Out, Proud and Spooky: Your Guide to LGBTQ-Welcoming Halloween Celebrations
Halloween offers the perfect excuse to dress boldly, dance freely and celebrate community. Across the country, LGBTQ-welcoming events are bringing revelers together for everything from high-energy costume parties and dazzling drag performances to haunted attractions and festive gatherings that give back. Whether you’re searching for a fright-filled adventure or a joyful night among friends, these inclusive celebrations offer welcoming spaces where everyone can embrace the season—and be exactly who they are.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Home to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Washtenaw County transforms into Witchtenaw County as dozens of Halloween-themed events take place across Ann Arbor and beyond. Attend the magical and mysterious artisan markets, evening haunted bus tours, and themed nights at Necto Nightclub. Into haunted houses and after dark scares? Visit one of Michigan’s top rated haunted attractions, Wiard’s Night Terrors, bringing five ‘haunted’ experiences to life. Take home fresh donuts and cider from their country store for the ride home.
Boise, Idaho
Boise’s Old Idaho Penitentiary is celebrating “Locktober” with a chilling lineup of Halloween events inside the historic prison, built in 1870 and operated for 101 years. The festivities begin with Sleepless in Stripes, an overnight experience for guests ages 18 and older, from 6 p.m. Oct. 10 to 7 a.m. Oct. 11, followed by Behind the Scenes Tours of rarely seen and off-limits areas from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17. Big River Paranormal will lead an adults-only Paranormal Investigation from 9:15 p.m. Oct. 24 to 2 a.m. Oct. 25. Locktober concludes with Fright Nights from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31, featuring spooky history presentations, Terror on Cell Block 4, the Haunted Infirmary, live entertainment, food, drinks and photo opportunities. Oct. 30 is open to all ages, while Halloween night is reserved for adults. Public registration begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 7, with tickets available through the Idaho State Historical Society.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Spooky season in the Pikes Peak Region means vibrant fall colors, crisp mountain air and exciting events for all to enjoy. ICONS is Colorado Springs’ gay piano bar where every bartender is a professional singer, and every night is full of incredible music. Through the month of October, you can catch events that will get you in the Halloween spirit, including a spooky drag king brunch, performances by celebrity queens and a Rocky Horror variety show! Even if you head to ICONS on a night without a drag show, you can still expect world-class serenades from the bartenders, great drinks and friendly service. Just a few blocks away, you’ll find La Burla Bee, Colorado’s first and only full-time cabaret. Every weekend in October holds a different themed burlesque performance. Catch a hilarious and naughty night inspired by iconic flicks like Hokus Pokus and Cabin in the Woods. If you prefer to do the dancing yourself, no problem! The venue also houses The Beehive, a beloved and inclusive night club that’s open late into the night! Catch a professional production of Sweeney Todd at the Ent Center for the Arts from September 10 - October 4. Theatreworks, the Ent Center’s resident professional theatre company, will bring this iconic Sondheim musical to life as the first show in its 51st season. Springs Ensemble Theatre, in partnership with Pikes Peak State College, is also presenting Arnie’s Scary Fun Mix, a night of eerie short plays, monologues, poetry and dance by local artists. Gather Mountain Blooms, a flower farm just south of Colorado Springs, will also present tons of fall fun! Start with the farm’s annual Oktoberfest, two days full of flowers, beer and fun on October 3rd and 4th! Stop by the Pumpkin Fest every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October for a makers market, hayrides and pumpkin patches. Ready to start planning your trip? VisitCOS.com has all the information and inspiration you need before you explore the Pikes Peak Region!
