-making class at The Local Bevy and Laurel Spa, spooky treats at Tea Bar and Bites and photo booths at Ellecor Interior Design. The Royal is serving up a few witch-themed cocktails and Artistree Pottery, Culture Flock and Fleur Floral Studio are offering specials throughout the evening. Saturday, Oct. 14 is more for the kids, with a parade and trick-or-treating at area businesses.
More: It's spooky season! Here's where Spirit Halloween has set up shop in Springfield
Spooky Cookie Decorating
When: Saturday, Oct. 14 from 1-3:30 p.m.
Where: Pickwick & Cherry at 607 S. Pickwick Ave. Suite B
During Pickwick & Cherry's spooky cookie decorating workshop, participants will roll out and bake cookies and learn how to work with royal icing — decorating ghosts, witches, black cats, bats and jack-o-lanterns. Cookies will be available for pick-up on Sunday, Oct. 15.
Tickets can be purchased on the Pickwick & Cherry website for $59 per person.
Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Park Central Square
TAME Pet Magazine's Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival encourages dog lovers to come dressed up with their canine friends. The city's largest pet costume parade kicks off at 2:30 p.m. near Civil Kitchen, followed by a costume contest. Entry to the contest is $2 per pet.
Early Halloween Classic Beer Mile
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.
Where: Springfield Brewing Company at 305 S. Market Ave.
Springfield Brewing Company is hosting a Halloween-themed beer mile race around the brewery. Competitors run four 1/4-mile loops around the brewery, drinking a full 12-ounce can of beer before each lap. Prizes are awarded to the top three men and women. First place receives a free six-pack of beer, second place receives a free pint of beer and standard shot and third place receives a free pint. The last person to finish the race receives a standard shot from the bar. The competitor with the best costume also receives a free six-pack. Competitors who wish to participate but consume non-alcoholic beer can also join in on the fun.
Pre-sale tickets are available online for $15. Day-of tickets will be $20.
Queen of Hearts Halloween Bash
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5-11:45 p.m.
Where: Foxhole Bar & Grill at 2350 N. Clifton Ave.
The Foxhole Bar & Grill's family-friendly Queen of Hearts Halloween Bash features a haunted house, candy, games and prizes.
More: Pitchers, pool and plenty of history: 5 Springfield dive bars with lots of personality
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26 at 8:45 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 27 at 8:45 p.m.
Where: The Old Glass Place at 521 E. St. Louis St.
Gaining national recognition, Fever is bringing its Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics performance to Springfield. Candlelight concerts are a multi-sensory musical experience with musicians performing among hundreds of lit candles. In Springfield, the Listeso String Quartet will perform Halloween hits like Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Danny Elfman's "Bettlejuice" theme song and Ray Park Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" theme song.
Tickets are available on the Fever website for between $31-51.
Bandits Halloween Bash
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m.
Where: KJ Brewskies at 2216 N. Packer Road
KJ Brewskies is hosting comedian Copenhagen Bandit for its Halloween party. Come dressed for the occasion because the best costume receives $100 and the best couples costume receives $150.
Haunted Hustle: Halloween Indoor Triathlon
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Chesterfield Family Center at 2511 W. Republic Road
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board's Haunted Hustle is a one-hour triathlon, featuring a 10-minute swim, 30-minute spin bike ride and 20-minute treadmill run. Registration is available on the park board's website. Registration is $40 for Chesterfield Family Center members and $50 for non-members. The triathlon is open to folks 16 and up.
Halloween Hustle
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 9 a.m.
Where: City Utilities of Springfield at 301 E. Central St.
City Utilities of Springfield's Halloween-themed 5K and 10K races benefit Harmony House. Both races will start and finish at the CU office, winding through Midtown. Runners are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit and dress up in costumes.
Registration is available online or at the City Utilities office. Through Oct. 15, the entry fee is $30 for the 10K, $25 for the 5K and $10 for children who wish to participate in the 5K. After Oct. 15, entry is $35 for the 10K, $30 for the 5K and $15 for children. All participants will receive a Halloween Hustle t-shirt to take home.
Trick Art Treat
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Springfield Art Museum at 1111 E. Brookside Drive
The Springfield Art Museum's annual Trick Art Treat morning event features spooky art projects and photo booths throughout. The drop-in event is free for the whole family.
