Kid Friendly

Fowler Pumpkin Patch

Date: Opening for the fall season on Saturday, September 20
Location: Fowler Pumpkin Patch
Admission: Fees may be charged for various activities

Enjoy quintessential fall fun at Fowler Pumpkin Patch, complete with a corn maze, petting zoo, hayrides, u-pick pumpkin patch, and more. 

Trick or Treat Trail

Date: Saturday, October 4
Time:  1:00-4:00 PM
Location: RCA Park
Admission: $6/child - One adult is included with each child's paid admission; admission for each additional adult is $2

Enjoy a Halloween-themed carnival with games, activities, a scavenger hunt, and costumes galore! Join a group tour on the paved trail through the woods, where your guide will show you where to find favorite storybook characters who have new stories to share.

Howl at the Moon

Date: Friday, October 10
Time:  7:30-8:30 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free

Join us for an evening dog walk through the park—glow sticks included! We’ll walk a 1.5-mile paved loop together after dark. The first 50 dogs receive a glow stick for their collar. All leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome!

Starlite Drive-In Trunk or Treat 

Date: Wednesday, October 15
Time:  5:30 PM
Location: Starlite Drive-In
Admission: Free

Crystal Moon Body Arts sponsors Trunk or Treat with a free double feature of GooseBumps and The Addams Family.  Movies start at 7:30 PM. 

Trunk or Treat

Date: Friday, October 18
Time:  5:00-7:00 PM
Location:  6002 W. State Road 46 (Bender Lumber)
Admission: Free

Join us for an evening of family fun with games, food and goodie bags!

Trunk or Treat at the Patch

Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 4:00-6:30 PM
Location: Fowler Pumpkin Patch
Admission: Free

Everyone is welcome, free for all.

Downtown Trick or Treat

Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 5:00-8:00 pm PM
Location: The Downtown Square
Admission: Free

Bring the kiddos in their best costumes to downtown's annual Trick or Treat Walk.  Many business will have treats for the little ones. 

Fall Family Fun Day at the Hawaiian Hoosier

Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Location: 120 W. Temperance St., Ellettsville
Admission: Free

Bring the whole ‘ohana (family) for a day of fall celebrations filled with aloha spirit! Pumpkin carving station, candy apples & crafts, games & family activities and photo area. Kiddos in costume will receive a FREE Hawaiian Frozen Cream. 

Halloween with the Horses

Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: 7644 W. Elwren Rd. (PALS)
Admission: $7.00 per person in advance online, $10.00 at the door, 3 & under free. 

Join us for a spooky and heartwarming evening at Halloween with the Horses on October 25th from 5-8 PM at 7644 W Elwren Rd., Bloomington, IN 47403, a family-friendly fall festival benefiting PALS! Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, trick or treating on the sensory trail, and plenty of photo ops! Held right here at PALS, this beloved annual event brings together the community for a night of festive fun, horse encounters, and Halloween magic, all while supporting our mission of healing through horse-assisted services.

Safe Night Trick or Treat

Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Free

The Monroe County Fair Board and 4H Club invite you to this safe event. Haunted Hayrides will be available for a donation from 8:00-11:00 pm. Food Trucks on-site. 

Boo at the Bart

Date: Sunday, October 26
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM
Location: Bart Kaufman Field
Admission: Free

Fans will be able to interact with IU's 2026 team while taking part in an early trick-or-treat event in Bloomington. IU's players and coaches for the 2026 season will be on hand in uniform to pass out candy, sign autographs and play wiffle ball and other games with members of the Bloomington community. Costumes for people of all ages are encouraged. Any kids who attend the event will be given a voucher for a free ticket to a baseball game next spring. 

Haunted Hall of Hoops

Date: Thursday, October 30
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Admission: Free

The free event is catered to children and families. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. ET with players from both teams arriving at 6 p.m. ET to hand out candy along with games, photo and autograph opportunities and chances to win prizes. The event will conclude with a costume parade on Branch McCracken Court where winning costumes will be selected by the members of the men's and women's basketball programs. 

