The Halloween season returns with bats, ghosts and things that go “boo” in the night.
A ghost hunting group will tour the Hobart Art Theatre while the ever-popular Wickedly Whiting festival returns after taking 2020 off.
Here are some events to make the season festive for monsters of all ages. Make sure to check websites or social media for all the latest COVID-19 protocols.
Chesterton
Dark Shores Haunted Bus Tour: 7-11 p.m. Sept. 24, Oct. 9 and 15. Indiana Dunes Visitor’s Center, 1215 IN-49. Admission: $42. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
Participants will hear the stories of the Ghost of Alice, better known as Diana of the Dunes; and White Flint, daughter of the Pottawatomie chief. They will visit the ghostly Stagecoach Road as well as the site of one of the worst train accidents of Northern Indiana.
Cemetery Ghost Hunt: 7 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and 14. Val’s Famous Pizza, 112 S. 11th St. Admission: $22. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
Tour eerie graveyards at night with a ghost hunting guide and professional equipment.
Crown Point
Lake County Chiller Haunted Bus Tours: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 1, 9, 23 and 29. The Old Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square. Admission: $42. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
This is the original haunted bus tour and stops include either the Crown Point Jail or the Little Red Schoolhouse of Hammond, as well as Kahler Middle School in Dyer and the Kaske home in Munster.
Crown Antique Mall Spooktacular: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 2. Crown Antique Mall, 545 E. 110th Ave. Admission: free. 219-779-9767; facebook.com/crownantiquemallinc.
The third annual event will feature outdoor vendors, a costume contest, music, food and more.
South Lake County Haunted Bus Tour: 7 p.m. Oct. 8, 16 and 30. The Old Courthouse, 1 Main Street. $42. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
Hitchhikers, criminals, gangsters, murderers — visit real haunted sites and hear the myths and urban legends. They will discuss the ghosts of the Crown Point Fairgrounds, Salesians Boys School and Devil’s Road.
Haunted Walking Tour of Crown Point: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24. Crown Point Courthouse Square, 1 Courthouse Square. $16. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
Learn about the town’s haunted past.
Haunted Hills Hospital Haunted House Kid’s Days: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30. 7611 E. Lincoln Highway. $5. 219-241-9498; hauntedhillshospital.com.
Bring the kids in Halloween costumes and take them trick-or-treating through Haunted Hills Hospital without the gore and scary monsters.
Hesston
Ghost Train: Open 12-5 p.m. Oct. 16-17, Oct. 23-24 and 30-31. Hesston Steam Museum, 1201 E. 1000 N. Admission: $7; $5 for kids 3-12. 219-778-2783; hesston.org/plan.
The popular event returns the last three weekends in October for a spooky good time.
Hobart
Hairbangers Ball Halloween Bash: 7:30-11:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Hobart Art Theater, 230 Main St. $12; $15 at the door. 219-942-1670; brickartlive.com/events.
Enjoy a night of hair metal and a costume contest.
Hobart Art Theatre ghost tours: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 14 and 21. Hobart Art Theater, 230 Main St. Admission: $31. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
New this year on the ghost hunting circuit is the Hobart Art Theater with its spooky old basement and reports of floating orbs of light.
Michigan City
Haunted Trails and Family Fall Fest: 2-4:30 p.m. Oct 3. Friendship Botanic Gardens, 2055 E. U.S. 12., Michigan City, Indiana. Admission: $5; $2 for kids 12 and under. 219-878-9885; facebook.com/friendshipgardensindiana.
Don your Halloween costume and trick-or-treat on haunted trails. Make some crafts, play games and enjoy a bonfire and food.
Munster
Pumpkins, Witches and Hayrides: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 2. Centennial Park north lot, 900 N. Centennial Drive. Admission: $10 for all-access wristband, $3 for individual activities. 219-836-6900; munster.org.
Pumpkins, hayrides, face painting, bounce houses, games, costume contest, trick-or-treating, character visits, stage entertainment, pony rides and more abound at this festival.
A Walk in the Woods with Munster Parks: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 22. Bieker Woods Nature Area, 1050 Ridge Road. Admission: $1. 219-836-6900; facebook.com/munster.parks1/events.
Stroll through Bieker Woods and view the pumpkin carvings of residents and groups for a luminous nighttime experience.
Trunk or Treat with Munster Parks: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 23. Parking lot between Wilbur Wright and School Town Admin Building, 8616 Columbia Avenue. Admission: free. 219-836-6900; facebook.com/munster.parks1/events.
Residents, businesses and organization will pass out treats.
Bieker Woods Night Walk with Munster Parks: 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 23. Bieker Woods Nature Area, 1050 Ridge Road. Admission: $5. 219-836-6900; facebook.com/munster.parks1/events.
Tour guides will lead you through a chilling walk in the woods. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Portage
Haunted Hayrides: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 21-23. Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Admission: $3. 219-762-1675; facebook.com/PortageParks and search events.
Concessions available, cash only. Check the Facebook event page for updates regarding line closure and possible weather issues during the event. Not recommended for kids under 3.
St. John
Boo Bash and Trunk or Treat: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 23. Prairie West Park, 93rd and West Oakridge. Admission: free. 219-365-6236; stjohnin.com/Parks/BooBash.php.
The event will feature a Trunk or Treat, games, train rides, pumpkin decorating and more. Costumes encouraged; pumpkins and goodie bags will be available while supplies last.
Schererville
Halloween Stories and Campfire: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27. Schererville Community Center, 500 E. Joliet St. Admission: free. 219-865-5530; facebook.com/ScherervilleParksandRecreation and search events.
Listen to spooky tales around the glow of a campfire, led by Cindy Horgash and the Northwest Indiana Storytelling Guild. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.
Walking Haunted Pub Crawl of Valparaiso: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Oct. 2, 8 and 16. The Franklin House, 68 S. Campbell St. Admission: $21. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
Admit it, you’re just here for the boos. You’ll visit four or five haunted establishments while learning about Valpo’s history and haunted past and sipping some beverages. Alcohol is not provided.
Valparaiso
Porter County Terrors Haunted Bus Tour: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 16 and 23. Meet at 153 S. Franklin St. Admission: $42. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
This bus tour will include stops at the Old Jail Museum, Porter County Courthouse, Historic Opera House and Sunset Hill Farm, among other places.
Haunted Hayrides by ABATE: 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 29-30. Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 N. Meridian Road. Admission: $10; children 6 and under free with adult. 219-851-0980; registration.abateonline.org/programs-events/events/upcoming-events.
This is a family-friendly event with concessions available. A portion of proceeds go toward local children in need as well as motorcycle safety and training.
Whiting
Haunted Hayride: 6-10:30 p.m. Oct. 1-2. Whiting Lakefront Park, 1500 Park Road. Admission: $5. 219-659-0292; facebook.com/WRCoCHauntedHayride.
Take a trip through the scariest, creepiest and darkest trail this side of Lake Michigan.
Wickedly Whiting: 5-11 p.m. Oct. 8 and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 9. Downtown Whiting, 1417 119th St. Admission: free. 219-659-0292; wickedlywhiting.com.
Look for lots of live music, specialty vendors, haunted house attractions, an adult costume contest and more at this annual Halloween festival.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
