Bloomington-area Halloween themed events throughout October 2023

Editor's note: The time for the bat event at Hardin Ridge has been corrected.

If you haven't decided on your Halloween costume for the year, it's time to make some serious decisions: Barbie or Beyoncé? Evelyn Wang or Wednesday? Ted Lasso or Adonis Creed? Once you've compiled your costume, you'll have plenty of places to wear it as the Bloomington area leans into the spooky, creepy and fun Halloween season.

Haunted trail and more at camp spot at Lake Monroe

For the first time, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Lake Monroe is inviting everyone to participate in its fall fun by purchasing day passes for Saturdays. The park, 9396 S. Strain Ridge Road, Bloomington, is open through Sunday, Oct. 29, and has special events and activities scheduled on weekends.

This year’s fun features a haunted trail with ghosts, ghouls and goblins who are especially frightening after dark. Younger guests, as well as older ones who scare easily, can enter the trail during the day for a less terrifying visit.

Each Saturday through Oct. 28, there will be magic pumpkin picking, a costume contest for all, including adults and pets, safe trick-or-treating and the nighttime haunted trail.

Tickets including the Haunted Trail are $15 per person or four for $50. Passes without the Haunted Trail are $10 per person or four for $35. Visit https://jellystonelakemonroe.com or call 812-824-3322 for more information on fall activities.

Along with cooler temperatures, rates are lower for fall camping. Most activities are included in the cost of a cabin or RV site rental.

Trick or Treat Trail at RCA Park Oct. 7

The paved trail through the woods at RCA Community Park, 1400 W. RCA Park Drive, will come to life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, with your child's favorite movie, storybook and fairy-tale characters.

Participate in games and strike a pose at the photo booth while you wait to go on the trail. Join in the active, jumping, jack-o-lantern fun! For ages 1 to 10.

Admission is $5 per child. One adult admitted with each paid child admission; additional adults are $2.

Due to the popularity of this event, there may be a wait to enter the trail.

Trunk or treat double feature at Starlite Drive-In Oct. 12

Crystal Moon Body Arts is sponsoring a double feature at the Starlite Drive-In, 7640 Old Ind. 37, Bloomington.

Arrive early for the trunk or treat, which begins at 4:45 p.m., and stay for the free showings of "Hotel Transylvania" and the "Addams Family." Movies start at sundown, around 7:45 p.m.

Crystal Moon will have walk in specials on Friday, Oct. 13, that include flash tattoos and piercings as well as vendor pop-ups.

Octoberfest Bat Educational Event Oct. 14

Head to the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area amphitheater in the Hoosier National Forest at 3 p.m. Oct. 14 to learn about the bats of Indiana. Staff from FIND Outdoors and the national forest will be on hand with a bat cave set up for exploration.

There is a $5 gate fee for access. The address is 6464 Hardin Ridge Road, Heltonville. Once inside the entrance, follow the main road to the fifth entrance on the right just past the White Oak camping loop to the amphitheater parking lot.

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch Oct. 14

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or whenever all the pumpkins are gone) the Monroe County Courthouse lawn will transform into a magical field of glittering pumpkins. More than 1,000 handblown glass gourds will be on display for sale.

The pumpkins are made by members of the Bloomington Creative Glass Center. There is a preview event at the center, 229 W. Grimes Lane, from 5:30-8 p.m. on Oct. 7.

Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours, Oct. 14

What legends lie hidden in Rose Hill Cemetery? The Monroe County History Center hosts guided walking tours with reenactors who share secrets that lie beneath the stones and some haunted history too!

This is a walking tour; attendees must be able to walk at least 1 mile on uneven terrain. Flashlights are recommended. Tours are offered at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Cost is $12 per person and the event is for ages 10 and older.

Register by Oct. 6 at: https://bloomington.in.gov/recreation/programs/12096

Tickets are required for this event and are only available directly through Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Bloomington Pumpkin Launch Oct. 21

Flying pumpkins will dot the skies over the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Oct. 21, hurled by homemade trebuchets and other launching devices. Teams compete in challenges related to distance and accuracy and no cannons or chemically power devices are allowed.