City of Bloomington Trick or Treat

Date: Friday, October 31
Time: 5:30-8:30 PM

Official Trick or Treating hours for City of Bloomington. Rain or Shine.

Town of Ellettsville Trick or Treat

Date: Thursday, October 31
Time: 5:30-8:30 PM

Official Trick or Treating hours for the Town of Ellettsville. Rain or Shine.

Spooky Things

14th Annual Ghost Walk

Date: Friday, October 10
Time:  7:00 PM
Location: Classroom & Office Bldg., 800 E. Third St. 
Admission: $3.00 per person

Join the undergraduate Folklore and Ethnomusicology Student Association for their 14th Annual Ghost Walk! Hear faculty, staff, and students tell spooky stories unique to IU Bloomington’s campus on this walking tour.

Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours

Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM, 7:00-8:00 PM, 8:30-9:30 PM
Location: Rose Hill Cemetery
Admission: $15.00 per person

Enjoy a night of ghost tales and haunted history at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Rain date is Sunday, October 12. (registration required)

Haunted Hayride

Date: Saturday, October 11 and Saturday, October 18
Time: 8:00-10:00 PM
Location: Fowler Pumpkin Patch
Admission: $10.00 for general admission, $15.00 for VIP

Join us October 11th and 18th from 8–10 PM for two thrilling nights of scares and live theatrics by Monroe County Civic Theatre and Owen County Civic Theatre. Pick yours up in person at the barn desk before they’re gone.

Skate and Scare

Date: Saturday, October 18
Time:  7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Frank Southern Ice Arena
Admission: $7 admission, plus $3 skate rental

This event is for all ages. If you want to experience the haunted locker room without the jump scares, just let the keeper at the door know and we'll give you a special "no scare" item to carry with you that will signal our haunters to take it easy on you.

Festival of Ghost Stories

Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bryan Park
Admission: Free 

Join the Bloomington Storytellers Guild for a special anniversary performance featuring favorite ghost stories from the past five decades. For this spooky night under the stars bring a blanket, a chair, and someone to hold your hand; these stories are best for adults, teens, and older kids. Some content may not be suitable for young children. For weather-related updates, call the Community Events Hotline at 812-349-3754. Rain location is the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium.

Baker's Junction Haunted Train

Date: Friday, September 26, Saturday, September 28, and every Friday and Saturday in October
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Location: 7898 Fairfax Rd., Smithville, IN 47401
Admission: $10.00 for over 16, $10.00 for 6-15, and 5 and under free

Come join us for our 32nd scare season. Something fun for everyone! If you just want to wait outside we have cross bones café and a nice fire to sit around to keep the chill off. We have a kiddie haunted house full with interactive toys and games and PG fun. For all those brave of heart walk through a two century old depot, find your way through the haunted trains and try to make through the zombie maze with your brains intact. But can you make it through with out the conductor finding you?

Special Events

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Location: Monroe County Courthouse Lawn
Admission: Free to participate (charge for pumpkins)

Step right up and get ready to be amazed by our famous Great Glass Pumpkin Patch! Discover the perfect glass pumpkin that will bring a burst of color and joy to your home. There is nothing quite like seeing glass pumpkins sparkle in the sun on a gorgeous fall day. Come and experience the magic for yourself!

Steve Gonsalves LIVE – A Life With Ghosts

Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $32.00-$153.00 per ticket

Known for his work on Ghost Hunters, Ghost Nation, and his film The House Inbetween, Steve brings his unique experiences and insights to the stage in a live theatre show titled A Life with Ghosts. Steve takes you on a journey through haunted locations from his book “A Life with Ghosts” and his television shows. He shares his most chilling encounters, complete with haunted items from his favorite locations for an interactive show-and-tell experience.

Dennis James Hosts Halloween

Date: Thursday, October 16
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $19.00-$40.00 per ticket

It’s not officially Halloween until Bloomington’s favorite musical mastermind, Dennis James, returns for his annual spooky performance. Dennis James Hosts Halloween returns, as the legendary cinema organist and IU graduate provides the soundtrack to a silent film and a live radio reenactment.

