When the spooky season rolls around, Cleveland transforms into a city of haunts, frights, and festive fun. Whether you’re eager for thrilling haunted houses or you’re planning a fun night out with family and friends, Cleveland offers a wide range of Halloween events that cater to all tastes and age groups.
In this guide, we’ll explore the city’s most anticipated Halloween attractions, covering everything from haunted houses to kid-friendly events, while offering tips on how to make the most out of your Cleveland Halloween experience.
Halloween Event Locations, Prices, and Details
Here’s a table summarizing some of the top Halloween events across Cleveland, including their locations, ticket prices, and key details to help you plan your spooky adventures.
| Event Name | Location | Date | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boo at the Zoo | Cleveland Metroparks Zoo | October 12 – 29 | $12 – $20 |
| 7 Floors of Hell | Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds | October 6 – October 31 | $28 – $40 |
| Spooky Ranch | Columbia Station | September 22 – October 29 | $25 – $45 |
| Lakewood Spooky Pooch Parade | Downtown Lakewood | October 21 | Free |
| Halloweekends | Cedar Point, Sandusky | September 14 – October 29 | $45 – $70 |
| GLOW at the Gardens | Cleveland Botanical Gardens | October 13 – November 5 | $16 – $18 |
As Halloween draws near, Cleveland transforms into a hauntingly festive destination filled with an array of events that cater to everyone—families, thrill-seekers, and those simply looking to immerse themselves in the spooky spirit.
The city’s charm during this season lies in its ability to offer a perfect balance of scare, fun, and creativity across its many neighborhoods. Whether you’re in search of spine-tingling haunted houses or delightful pumpkin festivals, Cleveland has it all.
General Halloween Events Across Cleveland
Cleveland’s neighborhoods come alive during the Halloween season with unique events scattered across the city’s corners. Here’s a closer look at the highlights you’ll find in different parts of the city:
1. Cleveland Halloween Events Downtown
Downtown Cleveland is a hub of Halloween festivities, with events like the highly anticipated Haunted Bar Crawls, featuring thrilling costumes, spooky décor, and live music at venues like the House of Blues.
Public Square also hosts family-friendly events such as Halloween-themed light shows and food trucks offering festive treats. This makes downtown a perfect spot for both late-night parties and daytime fun with the kids.
2. Cleveland Halloween Events East Side
The East Side of Cleveland is known for its community-driven Halloween events. Neighborhoods like Shaker Heights and University Circle host safe trick-or-treating trails that wind through streets adorned with lavish Halloween decorations. You’ll find events like the Shaker Trick-or-Treat Village, offering games, live performances, and costume contests for all ages.
3. Cleveland Halloween Events West Side
Over on the West Side, areas like Ohio City and Tremont take Halloween seriously, offering a mix of urban trick-or-treating and themed parties. Expect lively block parties like the Tremont Halloween Fest, featuring pumpkin carving contests, food trucks, and even spooky ghost tours that take you through Cleveland’s oldest haunted streets.
4. Cleveland Halloween Events South Side
On the South Side, the Halloween festivities are more local, with smaller neighborhoods like Old Brooklyn hosting intimate Halloween fairs. These fairs often include haunted house attractions for younger kids, pumpkin patches, and Halloween craft booths.
5. Cleveland Halloween Events North Side
Lakewood on the North Side is famous for its Halloween parades. The Lakewood Spooky Pooch Parade is a unique event where locals dress up their pets and parade through the streets in creative costumes.
It’s an annual favorite, drawing participants and onlookers from all over the city. The event culminates in prizes for the best-dressed pets, making it a must-see spectacle.
Cleveland’s Must-Attend Halloween Events (with Locations, Prices & Details)
Boo at the Zoo
- Location: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- Dates: October 12 – 29, 2024
- Price: $12 (members), $20 (non-members)
Details: Boo at the Zoo is a beloved family-friendly Halloween event held annually at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This event offers safe, daytime trick-or-treating, animal encounters, and festive light displays throughout the zoo.