Spectators can enjoy the squish of exploding pumpkins and visit the children's area for fall-themed activities, listen to live music, visit food vendors and take in the festive feel of fall.

Gates open at 11 a.m. and launching begins at noon at the fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Road. Cost is $10 per vehicle. Bring a lawn chair.

Halloween Heroes Trunk or Treat on Oct. 21

Stop by Ellettsville Pizza Pantry, 5690 W. Ind. 46, from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 for the Halloween Heroes Trunk or Treat. Fire trucks and police cruisers will be on site. A portion of sales will support local first responders.

Safe Night Trick or Treat Oct. 22

Monroe County 4-H Clubs and the fair board invite the public to a safe trick or treat at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Road, from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22. The event will be held rain or shine.

Dennis James hosts Halloween Oct. 25

An evening of mysterious happenings is in store as Bloomington’s favorite musical mastermind, Dennis James, hosts “Mystery Night” for his annual incarnation of Dennis James Hosts Halloween at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. This year’s spooky spectacular will feature a live radio reenactment along with Sherlock Holmes-themed films with James providing the soundtrack on IU Auditorium’s 4,543 pipe organ.

For a second-straight year, live actors will return as students from IU’s Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance take the IU Auditorium stage for a live reenactment of an episode of the 1940s radio drama Inner Sanctum titled “The Voice on the Wire.”

James will also present his traditional silent films with live accompaniment for a 1928 classic cartoon of Felix the Cat in “Sure Locked Homes,” followed by the 1924 thriller Sherlock Jr. starring Buster Keaton.

Tickets start at just $8 plus fees for this family friendly event.

Beacon's Halloween Bash on Oct. 26

Beacon is promising the biggest Halloween party in town from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at The Woolery Mill, 2250 W. Sunstone Drive.

There will be a DJ, photo booth and costume contest (though costumes are optional.) Food will be provided by One World Catering.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $65 in advance and $75 after Oct. 10. Get tickets or make a donation at https://shorturl.at/vxJM1.

Scare around the Square in Bedford Oct. 27

Bedford's downtown shops and businesses will be full of Halloween spirit Oct. 27. From 3 to 6 p.m. there will be trick-or-treating and from 7 to 9 p.m., the Bedford Public Library will present a free showing of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" at Harp Commons.

Bring a chair or blanket to settle in for the movie. Concessions available for purchase. More details at www.DowntownBedford.org

Haunted maze and Halloween fall festival Oct. 27 and 28

Join the People's Market at First United Church, 2420 E. Third St., on Oct. 27 and 28 for the Haunted Halloween Maze and other activities.

From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, make your way through the maze, take part in Halloween games, enjoy hot food and drink and watch spooky movies outside.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, wander through the maze during the day, participate in games and partake of hot food and drink.

On Saturday there will also be a trunk or treat.

Downtown trick or treat Oct. 27

Take the kids to downtown Bloomington from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27. Around 60 businesses normally participate, giving out candy and treats. Check out the Gather : Handmade Shoppe Facebook page for a map and more.

Festival of Ghost Stories Oct. 27

Haunting tales of ghosts and horror will float through Bryan Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27, sending tingles up your spine as jack o' lanterns leer and crisp cider fuels your fright. Bring a lawn chair and dress for the cool night air as seasoned storytellers from the Bloomington Storytellers Guild spin tales in the dark.

For weather-related updates, call 812-349-3754. Rain location will be the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Best suited for adults, teens, and older school-age children; may not be appropriate for younger children. Free.

Ghostly Gathering Oct. 27-29

Head to Paynetown State Recreation Area for Halloween-themed activities and games all weekend long Oct. 27-29.

On Friday, Oct. 27, check out the "Animals of Halloween" presentation at 3 p.m. and then "Slime Time" from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Halloween BINGO is at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, play Ghostly Games from 9:30-11 a.m., do some Creepy Crawly Crafts from 12:30-2 p.m. and find out what's in the Mystery Boxes from 3:30-5 p.m.

