It’s officially spooky season here in Ann Arbor — and as the leaves fall, the eerie spirits begin to rise. This is the ideal time to explore the sinister side of our city, unearthing ghouls, goblins, ghosts and other gruesome guests.

Let’s dive headfirst into the heart-pounding, bone-chilling, and delightfully creepy Halloween experiences that Ann Arbor has to offer. From terrifying escape rooms that challenge your wits to haunted houses that will make your heart race, and spooky trails that lead you into the unknown, we’ve unearthed the most hair-raising adventures that are sure to awaken your inner thrill-seeker. So, grab your flashlight, summon your courage, and join us on a journey through the macabre and mysterious. Halloween in Ann Arbor has never been so delightfully terrifying!

 

Breakout Escape Rooms: Ghost Zone

There’s nothing more immersive than an escape room! And Breakout Escape Rooms are the only escape rooms in Michigan where your personal game host plays an entertaining costumed character based on your theme. In preparation for Halloween, book your temporary stay in the Ghost Zone, where you’ll find Christie, the child ghost, who is trapped in her mansion and needs your help to escape. But in order to set her free, you must become a ghost yourself! Browse availability and book your stay in the Ghost Zone — starting as late as 11:45 p.m. for an extra creepy midnight experience.

 

Escape Room Zone: Witching Hour

Escape Room Zone in Canton offers a number of themed rooms (of varying difficulty levels) with interactive special effects that take you to a different time and place. For Halloween, we recommend their Witching Hour game, an extra creepy experience with an “intermediate” difficulty rating. Tread lightly upon the spells to undo, as the witching hour is now upon you! And beware, this is a PG-13 experience, as there are several horror-based elements not for the faint of heart. Book your stay in the Witching Hour room if you dare!

 

Candlelight Concerts

Experience the enchantment of Candlelight Concerts as the Listeso String Quartet transports you to a realm of musical wonder against the backdrop of the First Presbyterian Church’s tranquil ambiance. Set to take place on October 13 and 27, this immersive musical journey promises 65 minutes of spellbinding Halloween-inspired melodies, all while basking in the warm glow of candlelight. Delight in a diverse program featuring iconic compositions like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the haunting strains of Dmitri Shostakovich’s “String Quartet No. 8,” and the eerie allure of “Tubular Bells” from “The Exorcist.” With seating assigned on a first-come, first-served basis in each zone, this experience is open to music enthusiasts ages 8 and older, ensuring a captivating night for all. Let the Listeso String Quartet serenade you in this one-of-a-kind event, where the magic of live music meets the enchantment of candlelight.

 

Wiard’s Night Terrors

Photo Courtesy of Wiard’s Night Terrors

Wiard’s Orchards presents: Michigan’s Haunted Thrill Park — offering five haunted attractions in one convenient location. Meet the same fate as the apple thieves in the Ultimate Haunted Barn, go after the lost fortunes in The Mindshaft, visit the doctor and go a little crazy in The Asylum, venture along the dark trail of Mr. Ravensblud on the Hayride of the Lost, and experience Alien Caged Clowns in 3D. For the 2023 season, Wiard’s Night Terrors is open at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until October 29! Tickets are only available online — purchase them for your date of choice here.

 

Ghostly Grove Haunted Forest

Prepare yourself for a heart-pounding adventure in the eerie depths of Ghostly Grove Haunted Forest, where nightmares come to life amidst the haunted woods. Only open on weekends, this spine-tingling experience beckons the brave-hearted to confront thrills, chills, and horrifying abominations lurking around every shadowy corner. As dusk falls, the terror begins, starting with the opening weekend on September 29 and 30, from 8 p.m. to midnight — and starting October 13, the forest awakens at 7:45 p.m. Traverse a mile of the professionally designed outdoor haunt trail, where monsters, unseen but relentless, prey upon your every step. Brace yourself for a chilling adventure that will haunt your dreams. If you’re feeling brave and adventurous, purchase your tickets for Ghostly Grove here.

 

Deranged Haunt

Photo Courtesy of Deranged Haunt

Deranged Haunt, a perennial favorite in the world of Halloween haunts, has earned its reputation as one of Michigan’s premier haunted attractions. Their commitment to terror knows no bounds, as they continually revamp their scares, characters, and scenes throughout the year. For 2023, they’ve upped the ante with thrilling new additions like GreeNo Industries, The Herp and Derp Brothers Fall Carnival, and Feeny’s Meats, joining the roster of returning favorites like Star Cinema in the District, Hallow Hills Cemetery, Camp Zika, The HELL Station, and the beloved Gourdan Family Farm. Whether you’re in the mood for spine-tingling chills, special theme nights, or a scare-free trick-or-treat event, Deranged Haunt has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the fear-filled fun, as they’re now open every weekend through Halloween, with Sundays featuring special theme nights, including Clown Carnage and Classic Monsters, as well as an infamous 18 and Up Night. Be sure to plan your visit wisely, as Saturdays in late October can get crowded, making early season visits, Fridays, or Sundays the best choices for shorter lines and maximum terror!

 

Terrorfied Forest

Prepare yourself for a spine-chilling journey into the heart of darkness at Terrorfied Forest, where terror lurks beneath the canopy of a truly terrifying forest. Venture into this outdoor haunted wilderness, embarking on a nearly one-mile, one-hour excursion along a dimly lit path that will test your courage at every turn. Terrorfied Forest is open to thrill-seekers from Thursdays through Sundays throughout the month of October, culminating in a Halloween night experience with a $5 discount. Beware, for unseen eyes follow your every move, but for those seeking a bit of respite, the “Monster Repellant” offered at the ticket booth appears to keep the malevolent creatures at bay. The forest is open rain or shine, but check their Facebook page for immediate updates if conditions take a spooky turn. Dress appropriately, and leave your open-toed shoes behind, as you navigate this no-touch haunt. For those seeking an additional challenge, the newly introduced Jail Break Escape Room awaits, offering a quick yet thrilling five-minute escape experience for just $5. Remember: Fridays and Saturdays tend to be busiest, while Thursdays and Sundays offer shorter waits — so plan your visit wisely, purchase your tickets, and prepare to be terrorfied.

 

The Scream Machine

Prepare yourself for a descent into madness at The Scream Machine, where you’ll step into the nightmarish realm of the Asylum. This harrowing journey, lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes, will confront you with the malevolent Dr. Strach and a host of other horrifying entities lurking within the twisted halls. But the terror doesn’t end there; after surviving the Asylum, you have the option to venture into two additional five-minute escape rooms for an extra dose of fun and fear. The Scream Machine was conceived by the deranged Dr. Strach, a disgraced former neurosurgeon ostracized by the medical community for his gruesome and unethical experiments in the realm of fear. The machine feeds on the energy it extracts from thrill-seekers, including those drawn to adrenaline rushes, the occult, and the enigmatic allure of fear itself. As the machine grows and evolves, the test phase never truly ends, making each visit an unpredictable and heart-pounding experience. With a new location boasting double the size and double the screams, The Scream Machine promises an unforgettable descent into the depths of terror. Purchase your tickets here — and start practicing your scream!

 

Happy Halloween!

What creepy experiences are you brave enough to take on? Let us know in the comments below!