Each year, Halloween brings the ghouls, goblins and monsters out to play in Ann Arbor. But thankfully for our families and kids, the fun isn’t all scary. Starting with the most frightening option up first, we rounded up the region’s best family-friendly events where you can celebrate Halloween 2018.
Using our event guide, you can keep the festive fun going even past Halloween!
 

Wiard’s Night Terrors | Ypsilanti

September 22 – October 31, various times | Wiard’s Orchard | Event info

Michigan’s premier haunted attraction comes alive once again this October. Open at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through October 28th and then again on Halloween night, Night Terrors features 89 acres of terror. The six haunted attractions include The Asylum, Hayride of the Lost, The Ultimate Haunted Barn and less frightening options like Scaryoke Live Music and Wiard’s Bakery where you can enjoy the homemade cider and caramel apples of Wiard’s Orchard.
For more information on the less haunted fall attractions available at Wiard’s Orchard, check out 19 Pumpkin Patches, Apple Orchards and Cider Mills You Can Visit Near Ann Arbor.
 

Monster Mash | Ypsilanti

October 13, 12 – 3 p.m. | Rolling Hills Park | Event info

The 4th Annual Monster Smash will include a candy hunt, a costume contest, face painting, a scavenger hunt, festive hayrides, cider and donuts, carnival games, the Trek-or-Treat Trail, and a pumpkin patch! For information on registration, click here.
 

Trick or Treat on the Trail | Dexter

October 13, 4 – 6 p.m. | Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center | Event info
On the trails of Hudson Mills Metropark, little ones in costume can trick-or-treat along the trails decorated with a festive theme. The cost is $5 and you can find pre-registration information here.
 

Trick or Treat on the River | Ann Arbor

October 14, 12 – 5 p.m. | Gallup Park | Event info
Spend this haunting afternoon on the waters of the Huron River for Trick or Treat on the River! While paddling up and down Gallup Pond, participants will encounter creatures handing out treats and candy. There is no pre-registration required and the fee is $20 per boat. For more information, check out the Argo Canoe Livery website.
 

Pumpkin Carving Party | Dexter

October 14, 1 – 3 p.m. | Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center | Event info
At Hudson Mills Metropark on October 14th, you and your kids can pick out a pumpkin and a design then have fun carving it together! Participants can also enjoy cider and donuts, included in the $6 fee.
 

Preschool Pumpkin Hunt | Saline

October 16, 10 – 11 a.m. | Saline Recreation Center | Event info
In Miller Field behind the Saline Rec Center, preschoolers are invited to play and track down their perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home. The fun also includes snack time and story time! Register online here.
 

Boo Bash | Saline

October 19, 6 – 8 p.m. | Saline Recreation Center | Event info

The 27th Halloween event at the Saline Rec Center will include tasty treats, a Trick or Treat trail, costumes, games, dancing, a balloon drop and more! Register in advance here.
 

Pumpkins, Lanterns & Leaves | Ann Arbor

October 19 + 20, 6 – 7:30 p.m. | Matthaei Botanical Gardens | Event info
Happening on two days this year, the annual Halloween celebration at Matthaei Botanical Gardens includes the famous pumpkin trail, lantern crafts, magic tricks, stories, cider and donuts!
 

Haunted House: The Show | Ann Arbor

October 19 + 20, 8 – 10 p.m. | Ring of Steel | Event info
This haunted house experience brings the scares to you! Presented as a spooky show instead of a journey through a set, Ring of Steel has put together a performance full of fire dancing, circus acts, stunt work and general silliness. Though the show is family-friendly, the second half will feature slightly darker material, so parents of younger children should plan accordingly.
 

Girls on the Run Superhero 5k | Dexter

October 21, 2 p.m. | Hudson Mills Metropark | Event info

Photo courtesy of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan

This costumed race benefits Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan‘s financial assistance program. Suitable for kids and adults, race day includes three events: a 5k run/walk, a one-mile fun run and a kids dash for participants five years and younger. For registration information and pricing, check out the website.
 

Halloween Hootenanny | Ann Arbor

October 25, 4 – 7 p.m. | Zingerman’s Deli | Event info
The Hootenanny at Zingerman’s Deli includes pumpkin drawing, cookie decorating, face painting and more Halloween-themed fun. Come dressed in costume and enjoy music and snacks as you and your kids participate at your own pace.
 

Spooky Species | Ann Arbor

October 26 – 31, various times | The Creature Conservancy | Event info
Spooky Species in The Creature Conservancy’s annual Halloween event that invites families to check out creepy crawlies you may not normally get to see on a typical visit. Sessions include interactions and viewings of spiders, snakes, bats and more as well as cider and donuts! For more information on registration and specific dates and times, click here.
 

Halloween Downtown | Ypsilanti

October 26, 5:30 – 7 p.m. | Ypsilanti District Library | Event info
In Library Park Plaza, Ypsilanti District Library is hosting Halloween fun even before the fun of YpsiGLOW. Stop by to trick-or-treat for candy, enter giveaways and visit the Boo! Mobile. Then, stick around downtown Ypsi for the luminary fun!
 