That night, trick or treating will take place in the A-Loop camping area from 5:30-7:30 p.m., which is a great time to check out the spooky campsite decorations.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, make a pumpkin bird feeder from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and take a "Ghosts of Allen's Creek" hike at 1 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to complete the Ghostly Gathering Nature Photo Hunt. The prize is a 2024 Indiana State Parks Annual Entrance Pass. Electric campsites are already booked but there may be other sites still available.

Admission to Paynetown is $7 per vehicle with an Indiana plate and $9 for out of state plates. The 2023 annual entrance pass will also get you in. Contact Paynetown Activity Center at 812-837-9967 or email Jill Vance at jvance@dnr.in.gov with questions. Visit http://bit.ly/ghostlygathering2023 for more details.

Halloween weekend at Oliver Winery Oct. 27-29

Sip free samples of Oliver Winery's mulled Beanblossom Hard Cider while celebrating the harvest season. Buy wine from the tasting room and take home a free pumpkin. Reserve a Halloween candy pairing tasting session every weekend in October for $25 per person plus tax at https://www.oliverwinery.com/visit/events.

Spooky Beats and Theater Treats Oct. 27

Join the Bloomington Community Band at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., for ghoulish fun that's off the charts. The band will play eerie melodies from 7-10 p.m. and the big screen will be a spectacle of kid-friendly videos featuring ghosts and dancing skeletons.

Attendees are encouraged to wander downtown to gather all the treats they can from local businesses participating in the downtown trick or treat until 8 p.m. in this come and go-style event. Free.

The Dynamics Halloween Costume Party Oct. 28

Head out the Fairfax Bar and Grill, 8660 Fairfax Road, in your costume to dance the night away with The Dynamics, 8-11 p.m. Oct. 28. Presale tickets are $15 at https://shorturl.at/mrB46 or $20 at the door.

First-ever Spooktacular Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest Oct. 28

Hot air balloons, including a haunted mansion balloon from Oklahoma, will be the highlight of the first-ever Spooktacular Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest, Oct. 26-28 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 Airport Road.

There will be bands performing live music, commercial and food vendors, fireworks, hayrides, a Wheels of Agriculture game show, a costume parade, inflatables, a pyrotechnic skydiver, wood carvers, trick-or-treat with balloon pilots and a beer and wine garden. Hours will be 4-10 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27 and 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 28. Purchase tickets at Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., or online at buskirkchumley.org/festival/7498.

Skate & Scare at Frank Southern Ice Arena Oct. 28

Come in costume to ice skate to spooky tunes 7-9 p.m. Oct. 28 at Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St. Cost is $6 for admission and $3 for skate rental. You can even visit the haunted locker room, if you dare!

Halloween Trick or Treat and Fun Zone on Oct. 28

Gather the kids and neighbors and head out to Danny Smith Memorial Park, 6800 E. Ind. 45, for the Halloween Trick or Treat and Fun Zone. From noon to 3 p.m. there will be trick-or-treating, local vendors, food trucks, and more. Carpooling is recommended since parking is limited.

Costume Party at The Bishop on Oct. 28

Put on your best disguise and head to The Bishop at 9 p.m. Oct. 28 for a costume party and a whole bunch of metal. Whoever wears it best will be invited to a participate in a beer chugging contest. Bands include The Devil Let Us, Potty Movth, Rattle Snake Mafia, and Fox Body. $10 cover. 21 and older.

Spooky Nature Crafts on Oct. 29

Meet at the Sycamore Shelter in Lower Cascades Park, 2851 N. Old Ind. 37, at noon on Oct. 29 for Spooky Nature Crafts, sponsored by Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Use natural materials to create an autumnal or spooky craft to take home. Register online by Oct. 25 at bloomington.in.gov/recreation/programs/12155 for the two-hour program that costs $5 for city residents and $6 for out-of-city residents.

Reach Jill Bond at jbond@heraldt.com. Carol Kugler contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington, IN, Halloween things to do in October 2023