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Hair-Raising Fun! 7 Spooky Halloween Celebrations Across the U.S.

Written by Going Places

This blog post was updated on September 25, 2023.


We all love trick-or-treating around our own neighborhoods, but there’s something extra thrilling about celebrating a beloved holiday in a new city. After all, why stick with the same old thing when there are so many Halloween experiences to try?

No matter where you travel to around the U.S., you’re bound to find a spooktacular Halloween celebration. Whether you’re cosplaying as your favorite horror movie character or just throwing an old sheet over your head at the last minute, check out these oh-so-spooky Halloween celebrations!

Broadway at the Beach Halloween — Myrtle Beach, SC

What could be better than Halloween on the beach? Myrtle Beach’s Halloween celebration features trick-or-treating, live music, games, and activities for kids. And, you won’t want to miss the adults-only costume party and contest in Celebrity Square. So grab your spookiest costume and book cheap flights in October to South Carolina’s spectacular Broadway at the Beach Halloween Festival.

New York City’s Village Halloween Parade

Halloween Celebration in New York

[Above image “2019 Village Halloween Parade” by Steven Pisano on Flickr – licensed under CC by 2.0]

The Village Halloween Parade has been an annual tradition since 1973. On the eve of October 31, 6th Avenue is taken over by master puppeteers with oversized puppets, over 50,000 revelers in costume, and nearly 2 million spectators. The Village Halloween Parade is the largest parade/celebration of its kind in the United States. Festivals International chose it as “The Best Event in the World” for October 31. And what could be better than celebrating Halloween in NYC?

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration — Los Angeles

Halloween Celebration in Los Angeles

[Dia de los Muertos parade in Los Angeles]

If you’re still in a celebratory mood after the evening of October 31st, head to the annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival at Olvera Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Although the Day of the Dead is quite a separate holiday from Halloween, you’ll find a similarly celebratory vibe as Hispanic locals celebrate the nights when their loved ones come back in spirit form, if only for the day.

Come hungry, because there’s plenty of authentic Mexican food and the margaritas in the offing. Traditional candy skulls will help you keep your Halloween sugar rush going as you watch traditional Mexican dance and performances. There are special activities for the kids including piñata breaking, mask making, flower making, and cultural presentations.

Boston Halloweekend Halloween Hangover Pub Crawl

Halloween Celebration in Boston

Halloween Bar Crawl in Boston

There’s no better way to enjoy Halloween celebrations in Boston than with a classic pub crawl. The Boston Halloween Pub Crawl will take guests through some of the best venues in the Fenway neighborhood. All of the participating bars will offer great drink specials, fun prizes, and a variety of spooky promotions. There will also be DJs spinning the tunes at select venues to enhance your experience.

You’ll receive the starting pub for your crawl when you purchase your ticket. Simply dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and show up at the designated starting point on the night of the event. Your wristband will provide you with admission to all of the pubs on the list, ushering in a night of themed fun for you and all of your friends.

Castle of Muskogee Halloween Festival — Muskogee, OK

There is something for everyone at the Halloween Festival at the Castle of Muskogee in Oklahoma. You will enjoy a variety of haunted happenings on weekend nights during the season. In addition to a myriad of haunted houses, guests will also enjoy a zombie hunt, the castle train ride, a haunted hayride, and more. You can customize your night out by choosing to buy individual passes to the haunts or by purchasing a combo pass to experience the best of everything that this attraction has to offer.

A rating system will help families to discern what attractions are suitable for children and which attractions should be left to the adults. The Castle of Muskogee provides the perfect backdrop for all of your Halloween fun.

Louisville Jack-o-lantern Spectacular

Bring the whole family out for a night of themed fun at the Louisville Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular. Guests will stroll down a winding path through the lush landscape of Iroquois Park, checking out over 5,000 beautifully carved pumpkins that light up the night. The pumpkins appear amid a bevy of themed settings set to music, creating a unique fall wonderland. This is a great event for families with children not yet ready to head to the haunted house scene.

As a bonus, you will feel good knowing that your ticket purchase will help to fund the non-profit Parks Alliance of Louisville as well as a number of community projects for the city’s network of public parks and community centers.

RELATED: Need Last-Minute Halloween Plans? Here Are Some Spooktacular Trip Ideas!

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade — Atlanta

Halloween Celebration in Atlanta

[Above image “Little Five Points’ Halloween parade” by Jason Riedy on Flickr – licensed under CC by 2.0]

Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood is the perfect place to dive into the Halloween season. The annual festival is always a great time, featuring live musical performances, food trucks, and a parade. A highlight of the festival is a freak show, including appearances by a six-foot man-eating chicken, animals with two heads, and more. The Monster Ball Costume and Dance Party kick off the event with a bang while a spooky ghost tour exposes guests to the underbelly of Atlanta.

This event is an ideal way to explore the hip Little Five Points neighborhood while making the most of the Halloween season. Because the neighborhood is so walkable, it is easy to hit all of the best parts of this popular Halloween festival.

Which Halloween festival is your favorite? Tell us all about your spooky adventure below!

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Going Places

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