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio, offers plenty of spirited ways to celebrate Halloween and the arrival of fall. Fans of hometown horror legend R.L. Stine can explore the city through R.L. Stine’s Hometown Guide, visiting places connected to the author’s childhood—including Rubino’s Pizza, a neighborhood favorite that Stine reportedly still has shipped to him. Visitors can also dress to impress at HighBall Halloween, which joins the Short North’s monthly Gallery Hop for an open-streets celebration featuring more than 80 local makers, interactive art, live performances and the signature Costume Couture Fashion Show. Blending runway fashion, performance art, creativity and plenty of camp, HighBall is one of the city’s most colorful fall traditions. For a more mysterious experience, step inside the restored childhood home of humorist and New Yorker writer James Thurber during a Thurber House Ghost Tour, where literary history meets stories of paranormal activity. Travelers with a sweet tooth can visit Bite This, Columbus’ self-described “Alt Baker,” known for its black-walled bakery, year-round Halloween aesthetic, extravagant desserts and savory stuffed Bagel Bombs. Complete the evening with seasonal drinks and entertainment during Land-Grant Brewing Co.’s Nightmare on Town Street series, or stop for cocktails at Understory, located inside a historic open-air school built in 1927 and overlooking the scenic Olentangy Trail.
Costa Mesa, California
Get into the spooky season surrounded by community in Orange County, California with the cult classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show, presented free of charge at Costa Mesa’s Argyros Plaza on October 16, 2026. Be sure to arrive early for a drag pre-show, the Hallo-Queen Spooktacular, presented by the Broadway Divas and Costa Mesa’s own Miss Clair Voyance. Costumes are highly encouraged, and in Rocky Horror Picture Show tradition, the first 200 guests will receive a free prop bag to play along with the film. Keep the fun going after the show ends and swing by Tin Lizzie Saloon, the oldest standing LGBTQ+ bar in Orange County.
Elgin, Illinois
The City of Elgin is gearing up for another unforgettable Nightmare On Chicago Street on October 16 and 17. This year’s event promises an experience like no other. For the first time, Nightmare on Chicago Street is expanding to TWO NIGHTS. Nightmare Friday will be an all-new concert-driven Nightmare experience hitting downtown Elgin on Friday, Oct. 16. This isn’t a preview night or a smaller version of Saturday. We’re talking nationally recognized music acts, immersive horror, fire performers, bars, food trucks, Cirque, haunted attractions, and all kinds of twisted surprises throughout the night. Saturday night will be an evening of pulse-pounding excitement with electrifying performances, immersive environments, apocalyptic-themed drinks, delectable food options, and a soundtrack that will keep your heart racing. While some parts of the city may appear abandoned and overrun with chaos—boarded-up businesses, reclaimed vegetation, scattered trash, and remnants of a post-apocalyptic world—fear not. Your safety remains our top priority. Essential businesses will be open, providing food, beverages, shelter, and essential supplies. Purchase tickets for one or both nights. Discover more and come dressed for the occasion: https://exploreelginarea.com/nocs-hotel-rates/
Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois, delivers plenty of thrills this October with two can’t-miss Halloween experiences. Fear Forest at Shenandoah Riding Center returns Oct. 9–10, 16–17, 23–24 and 30, inviting brave visitors on a moonlit journey through a haunted forest filled with frightening scenes, creepy characters and heart-pounding scares. The festivities continue Oct. 31 with Galena’s 46th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival, featuring spectacular floats, marching bands, costumed participants, prizes, treats and plenty of spooky fun for visitors of all ages. Learn more about Fear Forest.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs invites guests to celebrate Halloween with two spirited events in its storied ballrooms. The Hotel Colorado Halloween Costume Ball takes place Oct. 24 from 7–11 p.m., featuring ghost tours, live music, dancing, themed cocktails, a costume contest and prizes. The following afternoon, Haunted High Tea casts an elegant spell over the Colorado Ballroom with flickering candlelight, black roses, ghostly sweets, warm tea, macarons and scones from 1–4 p.m. Costumes are encouraged for both events, and tickets are $45 per person. Reservations are required for Haunted High Tea. Call 970-928-3766 for tickets or more information.