Witch Faire

Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 12:00-6:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free 

You know it, you love it, it's time for the Witch Faire! Join us for a big Halloween celebration of all things spooky and witchy!
Local practitioners will be out offering readings, witchy makers will have all you need to get through to All Hallow's Eve with spellwork and more. We will host a costume contest and offer trick-or-treating for the younglings, so bring them with you.

National Visit A Cemetery Day

Date: Sunday, October 26
Time: All Day
Location: All Monroe County cemeteries
Admission: Free

Visit one of Monroe County's many historic cemeteries on Halloween in honor of National Cemetery Day.

Movies

Movies in the Park: Ernest Scared Stupi

Date: Friday, October 3
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: 812 W 9th St
Admission: Free

Pack blankets and snacks and head to Switchyard Park for an outdoor screening of Ernest Scared Stupid (1991, PG, 1 hr 32 min).

Friday Night Frights 

Location: IU Cinema

• Demons/Dèmoni

  • Date: Friday, October 3
  • Time: 10:00-11:30 PM
  • Admission: $5.00 for IUB students and general admission

• Scanners + Another Rapid Event 

  • Date: Wednesday, October 8
  • Time: 7:00-8:45 PM
  • Admission: $5.00 for IUB students and general admission

• Crimson Peak

  • Date: Friday, October 17
  • Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
  • Admission: $5.00 for IUB students and general admission

• Donnie Darko

  • Date: Friday, October 24
  • Time: 10:00 PM-12:00 AM
  • Admission: $5.00 for IUB students and general admission

Halloween (1978)

Date: Friday, October 17
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $10.00 adult GA, $8.00 student GA

John Carpenter’s Seminal 1978 Classic Returns to Theatres! This film is Rated R.

Cuadecuc, Vampir

Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 7:00-8:15 PM
Location: IU Cinema
Admission: Free, but ticketed

Cuadecuc, Vampir is a visually stunning experimental documentary about the making of Jess Franco’s Count Dracula (which stars Christopher Lee as the Count)—but it’s also much more than that. A dreamy, atmospheric vampire tale in its own right, it combines supernatural imagery with candid footage of stars and clips showing how special effects were achieved. Bleeding Skull says it looks like an episode of Dark Shadows directed by a Czech New Wave filmmaker. In other words, perfect viewing for a cool October night. [75 min; documentary, horror; English and Spanish]

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Interactive Screening

Date: Saturday, October 25
Time:  7:00 & 11:00 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $21.00 per ticket in advance, $26.00 per ticket day of

Let’s do the Time Warp again! Constellation Stage & Screen celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with an interactive screening at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Grab your props, shout your favorite callbacks, and dance in the aisles to celebrate this cult classic in all its outrageous glory. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a Rocky Horror newbie, this is your chance to throw toast, toss toilet paper, and fully immerse yourself in the madness. Don’t dream it, be there! Please note: The 7:00 PM screening will include subtitles.

Haunted Mansion (2023)

Date: Thursday, October 30
Time:  7:00 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $10.00 adult GA, $8.00 student/child GA

A Spooky Disney Night to get the family ready for Halloween! This film is Rated PG-13.

Adult Friendly 

Veronica's Room by Ira Levin

Date: Friday's, Saturday, and Sunday's October 17 through October 26
Time: TBD
Location: Waldron Arts Center
Admission: $25.00-$40.00 per ticket

Theatrical Play: This chilling mystery thriller by the author of Rosemary’s Baby explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder. Students Susan and Larry find themselves as guests enticed to the Brabissant mansion by its dissolute caretakers, the lonely Mackeys. Struck by Susan’s strong resemblance to Veronica Brabissant, long-dead daughter of the family for whom they work, the older couple gradually induce her to impersonate Veronica briefly to solace the only living Brabissant, her addled sister who believes Veronica alive. Once dressed in Veronica’s clothes, Susan finds herself locked in the role and locked in Veronica’s room. Or is she Veronica, in 1935, pretending to be an imaginary Susan?