Children are encouraged to wear their costumes as they stroll through the zoo’s decorated paths filled with pumpkins, eerie lights, and fun Halloween activities. There are also candy stations scattered throughout the zoo, ensuring that the little ones will leave with plenty of treats.
7 Floors of Hell
- Location: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
- Dates: October 6 – October 31, 2024
- Price: $28 (general admission), $40 (VIP skip-the-line)
Details: For those seeking spine-chilling thrills, 7 Floors of Hell is a premier haunted house experience in Cleveland. This attraction features seven uniquely themed haunted houses filled with live actors, special effects, and terrifying scenes designed to shock and scare even the bravest visitors.
Each house has its own theme, ranging from post-apocalyptic wastelands to haunted mansions, making it one of the most intense haunted attractions in the region.
Spooky Ranch
- Location: Columbia Station
- Dates: September 22 – October 29, 2024
- Price: $25 (general admission), $45 (VIP all-access)
Details: Spooky Ranch combines the fun of a haunted hayride with the terror of multiple haunted attractions, including a haunted barn and a ghost town.
Located just outside Cleveland in Columbia Station, this event is perfect for those who want a mix of outdoor scares and indoor haunted house experiences. Spooky Ranch is popular with both families and groups of friends, making it a versatile attraction.
Halloweekends at Cedar Point
- Location: Cedar Point, Sandusky
- Dates: September 14 – October 29, 2024
- Price: $45 (daytime admission), $70 (nighttime admission)
Details: Cedar Point’s Hallow weekends offer something for everyone, from family-friendly fun during the day to bone-chilling scares after dark. During the day, guests can enjoy Halloween-themed shows, character meet-and-greets, and fun rides for younger kids.
As night falls, the park transforms into a horror-filled playground with haunted mazes, scare zones, and terrifying live performances. It’s the ultimate Halloween destination for those who want thrills and scares with a backdrop of world-class roller coasters.
Specific Types of Halloween Events
Halloween events in Cleveland are diverse, catering to every type of Halloween lover. Whether you’re looking for a terrifying haunted house or a relaxing hayride, Cleveland has it all.
Haunted Houses
If you’re seeking a night of scares, 7 Floors of Hell is just the beginning. Other notable haunted houses include Bloodview Haunted House in Broadview Heights, which is operated by the Legion of Terror, America’s oldest organized haunted house acting troupe.
Bloodview features dynamic and immersive experiences that change themes nightly, making each visit unique. Be sure to check age restrictions, as some haunted houses are designed for mature audiences only.
Hayrides
For a more laid-back yet eerie experience, haunted hayrides like those at Mapleside Farms offer a perfect blend of spooky and fun.
These rides take you through dark woods filled with jump scares and eerie sounds, creating a spine-tingling atmosphere. They are family-friendly but offer enough thrills to keep even the bravest riders on edge.
Corn Mazes
Corn mazes are a fall staple in Cleveland, offering fun for both families and thrill-seekers. During Halloween, many of these mazes transform into spooky, haunted adventures that challenge visitors to navigate their way through eerie pathways filled with surprises.
Two of the most popular spots for these activities are Derthick’s Corn Maze and Szalay’s Farm, both offering unique experiences to suit all ages and thrill levels.
- Derthick’s Corn Maze: Known for its expansive and intricate maze design, this farm offers both daytime family-friendly mazes and after-dark haunted mazes, complete with actors and jump scares.
- Szalay’s Farm: A favorite for its picturesque fall scenery, Szalay’s Farm provides traditional corn mazes during the day and ramps up the spookiness at night with a haunted maze experience perfect for thrill-seekers.
Ghost Tours
For history buffs and those who love a good ghost story, Cleveland offers several ghost tours that delve deep into the city’s haunted past. Explore the eerie side of the city with tours like the Cleveland Ghost Tour, which covers haunted sites such as the Franklin Castle and Grays Armory, where chilling tales of paranormal encounters and historical mysteries are shared.