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Harvest Nights at Newfields: The city’s signature “spooky, not scary” experience transforms The Garden at Newfields with tens of thousands of glowing pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns. Visitors can journey through fog-filled forests along the Pumpkin Path of Peril and explore Mischief Manor inside the historic Lilly House, making it an atmospheric—but approachable—Halloween outing for all ages. The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival: Celebrating its 80th year October 24–31, this beloved festival transforms one of Indy’s most historic neighborhoods with ghost tours, Halloween movies, a Halloween Ball, spooky organ music, the Zombie Bike Ride, Vampire Run and more. The celebration culminates with a massive Street Fair and Parade featuring more than 120 vendors, live music and plenty of costumed revelers.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo serves up plenty of spirited fun this fall, with Halloween events ranging from family-friendly festivities to eerie after-dark adventures. Explore downtown’s mysterious past during the Haunted History of Kalamazoo Walking Tours on Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Oct. 24, or enjoy window displays, a pumpkin scavenger hunt and trick-or-treating during Boos in the Zoo on Oct. 10. The New Vic Theatre presents its chilling Ghost Stories Oct. 16–30, while Milham Park hosts the free, family-friendly Halloween Forest on Oct. 24. That evening, visitors can take a horse-drawn Moonlit Wagon Ride followed by fireside folklore at Tillers International or solve a costumed Murder Mystery Dinner at the Manor House. The Kalamazoo Symphony’s Halloween Boos & Brews pairs chamber music with craft pours at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe on Oct. 28, and the season concludes with creepy cocktails, costumes and festive entertainment during The Halloween Bar Crawl on Oct. 31.
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario offers a full slate of haunted attractions this fall. The city's red trolley transforms into a nightly Ghost and Mystery Tour past sites like the abandoned Rockwood Asylum, while Fort Henry hosts Fort Fright every Thursday through Sunday in October, including a new 16+ haunted maze called The Following. On the water, the Ghost and Mystery Cruise sails past Fort Henry, Rockwood Asylum, and Kingston Penitentiary sharing tales of death and mystery. The Haunted Walk runs several tours, including the original walk through the historic Sydenham Ward, Ghosts of Queen's University, and Ghosts of the S.S. Keewatin. For something more festive, the Kingston Witches Walk brings witches, wizards, and magical beings through downtown on October 9 and 10 for a parade, group dance, and Witch Market benefiting local women's charities, and the Tett Centre's Tett After Dark: Enchanted Forest Fundraiser (19+) transforms the heritage building into a spellbound forest on October 31, with immersive installations, live performances, and a costume contest. Adventure seekers can also try one of Improbable Escapes' Halloween-themed escape rooms, including "Coroner's Report" and "The Cure for the Common Zombie." View all things to do this Kingston in October.
Lansing, Michigan
October 16, 2026 4-7 p.m. Howloween: Dog Trick or Treating For over 25 years, Dog Trick-or-Treating at Preuss Pets has been the howl-o-ween event you don’t want to miss, and it’s back! It’s festive, it’s furry, and it’s full of treats. You can’t miss this amazing chance to watch dogs trick-or-treat through the streets of Old Town in their best costumes! The fun starts at Preuss Pets where participants will receive a bag full of goodies! There are no tricks here, only treats! Then on October 30, check out Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Lansing. Get your tickets now to discover music inspired by Halloween at Lansing Central United Methodist Church under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Lexington, Kentucky
Get into the Halloween spirit in downtown Lexington at the annual Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade on October 25, one of the city’s signature fall traditions. The free celebration features Halloween-inspired performances, food and craft vendors, a costume parade, and the evening’s main event: hundreds of costumed zombies taking over Main Street for Lexington’s annual Thriller reenactment. The day begins with the Halloween Variety Show at 4:30 pm, followed by the Halloween Parade at 6:30 pm and the Thriller Parade at 7:00 pm. Then October 27-30, visit the McConnell Springs Jack-o-lantern Trail. See Lexington’s natural beauty in a whole new light at the Jack-O-Lantern Trail at McConnell Springs. Each fall, the historic 26-acre park transforms after dark with hundreds of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns lining its trails. Visitors can stroll through the glowing display while enjoying seasonal activities and the atmosphere of one of Lexington’s most historic natural spaces. The park is also the historic site where Lexington was named in 1775, adding a bit of local history to this festive fall tradition.