Marvelous Discovery Halloween
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Discovery Center at 438 E. St. Louis St.
The Discovery Center's Halloween party will feature Ghostbusters of the Ozarks, Springfield's Ultimate Cosplay League, the Springfield LEGO Users Group and the 501st Legion Storm Troopers. Children have the chance to learn the science behind their favorite superheroes, all while enjoying peanut-free trick-or-treating and bounce houses.
Halloween activities are available with an entry ticket. Admission is $8 for children ages three through 15, $12 for adults 16 through 59 and $10 for adults 60 and up. Admission is $7 for military personnel with a valid ID.
More: Dinosaurs have taken over the Discovery Center in $1 million expansion project
Halloween Dance Party & Costume Contest at Mother's
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: Mother's Brewing Company at 215 S. Grant Ave.
Mother's Brewing Company is hosting a Halloween dance party and costume contest for all ages. DJ Imperial will provide live entertainment starting at 8 p.m. Costume prizes will be awarded to the funniest, scariest, best couple, best group and best overall costumes. Tickets are available on Mother's website for $10.
Halloween Monster Ball
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: Abou Ben Adhem Shrine at 601 E. St. Louis St.
The fifth annual Halloween Monster Ball features spooky live music, food, drinks and a costume contest. PaPPo's Pizzeria is catering all-you-can eat pizza with several cash bars stationed throughout the shrine's auditorium. $500 will be awarded throughout the night for a costume contest. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $50.
Bad Witch Halloween Drag Brunch
When: Sunday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m.
Where: 417 Taphouse at 431 S. Jefferson Ave. Suite 160
417 Taphouse is hosting a Halloween-themed drag brunch and buffet on the Sunday before the holiday. Local drag performers Ether Realities, Dee Dee Carrington, Tina HC, Sarah Tonin and Reggie So Cold are providing entertainment. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $30. The buffet is included with the ticket price; drinks are sold separately.
Kids in the Kitchen
When: Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1-2 p.m.
Where: Hy-Vee at 1720 W. Battlefield Road
Hy-Vee Dietitian Audrey Williams is hosting a Halloween-themed Kids in the Kitchen workshop, where children can whip up four individualized recipes. The workshop starts with trying fun foods from the store like cotton candy grapes, pink watermelon, and jicama. Children will have help from Williams and other store staff throughout the one-hour workshop, as some recipes require the use of appliances like microwaves and blenders. Guardians have the option to stay with their children or leave and shop in the store.
Workshop tickets are available on Eventbrite or at the Hy-Vee store's customer service desk, near the front of the store by the registers. Tickets are $10 per child. The workshop is designed for children ages 4 through 12.
Sensory Safe Trick-or-Treat
When: Sunday, Oct. 29 from 3-7 p.m.
Where: Abou Ben Adhem Shrine at 601 E. St. Louis St.
TheraCare is hosting a sensory safe trick-or-treating event for families who may prefer environments with low sensory stimulation at the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine. Candy and non-candy options will be available for trick-or-treaters. The event is free, but families should register for a designated timeslot on Eventbrite.
Contender Halloween
When: Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m.
Where: Contender eSports at 3010 S. National Ave.
Gamers of all ages and skill levels are invited to attend Contender eSports' Halloween party. The esports center is hosting spooky games and movies throughout the night. The Halloween festivities are available with an entry ticket to the facility. For non-members, one hour of gameplay is $10, three hours is $27 and six hours is $40.
Trunk-or-Treats
If you're looking for trunk or treat opportunities for the whole family, there are several being hosted throughout the Ozarks leading up to and on Halloween night:
417 Aerial at 116 W. Sherman Way Suite 10 in Nixa on Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
Air Services Heating at 2145 W. Sunset St. on Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m.
Marco's Pizza at 830 W. Mount Vernon St. Suite 12 & 13 in Nixa on Oct. 28 from 5-7 p.m.
Hidden Treasure Action Barn at 9898 Richland Road in Willard on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.
Holiday Avenue Salon at 1921 S. Glenstone Ave. on Oct. 29 from 3-5 p.m.
Advance Auto Parts at 1257 E. Battlefield Road on Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 2023 Halloween activities in Springfield, including trunk-or-treats