These tours offer a unique blend of spine-tingling excitement and fascinating historical insights, making them a perfect Halloween outing for those seeking both thrills and knowledge.
Family-Friendly Events
Many Cleveland Halloween events are designed with families in mind. The Boo at the Zoo event at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a favorite among families, offering safe trick-or-treating, pumpkin displays, and a not-too-scary atmosphere for younger children.
Kids’ Events
In addition to Boo at the Zoo, kids can enjoy events like Cleveland Botanical Garden’s GLOW, a Halloween-themed event with craft-making, scavenger hunts, and pumpkin decorating. Many local libraries and community centers also host Halloween-themed stories and costume parades.
Additional Halloween Attractions in Cleveland’s
Beyond the usual events, Cleveland offers some unique Halloween festivities that bring together the community in exciting and creative ways, creating memorable experiences for all ages.
From lively block parties with street art and live performances to quirky costume contests and Halloween-themed markets, the city provides a vibrant atmosphere where everyone can find something to enjoy.
These events foster a strong sense of community, encouraging residents and visitors alike to celebrate the spooky season with creativity and fun.
Halloween Festivals
Cleveland’s Halloween festivals are a major attraction every year. Events like Halloweekends at Cedar Point, known for its thrilling rides and costumed actors, draw large crowds. Smaller local festivals, such as those in Berea and Bay Village, include food trucks, artisan markets, and live performances.
Halloween Markets
For those looking to add some Halloween flair to their home or wardrobe, Cleveland hosts several markets during October. Local vendors offer spooky-themed goods, from handmade costumes to Halloween decor, at locations like the Cleveland Flea and Night Market in Asiatown.
Halloween Parades
Cleveland’s Halloween parades are a spectacle not to be missed. The Lakewood Spooky Pooch Parade is a highlight for pet lovers, while the West Park Halloween Parade offers a fun community event for all ages, with vibrant floats and marching bands.
Planning Your Cleveland Halloween Experience
Cleveland offers so much during Halloween that it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect Halloween experience in Cleveland.
Tips for Planning
- Choose Events Early: Cleveland’s most popular Halloween events, such as haunted houses and family-friendly festivals, sell out quickly. Plan your events early to avoid missing out on your top choices.
- Budgeting: Halloween events range from free community gatherings to ticketed attractions. Make a list of events you’re interested in and prioritize your budget accordingly. Some haunted houses and ghost tours offer combo tickets, so look out for deals.
- Transportation and Parking: Many events offer limited parking, so consider using public transport or ride-sharing services, especially for events downtown or at larger venues like Cedar Point.
Safety Considerations
- Safety First: If you’re attending events with children, ensure they are in well-lit areas and have reflective clothing or glow sticks for visibility. For haunted houses and other scare-centric events, verify that they are appropriate for the age group of your party.
- Emergency Contacts: Be aware of emergency contact numbers and the location of medical assistance at larger events. Make sure your group has a meeting point in case you get separated.
Conclusion
Cleveland is brimming with Halloween excitement, from haunted houses and ghost tours to family-friendly events and parades. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or prefer a more laid-back celebration, the city’s diverse range of events ensures that everyone can find something to enjoy.
Start planning your Halloween adventure today to experience the best of what Cleveland has to offer!
FAQs
Some of the top family-friendly events include the Old Brooklyn Pumpkin Patch, Shaker Heights Halloween Parade, and University Circle Spooktacular. These events focus on safe, fun activities for kids such as trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and educational games.
Yes, Cleveland offers several haunted houses for adults, such as 7 Floors of Hell and Bloodview Haunted House, which feature intense scares, terrifying actors, and thrilling atmospheres. These haunted houses are recommended for older teens and adults due to their high scare factor.
Popular haunted attractions include Franklin Castle, Grays Armory, and Ohio City Haunted Tour. These places are known for their ghost stories and haunted history, perfect for those looking for a spooky adventure.
The Spooky Pooch Parade in Lakewood is a popular Halloween event specifically for pets. Pets dressed in costumes can join the parade, and there are also contests for the best-dressed animals.
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