Louisville, Kentucky
Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom will take place Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 1-Nov. 1. Explore Kentucky's largest amusement park after dark while riding world-class rides and coasters amid glowing pumpkins and larger-than-life gourd sculptures. This year's event will include the wildly popular Jack O' Lantern Spectacular, featuring more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins along a lit trail. Plus, enjoy tick-or-treating, festival-themed food, and nightly entertainment bring this whimsical wonderland to life.
Martin County, Florida
Hobgoblins on Main Street: Celebrate Halloween in historic downtown Stuart at the 27th Annual Hobgoblins on Main Street event! This free, family-friendly afternoon is filled with trick-or-treating, costume contests, crafts, face painting, hayrides, autumnal treats, and more. The fun culminates with the Hobgoblin Parade, where costumed families march through the downtown streets, collecting candy from local businesses and spectators. With plenty of opportunities for creativity and self-expression, it’s an inclusive way for the whole family to enjoy Halloween together. Organized annually by Stuart Main Street and The Historic Downtown Business Association, this year’s event will take place on October 24 from noon to 3 p.m.
Missoula, Montana
Fall brings out the best of Missoula and reminds us that change is a beautiful thing. Vibrant foliage, bluebird skies and crisp mountain air set the scene for unforgettable mountain adventures, while the town comes alive with festive fall and Halloween happenings. Pick out the perfect pumpkin at Turner Farms, open daily October 1–30 with special festival weekends throughout the month, or sip a seasonal cider at Western Cider. For a classic fall experience, head to Missoula Fall Fest at Grass Valley Farms, running September 18 through November 1 with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides and more. And for those looking for a little more fright, Apocalypse Zombie Hunt & Haunt in Arlee takes place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in October, offering a zombie paintball hunt aboard a spooky old school bus. From pumpkin patches and hayrides to seasonal sips and spooky adventures, there are plenty of ways to embrace the season and add a little extra magic (and maybe a few scares!) to your Missoula getaway.
Reno Tahoe
For a Halloween night that turns all of downtown into a zombie movie set, Reno Tahoe’s annual Reno Zombie Crawl returns Oct. 17, when an estimated 20,000 people are expected to descend on downtown Reno dressed as the undead. Costumes range from elaborate zombie makeup and full costumes to creative takes on the classic zombie, creating a citywide spectacle as crowds move between more than 40 bars and four resort casinos, all within walking distance. Named one of the 10 Best Costumed Halloween Parties in the Nation by USA Today, the crawl includes more than 150 food and drink specials, themed DJs and live entertainment, dancers, photo contests and no last call. Participants can pick up a crawl cup and map and spend the night weaving through downtown alongside thousands of other costumed zombies.
Richmond, Virginia
Celebrate Halloween in Virginia's Richmond Region, an LGBTQ+ welcoming destination where historic ghosts, literary legends, and immersive attractions create the perfect fall getaway. As darkness falls, Haunts of Richmond Ghost Tours leads visitors through some of the city's oldest and most haunted neighborhoods, including Shockoe Bottom and Capitol Hill, where tales of Civil War-era spirits, unsolved mysteries, and centuries of folklore bring Richmond's past to life. Guided by expert storytellers, guests will discover why Virginia's capital is considered one of the South's most haunted cities. Halloween-season dates include September 25, October 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 17, 24, 29, and 30, 2026.