YpsiGLOW | Ypsilanti

October 26, sunset | Downtown Ypsilanti | Event info

Photo courtesy of Ryan Rupprecht via Wonderfool Productions

From the same team that brings us FestiFools and FoolMoon every April, ypsiGLOW is a light-filled celebration through Downtown Ypsi. In the weeks leading up to the event, local artists, businesses and organizations host GLOWorkshops so you can create your own luminary and costume. Then, you can join the community on October 26th for a celebration of Ypsilanti and art! Follow the team on Facebook for updates on workshops and the big event.
 

Den of Darkness Haunted Hallway | Pittsfield Township

October 26, 6:30 – 8 p.m. | Ann Arbor Community Center | Event info
Hosted by Pittsfield Charter Township, the Den of Darkness Haunted Hallway is an annual tradition for families with kids of all ages. There will be crafts, donuts and cider, a costume contest, candy bags, the famous haunted hallway, and a Spooktacular Halloween Story provided by the Ann Arbor District Library. Register in advance here for $5–7.
 

Celebration of Halloween: 1978 | Ann Arbor

October 26, 7:30 p.m. | Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College | Event info
In honor of the Washtenaw Community Concert Band’s 40th year, they’re going back in time to 1978. Dress like it’s 1978 or come in a traditional Halloween costume, and join in the fun of this free Halloween celebration!
 

Tag And Treat Costume Party | Ann Arbor

October 27, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Zap Zone | Event info
Zap Zone Ann Arbor is turning into a festive destination on October 27th complete with candy stations, a kid-friendly haunted house, a costume contest with prizes, and admission to one free Zap Zone attraction to be used that day!
 

Halloween Spooktacular | Belleville

October 27, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Yankee Air Museum | Event info

The Yankee Air Museum Halloween Spooktacular features spooky games, family-friendly activities, a costume contest and trick-or-treating.
 

Halloween Skate | Ann Arbor  

October 27, 1 – 2:30 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Ice Arena | Event info
For the cost of general admission to Veterans Memorial Ice Arena, you and your family can enjoy ice skating to the spooky sounds of Halloween as well as a costume contest!
 

Zombie Apocalypse Survival | Dexter

October 27, 1 – 3 p.m. | Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center | Event info
Hudson Mills Metropark is celebrating Halloween by preparing you and your family for the zombie apocalypse. For a $5 registration, you can learn shelter building, fire making and other zombie-proofing techniques.
 

Animal Haunts | Ann Arbor

October 27, 6 – 8 p.m. | Leslie Science & Nature Center | Event info  
For $10 person or $35 per family, Leslie Science & Nature Center is offering Animal Haunts on October 27th. The non-scary event will include a guided hike through Black Pond Woods, harvest crafts, a hay jump, live animals and more.
If you’re looking for the adult-only version, check out Animal Haunts: Adults Only on October 26th here.
 

Muttster Mash Bash | Ann Arbor

October 27, 6 – 8 p.m. | Humane Society of Huron Valley | Event info

Hosted by Humane Society of Huron Valley, this Halloween event brings together the community with animals in need. The event will include family-friendly activities throughout the shelter that include games, trick-or-treating, crafts for the animals, meet and greets and more. Adults are admitted for free and children cost $10. Register in advance here.
 

Halloween Concert | Ann Arbor

October 28, 4:30 p.m. | Hill Auditorium | Event info
The University of Michigan orchestras are joining forces for this Halloween tradition. Featuring spooky sounds, musical classics and Halloween favorites, the show celebrates the holiday with tricks, treats and great music. Come in costume or come as you are!
 

Halloween Treat Parade | Ann Arbor

October 31, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Main Street | Event info TBD

For the 18th year, trick-or-treating is coming to Main Street Ann Arbor on Halloween day! Neighborhood merchants welcome costumed kids and their parents for treats. In addition, the Downtown Ann Arbor District Library will be throwing a Halloween Party that includes stories, puppets and more trick-or-treating.
 

The Great Pumpkin Roll | Saline

November 3, 9 – 10 a.m. | Mill Pond Park | Event info
After Halloween, bring your old Jack-O-Lanterns to Mill Pond Park for The Great Pumpkin Roll! At this free event, you’ll race your pumpkin against others. Winners will get a fun mystery prize and everyone can enjoy hot cider, donuts, a pumpkin launcher and plenty of laughs. For updates, RSVP to the event on Facebook.
 

Pumpkin Smash | Ypsilanti

November 3, 12 – 5 p.m. | Rolling Hills Park | Event info
Bring your carved pumpkins to Rollings Hills Park on the Saturday after Halloween to literally roll your Jack-O-Lantern down the park’s rolling hills. The event is free to participate in and includes themed targets to hit on the way down.
 
 

Happy Halloween!