Saugatuck, Michigan
Halloween becomes its own treat for visitors to the Saugatuck/Douglas area, with unique events including haunted mansion tours and an outrageous adults-only costume parade. If haunted history is your idea of Halloween fun, the Felt Estate has an unforgettable lineup of spooky experiences throughout October. On October 23 and 24, join renowned paranormal investigator Adam Berry of the Travel Channel's Kindred Spirits, along with John E.L. Tenney and Jessica Knapik of the What's Up Weirdo podcast, for Paranormal Investigation with Adam Berry. This immersive evening includes a meet-and-greet, Q&A, an inside look at the estate's intriguing history and reported hauntings, and an exclusive four-hour paranormal investigation of the Felt Mansion and Carriage House. Then, from October 29–31, Hauntings & History Nights invite visitors to uncover the mansion's eerie past through firsthand accounts, an immersive presentation, and the Path of Shadows self-guided candlelight tour, complete with access to the mansion, carriage house, grounds, and rarely seen corners of the estate after dark. Looking for a Halloween celebration with a view? Climb aboard the Star of Saugatuck's Halloween Boo's Cruise on October 31 for a 90-minute adults-only evening of spooky fun on the water. Enjoy drink specials, snacks, a costume contest, and plenty of Halloween spirit as you cruise the Kalamazoo River into Lake Michigan. Later that evening on October 31, you definitely won't want to miss our renowned Halloween Parade for Adults, happening in downtown Douglas. The party starts at 10 pm with a Giant Pumpkin King rising from the ashes to officially commence the festivities. For years, this outrageous event has drawn thousands of spectators from around the country who come to gawk and marvel at the unleashed creativity. Anyone in costume is welcome to strut their stuff down the parade route, but be sure to leave the kids at home for this mature-themed event. The fun doesn't end when the parade does. After the festivities on October 31, head to The Dunes Resort, the Midwest's largest LGBTQ+ resort and entertainment complex, for the area's biggest Halloween after-party. This year's Nightmare on Blue Star Presents: The Skeleton Ball features karaoke, dancing, a midnight costume contest, and plenty of Halloween spirit. This wickedly wonderful event is for big ghouls and boys only. Discover other can’t-miss Halloween events happening in The Art Coast® of Michigan. www.saugatuck.com
South Bend, Indiana
South Bend and Mishawaka offer a spirited lineup of Halloween happenings throughout October. Explore the Morris Performing Arts Center’s shadowy history during Whispers from the Past, a guided ghost tour through hidden spaces filled with theatrical legends and eerie tales. On October 9 and 16, investigate a stolen Bill of Rights during Mystery at the Mansion at Copshaholm, while Boos & Brews Haunted Brewfest brings craft beer, food trucks, fire performers and costumes to Mishawaka’s Ironworks Plaza on October 16. Families can enjoy trick-or-treating, costumed characters and festive rides during Zoo Boo at Potawatomi Zoo, October 16–18 and 23–25. On October 23, the Listeso String Quartet presents spooky favorites during Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at the South Bend Scottish Rite. The festivities culminate October 31 with the 21-and-older Monster Bash at Four Winds South Bend, featuring live music, a DJ, cocktails and a costume contest.
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield’s Queer Halloween Bash promises a spirited evening of music, creativity and community—all for a great cause. The 21-and-over celebration also serves as the official coming-out party for The Shared Joy Initiative, Springfield’s newest LGBTQ organization. Guests can enjoy a live DJ, hors d’oeuvres, a photo booth, live painting and plenty of free joy. Proceeds will support future events for LGBTQ youth. Advance tickets are $25 at bit.ly/4eZqFcX or $30 at the door.
Wilmington, Delaware
New this year, the Ladybug Dark Bloom Music Festival will bring an autumn-inspired celebration of music, art and community to Wilmington, Delaware’s Trolley Square on Saturday, October 31. Taking place on Halloween, the free, family-friendly event will blend live performances by women-led artists, local makers and small businesses with the imaginative spirit of the season - part autumn festival, part Día de los Muertos and part The Nightmare Before Christmas. Learn more about Ladybug Dark Bloom.
Walla Walla, Washington
Walla Walla will celebrate Día de los Muertos with a free community festival on Sunday, November 1, from noon to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park. The festivities will include food, drinks, music, family-friendly activities and performances by mariachi musicians, DJ Deeper Soul and Estrellas de Mexico. A colorful parade will travel from Tukanon and Main streets to Second Street from 3 to 4 p.m. Visitors can also experience a special altar exhibition at Grandma’s Kitchen, located at 36 S. Colville Street, from October 28 through November 1.
